Braves 46-35 and optimistic at midpoint
SEATTLE — Nothing would make their cross-country charter flight back to Atlanta tonight more enjoyable for the Braves than a win today to complete a sweep of the Mariners. But it won’t be easy.
The Mariners will have “King” Felix Hernandez on the mound, while the Braves have Derek Lowe trying to snap a nine-start winless streak in the first game of what is technically the second half of the season.
Or didn’t you notice? Tuesday was the 81st game of this 162-game marathon, and the Braves’ 5-4 come-from-behind win made them a season-high 11 games over .500 at 46-35, on pace for a 92-70 season.
A year ago, the Braves were 48-33 at the 81-game pole, and finished 91-71 to win the wild-card postseason berth.
Braves players eagerly await eventual return of Martin Prado, one reason they believe their offense will improve in second half
They begin today (Wednesday) with the third-best record in the NL right now, a half-game NL West leader San Francisco and 4-1/2 games behind NL East leader Philadelphia, which is pretty much a consensus pick as the top team in the majors right now.
If you’re curious about the wild-card race, the Braves would be in the playoffs if the season ended today. They have a two-game lead over Arizona in the wild-card standings.
The glass-half-full view of that would be that there is seemingly no way the Braves’ offense won’t get better in the second half, what with the return of Martin Prado from the DL presumably around the All-Star break, and the expected – at least by most in the clubhouse – improvement of Dan Uggla.
Uggla’s had a half-season worse than anyone could have ever imagined, and still isn’t hitting with any consistency as the second half gets underway. However, he’s got three homers in his past six games, including two on this trip in spacious ballparks at San Diego and Seattle. The Braves will take any encouraging sign from Uggla.
He still has the league’s lowest qualifying batting average (.177) and on-base percentage (.247), and its third-lowest OPS (.588).
Loading ...But I wondered what players thought about the record, which is two wins fewer than they had at the same point a year ago, when their big injuries were in the second half instead of the first (including Chipper’s season-ending knee surgery in Augurst, and Prado’s season-ending injury a week before the playoffs, etc.)
Here’s what some had to say this morning about where the Braves are at the midway point:
– Eric Hinske: “I think it’s a good record. I think honestly we’d have taken that with everybody doing well. So you can’t complain. We’ve got 81 more to go. I think we’re pleased with the way we’ve been playing. Our pitching’s been great. We’re not hitting for a great average, but we’re hitting well with runners in scoring position. Just thank if we didn’t hit with runners in scoring position, how bad we’d be…. (laughs)
“I think as an offense, we’re looking for a big second half. It didn’t obviously go the way we planned in the first half with the offense, and we’re hoping to get hot in the second half. You’ve got to play all 162, you can’t take the first half and say, this is it.
“Especially with a guy like Dan. His average isn’t there, but to me, he’s got 12 home runs. I think Dan’s doing great. I think he’s making strides and could be carrying us in the second half, and hopefully Heyward gets back there too.”
– Jason Heyward: “We’re starting to gel, as far as hanging in some tough games. That’s big. Carry that into the second part of the season and just finish strong. We’ve got a lot of baseball left to play.”
“[The record] could be a lot worse. We want to be a lot better, but it could be a lot worse. We’ve dealt with some injuries.”
– Chipper Jones: “It’s [46-35] really good. I don’t know where we are in the wild card, but not being at full strength, as bad as we’ve been offensively, to be 11 games over is pretty good. What did we finish last year?” [You finished 91-71, I said].
“We’re halfway to that, anyway. So…”
And the offense has to be better in the second half, right?
“Can’t be any worse… Getting Prado back. Yeah, I think we’re poised to play pretty well in the second half. We’re looking forward to it.
“Whatever comes. I mean, we’re shooting for the top, but if the wild card is a byproduct of finishing second in the division, we just want to get there [to the postseason].”
– Brian McCann: “The difference this year is there’s a lot of teams hovering around .500. There’s not many teams at the bottom, and a lot of teams got better. We’re excited where we’re at right now. We’re in great position. If you had told us before the season [46-35 at midway point], we’d definitely have taken that. Especially with all the injuries we’ve had.”
♣ Too hot to sit: Manager Fredi Gonzalez wanted to give catcher Brian McCann a breather in today’s day game after a night game, but he also wanted to keep his hot bat in the lineup. So McCann is the DH today, and David Ross is catching.
McCann's power-hitting surge could push him into thick of MVP race. Teammates say he should and will be considered for the award.
“The only thing is you can’t pinch-hit for Ross,” Gonzalez said. “Well, I guess you can in the ninth inning and roll the dice.”
The Braves’ emergency catcher is Brooks Conrad, who caught a couple of games at Triple-A Round Rock (Astros) in 2007.
As for McCann, hitters just don’t get much hotter than he’s been lately.
He’s hit .396 (36-for-91) with six doubles, 10 homers and 21 RBIs in his past 25 games, with 14 walks, a .481 OBP and .791 slugging percentage (1.272 OPS).
That includes 15-for-32 (.469) with five HRs, nine RBIs, six walks and a .553 OBP and .938 slugging in past nine games. McCann went 7-for-9 in the first two games of the Seattle series, getting more than half of the Braves’ 13 hits in the series before today’s finale.
And going back further, he’s hit .355 over his past 33 games with 12 homers, 26 RBIs and a 1.163 OPS.
McCann has climbed to sixth in the league in OPS at .924, behind Kemp, Fielder, Berkman and Votto, and just ahead of Jose Reyes (.922).
His four-hit night Tuesday raised McCann’s average from .307 to .317, fifth in the league and just ahead of Votto (.316).
It’s early, but it looks like McCann is going to be thrust into MVP consideration if he continues at anything resembling his current pace.
“Absolutely,” Hinske said. “ t’s amazing to watch on a day-to-day basis, especially from a catcher. He plays every day; he wants to play. The at-bats he puts out there, the way he handles left-handed pitching is amazing, to me. He hammers lefties, and it’s not that easy. He’s one of the best players in the game, no doubt in my mind.”
“He’s carrying us right now,” Chipper Jones said. “Absolutely carrying us.”
MVP candidate?
“Oh, there’s no doubt he’s going to get some votes,” said Jones, the 1999 NL MVP. “He’s going to get a lot of votes.”
♣ Jones rests: It’s a day off for Chipper, whose right knee is barking a bit again. That’s the knee with the meniscus tear that he’s been playing on for the past couple of months.
The hope is that resting today and tomorrow’s team day off will help calm it down before the homestand that starts Friday.
Chipper still hopes to avoid having arthroscopic surgery, which would likely keep him out about three weeks. He continues getting it treated each day.
“If you’ve got torn meniscus, you’ve got torn meniscus,” he said. “There’s not a lot you can do about it. Just have to stay on top of it.
“If I have to go on the DL for it, I’ll probably get the surgery. But if can avoid it, I’d rather not.”
Conrad gets the start today at third base.
♣ Gonzo struggling: Shortstop Alex Gonzalez has not reached base in five games, going 0-for-17 with no walks and a sac-bunt RBI in that span. He didn’t try to bunt with two on and none out in the seventh inning Tuesday, when the Braves trailed 3-2. He struck out in that at-bat.
In his past 15 games, Gonzalez is 6-for-54 (.111) with three doubles, two RBIs, four walks and 14 strikeouts. His average is down to .240 and his .274 OBP is fifth-lowest among NL qualifiers, giving the Braves two of the league’s bottom five.
♣ Etc.
The Mariners are 5-9 despite a 2.39 ERA in their past 14 games, They’ve scored 33 runs in that span….
The Braves are league-best 24-18 on the road with league-best 3.12 ERA
Tommy Hanson (.193) leads the NL in opponents’ average….
Tim Hudson (.316), Hanson (.324) and Jair Jurrjens (.334) are ranked third, sixth and eighth in the NL in lowest opponents’ slugging percentage.
Jonny Venters (.155) and Hanson (.156) are 1-2 in NL for average allowed with men on base, and Brandon Beachy (.176) is seventh.
♣ OK, let’s get this up before first pitch. We’ll close with a classic from the mighty, mighty Van the Man, and you can see him sing it live by clicking here. (Great performance.)
“CLEANING WINDOWS” by Van Morrison
Oh, the smell of the bakery from across the street Got in my nose As we carried our ladders down the street With the wrought-iron rows I went home and listened to Jimmy Rodgers in my lunch-break Bought five Woodbines at the shop on the corner And went straight back to work Oh, Sam was up on top And I was on the bottom with the v We went for lemonade and Paris buns At the shop and broke for tea I collected from the lady And I cleaned the fanlight inside-out I was blowing saxophone on the weekend In that down joint. What's my line? I'm happy cleaning windows Take my time I'll see you when my love grows Baby don't let it slide I'm a working man in my prime Cleaning windows (number thirty-six). I heard Leadbelly and Blind Lemon On the street where I was born Sonny Terry, Brownie McGhee, Muddy Waters sing "I'm a Rolling Stone" I went home and read my Christmas Humphreys' book on Zen Curiosity killed the cat Kerouac's "Dharma Bums" and "On The Road". What's my line? I'm happy cleaning windows Take my time I'll see you when my love grows Baby don't let it slide I'm a working man in my prime Cleaning windows ...
2,335 comments Add your comment
BLK09GT
June 29th, 2011
3:42 pm
Go Braves!
TG from CA
June 29th, 2011
3:43 pm
Dave,
You got the wrong record in the headline Should be 46-35
Fish Bisch
June 29th, 2011
3:43 pm
King Felix owns us
MiaBchBravesFan
June 29th, 2011
3:44 pm
George @ 1:09 – “Not so sure Chipper is done, look at hot streak late last year just before he went down.”
My point exactly. I dunno if it’s the water, but Chipper Jones is the Atlanta baseball equivalent of Chris “Chandelier” Chandler, a player so brittle that just playing all nine innings on a given day is a miracle in and of itself. Age is a mutha; time for Chip to hang ‘em up one year early, and not use a walker to collect 2012 dough, mercenary style.
Now, does he deserve his last year? Yes! But I am sure the Bravos can Chip can get creative on a club services contract that’ll see to his getting his last year’s moolah on some kind of a prorated basis. Chipper “playing” in 2012 is a waste of a roster space – no matter how you chip it up.
TennesseePaul
June 29th, 2011
3:45 pm
Thanks for the work DOB.
GO BRAVES!!
CrαZy
June 29th, 2011
3:47 pm
Any one got a link for the game?
Murph
June 29th, 2011
3:47 pm
whoop de do
MattyRoss
June 29th, 2011
3:48 pm
I feel like we’d have a better chance of getting to Heredia…oh well.
Dr. Kenneth Noisewater
June 29th, 2011
3:49 pm
DOB- just busted out a classic by the Replacements- Here Comes A Regular: such a great song
Husker Tony
June 29th, 2011
3:50 pm
No-no still alive for Lowe. Look out world!!
MiaBchBravesFan
June 29th, 2011
3:50 pm
Wow. Now he also has a meniscus tear – in the non-surgical knee???
Man! Dude’s like Namath at the end of his career – which knee do you lean on???
Tomahawk Mafia
June 29th, 2011
3:50 pm
The Mariners will have “King” Felix Heredia on the mound
I thought the Braves were facing Felix Hernandez, although it would be nice to see Felix Heredia pitch again in the Majors.
bravesgrl4life
June 29th, 2011
3:51 pm
Good work in the first inning, DLowe.
Jimmy
June 29th, 2011
3:51 pm
CraZy – radio link: http://tunein.com/radio/WQNT-1450-s22221/
Snotboogie
June 29th, 2011
3:51 pm
Man, Buck Belue or whoever that is, is brutal. I think I would rather Chip Caray with my ears bleeding than listen to this guy.
Jim H.
June 29th, 2011
3:52 pm
46-35
Husker Tony
June 29th, 2011
3:53 pm
King’s court, I personally love it.
Husker Tony
June 29th, 2011
3:53 pm
Freeman baby!!
BLK09GT
June 29th, 2011
3:54 pm
any play by play? Looks like Uggla is turning it around. He worked some counts last night and actually didn’t swing at low and away.
CrαZy
June 29th, 2011
3:54 pm
Thanks!
Tom O'Hawke
June 29th, 2011
3:54 pm
DOB must have been in a BIG hurry to do the blog, today.
Fortunately, he has us to correct his errors. Just as I have VJ.
Jimmy
June 29th, 2011
3:55 pm
Radio report: The Braves are 5-0 against CY Young winners this year. They have a combined era of 6.13. Beat Lee twice and Halliday once. There is hope.
GT Alum
June 29th, 2011
3:55 pm
I wondered if Fredi would have the cojones to DH Mac and have Ross catch w/o another full time C on the roster. Glad to see he did. This is a great way to give Mac a day off from squatting and getting punished while still having his bat in the lineup. And Ross is a solid bat, too.
AtlYnkHtr
June 29th, 2011
3:56 pm
MiaBch, congrats you are the first person alive that has compared Chandler to Chipper. Where is Shaun to call out that ridiculous comparison?
CrαZy
June 29th, 2011
3:56 pm
So Conrads the emergency back up catcher……I bet the dude doesn’t even wear pads!!
Jimmy
June 29th, 2011
3:58 pm
Oh, and thanks for the blog DOB.
BFChris26
June 29th, 2011
3:58 pm
Score some runs early, Felix is a beast as game goes on.
Husker Tony
June 29th, 2011
3:59 pm
Ross looks good with his beard…….for those not watching or listening, group of fans down 3rd baseline called the Kings Court, every time Felix gets 2 strikes on a guy they start chanting K K K K K K K, they all have yellow shirts on and hold yellow signs up with a K on it. Kind of cool.
Tomahawk Mafia
June 29th, 2011
3:59 pm
Four consecutive strikeouts for Ross
Jimmy
June 29th, 2011
3:59 pm
AYH – Shaun is over on the old blog…arguing with himself.
cabravesfan
June 29th, 2011
3:59 pm
Tom-
You know the game is on, right? What are you doing here with all the Crazy?
David O'Brien
June 29th, 2011
4:00 pm
Just added an UGGLA second-half poll to blog, asking how you guys (and ladies) think he’ll do.
Venice Jim
June 29th, 2011
4:00 pm
Well done, Tom…
Venice Jim
June 29th, 2011
4:00 pm
cab – good for now…
McFann ;Ô; ;Ô;
June 29th, 2011
4:01 pm
Thanks for the new Blog, Chief! More good stuff…
Hit A Single
June 29th, 2011
4:01 pm
Joe is right, Hernandez does look just like Jair Jurrgens.
MiaBchBravesFan
June 29th, 2011
4:02 pm
AtlYnkHtr: actually, I have made that comparison several times before in years past. I guess Shaun makes a choice to totally igonore the 6,000 pound gorilla in the room known as Chipper’s injury woes of the past 6-7 years.
You know who else? Poor Ken Griffey Jr. at the latter third of his career – and that was with a non-PED’s body!
Husker Tony
June 29th, 2011
4:02 pm
D-Lowe getting ground balls early, good sign.
flange1
June 29th, 2011
4:02 pm
Thanks for the new blog DOB!
ncscoots
June 29th, 2011
4:02 pm
Four consecutive strikeouts for Ross
That drops the number of “ML Teams David Ross could Start For” down to 20, maybe 21.
cabravesfan
June 29th, 2011
4:02 pm
VJ-
good. I’m hungry
jeffrey d
June 29th, 2011
4:04 pm
I’m kinda hungry too, VJ
phil
June 29th, 2011
4:04 pm
I mentioned last night seeing Chipper grimace at first after the error when he reached. Now we know why. The knee is acting up again. He needs to get it fixed, now, while the allstar break is in the mix…it’s clearly affecting his hitting again, as in no hitting.
I’m sure someone will come along now demanding to know why FG is playing both McCann and Ross at the same time….no pleasing some of these loons.
Gonzo….sigh. I know carpet that has more sense.
Let’s go get em today, boys!
StingerSplash
June 29th, 2011
4:04 pm
Uh, late night there, DOB?
Look, not trying to bust your rollers or anything and I know you meant King Felix Hernandez. But why in God’s name would mediocre reliever Felix Heredia ever cross your mind?
Buck Belue is to sports talk radio what he was to minor league pitching – a swing and a miss.
(I could have gone all what Struggla is to major league pitching but give the dude the a break. It appears he cares that he is underwhelming, in the words of Bill Walton on Dan Gadzuric and Jerome Moiso.)
Venice Jim
June 29th, 2011
4:06 pm
jeffrey – then you can also get food and not text me updates…
Husker Tony
June 29th, 2011
4:06 pm
Eric Wedge gonna get tossed…..
phil
June 29th, 2011
4:07 pm
May I presume we were 3 up, 3 down in the first?
Veer
June 29th, 2011
4:07 pm
Wedge is a manager I would like to see the Braves had. Gonzalez can’t stand up for his players
Whoop
June 29th, 2011
4:07 pm
Take notes Fredi Gonzalez
jeffrey d
June 29th, 2011
4:07 pm
I got food I just don’t want to make it
Tom O'Hawke
June 29th, 2011
4:08 pm
Tom-
You know the game is on, right? What are you doing here with all the Crazy? — cabravesfan
I’ll probably make like Stanlee, and slither away if the Braves go behind.
AtlYnkHtr
June 29th, 2011
4:08 pm
MiaBch, I would keep the fact that you have made a ridiculous comparison between a HOF 3rd baseman with an average NFL QB several times to yourself.
Shaun
June 29th, 2011
4:08 pm
MiaBchBravesFan, when Chipper is not able to hang with other starting thirdbasemen, I’ll be ready to compare him to Chris Chandler. Also, when Chris Chandler is in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Husker Tony
June 29th, 2011
4:08 pm
Yes Phil, but a hit in the 2nd!!
Husker Tony
June 29th, 2011
4:09 pm
jeff im in the same boat……
bravesgrl4life
June 29th, 2011
4:09 pm
Well, both teams have hits now and no runs. So far, pretty even match. Glad Jordan tracked that ball down.
Veer
June 29th, 2011
4:09 pm
Alex Gonzalez coming up, I think it is obvious what the outcome will be. The question is how many pitches will it take him to make an out. A truely pathetic hitter. I don’t need to see his at bat to know the result. Guy is pathetic and I called this. He is pathetic.
Heath
June 29th, 2011
4:10 pm
2IP, 1BB, 0H, 0R… So far so good Lowe!
Furman Bitcher
June 29th, 2011
4:10 pm
you can have wedge
jeffrey d
June 29th, 2011
4:10 pm
You didn’t need to slide.
MikeR
June 29th, 2011
4:11 pm
Shaun, just wondering…
These Mangers must have been stupid.
Walter Alston hit HOF Duke Snider 3rd in 1955.
Miller Huggins hit HOF Babe Ruth 3rd in 1927.
Casey Stengel hit HOF Mickey Mantle 3rd in 1956.
Sparky Anderson hit HOF Joe Morgan 3rd in 1975.
Each team won the WS. Imagine how good they would have been if the mangers only knew the proper way to construct a lineup.
semiballcoach
June 29th, 2011
4:11 pm
pitchers pitch to contact, can we get a-gon to swing to contact?
David O'Brien
June 29th, 2011
4:11 pm
Braves only wish it were Felix Heredia facing them today instead of Felix Hernandez.
Veer
June 29th, 2011
4:12 pm
3 F**king pitches it took Gonzalez to strike out.
Pathetic.
RELEASE THIS GUY
TNScott
June 29th, 2011
4:12 pm
Jose Reyes, we need you desperately!!!
StingerSplash
June 29th, 2011
4:12 pm
Alex Gonzalex … 3 for his last 34 and 15 for 87 this month. It only compounds the anemic performance of Mr. Struggla, who is actually 8 for his last 37, a torrid pace compared to the tepid batting average he has posted to date. Mr. Struggla will have hit 24 homers (a fair number) and driven in 56 runs (a rather woeful and pathetic number, especially for 24 dingers. That’s a lot of trips around the bases by yourself).
jeffrey d
June 29th, 2011
4:13 pm
Each team won the WS. Imagine how good they would have been if the mangers only knew the proper way to construct a lineup.
If only some day, some how, a team will take a chance with Shaun at the helm. We’re not talking multiple World Series championships, but multiple Galaxy Series championships.
Husker Tony
June 29th, 2011
4:13 pm
Overmatched in that inning, Schaefer and Gonzo noooooooooooo chance
Fish Bisch
June 29th, 2011
4:13 pm
Shouldn’t McAnn be too hot to sit instead of to hot to sit since we are all pointing out errors?
semiballcoach
June 29th, 2011
4:13 pm
snotboogie–that’s ben ingram with the proverbial radio voice and he IS awful
Tomahawk Mafia
June 29th, 2011
4:14 pm
Schafer has resembled his 2009 performance over the past few weeks and that is nothing to brag about.
Veer
June 29th, 2011
4:14 pm
I continue to wonder why Alex Gonzalez got a standing ovation. Even if Babe Ruth was traded to Atlanta I am sure even he wouldn’t have gotten a Standing Ovation Like Gonzalez did.
It makes me sick to wonder why such a pathetic ballplayer like Gonzalez was treated like a noble prize winner
rilo
June 29th, 2011
4:15 pm
I believe King Felix would set the strikeout record today if our team MO was not to hack every pitch. Just trying to find a silver lining.
CrαZy
June 29th, 2011
4:15 pm
RELEASE THIS GUY
Yes please release him so we can see Diory or Hicks or even better Julio Lugo at SS for the rest of the year.
MiaBchBravesFan
June 29th, 2011
4:16 pm
AtlYnkHtr & Shaun: Wow. The comparison is that both had more than a proclivity for getting hurt – strictly on that basis alone. Truth is, what’s Chipper’s excuse compared to the fact that at least Chandler played football, a contact sport.
Guys, enjoy the Kool-Aid if you like.
Veer
June 29th, 2011
4:16 pm
MCLOUTH HAS NO SPEED. SHOULD HAVE CAUGHT THAT. F***k
Kelly's Johnson
June 29th, 2011
4:17 pm
Is Matt Young still alive…??? I grow weary of Schafer
Jimmy
June 29th, 2011
4:17 pm
There’s a double..BALLGAME!
jeffrey d
June 29th, 2011
4:17 pm
Veer – do you do anything other than complain?
GT Alum
June 29th, 2011
4:18 pm
I’m honestly not sure how Gonzalez gets any pitches to hit. If I were an opposing pitcher, I wouldn’t throw anything any closer than the corners unless he took at least 1 walk against me. He reaches for so many pitches it’s ridiculous. He’s like Andruw at the end of his Braves tenure, but with less power.
StingerSplash
June 29th, 2011
4:19 pm
As a Red Sox fan as well (parents are from there, I grew up in the South, so there), I suffered through the Julio Lugo era in Boston.
Let’s just say that Red Sox Nation is glad that reign of error, watching him butcher at-bats and ground balls like Robespierre at the guillotine, is finis.
phil
June 29th, 2011
4:19 pm
StingerSplash
June 29th, 2011
4:12 pm
“Alex Gonzalex … 3 for his last 34 and 15 for 87 this month. It only compounds the anemic performance of Mr. Struggla, who is actually 8 for his last 37, a torrid pace compared to the tepid batting average he has posted to date. Mr. Struggla will have hit 24 homers (a fair number) and driven in 56 runs (a rather woeful and pathetic number, especially for 24 dingers. That’s a lot of trips around the bases by yourself).”
Hater…
cabravesfan
June 29th, 2011
4:19 pm
Some people here need to serioulsy relax a little…
Jimmy
June 29th, 2011
4:19 pm
That walk sets up the double play.
phil
June 29th, 2011
4:21 pm
Veer – eat a valium or drink a coke or go for a walk or watch something else….
cabravesfan
June 29th, 2011
4:21 pm
That walk sets up the double play.
Would we get get to start the next inning with one out already?
ncscoots
June 29th, 2011
4:22 pm
Let’s just say that Red Sox Nation is glad that reign of error, watching him butcher at-bats and ground balls like Robespierre at the guillotine, is finis.
Stinger goes all Ernest Hemingway.
Props!
Husker Tony
June 29th, 2011
4:22 pm
cab, I think you mean A LOT………..great pitch on the inside corner, beautimus!
CrαZy
June 29th, 2011
4:23 pm
Some people here need to serioulsy relax a little…
Or find a cliff………….nevermind
StingerSplash
June 29th, 2011
4:23 pm
Should we have a pool on the Lowe meltdown? Will it be the fifth or the sixth inning?
I’m just amazed that King Felix only has 5 Ks through three. Granted, this Braves lineup save for McCann, and maybe Freeman and to a lesser extent Ross, is nothing to write home about.
But Felix Hernandez is one bad dude. I mean bad like Samuel Jackson bad, not like bad like Carrot Top bad.
cabravesfan
June 29th, 2011
4:23 pm
Husker Tony
I was trying to be polite
Veer
June 29th, 2011
4:23 pm
Maddux like pitch to end the inning by Lowe.
GT dont insult A.Jones by comparing him to Alex Gonzalez. Jones was a Braves legend. Great player for us.
At this rate Hernendez can pitch 11 innings aganist us. We need to take some pitches and make him work atleast that way we can get into their bullpen quicker. Aganist a good team and tough pitching This is a must. We won’t want to be facing Lee and Halladay in NLCS by swinging at first pitches, These guys are capable of going 11 innings if need be.
Jimmy
June 29th, 2011
4:23 pm
cabravesfan – Why should facts have to do with what is posted. No one else is sensible.
You are only the one who caught it. Everyone else seems to just want to argue about something.
Nova Scotia Steve
June 29th, 2011
4:23 pm
Alright!
Home now…ball games on…beers in hand…carry on.
CaptainMudderland
June 29th, 2011
4:24 pm
Was Manage Eric Wedgie ousted? Hi everyone….Go Bravos!!!
Shaun
June 29th, 2011
4:24 pm
MikeR, several problems with the logic regarding those managers being “stupid.” First of all, those managers didn’t have as much data at their disposal as current managers. Second, if every manager isn’t using an optimal lineup, how are you going to notice if one isn’t? Third, it takes a lot more than constructing a lineup less than optimally to mess up a good offense or a good team.
I would prefer entire organizations employ several progressive changes, from owner to GM to manager down. Not only should a manager hit one of his best hitters second in his order but the team should employ the four-man rotation, a manager should limit his use of the sac bunt, a manager should ignore bullpen roles based on inning or save opportunities. If an organization has both good players and employs a number of tactics and strategies that data and research shows are optimal, that’s when baseball will take notice.
CrαZy
June 29th, 2011
4:24 pm
Veer, have a beer and stop drinking so much Mt. Dew.
cabravesfan
June 29th, 2011
4:25 pm
Jimmy-
Wasn’t sure if you were joking or serious
(If it helps, that was my first thought too)
StingerSplash
June 29th, 2011
4:25 pm
Phil …
Well, yes, if you put it that way.
ncscoots,
thanks. Bigger hemingway guy than a faulkner guy. Bigger fan of John Kennedy Toole, though. Too bad John Candy died before he got to make his big screen version of “A Confederacy of Dunces.”
rilo
June 29th, 2011
4:25 pm
nevermind…the K record might be broken
Philly Phanatical
June 29th, 2011
4:26 pm
Heyward cant hit. Someone should remind him theres still a left field.
Shaun
June 29th, 2011
4:26 pm
MiaBchBravesFan, so, what are you saying? That Chipper should retire? Provide some indication that he’s “done,” please.
Jimmy
June 29th, 2011
4:26 pm
This will be another 10+ K day for the Braves…looks like.
Maybe we get a solo shot (or two) and Lowe has a great game.
Murph
June 29th, 2011
4:26 pm
Hey, at least the Braves won’t get no-hit today.
Gotta look for the positives on days like today…
David O'Brien
June 29th, 2011
4:26 pm
Nice oppo bloop single for Freeman, taking what they give him and all that
Jay Dubu
June 29th, 2011
4:27 pm
Looks to be another 5 – 6 start for the Braves’ starter…D. Lowe already at 48 pitches.
MikeInFl
June 29th, 2011
4:27 pm
If I hear one more word about lineup construction, I’m gonna blow ncscoots’ brains out.
Nova Scotia Steve
June 29th, 2011
4:27 pm
This could get ugly….at least we have a couple hits…or ahem….Freeman has a couple hits
Arkansas Transplant
June 29th, 2011
4:27 pm
I have to admit, Heyward has been a complete disappointment this year. I was hoping for something at least close to last years production.
phil
June 29th, 2011
4:27 pm
Shaun – ??
StingerSplash
June 29th, 2011
4:27 pm
All right, Struggla, time to make believers out of us.
Husker Tony
June 29th, 2011
4:27 pm
Trade Freeman, he hits too much.
ncscoots
June 29th, 2011
4:27 pm
Too bad John Candy died before he got to make his big screen version of “A Confederacy of Dunces.”
Stinger, was that in the works, really? If so, I never knew that. You’re right, that would have had some potential.
Braves 46-35 and optimistic at midpoint | Raw Sports - Atlanta Braves
June 29th, 2011
4:28 pm
[...] Atlanta Braves [...]
Tomahawk Mafia
June 29th, 2011
4:29 pm
I missed Heyward’s atbat; how many pitches did he see?
jeffrey d
June 29th, 2011
4:29 pm
I like how the crowd’s chanting “K! K! K! K!” when Felix has 2 strikes
Jimmy
June 29th, 2011
4:29 pm
Hustle by Danno!
Husker Tony
June 29th, 2011
4:30 pm
Wish it were the 7th inning Conrad would homer then.
cabravesfan
June 29th, 2011
4:30 pm
Well done boys!
TNScott
June 29th, 2011
4:31 pm
I think it’s safe to assume that at baseball’s next CBA, the Braves will vote “No” for the DH being instituted in the National League as well.
ncscoots
June 29th, 2011
4:31 pm
Poor Uggla. Pitchers know he’s struggling, so he’s gonna be reluctant to swing at the first pitch, and it’s just strike-one-looking nearly every AB, it seems. And he probably can’t get right if he’s swinging early too much.
jeffrey d
June 29th, 2011
4:31 pm
scoots – I just Wikipedia’d it and it seems that John Belushi, John Candy, and Chris Farley have all been cast as the lead for A Confederacy of Dunces.
Veer
June 29th, 2011
4:31 pm
CONRAD MAN. THE GREAT PINCH HITTING SPECIALIST.THIS GUY CAN HIT ANYONES FASTBALL. YA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
StingerSplash
June 29th, 2011
4:31 pm
Man, I was about to go all Officer Thirdout from the Who’s on Base episode of That’s My Braves Offense … give it up for Dannnn Strugglllaaa!
And dude gets an infield hit. Struggla! and Conrad!
Jimmy
June 29th, 2011
4:31 pm
Conrad does it. But remember that hustle by Uggla for an infield hit!!
Nova Scotia Steve
June 29th, 2011
4:31 pm
WE GOT A RUUUUNNNNNN…..Some two out magic or whatever the hell you call it…
It doesn’t matter
Husker Tony
June 29th, 2011
4:31 pm
Uh oh let the “Conrad should play over Chipper” talk begin……
VaBravesFan
June 29th, 2011
4:31 pm
there ya go Brooks.
BLK09GT
June 29th, 2011
4:31 pm
That’s right Husker. We need to fly under the radar. Can’t have our team batting average above .200. Free Freeman!
TheAntiMe
June 29th, 2011
4:32 pm
Brooksy, wooooo!
CrαZy
June 29th, 2011
4:32 pm
King Felix ….more like Queen Felix!!
VaBravesFan
June 29th, 2011
4:32 pm
Wait, gameday just said Ross bunted for the 3rd out, i dont get this it all.
Jay Dubu
June 29th, 2011
4:32 pm
I don’t think Heyward is 100%, and as Chipper said 80% of him is better than what they would get with his replacement.
I think he’ll have a big 2nd half, just as Uggs will.
David O'Brien
June 29th, 2011
4:33 pm
Braves got that run on three two out hits — bloop single, infield single and groundball single to center
Murph
June 29th, 2011
4:33 pm
Gah! What in the… holy… son of a… ggggguuuuuhhhh
That bunt just made me sick. I’m ok now.
glove51
June 29th, 2011
4:33 pm
Did Ross really bunt for the 3rd out?
ncscoots
June 29th, 2011
4:34 pm
I just Wikipedia’d it and it seems that John Belushi, John Candy, and Chris Farley have all been cast as the lead for A Confederacy of Dunces.
Holy smoke. Glad I’m not large and funny, so that casting director doesn’t call me. Seems detrimental to your health.
cabravesfan
June 29th, 2011
4:34 pm
Wait, gameday just said Ross bunted for the 3rd out, i dont get this it all.
Trying to catch them off guard and get that run in from 3rd. Just a little too hard
Fish Bisch
June 29th, 2011
4:34 pm
I think Conrad should start at third, which he will, once chip gets his scope.
Husker Tony
June 29th, 2011
4:34 pm
Vabraves, he tried to bunt for a hit, lets just say it didn’t work…
Tomahawk Mafia
June 29th, 2011
4:34 pm
That inning was fun to watch and so atypical of the way the Braves had been scoring before Tuesday night’s game.
jeffrey d
June 29th, 2011
4:34 pm
woo, Veer said something positive!
phil
June 29th, 2011
4:34 pm
Conrad should play over Chipper…
Jimmy
June 29th, 2011
4:35 pm
Ross now down to being able to start on 12 other teams.
jw
June 29th, 2011
4:35 pm
Are you serious?? I love the bunt idea. I will grant that it was poorly placed but that third baseman would never have thrown him out. He has bunted for a base hit before because they never suspect it of a catcher. He just didn’t get it down the line enough.
TheAntiMe
June 29th, 2011
4:35 pm
Did Ross really bunt for the 3rd out?
No way, it was Alex Gonzalez who bunted.
Dumbfound
June 29th, 2011
4:35 pm
Philly Phanatical
June 29th, 2011
4:26 pm
Heyward cant hit. Someone should remind him theres still a left field.
How many games did your team win in Seattle ?!?!
StingerSplash
June 29th, 2011
4:35 pm
They all look line drives in the box score in the morning. Just hope Lowe can make it hold up and leave a sinker up to Cust.
Tom O'Hawke
June 29th, 2011
4:35 pm
I continue to wonder why Alex Gonzalez got a standing ovation. — Veer (or VEER!!!!)
How else would he get one?
ncscoots
June 29th, 2011
4:36 pm
Jimmy,
Jimmy
June 29th, 2011
4:36 pm
John Belushi, John Candy, and Chris Farley have all lost alot of weight.
phil
June 29th, 2011
4:36 pm
A slow footed catcher, that so many think can hit like Babe Ruth, tried to bunt for a hit? That doesn’t make much sense there….
StingerSplash
June 29th, 2011
4:36 pm
Make that “not leave a sinker up to Cust”
Jay Dubu
June 29th, 2011
4:36 pm
Middle 3rd of batting order scratching out a run against Felix.
Veer
June 29th, 2011
4:37 pm
Alex Gonzalez leading the inning off. Wonder what will happen?
Will it be a 3 pitch strikeout? If he can get a 4 pitch strikeout, Man what a huge accomplishment that would be. Imagine Gonzalez fouling a pitch off or taking a ball.
Hell I will take a pop up from him right now as a sign of improvment.
bravesgrl4life
June 29th, 2011
4:37 pm
I walk away to actually do some work and the Braves score. Kinda like they score after I go to bed last night. Maybe I ought not to listen and they’ll blow it out
jim
June 29th, 2011
4:37 pm
Shaun,
If managers don’t do the things yuou said they should be doing, how is tere any data to show that they are optimal? If you cite research to back your opinion, then you need to base it on experiment. Without experiment there is no data and hence no real research.
groundfog
June 29th, 2011
4:37 pm
Lowe is dealing where are the haters?
Tomahawk Mafia
June 29th, 2011
4:37 pm
Good shutdown inning for Lowe.
Archangel
June 29th, 2011
4:37 pm
This is going to be a strikeout bonanza for both teams.
TennesseePaul
June 29th, 2011
4:37 pm
Schafer has resembled his 2009 performance over the past few weeks and that is nothing to brag about.
Actually, it’s been the entire Month of June… and it’s been worse than his 2009 MLB season… when he was injured with a broken wrist: .211/.257/.316/.573 23 K’s to 6 BB on June. He’s terrible and the team could use a real ball player in his roster spot
StingerSplash
June 29th, 2011
4:37 pm
D Lowe!
CaptainMudderland
June 29th, 2011
4:38 pm
@VaBravesFan…..Ross, with his power potential–yes, I don’t think a bunt was in order…..especially this early. I just think he could have driven a double there and we would have really been in business. Seems the Braves are having a time getting the bunting thing just right this season.
Dumbfound
June 29th, 2011
4:38 pm
Lowe kkkkk’s to King Felix kkkkk’s. Who would have thunk it ?!?!
jeffrey d
June 29th, 2011
4:38 pm
Okay Veer, we get it. Are you gonna complain about A-Gon before his every AB?
Fish Bisch
June 29th, 2011
4:38 pm
No hit lowe has showed up today. He’s our best pitcher when he’s on.
jw
June 29th, 2011
4:39 pm
Ross is not slow footed….he is not like McCann. He has successfully bunted for a base hit on a number of occasions just as McCann has when they put the shift on him. Ross is dead pull so the third baseman plays him DEEP. If you can get it down the line…the a rh pitcher falling off toward first can’t get there.
Venice Jim
June 29th, 2011
4:39 pm
Good job, DLowe…
Jimmy
June 29th, 2011
4:39 pm
Lowe doing his part. Let’s scratch another run or two this inning.
cabravesfan
June 29th, 2011
4:39 pm
Alex Gonzalez leading the inning off. Wonder what will happen?
Apparently he morphs into Nate McLouth
Dumbfound
June 29th, 2011
4:39 pm
Agon strikes out on 3 again !
Veer
June 29th, 2011
4:40 pm
a gone shud be bunting right here and I was wrong Mclouth lead the inning off
A GONE BETTER BE BUNTING UNLIKE YESTERDAY
Murph
June 29th, 2011
4:40 pm
I guess Ross just got sick of hitting homeruns… I could see that from a hitter with his kind of skills. Probably gets boring knocking them over the fence every AB. That’s why he chose to bunt, just to mix things up a little.
Fish Bisch
June 29th, 2011
4:40 pm
Come on McClouth; steel 2nd.
Jimmy
June 29th, 2011
4:40 pm
OK.Nate draws a walk. Let him go to 2nd.
TennesseePaul
June 29th, 2011
4:40 pm
Apparently he morphs into Nate McLouth
Must have freaked the King out, as he just drew a walk.
Dumbfound
June 29th, 2011
4:40 pm
change that Agon bunts !
BLK09GT
June 29th, 2011
4:41 pm
Lay off Shaf, stats don’t always show how a player contributes. I think he is doing a ton better than McClouth in the lead off spot. Who else are you going to bring up? He gets in pitchers heads while on base and is our best base runner. Good defense as well.
Archangel
June 29th, 2011
4:41 pm
I say we still need to trade for a bat.
Husker Tony
June 29th, 2011
4:41 pm
Gonzo isn’t in a 0-2 hole!!!!
phil
June 29th, 2011
4:41 pm
Sorry….Ross bunting there is stupid. Period. He’s not Lou Brock. The guy can hit it out of the park.
Veer
June 29th, 2011
4:41 pm
WHAT a stupid swing.
Murph
June 29th, 2011
4:42 pm
AGon took a pitch! Did you see it? Did you see???
CaptainMudderland
June 29th, 2011
4:42 pm
Self-defense swing
StingerSplash
June 29th, 2011
4:42 pm
GameDay (often of dubious accuracy) just had King Felix throwing a 92 mph changeup.
bravesgrl4life
June 29th, 2011
4:42 pm
We’ll take that
Tomas
June 29th, 2011
4:42 pm
Oh come on look at that
Arkansas Transplant
June 29th, 2011
4:42 pm
oh no, we’re going into the inning that usually becomes Lowes problem with the 6th being his worst.
Veer
June 29th, 2011
4:42 pm
BUNT Mclouth to 3rd base Gonzalez. Why hell is Freddie not making him bunt?
Jimmy
June 29th, 2011
4:43 pm
Nate at 2nd. Come on Sea Bass. 3-1 count
AtlYnkHtr
June 29th, 2011
4:43 pm
Fish Bish, easy there pal.
Husker Tony
June 29th, 2011
4:43 pm
lol @ Murph
TennesseePaul
June 29th, 2011
4:43 pm
There you. Now he’s on 2nd.
Fish Bisch
June 29th, 2011
4:43 pm
Seabass didn’t strike out!
Dennis Reynolds
June 29th, 2011
4:43 pm
Alex looks like crap. Forget trading for a CFer. Lets get Jose Reyes.
1.Reyes
2.Prado
3.Freeman
4.Mac
5.Uggla
6.Heyward
7.Who knows who’s going to man the revolving door that is left field next year
8.Schafer
Jimmy
June 29th, 2011
4:44 pm
Nate on 3rd. Come on Jordie! Come on Kid!
groundfog
June 29th, 2011
4:44 pm
Mclouth drew a huge walk last night, and now look at him at third.
Tomas
June 29th, 2011
4:44 pm
Productive out finally
StingerSplash
June 29th, 2011
4:44 pm
Got the runner over. Got the job done.
Chris from the Rock
June 29th, 2011
4:44 pm
Could they, gasp! manufacture a run?
Veer
June 29th, 2011
4:44 pm
Does Schafer have enough power to hit a fly ball to drive the run home?
Fish Bisch
June 29th, 2011
4:44 pm
Wooooooooooo
Jimmy
June 29th, 2011
4:44 pm
2-0
cabravesfan
June 29th, 2011
4:44 pm
That’ll work
Husker Tony
June 29th, 2011
4:44 pm
Lol we did nothing in this inning and scored!! I like it!
groundfog
June 29th, 2011
4:45 pm
Woohoo Mclouth!
Skeezix
June 29th, 2011
4:45 pm
The Bravos hitters are really hanging in there this series against some tough pitchers. that was a good at bat for Alex—come on guys lets get behind this team! They can do great things this year.
Fish Bisch
June 29th, 2011
4:45 pm
Come on Schaefer; steal 2nd and 3rd.
groundfog
June 29th, 2011
4:45 pm
Love the small ball today
StingerSplash
June 29th, 2011
4:45 pm
Y’all, the Braves ain’t gettin’ Jose Reyes.
Hey, how ’bout that, a little patience, a little move the runner over and they help you out.
phil
June 29th, 2011
4:45 pm
Gonzo is back!!!
What is it? runner at third, one down?
Veer
June 29th, 2011
4:45 pm
Heyward better put a good AB here
Jimmy
June 29th, 2011
4:45 pm
There you go Jordan.
Now, he must try to steal second.
Ratlle King Felix a little.
Chris from the Rock
June 29th, 2011
4:45 pm
Did he just uncork a second WP?
hawaiibravefan
June 29th, 2011
4:45 pm
I sure hope Heyward doesn’t get 2 strikes on him. Would be really awkward to watch with alotta caucasian males screaming K K K K K K K K!
Tomas
June 29th, 2011
4:46 pm
steal
ncscoots
June 29th, 2011
4:46 pm
The King, obviously rattled by the sheer offensive awesomeness he has to wade through today. No other explanation. Afraid to throw it near the plate.
TheAntiMe
June 29th, 2011
4:46 pm
I think that Jordo is getting this Show thing down.
phil
June 29th, 2011
4:46 pm
Help us out….how did McLouth score?
RC
June 29th, 2011
4:46 pm
Got to say that Seattle seems to be missing their #1 catcher today….
CrαZy
June 29th, 2011
4:46 pm
Who’s this bum pitching for Seattle?
TheAntiMe
June 29th, 2011
4:46 pm
wild pitch
RC
June 29th, 2011
4:47 pm
Help us out….how did McLouth score?
Wild pitch/passed ball. Not sure which.
Fish Bisch
June 29th, 2011
4:47 pm
McClouth scored on a wild pitch.
Dennis Reynolds
June 29th, 2011
4:47 pm
I hate Heywards stance now. He needs to close his front leg so he’s not just diving over the plate. All he’s thinking about is pulling.
Jimmy
June 29th, 2011
4:47 pm
hawaiibravefan LOL!! Props on that one.
Husker Tony
June 29th, 2011
4:47 pm
Yes he did Chris. His slider is going all over the place. Poor catcher
teehee
CrαZy
June 29th, 2011
4:47 pm
Wild Pitch
AtlYnkHtr
June 29th, 2011
4:47 pm
71 pitches and not thru the 5th yet. This is boding well.
TennesseePaul
June 29th, 2011
4:48 pm
And McLouth scores. Sheesh that was one ugly series of events by Felix.
And Schafer actually gets a hit bumping his June line all the way up to .219/.265/.323/.588
Fish Bisch
June 29th, 2011
4:48 pm
Schaefer on his horse!
Husker Tony
June 29th, 2011
4:48 pm
Schaef with the steallllll!
BFChris26
June 29th, 2011
4:48 pm
I’m outside, what is the score?
phil
June 29th, 2011
4:48 pm
thanks…2-0 is a good start if Lowe can stay sharp….if
Jimmy
June 29th, 2011
4:48 pm
Speed baby.
Base hit Jason. Need it baby.
AtlYnkHtr
June 29th, 2011
4:48 pm
RC, scoring from home?
Veer
June 29th, 2011
4:48 pm
Hernendez pitching scared all of a sudden.
groundfog
June 29th, 2011
4:48 pm
time to dethrone the King here
TennesseePaul
June 29th, 2011
4:49 pm
No other explanation
Actually, I think he was out on the town with Brad Penny last night…
Fish Bisch
June 29th, 2011
4:49 pm
Come on McAnn. Break this game open!
Chris from the Rock
June 29th, 2011
4:49 pm
Here comes Brian M(VP)cCann.
Jimmy
June 29th, 2011
4:49 pm
We are up 2-0, runners on first and second.
Husker Tony
June 29th, 2011
4:49 pm
Pitch around Heyward to get to McCann, genius.
BLK09GT
June 29th, 2011
4:49 pm
Told you to lay off of him.
Kelly's Johnson
June 29th, 2011
4:49 pm
That catcher is hurtin’….rib cage ??
StingerSplash
June 29th, 2011
4:49 pm
Two walks, one single, a couple in the dirt, one fly to the outfield … now that there’s a rally!
jeffrey d
June 29th, 2011
4:49 pm
How slow is McCann??
Lew
June 29th, 2011
4:50 pm
The Noble Prize? Is there an ignoble one?
Jimmy
June 29th, 2011
4:50 pm
2nd and 3rd two outs Freeman up.
bravesgrl4life
June 29th, 2011
4:50 pm
jeffrey d, don’t go dissin on McCann now.
Chris from the Rock
June 29th, 2011
4:50 pm
Mac just wanted to save some RBIs for Freddie.
AtlYnkHtr
June 29th, 2011
4:50 pm
BFChris26, have you never tried ESPN or MLB gamecast or the like? I mean obviously you have wifi and would prefer to follow on your own and not have to ask for random updates.
StingerSplash
June 29th, 2011
4:50 pm
Mac musta been looking for first pitch fast ball and got offspeed instead.
groundfog
June 29th, 2011
4:50 pm
I’ll take another wild pitch here
Murph
June 29th, 2011
4:50 pm
Great display of speed there by BMac… he’s crazy fast.
RC
June 29th, 2011
4:51 pm
AtlYnkHtr,
Listening to my AtBat app at work
Fish Bisch
June 29th, 2011
4:51 pm
woo freedie
bravesgrl4life
June 29th, 2011
4:51 pm
FAB 5!!!!
cabravesfan
June 29th, 2011
4:51 pm
FREDDIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!
kevkat
June 29th, 2011
4:53 pm
FREDDIE!!!! I love that young man…
kevkat
June 29th, 2011
4:53 pm
FREDDIE!!!! I love that young man…
GT Alum
June 29th, 2011
4:53 pm
Can I say I really, really like Freddie Freeman?
Veer
June 29th, 2011
4:53 pm
That Hit by freeman blows the game wide open
groundfog
June 29th, 2011
4:53 pm
Woohoo clutch hitting welcome back! whre ya been?
RC
June 29th, 2011
4:53 pm
Freedie Freeman has a rent-to-own policy on King Felix right now.
Jimmy
June 29th, 2011
4:53 pm
Freddie the man.
Come on Danno. Come on Kid!
Tom O'Hawke
June 29th, 2011
4:53 pm
Maybe this really is, Felix Heredia
GT Alum
June 29th, 2011
4:53 pm
Can I say I really, really like Freddie Freeman?
David O'Brien
June 29th, 2011
4:53 pm
Freeman is making serious strides again, after that brief slump. Gonna be a helluva player before long.
Tom O'Hawke
June 29th, 2011
4:53 pm
Maybe this really is, Felix Heredia
Tomas
June 29th, 2011
4:54 pm
Who would have thought that facing Bedard, Pineda, and Hernandez with this offense would have been like this
StingerSplash
June 29th, 2011
4:54 pm
An absolute explosion for the offense in the beautiful Pacific Northwest (Seattle’s a great town, by the way).
Tom O'Hawke
June 29th, 2011
4:55 pm
Wow, my first “cabravesfan double post”.
Jimmy
June 29th, 2011
4:55 pm
BFChris26 – Here is a radio link: http://tunein.com/radio/WQNT-1450-s22221/
Husker Tony
June 29th, 2011
4:55 pm
the DOB jinx. dang’t.
Skeezix
June 29th, 2011
4:55 pm
Freeman is my ROY.
wheelz007
June 29th, 2011
4:55 pm
Nice job guys!
phil
June 29th, 2011
4:55 pm
4-0 I gather? Very nice….
Tomahawk Mafia
June 29th, 2011
4:55 pm
Now Lowe needs to keep working hard.
TheAntiMe
June 29th, 2011
4:56 pm
Hey, maybe I can get some ice cream now. I’m such a radical.
Heath
June 29th, 2011
4:56 pm
David O’Brien
June 29th, 2011
4:11 pm
Braves only wish it were Felix Heredia facing them today instead of Felix Hernandez.
Says who?
cabravesfan
June 29th, 2011
4:56 pm
Tom-
Welcome to the club
Husker Tony
June 29th, 2011
4:56 pm
Nate get the hell out of the way
kevkat
June 29th, 2011
4:57 pm
you’re right about FREDDIE..DOB, slumps or not..I’ll take what this kid is giving right now..
Jimmy
June 29th, 2011
4:57 pm
4-1
Husker Tony
June 29th, 2011
4:57 pm
4-1 phil
Tomas
June 29th, 2011
4:57 pm
Gutierrez likes sinkers, he’s hit Venters and now Lowe hard
jeffrey d
June 29th, 2011
4:57 pm
I ate a Heath bar today. I thought of you, Heath.
Lew
June 29th, 2011
4:57 pm
Tomas – “Who would have thought that facing Bedard, etc…..” Those who look at our won loss record and not our OBP to determine how well we’re doing?
Murph
June 29th, 2011
4:58 pm
Stupid Nate
Jimmy
June 29th, 2011
4:58 pm
Need to stop the bleeding now.
Ichiro not a DP probable
Heath
June 29th, 2011
4:58 pm
Enter your comments here
Husker Tony
June 29th, 2011
4:58 pm
And the D-Lowe ground ball hit parade is on. ****
Threadkiller
June 29th, 2011
4:59 pm
Lew..You crack me up! hehehe
I Gave Her Undertaker eyes
June 29th, 2011
4:59 pm
I swear the braves can never have a 123 inning after scoring
Tomahawk Mafia
June 29th, 2011
4:59 pm
Is this going to be like that start against the Reds where Lowe had a 5-0 lead and gave it all up?
cabravesfan
June 29th, 2011
4:59 pm
Hey Heath! Where ya been??
Chris from the Rock
June 29th, 2011
4:59 pm
This is hilarious. According to Baseball Prospectus, the Royals and Astros are already officially eliminated from playoff contention. Blue Jays and Orioles are almost there.
http://www.baseballprospectus.com/odds/
Jimmy
June 29th, 2011
4:59 pm
Heath 4:58 – I couldn’t have said it better!
Heath
June 29th, 2011
4:59 pm
jeffrey d -
Those are some great candy bars, their name notwithstanding.
bravesgrl4life
June 29th, 2011
4:59 pm
Okay, folks, I am off to listen in the car on my way home. Talk with ya later.
Tomas
June 29th, 2011
4:59 pm
Okay Lowe you’re finally some run support, 4 runs vs Felix Hernandez, you better win
glove51
June 29th, 2011
4:59 pm
Freeman ROY? Over Kimbrel? Or Beachy? I like Freddie, but get real.
Venice Jim
June 29th, 2011
4:59 pm
Tom – never saw her do it with so many posts between the double…very well calibrated…
Murph
June 29th, 2011
5:00 pm
Get ‘em warming up Fredi! Don’t let Lowe blow it… but don’t put Proctor in either!
MiaBchBravesFan
June 29th, 2011
5:00 pm
Ahhhhhhhhhhh…
Lowe gives way to Lowe-tard!
Heath
June 29th, 2011
5:00 pm
Jimmy -
Sorry man, I don’t know why that happened.
I Gave Her Undertaker eyes
June 29th, 2011
5:00 pm
smh
jim
June 29th, 2011
5:00 pm
Tenn Paul,
Schafer got one of the key hits to tie the game last night against a lefty reliever. Schafer drove in the go-ahead run in the 8th inning of the last SD game. Schafer has scored 21 runs in 31 games now. Schafer has hit into some hard outs in that span that you quote. No matter what is happening on the field, there are people ready to jump on their favorite target any opportunity they get.
Mixxo
June 29th, 2011
5:00 pm
Lowe is fixin’ to get lit up here?
CaptainMudderland
June 29th, 2011
5:01 pm
You all take care and have a good evening.
jeffrey d
June 29th, 2011
5:01 pm
I don’t like them. I had actually won a small container of candy a few weeks ago. That Heath bar was the last thing left, and I was like “Whatever…I’m hungry”
bgvt
June 29th, 2011
5:01 pm
Lew –
Yes, there is an ignoble prize. See:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ig_Nobel_Prize
Chris from the Rock
June 29th, 2011
5:01 pm
Really, Josh Bard, their 3rd option at catcher is 2-2?
TheAntiMe
June 29th, 2011
5:02 pm
Those who look at our won loss record and not our OBP to determine how well we’re doing?
Sure, because everyone knows that if you sweep the World Series that you will be stripped of the title if your OBP is worse that the team that you won more game than.
Husker Tony
June 29th, 2011
5:02 pm
Not gonna lie, crapped my pants when it got hit to Conrad, be right back…..
raleighbravefan
June 29th, 2011
5:02 pm
Shaun – extensive research proves that eggs are bad for you…or, they are good for you. It isn’t black and white, as much as you want it to be. Experience and knowledge of real life count for a lot more than you believe. Or maybe you are just a superior intellect to all the managers and GM’s in baseball. If they just were not so stubborn.
As Monk use to say, “you may be right, but I don’t think so”.
Heath
June 29th, 2011
5:02 pm
Could Conrad have gotten the lead runner instead of throwing to 2B? Never thought it was going to be a double play.
Lew
June 29th, 2011
5:02 pm
Threadkiller- It’s good to laugh your way through life. Helps to maintain sanity.
Tomahawk Mafia
June 29th, 2011
5:02 pm
I hope he can retire Kennedy here
Jimmy
June 29th, 2011
5:03 pm
Heath – Just messing with ya. Tyring to keep it light during this terrible inning.
GT Alum
June 29th, 2011
5:03 pm
Schafer’s got a BABIP of .268. For most hitters, BABIP runs around 300. Plus, he’s hitting line drives 22.5% of the time. More of those will start finding holes, and his average will go up as his BABIP normalizes.
Also, his OBP is 75 points higher than his average, so he’s doing a good job of getting on base without a hit. When his average increases as I expect it to, he’ll be a quality leadoff hitter.
I’ve honestly been impressed with what I’ve seen from Schafer this year. Despite the unimpressive average, he hasn’t looked nearly as clueless at the plate as Uggla has this year, or McLouth did last year, or Seabass always does.
AtlYnkHtr
June 29th, 2011
5:03 pm
glove51, I would vote Freeman over Kimbrel and Beachy at this point. Beachy has missed too much time and Freeman I think has been more valueable than Kimbrel. Not saying Fredi will win over all the other, but just the three you listed.
Husker Tony
June 29th, 2011
5:04 pm
FREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEMAN!!!!! Great play at first!
cabravesfan
June 29th, 2011
5:04 pm
Wow- that was pretty by Freddie
Hugo Z Hackenbush
June 29th, 2011
5:04 pm
So what’s this about Charlie Sheen doing steroids while filming “Major League”? Man, you can’t even trust fake ballplayers!
Heath
June 29th, 2011
5:04 pm
All things considered… Good game from Lowe so far.
Arkansas Transplant
June 29th, 2011
5:04 pm
You better be ready to pull Lowe, this is usually when he starts giving them up. Don’t let him give this one away!!
Tomahawk Mafia
June 29th, 2011
5:04 pm
Nice stab by Freeman. I would say Lowe could go one more inning.
Lew
June 29th, 2011
5:05 pm
bgvt- I did not know that. But what about an ignoble prize – not an ignobel prize? Maybe making Mr. Blackwell’s Worst Dressed list or winning an ESPY?
ncscoots
June 29th, 2011
5:05 pm
Derek worked his way out of it, but that type of inning is why they don’t allow managers to come to the ballpark armed.
Tomas
June 29th, 2011
5:05 pm
Thank god it’s not Troy Glaus at 1B
RC
June 29th, 2011
5:05 pm
Really, Josh Bard, their 3rd option at catcher is 2-2?
Yeah, but he also had two passed balls (or maybe wild pitches) that lead to 3 runs for the Braves, so he’s still a net negative on the day.
And Freedie Freeman shows how to play offense AND defense….
AtlYnkHtr
June 29th, 2011
5:05 pm
Lew, thats why my psychiatrist has me read all of your posts. Every single one.
Lew
June 29th, 2011
5:06 pm
Hugo – Wonder if Charlie bet on baseball while making Eight Men Out?
Heath
June 29th, 2011
5:06 pm
IE8 has made the updates on this page faster…
…yes, I’m still using the “the man’s” internet browser.
glove51
June 29th, 2011
5:06 pm
AtlYnkHtr: you’d be in an extreme minority for sure on Freddie over Kimnbrel. Kimbrel will be ROY if he pitches like he has to date the rest of the year. Beachy has pitched the 2nd most innings of any rookie pitcher in the NL.
UKUGA
June 29th, 2011
5:06 pm
Another good game today.
I’m impressed with the ability of this team to plate runs against excellent pitchers each of the last 3 days.
TnBrian
June 29th, 2011
5:07 pm
Enter your comments here
Hugo Z Hackenbush
June 29th, 2011
5:07 pm
Lew, he might have, if he’s a proponent of “method acting.”
Jimmy
June 29th, 2011
5:07 pm
4-1 going to the 6th.
Lowe has pitched well. I’d like him to reach the 7th.
Heath – I’m listening on the radio so I don’t know how far off the bag Conrad was, but my first thought was step on the bag and throw to first. At least get the man at third.
Lew
June 29th, 2011
5:07 pm
The telling part of that post I just ignored is that you need psychiatrist.
Heath
June 29th, 2011
5:08 pm
oops… IE9
RC
June 29th, 2011
5:08 pm
Schafer’s got a BABIP of .268. For most hitters, BABIP runs around 300. – GT Alum
That’s not exactly true. While BABIP for most pitchers is right around .300, individual batters have a decent bit of control over their BABIP, based on line drive %, ground ball %, and speed. Schafer doesn’t really have a large enough major league sample size to say what his expected BABIP would be, but assuming he’ll regress to .300 isn’t a solid assumption. (There is a way to calculate xBABIP, but I don’t know it.)
Tom O'Hawke
June 29th, 2011
5:08 pm
Tom – never saw her do it with so many posts between the double…very well calibrated…
Thanks, VJ. If I knew how I did it, I could rank up there with nolee and the LAdy, on a daily basis.
TennesseePaul
June 29th, 2011
5:09 pm
No matter what is happening on the field, there are people ready…
… there are people ready to look blindly past his overall production as a “healthy” player and still call him great.
The kid sucks. He can run fast and he can throw the ball hard. But he can’t hit. If’ we’re going to cherry pick plays to judge a player, all players are great. But it doesn’t work that way.
He’s been to the plate 104 times this month and scored 16 times. It’s that low because he rarely gets on base…. only 25% of the time when not counting reaching on errors, and 28% when you count those. That’s terrible. Absolutely awful. He scores because McCann, Uggla, Freeman, Chipper, and everyone else, but mainly McCann, are knocking him in. Put a guy up there that reaches base more than Schafer, he’d score more runs than Schafer.
Lew
June 29th, 2011
5:09 pm
Hugo – Never looked at it quite like that. You could be right.
brian
June 29th, 2011
5:09 pm
I am surprised that we are not seeing Lugo at SS today.
Somebody remind me again why Alex was not bunting yesterday with runners at 1st and 2nd and nobody out
Jimmy
June 29th, 2011
5:09 pm
Fredi G told Lowe “there’s a case of Bud on ice if you can get us into the 7th”.
Husker Tony
June 29th, 2011
5:10 pm
Conrad was 2 steps behind the bag, could have stepped on the bag but would have had no chance a double play, not that he really did anyway with going to 2nd first.
TheAntiMe
June 29th, 2011
5:11 pm
At least Nate does seem to have a much better clue at the dish this year. He’s just seeing it and hitting it instead of over-thinking. Just didn’t fall this time.
Jimmy
June 29th, 2011
5:11 pm
Thanks Husker Tony.
Hugo Z Hackenbush
June 29th, 2011
5:11 pm
It’s a little-known fact that Sheen was a saint until he started “Two And A Half Men.” But “the method” required that he drink a lot and have sex with many women to prepare for the role.
brian
June 29th, 2011
5:11 pm
have the Braves ever fielded a team with 6 of the 8 position players are hitting at or below .240 midway through the season? Have they ever had 6 out of 9 while using the DH hitting at or below .240 midway through the season?
Heath
June 29th, 2011
5:12 pm
Husker Tony -
I thought it looked like he was close enough to go to 3B instead…
Husker Tony
June 29th, 2011
5:12 pm
Brian we didn’t want to risk a double play from a horrible bunt attempt. So instead have him striekout and let other guys have a chance!
jeffrey d
June 29th, 2011
5:12 pm
I like this AtlYnkHtr/Lew rivalry. It’s a regular Clemens/Piazza
Jimmy
June 29th, 2011
5:12 pm
Just heard on the radio they are going to have a Chipper Jones Bobble Knee night.
braveslifer
June 29th, 2011
5:13 pm
Have to find a way for Lowe to make it through this inning
Lew
June 29th, 2011
5:14 pm
Hugo – And here I thought it was art imitating life.
Jimmy
June 29th, 2011
5:14 pm
Heath – Thats what Husker said. He could have gone to the bag, but no chance to double up a first either. He said he was about two steps behind the bag.
Lew
June 29th, 2011
5:15 pm
jeffrey d – What rivalry? I’m ignoring him.
TennesseePaul
June 29th, 2011
5:15 pm
he hasn’t looked nearly as clueless at the plate as … Seabass always does.
Well, that’s really hard to accomplish and you gotta give Seabass credit for pulling it off year in, year out.
Unfortunately for the rest of that analysis, it flies in the face of his entire baseball career. As his time continues in the majors, his AVG/OBP differential shrinks. His K/BB ratio has inverted and exploded in the wrong direction. That’s not forward movement. It’s downward. Bench McLouth. I just want a legit outfielder out there.
AtlYnkHtr
June 29th, 2011
5:17 pm
Lew, just kidding big guy! Oh and I didnt realize just because you don’t type my name it still counts as ignoring? Even if you respond to the comment? How’s that work exactly, oh nevermind I know how you hate questions. Of course I see a psychiatrist, remember I have at least two personalities, duh.
GT Alum
June 29th, 2011
5:17 pm
Kimbrel had some issues early on but seems to have settled down. I think he gets overshadowed by Johnny somewhat, though.
Freddie’s been streaky, but seems to have figured some things out and is looking like a very solid player. He’s arguably been our best hitter that doesn’t crouch when playing defense. And speaking of defense, he’s been as good as anyone we have in the field.
Beachy’s missed some games, but I think he’s exceeded all reasonable expectations. He’s got a good ERA, a good record (even though he’s only gotten decisions in less than half his games) and his K/BB ratio is obscene.
Beachy would be my ROY, but I will say all 3 guys have been key parts of this team and will continue to be.
Tom O'Hawke
June 29th, 2011
5:18 pm
Threadkiller- It’s good to laugh your way through life. Helps to maintain sanity. — Lew
Reminds me of one of my favorite quotes. It’s by Kurt Vonnegut.
“Laughter and tears are both responses to frustration and exhaustion. I myself prefer to laugh, since there is less cleaning up to do afterward.”
Lew
June 29th, 2011
5:18 pm
Did someone just say something?
Braveone
June 29th, 2011
5:18 pm
From the previous blog which had 1,804 comments, kwajbraves led the way with 64 posts. There were 189 different poster names. Here are the Top 25:
Rank Poster Frequency
1 kwajbraves 64
2 Tomahawk Mafia 54
3 Husker Tony 50
4 Tomahawkin 50
5 cabravesfan 50
6 Eric 49
7 Tom O’Hawke 47
8 J-Man 40
9 McFann ;Ô; ;Ô; 39
10 Powder Blue 36
11 Linebrink for Cy 35
12 Jimmy 34
13 McFann :Ô: :Ô: 34
14 Mitchell 34
15 phil 34
16 Mixxo 33
17 Lew 32
18 TnBrian 29
19 Bat Masterson 28
20 brian 28
21 Murph 27
22 Chris from the Rock 24
23 jeffrey d 23
24 Nova Scotia Steve 22
25 Brave Fan 20
Dr. Kenneth Noisewater
June 29th, 2011
5:18 pm
basically you have 1/3 of the everyday lineup not producing: Gonzo, Heyward & Uggla. Everyone seems to hold their own or at least have streaks.
cabravesfan
June 29th, 2011
5:19 pm
Tom-
Well, you start with a laptop that has a touchpad, put it on your lap and lean forward to type (while laying on the sofa…)
kevkat
June 29th, 2011
5:19 pm
Conraddddd….D?
jim
June 29th, 2011
5:19 pm
Has any other Brave scored 16 runs this month or any other month this year? McCann, Uggla, Freeman, Chipper, and everyone else …
McCann certainly is worthy of mention, but Freeman usually hits 4 spots later in the order, and Uggla and Chipper have not exactly been tearing it up this month .. nor has everyone else.
Tomas
June 29th, 2011
5:20 pm
I hope the Braves can avoid both Venters and Kimbrel today, give them 2 straight days off in an effort to limit they’re appearances, and save they’re arms.
Lew
June 29th, 2011
5:21 pm
Tom – Speaking of laughter – have you heard about the new Bed Time story book for children who won’t sleep narrated by Samuel L. Jackson?
Husker Tony
June 29th, 2011
5:21 pm
And your point Doc?? Gonzo has a better average than McClouth so where would you put him then??
Coach (2011 Fredi G. a go!)
June 29th, 2011
5:21 pm
Break out the brooms! We are gonna win today!
Jay Dubu
June 29th, 2011
5:22 pm
I’m keeping up with the game over the internet…is DLowe pitching well enough to get another inning in?
ncscoots
June 29th, 2011
5:22 pm
hope the Braves can avoid both Venters and Kimbrel today,
In a three-run sweep game? I think you can put that one away, my friend.
Husker Tony
June 29th, 2011
5:22 pm
GONZOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Veer
June 29th, 2011
5:22 pm
did Gonzalez just get a hit?
Tomahawk Mafia
June 29th, 2011
5:22 pm
Time for a parade because Gonzo just worked a good atbat and knocked a basehit to leftfield.
Hugo Z Hackenbush
June 29th, 2011
5:22 pm
98 pitches from Lowe, he could go one more inning.
David O'Brien
June 29th, 2011
5:23 pm
Gonzalez’ leadoff single snaps an 0-for-19
ncscoots
June 29th, 2011
5:23 pm
Coach, I thought you said this morning that it was all but in the books, as a loss. No?
Husker Tony
June 29th, 2011
5:23 pm
Jay I’m guessing he is done. Could go one more looked okay last inning but at 98 pitches and Linebrink was warming up. I say hes done.
AtlYnkHtr
June 29th, 2011
5:23 pm
Arizona, losing by the way. If scores remain the same move to 3 up in the WC.
Mixxo
June 29th, 2011
5:23 pm
This whole team can’t bunt.
Husker Tony
June 29th, 2011
5:24 pm
Gonzo and Heyward with a hit??? In the same inning?? What just happened??
Mixxo
June 29th, 2011
5:25 pm
Stay hot Mac!!
Jay Dubu
June 29th, 2011
5:25 pm
Thanks for the info Husker Tony.
Dr. Kenneth Noisewater
June 29th, 2011
5:25 pm
husker- i’m giving mcclouth a variable due to the fact he was on the DL….was doing ok before going on his DL stint
McFann ;Ô; ;Ô;
June 29th, 2011
5:25 pm
Whoooooo!! Knew he wasn’t gonna take an 0-fer!
cabravesfan
June 29th, 2011
5:26 pm
*yaaawwwwwn Mac with another hit. How boring…
John Leonard
June 29th, 2011
5:26 pm
Gee only one hit today.
Tomahawk Mafia
June 29th, 2011
5:26 pm
It is about time Mac got a hit and RBI today.
braveslifer
June 29th, 2011
5:26 pm
Way to go B Mac.
Tom O'Hawke
June 29th, 2011
5:26 pm
Tom-
Well, you start with a laptop that has a touchpad, put it on your lap and lean forward to type (while laying on the sofa…)
cabravesfan, I’m not so sure that I can trigger the same things as you by leaning forward.
Dr. Kenneth Noisewater
June 29th, 2011
5:26 pm
hahaha- as soon as i typed about the 1/3 of lineup…both gonzo & heyward with a hit. what’s next..an uggla 2B or HR??
Venice Jim
June 29th, 2011
5:26 pm
Good job, Mac!
Jay Dubu
June 29th, 2011
5:27 pm
This is what we’ve been expecting all season. THe Braves have a lot of talent in the lineup.
Husker Tony
June 29th, 2011
5:27 pm
Man this team can hit, Larry Parrish needs a raise.
cabravesfan
June 29th, 2011
5:27 pm
Tom-
Not what I meant…
McFann ;Ô; ;Ô;
June 29th, 2011
5:27 pm
Braveone 1 kwajbraves 64…9 McFann ;Ô; ;Ô; 39…13 McFann :Ô: :Ô: 34
Dangit! I really had the most posts, but the name-change cost me the title!
Murph
June 29th, 2011
5:28 pm
husker- i’m giving mcclouth a variable due to the fact he was on the DL….was doing ok before going on his DL stint
Nate was 1-21 in the 7 games before he hit the DL and his average was down to .238.
TheAntiMe
June 29th, 2011
5:28 pm
From the previous blog which had 1,804 comments, kwajbraves led the way with 64 posts. There were 189 different poster names. Here are the Top 25:
Rank Poster Frequency
1 kwajbraves 64
2 Tomahawk Mafia 54
3 Husker Tony 50
4 Tomahawkin 50
5 cabravesfan 50
6 Eric 49
7 Tom O’Hawke 47
8 J-Man 40
9 McFann ;Ô; ;Ô; 39
10 Powder Blue 36
11 Linebrink for Cy 35
12 Jimmy 34
13 McFann :Ô: :Ô: 34
14 Mitchell 34
15 phil 34
16 Mixxo 33
17 Lew 32
18 TnBrian 29
19 Bat Masterson 28
20 brian 28
21 Murph 27
22 Chris from the Rock 24
23 jeffrey d 23
24 Nova Scotia Steve 22
25 Brave Fan 20
I don’t know Braveone, you may need to tweak something with your calculations because it appears to me that McFann at both #9 and again at #13 has a combined 73 posts which would make her #1.
GT Alum
June 29th, 2011
5:28 pm
RC -
Well, as you said, he doesn’t have enough ABs in the majors, so, even if you knew how to calculate xBABIP, it would probably be fruitless. But leave average BABIP is around 300, and Schafer has 2 of the 3 attributes you listed for increasing BABIP – speed and a solid LD%, which is why I expect him to move toward league average.
Tom O'Hawke
June 29th, 2011
5:28 pm
Tom – Speaking of laughter – have you heard about the new Bed Time story book for children who won’t sleep narrated by Samuel L. Jackson?
No I haven’t, Lew.
McFann ;Ô; ;Ô;
June 29th, 2011
5:29 pm
cabravesfan *yaaawwwwwn Mac with another hit. How boring…
DON’T DO THAT!! Sarcasm isn’t always easily detected on a Blog!!
Murph
June 29th, 2011
5:29 pm
I don’t know Braveone, you may need to tweak something with your calculations because it appears to me that McFann at both #9 and again at #13 has a combined 73 posts which would make her #1.
If McFann wants the number one slot she should leave her name alone.
The data don’t lie.
Kelly's Johnson
June 29th, 2011
5:29 pm
When Prado returns…do we sit Schafer or McLouth…& if Schafer is “out”…does he go back to Gwinnett…and play everyday…or linger on the bench ??
ncscoots
June 29th, 2011
5:29 pm
it appears to me that McFann at both #9 and again at #13
Nope. The name at 9 uses semi-colons in the turtles, and 13 has colons in the turtles. Two different names. Arbiter has ruled.
McFann ;Ô; ;Ô;
June 29th, 2011
5:29 pm
Thanks, TheAntiMe!
hawaiibravefan
June 29th, 2011
5:30 pm
I love how the braves score 5 runs, and all of us fans are as happy as we can ever be. Shows how much our offense has struggled this year, and actually how great our pitching is. I’m not complaining but things are looking better, back to back 5 run games against Pineda and King Felix, now only if they could solve the pitchers with a 5+ era
MattyRoss
June 29th, 2011
5:30 pm
Uhh, yeah, everyone should look up Go the F$(% to sleep, narrated by Sam Jackson.
Husker Tony
June 29th, 2011
5:30 pm
O’Flaherty in the ballgame.
Dr. Kenneth Noisewater
June 29th, 2011
5:30 pm
murph- that’s why i said he was ok, not good nor great. still batting better than uggla. and before today…gonzo went 0-19.
Tom O'Hawke
June 29th, 2011
5:30 pm
McFann
I just knew those turtles would be a problem some day.
Lew
June 29th, 2011
5:31 pm
Tom – No joke – it’s called Go The F^^K To Sleep.
McFann ;Ô; ;Ô;
June 29th, 2011
5:31 pm
Murph—
But the Turtles just like to show their emotion when things get really exciting!! They’re dancing!
Gonna have to talk to them, ’cause I don’t have much control over them…
TnBrian
June 29th, 2011
5:31 pm
Freeman could use more time in the minors. Grounding into DP’s when all he needed was a fly ball? Send him down to AAA for that!
THAT’S how you fit in on this blog for anybody new here. The Mixxo’s, the Veer’s, etc. will welcome you and send you constant comments.
Dr. Kenneth Noisewater
June 29th, 2011
5:31 pm
samuel jackson’s book is hilarious
McFann ;Ô; ;Ô;
June 29th, 2011
5:32 pm
Tom O’Hawke—
Yeah…they really go crazy sometimes…
kwajbraves
June 29th, 2011
5:32 pm
McCann is the real Thor and he is wielding a bat instead of a Mjölnir.
Coach (2011 Fredi G. a go!)
June 29th, 2011
5:32 pm
Seattle hasn’t scored more than five runs in their last fifteen games. This one is on ice.
Hugo Z Hackenbush
June 29th, 2011
5:32 pm
Guess 98 pitches is the limit these days. Nolan Ryan wouldn’t tolerate this crap.
Tomas
June 29th, 2011
5:32 pm
Please Freddy avoid being stupid rest Venters in the 8th, and don’t use Kimbrel in the 9th. Proctor and Linebrink can take care of those with a 4 run lead. Just because there’s a day off tomorrow doesn’t mean you can use everybody
David O'Brien
June 29th, 2011
5:33 pm
Lowe: 6 IP, 1 R, 4 H, 3 BB, 5 K
Hugo Z Hackenbush
June 29th, 2011
5:34 pm
Coach, weren’t you the guy who said the Braves can’t possibly make the playoffs?How can we believe you now?
TnBrian
June 29th, 2011
5:35 pm
I like how a blogger will ask you a question about when a player comes back what to do with the other. Like we have any say in it or even what’s right anyways. Not one person here, except DOB maybe, knows a lot of the behind the clubhouse type stuff.
Murph
June 29th, 2011
5:35 pm
Freeman would be hitting like 1.200 in the minors. I know it’s not physically possible, but he’d find a way to do it.
Tomahawk Mafia
June 29th, 2011
5:35 pm
That was a nice easy inning for O’Flaherty.
Husker Tony
June 29th, 2011
5:35 pm
Johnson, I’m going to guess Jordan is the odd man out. Not sure I agree with it but thats what I will guess, just too much money in McClouth.
TennesseePaul
June 29th, 2011
5:36 pm
6 more outs and the team can close the book on another 17 win month.
Dennis Reynolds
June 29th, 2011
5:36 pm
Hoping to see this lineup after the All-Star break all the way thru October with NO INJURIES:
1.Bourn
2.Prado
3.Chipper
4.Mac
5.Freeman
6.Uggla
7.Heyward
8.Gonzo
Like to get Heyward a little higher but thats what happens when you have a deep lineup. Plus, you cant leave Freddie too far down with the way he can hit. He didn’t come up with the hype Heyward did, but he’s just as good if not a better pure hitter. We need to give Heyward a break and take some pressure off of him to be a superstar.
AtlYnkHtr
June 29th, 2011
5:36 pm
Tomas, amen! EOF is understandable but not JV or Craig.
TheAntiMe
June 29th, 2011
5:36 pm
Nope. The name at 9 uses semi-colons in the turtles, and 13 has colons in the turtles. Two different names. Arbiter has ruled.
lmao – I really think that DOB should make the call on this one.
Murph
June 29th, 2011
5:37 pm
I like how a blogger will ask you a question about when a player comes back what to do with the other. Like we have any say in it or even what’s right anyways.
Yeah you doodie heads, stop speculating and having fun and just sit there and watch like the doodie heads you are. Doodie heads.
John Leonard
June 29th, 2011
5:37 pm
I don’t think pressure going to bother Freeman.
Tom O'Hawke
June 29th, 2011
5:37 pm
Lew, thanks. I googled it on another tab. I’ll see if I can find some of it to listen to, after the game.
kwajbraves
June 29th, 2011
5:38 pm
I know that I had the most post yesterday because I outlasted everybody. There were 5 people left by the time that game ended yesterday. I’ll take my belt but I know that my reign will be short.
TheAntiMe
June 29th, 2011
5:38 pm
Wow, it’s so much more fun when the Braves are scoring.
Murph
June 29th, 2011
5:38 pm
Dennis, I’m not agreeing or disagreeing with your proposed lineup, but I do ask… who would you give up for Bourn if you were Wren?
Hugo Z Hackenbush
June 29th, 2011
5:38 pm
Howdy, doodie heads.
TnBrian
June 29th, 2011
5:39 pm
Hope Lowe pitches like he did today against the Rockies on 7/05. I need a win for once going to a game. I’m 0′fer.
Dumbfound
June 29th, 2011
5:39 pm
Where’s that Philly fan that was on here earlier ?!
We are about to sweep and the Phillies could only manage to win 1 out of 3 ! 
Husker Tony
June 29th, 2011
5:39 pm
Dennis
I don’t think we have anybody named Bourn on our team
……..Conrad looks like a real player today btw
Tomahawk Mafia
June 29th, 2011
5:39 pm
I feel sorry for Dan Uggla when he tattos a ball right at somebody.
hawaiibravefan
June 29th, 2011
5:40 pm
Felix with 111 pitches still in the 8th inning, down 5-1? I don’t get it?
AtlYnkHtr
June 29th, 2011
5:40 pm
TnBrian, I believe its called a conversation, you know where you give your opinion based on the factors that come into playing one guy over another. Most of which have nothing to do with “behind the scenes” stuff.
McFann ;Ô; ;Ô;
June 29th, 2011
5:41 pm
BMac’s got a glove on in the dugout…maybe he’s pretending he’s actually playing, not just DH’ing.
Joshua
June 29th, 2011
5:41 pm
If we get Bourn, I’d like to see this lineup:
1 – Bourn
2 – Prado
3 – Jones
4 – McCann
5 – Heyward
6 – Freeman
7 – Uggla
8 – Gonzalez
Tomas
June 29th, 2011
5:41 pm
That’s gone in Cincy Ross is thinking
TnBrian
June 29th, 2011
5:41 pm
And there goes fantasy lineups again. Even when we’re fixing to sweep a team on the road the place here is full of experts wanting to improve. They do make trades ya know? On their PS3, but still trades damnit.
McFann ;Ô; ;Ô;
June 29th, 2011
5:42 pm
Sorry if this has been mentioned already, but a Q for DOB or anybody that knows—is the roof closed today, and/or is it cloudy? Thanks!
Dennis Reynolds
June 29th, 2011
5:42 pm
Well thats tough because none of us really know the financial details (at least I don’t) but I do know the prospects and if I were him, and it was this easy, I think a Schafer, Minor, Oberholtzer package could do it. I don’t know if they’d want Schafer though. They have their own version of him in Bourgeois.
But something like that.
hawaiibravefan
June 29th, 2011
5:42 pm
Looks like Venters is coming into the game. WHY FREDDI???
Dennis Reynolds
June 29th, 2011
5:43 pm
Really, Husker Tony? Thought we did….
Murph
June 29th, 2011
5:44 pm
Who peed in TriBrian’s cheerios today? Wasn’t me… this time.
Wow. Anything else you want people to stop doing?
cabravesfan
June 29th, 2011
5:44 pm
McFann-
Looks like the roof is open and it’s really overcast…
TnBrian
June 29th, 2011
5:44 pm
Can’t find one logical reason to have Venters come in this game we’re leading by 4. Guy’s gotta be tired. Gotta be
LAG
June 29th, 2011
5:46 pm
Brooksie with the SB. Evidently Fredi brought some of his Marlin ways on this trip.
jim
June 29th, 2011
5:46 pm
Lugo to 3B at the bottom of the inning? Why isn’t Linebrink warming up too? If Nate gets a hit here it’s a 5 run lead.
AtlYnkHtr
June 29th, 2011
5:46 pm
Murph, how bout only posting between pitches and innings none of this multitasking sh*t. Maybe a homerun by Nate will disuade Fredi from buringing venters again. Oh by the way, he is still on pace for 90 appearances and 100 innings and an offseason surgery.
Dennis Reynolds
June 29th, 2011
5:47 pm
But if Heyward can turn it on and hit like he did in the first few months of his career, I would also not mind this lineup:
1.Bourn
2.Prado
3.Chipper
4.Heyward
5.Mac
6.Freeman
7.Uggla
8.Gonzo
Hate to have 3 lefties right in the middle though. Thats what Dan Uggla was SUPPOSED to fix.
McFann ;Ô; ;Ô;
June 29th, 2011
5:47 pm
Thanks, cabravesfan!
Veer
June 29th, 2011
5:47 pm
Mariners are over using Hernendez in a game that is out of hand.
Obviously Felix had lost his stuff. Talk about bad managing.
jeffrey d
June 29th, 2011
5:47 pm
I think it’s safe to bring this up now
Mixxo
June 26th, 2011
7:06 pm
Oh……and we’ll get “owned” in Seattle……mark my words
kwajbraves
June 29th, 2011
5:47 pm
The king have left the building.
Coach (2011 Fredi G. a go!)
June 29th, 2011
5:47 pm
King Felix has been dethroned. Long live the King!
Bat Masterson
June 29th, 2011
5:47 pm
Who peed in TriBrian’s cheerios today? Wasn’t me… this time.
Wow. Anything else you want people to stop doing? Murph
Peeing in his cheerios might be a good place to start
Tomas
June 29th, 2011
5:48 pm
Sit Venters on the bullpen, and warm up Proctor come on Freddy. If he gets on trouble then fine bring in Venters.
TnBrian
June 29th, 2011
5:48 pm
Murph, some people i think just write stuff on here out of boredom, others seem like they’re really frustrated and stressed out over things they can’t control. Hey maybe I’m just looking out for those stressed people.
jeffrey d
June 29th, 2011
5:48 pm
Does this mean we can’t always take Mixxo’s word for true?
Hugo Z Hackenbush
June 29th, 2011
5:48 pm
Only 127 pitches? Why take him out?
StingerSplash
June 29th, 2011
5:49 pm
King Felix up to 126 pitches. Wedgie’s gonna burn him out. Dude’s a horse but you’re down 5-1 with a team that is, to put it succinctly, offensively challenged.
To beat Bedard, Pineda and Felix in one series … day-yum! This might be the year of just enough. They get just enough to win.
Husker Tony
June 29th, 2011
5:49 pm
Dennis
I think that is giving up too much. This Bourns last year on his contract and to give up a guy like Minor for Bourn I think is too much. Bourn is a solid upgrade but not worth a guy like Minor IMO
hawaiibravefan
June 29th, 2011
5:49 pm
If Venters does go in the game tonight, even with a 4 run lead, i think Frank Wren seriously needs to look for another manager, one that can manage his bullpen instead of throwing Johnny every day. But i would have to think that maybe Johnny would tell Fredi that he can’t go, and he was a starter before so maybe its a no biggie for him. Just another bullpen sesh with hitters it seems like lol.
Heath
June 29th, 2011
5:49 pm
Joshua -
Heyward before Freeman? What is Heyward doing to justify needing him to get more at-bats with RISP over Freeman?
jim
June 29th, 2011
5:49 pm
Mc Fann,
Roof is open. There was a passing sprinkle, but the shots of the town look like it’s a nice day.
AtlYnkHtr
June 29th, 2011
5:50 pm
My bad, it was me, I thought they were Lew’s, but come to think of it I am sure he eats Grape Nuts.
GT Alum
June 29th, 2011
5:50 pm
AtlYnkHtr -
The problem with that hope is Fredi will say “Johnny had already expended the energy to warm up, so I figured we might as well let him pitch an inning rather than having him warm up just to not use him.”
TnBrian
June 29th, 2011
5:50 pm
Bat, screw you buddy!
TNScott
June 29th, 2011
5:50 pm
Another two-out RISP for Gonzo
Murph
June 29th, 2011
5:51 pm
I hear ya TriBrian, but people are going to speculate on what’s going to happen when Prado comes back and what, if any, moves Wren will make. You’re swimming upstream if you try to get people to stop.
TheAntiMe
June 29th, 2011
5:51 pm
They do make trades ya know? On their PS3, but still trades damnit.
lol – Actually, I let the CPU handle that for me. I just concentrate on seeing the ball and hitting the ball.
cricket
June 29th, 2011
5:51 pm
fredi get out and save gonzo
Veer
June 29th, 2011
5:51 pm
It is halrious seeing Gonzalez being pissed. HAHA.
jeffrey d
June 29th, 2011
5:51 pm
A-Gon channeling is inner Yunel
Lew
June 29th, 2011
5:52 pm
Venters already had TJ surgery in 2006. He’s also pitched as many as 156 IP in a single season in the minors. I would imagine he has input on whether or not he’s available for any given game. Is it just possible that it’s not an issue with him and he’s fine?
Murph
June 29th, 2011
5:52 pm
Agon looks like he wants to kill somebody.
Here’s a tip for you AGon… hit the ball and you’ll be having a lot more fun.
AtlYnkHtr
June 29th, 2011
5:52 pm
GT Alum, yeah you might be right, but at least it might save Kimbrel.
Tomas
June 29th, 2011
5:52 pm
That’s payback from the umpire. Alex didn’t like a call in his last at bat and walked off angry, and Emmel took notice. Now the ball hit him and he rung him up
kwajbraves
June 29th, 2011
5:52 pm
Alex can’t even get HBP. I bet he can wait for this month to be over with.
Dennis Reynolds
June 29th, 2011
5:53 pm
You think Minor is too much?? Wow. You realize how much pitching depth we have don’t you? You have to give up some quality to get quality. I would’ve hated being around you the day we traded for Tex.
Bourn is a premier player and the Stros are going to want a ML ready arm and some.
Bat Masterson
June 29th, 2011
5:53 pm
TnBrian _
Ha, screw you. I was looking out for you when I suggested people stop peeing in your cheerios.
Eric
June 29th, 2011
5:53 pm
I think gonzo was robbed. Just got home looks like we put it on king Felix today 10 hits.
kwajbraves
June 29th, 2011
5:53 pm
I meant can’t wait for this month to be over with. Stupid bilingual keyboard.
TNScott
June 29th, 2011
5:53 pm
And another two-out RISP fail for Gonzo. Can’t get a break even when he gets hit.
Husker Tony
June 29th, 2011
5:53 pm
Uh-oh Hawaii wants Freddi fired now.
JerseyChoppin
June 29th, 2011
5:53 pm
Ok. O’flaherty in the 7th with a 4 run lead. Now did I just see Venters in the pen a few minutes ago?? What the hell is Freddie doing?? I loved Cox, but I never thought I’d see someone overuse a BPen more than Bobby. Well, meet Freddie G. Holy crap, these guys’ arms are going to be dead come the fall, if and when we get into the playoffs. They will get lit up. Not to mention you are probably going to blow out Venters’ arm. Awesome.
With all the one run and close games we play, why put oventbrel out there with a 4 run lead?
Tomahawk Mafia
June 29th, 2011
5:54 pm
I hate it when Venters gives up hits
Heath
June 29th, 2011
5:54 pm
And of course…. Venters is out there…
cricket
June 29th, 2011
5:55 pm
wish linebrink was pitching. Venters says he likes ball often but last year end of the season he did admit feeling fatigue.
Dennis Reynolds
June 29th, 2011
5:55 pm
THIS IS RIDICULOUS!!! FREDI CANNOT MANAGE HIS PEN FOR S**T!!
He keeps bringing in Venters like his arm is made of rubber. Who’s going to be our 8th inning guy in September when he’s on the DL?
Eric
June 29th, 2011
5:55 pm
Everyday jonny in there again, FG is using up that bullpen. Boy that could have been bad, we can,t afford any injuries.
JerseyChoppin
June 29th, 2011
5:55 pm
Wow, venters is out there. leadoff single. GIVE HIM AN EFFIN rest! He could have had 2 days off (albeit one of them a travel day).
Can we not trust anyone else in our bullpen to HOLD A 4 RUN LEAD FOR THREE OUTS???!!???
TnBrian
June 29th, 2011
5:55 pm
Nate has an ear wax buil up.
kwajbraves
June 29th, 2011
5:56 pm
We may have to installed a traffic light to control Schafer in the outfield. He is bound to get runover by JHey.
AtlYnkHtr
June 29th, 2011
5:56 pm
So if you had TJ surgery you are immune from injuries that would be caused by record appearances/innings? Then why don’t we have every pitcher we sign have premptive TJ surgery?
And yes I am sure he tells Fredi I am good to go, but sometimes you gotta save a guy from himself. You think when they ask Huddy how he feels in the 8th inning he is honest? No, but they still remove him because he is the manager. It certainly is possible that it wont be an issue and he is fine, but it is also a possibility that it will be an issue. I’ll side on it being an issue and not using him in games we are up by 4 runs in the 8th.
Murph
June 29th, 2011
5:56 pm
Is Nate hard of hearing or is Schafer not calling for the ball?
Husker Tony
June 29th, 2011
5:56 pm
Actually I don’t think we are going to have to worry about Schaef or McClouth when Prado comes back because they are going to take each other out. Prado in center, Heyward in right and Hinske in left. Looks like to me.
Mike
June 29th, 2011
5:56 pm
How a better can EVER be out when he doesn’t swing the bat and the pitch isnt a strike is just plain stupid. I dont care if the ball hit him or the knob of the bat. He only moved his body back to try and avoid being hit.
GT Alum
June 29th, 2011
5:56 pm
hawaiibravefan/Lew -
The problem with that theory is baseball seems to have a culture where if you ask out and there’s not a bone sticking out, then you’re wimping out. The manager is supposed to be smarter than the players. His job is to make these kind of decisions. While I have no problem with taking input from a player, I don’t think it should be a determining factor unless the player is saying he can’t go.
jim
June 29th, 2011
5:57 pm
Venters is showing the wear. the last week he has not had the same command or movement. HE IS OVERUSED!!!!
cricket
June 29th, 2011
5:58 pm
man that was rough
Dennis Reynolds
June 29th, 2011
5:58 pm
Hate is a strong word, esp when you’re using it to describe your feelings towards somebody who you’ve never met and has done nothing to you (directly anyway) but thats just how I feel when I watch the was Fredi Gonzalez manages this team. Unreal.
ivar's house of clams
June 29th, 2011
5:58 pm
As poorly as the Mariners are playing, one thing these two teams have in common is the fact that the Mariners and the Braves last won a post season series in 2001. Ten years and counting for each team.
Mike
June 29th, 2011
5:58 pm
And that boys and girls is why we wear helmets
kevkat
June 29th, 2011
5:59 pm
cmon now…Nate had that easily..
Husker Tony
June 29th, 2011
5:59 pm
Heres the thing about Venters we are going to let him walk in free agency eventually because he will get paid 20 mill by the Yanks to be a set up man. Might as well work him till his arm falls off. WOOOOO
McFann ;Ô; ;Ô;
June 29th, 2011
5:59 pm
Boy…David’s been getting knocked in the head a lot lately.
AtlYnkHtr
June 29th, 2011
5:59 pm
Good thing Fredi isn’t managing the all star game (that is if JV makes it and isnt sporting a 3 ERA by then) because he might be the first guy in a while to pitch 7 thru 9.
kwajbraves
June 29th, 2011
5:59 pm
Braves games are not complete without a Venters appereance. I know that is selfish but kind of hoping that he doesn’t made the ASG. He could use those 3 days of rest.
LAG
June 29th, 2011
6:00 pm
We’ll see Kimbrel next inning now.
I Have A Thing For A SunTrust Girl
June 29th, 2011
6:00 pm
I understand FG’s logic but I think this game and some others like it recently are good examples of where you don’t need to use an overworked Venters. Again I understand why but if it were me I’d use a combo of Linebrink/Sherill/Proctor to finish this with Kimbrell needed if necessary. Why not give JV two days off?
I Gave Her Undertaker eyes
June 29th, 2011
6:00 pm
Horrible…
jeffrey d
June 29th, 2011
6:00 pm
KERPOWWWWWWWWW
Hugo Z Hackenbush
June 29th, 2011
6:00 pm
Oops.
Mike
June 29th, 2011
6:00 pm
Venters needs a break because he is falling aprt.
cricket
June 29th, 2011
6:00 pm
i don’t blame venters for this
McFann ;Ô; ;Ô;
June 29th, 2011
6:00 pm
Thanks, jim!
Dennis Reynolds
June 29th, 2011
6:00 pm
UNREAL!! How much evidence does Fredi need to realize HE NEEDS SOME REST!!
F’n Moron!
jw
June 29th, 2011
6:00 pm
Man REST VENTERS….the guy is tired for goodness sake.
MikeInFl
June 29th, 2011
6:01 pm
<em.He’s also pitched as many as 156 IP in a single season in the minors.
It’s not the innings pitched, Lew. It’s the days without adequate recovery. I imagine Venters is telling Fredi he’s fine, and he probably feels fine. Doesn’t mean Fredi’s not putting Jonny at huge risk of tendon injury.
And now a HR… yeah, this is great management of Venters.
hawaiibravefan
June 29th, 2011
6:01 pm
Nahhh I don’t want Freddie fired, but you have to question him on why is Venters in every game? He’s gonna be weared out when we really need him in close games, for example saturday against the padres they had a 4 run lead, then he gets used the next day also in a 1-0 game and gives up 4, and now he just gave up a homerun.
Tomas
June 29th, 2011
6:01 pm
Fatigue understandably so, Freddy rest him in the future for crying out loud
Eric
June 29th, 2011
6:01 pm
I agree with you Jim. Very much overused, that era keeps going up.
kwajbraves
June 29th, 2011
6:01 pm
Now is a safe situation for Kimbrel.
David O'Brien
June 29th, 2011
6:02 pm
Just the second homer off Venters in 125 career appearances over two seasons, first this season
TNScott
June 29th, 2011
6:02 pm
I think we are now seeing the cumulative effect of “Every Day Jonny.” The Blaine Boyer effect has begun.
groundfog
June 29th, 2011
6:02 pm
Venters is breaking down .He got hit hard last night too.
Tomahawk Mafia
June 29th, 2011
6:02 pm
Venters is definitely showing signs of fatigue by leaving balls up in the zone and he has allowed about 5 flyballs in the previous two outings.
Mike
June 29th, 2011
6:02 pm
Well he isnt falling apart really…but in Venters world he is falling apart. 6 runs in the last 4 games. Ouch.
Blind Deaf and Dumb
June 29th, 2011
6:03 pm
test
Owl Hunter
June 29th, 2011
6:03 pm
Why is Gearrin not here? He pitched well, and is definitely better than Jairo. He’s probably better than the three headed monster of Proctor/Linebrink/Sherril.
Dennis Reynolds
June 29th, 2011
6:03 pm
DOB, how do you sit back and not beat the s**t out of Fredi when you see him in the clubhouse? You’re a better man than me, sir.
jeffrey d
June 29th, 2011
6:03 pm
Freddie = the Braves’ first baseman
Fredi = the Braves’ manager
richbrave
June 29th, 2011
6:03 pm
VENTERS should be used more sparingly. KIMBREL too. I guess they want everyone in the pen to have recovering ‘Tommy John’ surgery.
LAG
June 29th, 2011
6:03 pm
Moylan shares setup duties with Venters when he comes back.
Who’s with me?
jw
June 29th, 2011
6:04 pm
Forget the ASG…Venters needs that day to get a break….or sadly, we will NOT have him for October. The poor guy is in his early 20s, with unbelievable talent. They are burning him out and it is a shame.
Blind Deaf and Dumb
June 29th, 2011
6:04 pm
Mike, the one game where he gave up 4 runs was because he made some mental fielding errors, none of the balls were hit hard.
jeffrey d
June 29th, 2011
6:04 pm
Blaine Boyer is nowhere near the same boat as Jonny Venters. They’re not even in the same ocean.
jim
June 29th, 2011
6:04 pm
Kimbrel 3 days in a row coming up. To quote Skip — Let’s get some runs!
TNScott
June 29th, 2011
6:04 pm
Good question, Owl. Thinking exactly the same thing!!!
J-Man
June 29th, 2011
6:05 pm
I’ll still say Venters is the best reliever in baseball……….but I think he needs a rest. Give him 5 days off and let him get back to it. Also after giving up that HR he blew the next batter away so that tells us that he doesnt let mistakes get to him.
Tomahawk Mafia
June 29th, 2011
6:06 pm
That deflection from the pitcher worked in the Mariners favor.
Rob from SC
June 29th, 2011
6:06 pm
Was it necessary to have Venters pitch in a 5-1 game.
The poor guy needs a few days off.
Can we please acquire another dependable arm. We can’t afford to wait on Moylan and Medlen.
TNScott
June 29th, 2011
6:06 pm
If this continues, Venters may get a lot longer All-Star break than he might have.
Dennis Reynolds
June 29th, 2011
6:07 pm
And a patented 2 hopper to 2nd by Heyward.
Eric
June 29th, 2011
6:07 pm
Let’s go mac I need some fantasy points.
Broncsx3
June 29th, 2011
6:07 pm
DOB has to balance being a reporter and being a “friend” to the team allowed extra access. He’s not really ALLOWED to criticize too much. An idiot can see that Venters’ arm is being abused. If we had the NY media Fredi would be answering questions about his inability to manage the bullpen after every single game. Unfortunately out media doesn’t work that way.
I was sooooo happy about Bobby retiring because he’s a retard when it came to the bullpen. Sigh, Cox might as well still be managing it from afar.
Husker Tony
June 29th, 2011
6:07 pm
jw
venters is 26 hes a man! he can work everyday!!!
Dennis Reynolds
June 29th, 2011
6:08 pm
Mac going deep next pitch
JasonInFL
June 29th, 2011
6:09 pm
Count me with those that thinks The Vulture could use a few days off and didn’t need to be in this 5-1 game.
Dennis Reynolds
June 29th, 2011
6:09 pm
exactly, Broncxs3
groundfog
June 29th, 2011
6:09 pm
Kimbrel 3 days in a row? get your popcorn
Hugo Z Hackenbush
June 29th, 2011
6:09 pm
Good guess
Eric
June 29th, 2011
6:09 pm
How long before medlin is back. We need some fresh arms down in the pen. Let’s go kimbrel three more out for the sweep.
Coach (2011 Fredi G. a go!)
June 29th, 2011
6:09 pm
Venters had to make sure that Kimbrel gets the save
GT Alum
June 29th, 2011
6:09 pm
LAG -
I’m counting the days until Moylan and Meds come back. I assume they’ll take Martinez and Proctor’s roster spots, and, dang that will be a good BP.
Of course, that’s assuming 2 of O’Ventbrel aren’t replacing them on the DL.
Husker Tony
June 29th, 2011
6:09 pm
DOB, what have you thought about Ackley?? Seems like a solid player for the Mariners to build upon??
braveslifer
June 29th, 2011
6:10 pm
Lets go Kimbrel. We need you to come out solid here.
JerseyChoppin
June 29th, 2011
6:10 pm
Nice. The overuse of Venters has now necessitated the further use of Kimbrel.
Blind Deaf and Dumb
June 29th, 2011
6:10 pm
I kinda how Kimbrell blows it so I can watch all you morons call for Freddies head.
Veer
June 29th, 2011
6:10 pm
If anything Gonzalez should have kept Lowe in for an extra inning so he could save Venters.
Husker Tony
June 29th, 2011
6:11 pm
COach,
You are right on! How else is he going to break records!!?!?!?!?!?!?!?
Dennis Reynolds
June 29th, 2011
6:11 pm
Leadoff walk. Calling it.
southern hope
June 29th, 2011
6:11 pm
wow, I am really nervous.
Philip
June 29th, 2011
6:11 pm
Fredi has got to rest Venters. We were up 5 – 1 today playing one of the worst offensive teams in the majors today and he still uses him. I know we have an off day tomorrow but Venters could use 2 consecutive days off which hopefully will pay off down the road when we need him to pitch 5 games per week to get into the playoffs. I understand using Venters today if we are up by no more than 3 runs but there was no reason to use him. Give him a rest Fredi.
JerseyChoppin
June 29th, 2011
6:11 pm
DOB, maybe ask Freddie the rationale behind putting Venters in this game with a 4 run lead. He was warming up in the pen when we already had a 4 run lead. Where is the logic there?
hawaiibravefan
June 29th, 2011
6:11 pm
In Johnny’s past 3 appearances his era jumped over a run. And he still has an 1.59 era on the season. Shows how ridiculously unbelievable he has pitched all year, now E’O has the best era at the team. Everybody jump on his bandwagon to make that all-star team lol
Eric
June 29th, 2011
6:12 pm
Bottom of the order let go three up three down
Dennis Reynolds
June 29th, 2011
6:12 pm
Ill happily eat my words though.
Hugo Z Hackenbush
June 29th, 2011
6:12 pm
Dennis, you’re 0 for 2. Wanna quit while you’re behind?
UKUGA
June 29th, 2011
6:12 pm
Very proud to not be on the 5:18 list.
Blind Deaf and Dumb
June 29th, 2011
6:13 pm
Dennis, ya kinda missed that one.
tyler
June 29th, 2011
6:13 pm
I would hate to read this blog if the Braves had a losing record. Some of you guys are brutal….we are 11 over .500, not too shabby considering the injuries.
jw
June 29th, 2011
6:13 pm
Husker…..he is a man…but throwing 97 mph sinkers every day is not normal. Have you ever pitched? Do you know what your arm feels like the day after pitching? Don’t forget…for every outing, a pitcher throws 10-20 warm up pitches before entering the game. You try pitching 2 out of every 3 days for a few weeks and see how you feel. Not that the guy is complaining or even that he cant do it. But in the pursuit of short term advantage…we may end up losing him long term or at least see his era rise at the end of the season.
Patrick
June 29th, 2011
6:13 pm
hawaiibravefan: Do you really live in Hawaii? If so, on Oahu or Maui?
The reason I ask is cause I just got back from vacationing in Maui, it was perfection.
Veer
June 29th, 2011
6:13 pm
A .195 hitter not a happy with the 3rd strike.
THERE IS A REASON WHY YOU ARE HITTING 195. GET LOST AND GO TO THE BENCH FRANKLIN GUIETERIEZ
Owl Hunter
June 29th, 2011
6:13 pm
Fredi is an idiot. Our success this season is despite him, and not because of him. We’re gonna be trotting out Chris Reitsma in the 8th inning by September.
jeffrey d
June 29th, 2011
6:13 pm
we are 11 over .500, not too shabby considering the injuries.
But we could be 12 over .500
TNScott
June 29th, 2011
6:14 pm
Well, Kimbrel had Carp hook, line, and sinker.
Jerry
June 29th, 2011
6:14 pm
Look at the bright side. Venters may or may not be fatigued from overuse, but at least when he has shown signs of ineffectiveness, Kimbrel has kicked ass, and vice versa. At least one of those two has been smokin. Just think how it would be if both sucked at the same time.
Coach (2011 Fredi G. a go!)
June 29th, 2011
6:14 pm
~ ~ ~ How sweep it is to be loved by you, by you ~ ~
AtlYnkHtr
June 29th, 2011
6:14 pm
Blind Deaf and Dumb, I hope that post was meant to be self referential and ironic. If so, good job.
Eric
June 29th, 2011
6:14 pm
Let’s not give ichiro a chance to hit
kwajbraves
June 29th, 2011
6:15 pm
I remember last year that there was a stretch of 3-4 games that JV was hit hard because he was overused. If you looked at his velocity was still good but his pitches were left up on the zone. He was again effective after a few consecutive days of rest. Time to left him rest for a few days and that don’t include travel days.
LAG
June 29th, 2011
6:15 pm
GT Alum – I can see Proctor being replaced, easy. Martinez not as easily, but I wouldn’t be surprised at all if it happened.
bravesgrl4life
June 29th, 2011
6:15 pm
Johnny had to go and make it interesting, didn’t he. I think he’s just tired. One strike to go, CK and you’ve got it. Now finish him off.
Lew
June 29th, 2011
6:15 pm
Or we could trot out Linebrink NOW and listen to you gripe.
Venice Jim
June 29th, 2011
6:16 pm
Great job, Craig! Big sweep!
Dennis Reynolds
June 29th, 2011
6:16 pm
Bit*hes aint s**t but hoes and tricks. Words to live by
bravesgrl4life
June 29th, 2011
6:16 pm
SWEEEP!!!!
hawaiibravefan
June 29th, 2011
6:16 pm
Patrick: i live on Oahu, the more populated city-like island. Yes Hawaii really is a beauty and I’m proud and lucky that i live here!
braveslifer
June 29th, 2011
6:16 pm
Nice job Kimbrel! Great sweep guys way to go! Freedie had a heck of a series!
Blind Deaf and Dumb
June 29th, 2011
6:17 pm
Braves 3-0 since the lineup you guys were crying about….so you know nothing.
Husker Tony
June 29th, 2011
6:17 pm
Chip “An amazing sweep in Seattle” sweeping a .500 team is amazing now?? Thats questionable.
Dennis Reynolds
June 29th, 2011
6:17 pm
Yes, Venice Jim. As opposed to a small sweep.
Owl Hunter
June 29th, 2011
6:17 pm
Martinez isn’t going well. He’s good in his role. I also wouldn’t count on much from Medlen this year. He’s going to have rust to work off. It will be next season when he pitches as effectively as he can.
Nova Scotia Steve
June 29th, 2011
6:17 pm
Braves are a remarkable 34-20 since May 1st
Venice Jim
June 29th, 2011
6:17 pm
Dennis Reynolds – nice call on the leadoff walk…
Kat
June 29th, 2011
6:18 pm
Just got home to see the sweep..nice.
Dennis Reynolds
June 29th, 2011
6:18 pm
Nice comeback. I remember when I watched my first Braves game.
Owl Hunter
June 29th, 2011
6:19 pm
Meant to say “going anywhere” about Martinez.
bravesgrl4life
June 29th, 2011
6:19 pm
Glad I got home to watch Craig get the save. Good win, good sweep. Well, I’ll be listening to the weekend game, for the most part, on satellite radio as I am going to Florida this weekend for my cousin’s wedding and spending some time with family and friends from high school.
TNScott
June 29th, 2011
6:20 pm
Husker, I’m sure the Phillies would have liked to take two out of three from that same .500 team.
Eric
June 29th, 2011
6:20 pm
Great sweep against some of the best pitchers in the league hopefully this gets the offense going. I am going to the game Friday night maybe we can put up a ten spot for JJ’s 11th win.
Husker Tony
June 29th, 2011
6:20 pm
Now time to cheer on the Red Sox booooooom
JasonInFL
June 29th, 2011
6:21 pm
Kimbrel has looked pretty darn good lately. Starting to quiet those idiots–directed towards myself–that said Jonny needed to replace him?
Owl Hunter
June 29th, 2011
6:22 pm
Bullpen buffoonery aside; it’s great that we swept a team that we were supposed to. Keep it up.
MIBravesFFFFFan
June 29th, 2011
6:22 pm
Good day for Freddie today, and great job by Craig to seal the deal (not sure who else might deserve kudos since I just caught the last couple of innings and the highlights at the end of the game, but those two definitely do!)
Husker Tony
June 29th, 2011
6:22 pm
And time for a beer. Blue moon?? I think so
Eric
June 29th, 2011
6:22 pm
No post game show, that sucks.
bravesgrl4life
June 29th, 2011
6:22 pm
I wanted postgame, not another showing of At Home with Jason Heyward. I mean, it’s a good one, but this is about the 900th time they’ve shown it this season.
Fredi Gonzalez
June 29th, 2011
6:22 pm
Look, If we lose enough, were going to be relocated to Cuba. Hence Venters in every game and the ridiculous lineups.
Haven’t you even SEEN Major League??
JasonInFL
June 29th, 2011
6:22 pm
The rumor mill should ramp up here in a couple of weeks.
hawaiibravefan
June 29th, 2011
6:23 pm
I think it’s an amazing sweep considering that they just came from San Diego, a team with a worse record then Seattle and losing 2 out of 3. Then they come in facing Seattle’s Top 3 SP in Bedard, Pineda (better rookie pitchers right now), and King Felix (not the same as last year but still great). Offensive came alive, and it looks like things are starting to click for them.
jim
June 29th, 2011
6:23 pm
When Medlen and Moylan come back — if before Sept 1, first one back replaces Proctor, next one will replace Martinez. (if JV has not blown out his arm by then) Linebrink has been OK lately and should have been given the 8th inning today.
Jay Dubu
June 29th, 2011
6:24 pm
Fredi has to stop running Venters out there every game, he’s starting to wear down.
Put a combo of Proctor/Linebrink/Sherrill out ther to get throug that 1 inning.
GT Alum
June 29th, 2011
6:24 pm
LAG, well, the current BP is
Craig Kimbrel
Scott Linebrink
Cristhian Martinez
Eric O’Flaherty
Scott Proctor
George Sherrill
Jonny Venters
O’Ventbrel aren’t getting demoted, and I don’t see Sherrill or Linebrink being DFA as long as they keep the ERAs under 6, so that leaves Proctor and Martinez, with Meds replacing Martinez as the long reliever.
Of course, if they can keep the ERAs where they are, the Braves might be able to ship Sherrill or Linebrink off to a contender who needs BP help in return for a RH bench bat.
Husker Tony
June 29th, 2011
6:25 pm
Wilbon on ESPN: Who is the best pitcher in the Bigs? “Hallady, Lee, Hamels, Verlander, Jared Weaver, and Sabathia.” Kornheiser had to bring up Jair Jurjjens and had no idea how to say his name he said it right but he said I probably said that wrong. Jokes.
Jay Dubu
June 29th, 2011
6:25 pm
Four and 2 on a six game roadtrip is not bad.
hawaiibravefan
June 29th, 2011
6:26 pm
Whatever it was Lowe did a good job today, maybe Freddi being the braniac that he is had the calendar on September and Lowe brought his good stuff.
kwajbraves
June 29th, 2011
6:27 pm
I guess we’ve been spoiled with Venters perfection. He is human and facing MLB hitters so he’s bound to hit rough patch from time to time but I still agree with the majority of the bloggers that FG should use more common sense on when to bring JV to the game.
McFann ;Ô; ;Ô;
June 29th, 2011
6:27 pm
Ah! Great to get the sweep!!
Owl Hunter
June 29th, 2011
6:30 pm
Common sense isn’t Fredi’s strong suit, to put it nicely.
hawaiibravefan
June 29th, 2011
6:30 pm
If Johnny and Kimbrel gets worn out I’d say move Lowe to being closer and bring up any of the Super prospects we have to take lowes Sp spot. Hey Derek did it with Boston maybe he can do it here.
Eric
June 29th, 2011
6:30 pm
8&2 the last ten games. That is a nice stretch, now Baltimore coming to town to get it handed to them.
Eric
June 29th, 2011
6:32 pm
Replay starts at seven , now I get to watch the beginning of the game.
kwajbraves
June 29th, 2011
6:33 pm
In the unlikely event that we have to use a starter to become the closer then my vote will be for Mr. Brandon Beachy. That kid is the iceman.
Husker Tony
June 29th, 2011
6:33 pm
I’m getting tired of hearing about Filthies on TV. I realllllllllly hope we can beat them.
keylargo
June 29th, 2011
6:34 pm
That g******d****** Venters is the weak link in our bullpen. DFA him NOW!!
Oh, games over?
Husker Tony
June 29th, 2011
6:34 pm
I would say KK for closer kwaj, or does he not count??
kwajbraves
June 29th, 2011
6:37 pm
@ Bravesgrl4life: Drive carefully and have fun at the wedding.
Tomas
June 29th, 2011
6:39 pm
American league vs National League battle has been close, with the AL leading 97-93
hawaiibravefan
June 29th, 2011
6:39 pm
kwajbraves: No I want KK to be starting game number 2 if we make the playoffs, Dlowe being the closer, and send Freeman down to AAA, he’s not hitting over .350 with 20+ homers yet.
kwajbraves
June 29th, 2011
6:40 pm
@ Husker Tony: KK??? I thought that he was recalled by Toyota. He had his arm stuck on 7 runs per innings mode.
hawaiibravefan
June 29th, 2011
6:41 pm
The braves team that everybody panicks about and says that is done currently have the 2nd most wins in the whole league, only behind that Yankees. Oops i meant Phillies.
Tomas
June 29th, 2011
6:42 pm
Husker Tony, amazing because of the 3 pitchers they’ve faced. Second time that’s happened all year, first since the first series of the year, and they did with this offense who by the way is improving but not exactly awesome
Tom O'Hawke
June 29th, 2011
6:42 pm
As the Braves leave, The Emerald City, I believe they have heart and courage, but the jury is still out about a brain.
The best part, however, is getting away with the broom from the, Wicked Witch of the West.
(Just showin’ y’all my versatility.)
MattyRoss
June 29th, 2011
6:43 pm
Just realized the Bravos play 20 straight games without an off day after the all star break…then have another long stretch later in August. Let’s hope they can get, and stay, healthy for that period. Might be the determining stretch of the season, if they streak too much one way or the other.
McFann ;Ô; ;Ô;
June 29th, 2011
6:45 pm
Tom O’Hawke—
My parents thank you for your help with the TV—gonna call U-Verse this weekend.
LAG
June 29th, 2011
6:49 pm
GT Alum – No, I agree with you as far as the assessment of the pen. I say it wouldn’t be as easy to replace Martinez because he’s been pretty good in that role… but that’s about it.
Medlen has been good as a starter, spot starter, long man, and middle reliever.
Does Martinez have options?
Tomas
June 29th, 2011
6:50 pm
I think Chipper can play through his injury until the allstar break, then they can DL him and activate Prado to take his place. Prado can hit and play third, McCann 4th, Freeman 5th, Uggla 6th, Mclouth 7th, Alex 8th
David O'Brien
June 29th, 2011
6:50 pm
I asked Fredi if Venters looks tired and about using him today.
He said they’ve got to do better job managing the Jonny’s rest and usage, that he’ll rest at least a couple days (sounds like could be few days, possibly even entire Orioles series, but he doesn’t want to say for obvious reasons, doesn’t want opposing team to know).
Tom O'Hawke
June 29th, 2011
6:50 pm
McFann
Tell them I was happy to help.
I did think of another question after we last spoke. I’m hoping your answer is, NO!!
Did anyone add or subtract any component to your entertainment system? (TV, DVD, speakers, etc.)
cabravesfan
June 29th, 2011
6:50 pm
The best part, however, is getting away with the broom from the, Wicked Witch of the West.
Tom O'Hawke
June 29th, 2011
6:51 pm
….about a month, ago, McFann?
Tom O'Hawke
June 29th, 2011
6:52 pm
What are YOU upset about, LAdy?
cabravesfan
June 29th, 2011
6:54 pm
The Wicked Witch of the West, Tom? What is wrong with the West???
Dumbfound
June 29th, 2011
6:55 pm
hawaiibravefan
June 29th, 2011
6:41 pm
The braves team that everybody panicks about and says that is done currently have the 2nd most wins in the whole league, only behind that Yankees. Oops i meant Phillies.
Wrong. The Braves have the 5th most wins.
Tom O'Hawke
June 29th, 2011
6:56 pm
cabravesfan
You’ll have to take that up with the author, L. Frank Baum, or MGM.
cabravesfan
June 29th, 2011
6:58 pm
Tom-
Say hi to noleee for me…
kwajbraves
June 29th, 2011
6:58 pm
Thanks DOB for the 411 on Venters. Braves rabid grey is concerned about the overused of our golden lefty.
Tom O'Hawke
June 29th, 2011
7:00 pm
LAdy
You’re not familiar with, The Wizard of Oz?
Seattle named it’s city “Emerald City”, which is the city in the movie/novel.
Dumbfound
June 29th, 2011
7:00 pm
Major League Standings
W L PCT GB HOME ROAD L10 STRK ELIM#
Phillies 50 30 .625 0.0 31-13 19-17 6-4 W2 –
Last: 6/28 vs BOS W 5-0 Next: 6/29, vs BOS, 7:05 p.m. ET Preview
Yankees 46 31 .597 0.0 26-18 20-13 7-3 W3 –
Last: 6/28 vs MIL W 12-2 Next: 6/29, vs MIL, 7:05 p.m. ET Preview
Red Sox 45 33 .577 1.5 22-16 23-17 4-6 L1 80
Last: 6/28 @PHI L 0-5 Next: 6/29, @PHI, 7:05 p.m. ET Preview
Giants 46 34 .575 0.0 24-13 22-21 7-3 W7 –
Last: 6/28 @CHC W 6-3 Next: 6/29, @CHC, 8:05 p.m. ET Preview
Braves 47 35 .573 4.0 22-17 25-18 8-2 W3 78
Last: 6/28 @SEA W 5-4 Next: 6/29, @SEA, 3:40 p.m. ET Preview
Rays 45 36 .556 3.0 19-20 26-16 7-3 L1 77
Last: 6/28 vs CIN W 4-3 Next: 6/29, vs CIN, 12:10 p.m. ET Preview
Brewers 44 36 .550 0.0 29-11 15-25 5-5 L1 -
kwajbraves
June 29th, 2011
7:01 pm
I meant fans instead of grey. Grey is another Spanish word for followers.
gene garbage
June 29th, 2011
7:04 pm
the way this team is hitting, or lack thereof, it truly is amazing the record they have.
David O'Brien
June 29th, 2011
7:05 pm
Fredi on Venters: “He’s got, what, 46 appearances counting today? We may have to back off a little bit. He’s too valuable for us and we want him for the long haul.”
JasonInFL
June 29th, 2011
7:05 pm
Hmm…interesting comments by Fredi. Don’t know how to take them really other than they should already be doing it and that Jonny doesn’t need to be in games where we are up 4 to 5 runs or more.
abeeeewright
June 29th, 2011
7:05 pm
I didn’t know the game was on early, so I tuned in for the last strike.
Great series in Seattle. Keep the momentum going against the O’s.
Scott from Fairburn
June 29th, 2011
7:09 pm
Glad to see the box score with Fredi getting Jonny some work in a four- run game …
Tomas
June 29th, 2011
7:10 pm
I root for FG and I think he’s done some good decisions specially with the lineups and the order etc. But his use of Venters today was an idiotic move. He struggled in SD, aware of the extreme overuse he uses him in back to back days with a 4 run lead today.
Limit his use to 2 games a week until the allstar break for his arm to recover strength and be ready down the stretch. Then maybe with less extra inning games in the second half he can avoid using Johnny so much, and Moylan coming back will also help in that department.
Scott from Fairburn
June 29th, 2011
7:10 pm
Fredi, you need to back off of him …alot
AtlYnkHtr
June 29th, 2011
7:11 pm
Imagine that, Fredi does see that JV can’t pitch every day, but only after he runs him out there in low leverage situations time and time again. Perhaps, rest the entire O’s series? After a day off? 4 days off. Wow talk about reactionary. How bout just use him in high leverage situations?
Scott from Fairburn
June 29th, 2011
7:12 pm
Hear, hear Tomas
Tom O'Hawke
June 29th, 2011
7:12 pm
cabravesfan, HELLO?
Dorothy, along with her dog, Toto, travel the famous yellow brick road to the Emerald City.
On the way she confronts, The Tinman (needing a heart), the Scarecrow (needing a brain), and the Cowardly Lion (needing courage), and they travel with her.
Her nemesis is the, Wicked Witch of the West.
How could you miss it? It’s been on every year since TV was invented. It’s been in all the papers.
AtlYnkHtr
June 29th, 2011
7:12 pm
DOB, I’m confused by we does Fredi mean I (as in its his call), is he suggesting someone else has a vote or it just his manner of speaking?
Murph
June 29th, 2011
7:16 pm
What is wrong with the West???
Outside of California? Nothing really.
bravesgrl4life
June 29th, 2011
7:16 pm
Thanks, kwaj! Gonna have my satellite stations blasting on the 8 hour drive. May miss most of Friday night’s game, and probably Saturday’s too. Will be able to listen to the whole thing on Sunday on my way home. Will miss blogging with you all over the weekend.
MIBravesFFFFFan
June 29th, 2011
7:17 pm
“Tom O’Hawke
June 29th, 2011
6:42 pm
As the Braves leave, The Emerald City, I believe they have heart and courage, but the jury is still out about a brain.
The best part, however, is getting away with the broom from the, Wicked Witch of the West.
(Just showin’ y’all my versatility.)”
Murph
June 29th, 2011
7:17 pm
Is KK pitching tonight?
I’m going to stick with my prediction from yesterday: Minimum of 5 earned runs, lasts no longer than 5 innings.
kwajbraves
June 29th, 2011
7:18 pm
If we want to save the bullpen then we need to score early and give our starters margin for error to go deep into the game. Quite often our starters have to leave around the 7 inning because they need to be PH for. Bottomline we have to give our starters run support.
bfred
June 29th, 2011
7:20 pm
At least Fredi’s acknowledging Venters’ overuse. That’s more than we used to get from Bobby.
Tad
June 29th, 2011
7:21 pm
Chipper to DL since All-Star Break is around the corner, Prado close to returning. While Chip is on DL Prado at third, keep Schafer, McLouth, and Heyward in the outfield.
Tom O'Hawke
June 29th, 2011
7:22 pm
MIBravesFFFFFan
Thank you. I’m glad I’m not the only one here that’s ever heard of it.
kwajbraves
June 29th, 2011
7:24 pm
@ Bravesgrl4life: Thank God for satallite radio and MLB online. That was the only way that I could listen to my beloved Braves games when I was deployed down range or TDY around the country.
cabravesfan
June 29th, 2011
7:27 pm
Tom-
Yes, I’ve heard of the Wizard of Oz…so you’re saying it wasn’t a shot at my coast?
MIBravesFFFFFan
June 29th, 2011
7:30 pm
Tom – No problem. I never read the book but I definitely saw the movie on tv as a kid, more than once. It also featured a classic song, which has been rather well redone over the years (I loved it in “Finding Forrester”). Of course the original wasn’t bad, either.
cabravesfan
June 29th, 2011
7:30 pm
Got a few things to do- back shortly
Tom O'Hawke
June 29th, 2011
7:31 pm
LAdy
Of course not!
I can’t give you too much more of an explanation, then I already have.
And I REFUSE to sing you, “Over The Rainbow”.
braveslifer
June 29th, 2011
7:34 pm
“At least Fredi’s acknowledging Venters’ overuse. That’s more than we used to get from Bobby.”
Except that 45 minutes earlier he used him when we were up by four runs. Reminds me of a fat guy saying that he should lose weight while eating a snickers bar and drinking a coke.
kwajbraves
June 29th, 2011
7:37 pm
1-0 Phils
McFann ;Ô; ;Ô;
June 29th, 2011
7:37 pm
Tom O’Hawke Did anyone add or subtract any component to your entertainment system (TV, DVD, speakers, etc.) [about a month, ago]?
No…I mean, we got the DVR thingy added on back in 2008 when we got U-Verse, and our DVD player has been acting possessed for quite a while (just temperamental…it opens then closes back right away before the DVD cann be put in or taken out, unless you grab the tray and hold it out. Sometimes it works normally, though), but as far as adding anything, even within the last year, no.
Why…what would that mean…?
westgadave
June 29th, 2011
7:37 pm
DOB…..Hi Dave, I know you have long flight ahead of you but have meant to ask this question a few times and never gotten around to it. FSS ran the JS interview from 2008 right after Braves game and reminded me again…..JS in under contrct through this year as Bravos President if memory serves, do you have any idea or inkling if he plans to continue working or if he may retire whenhis contract expires???
Thanks and have safe trip back in.
McFann ;Ô; ;Ô;
June 29th, 2011
7:38 pm
Hot dang…McFanned the rest of that post.
Tom O'Hawke
June 29th, 2011
7:43 pm
McFann
I only asked because it doesn’t take too much to mess with the wiring. As I said before, it sounds as if it’s something simple to correct.
Just wanted to make sure that the problem was with U-Verse, before you call them. Not that they wouldn’t have corrected it, anyway.
huddie ledbetter
June 29th, 2011
7:46 pm
Good series, always great to sweep and decent road trip. Bats waking up?
From SI’s Joe Lemire – “In this, the bigger and better sequel to 2010’s Year of the Pitcher, Philadelphia and Atlanta stand above the rest. The Phillies have a staff ERA of 3.01 and the Braves clock in at 3.07, putting both clubs on the verge of being the first teams with a sub-3.00 ERA since the 1989 Dodgers had a 2.95.” Pretty impressive. I just don’t see how folks can be so critical of Frank Wren with what he’s done on a relative shoe string. I ain’t the smartest person here but, for me, good job Frank.
McFann ;Ô; ;Ô;
June 29th, 2011
7:48 pm
Tom O’Hawke—
OK, thanks! We did have to unplug the U-Verse thingy a while back (think it was in March) and then plug it back in ’cause the internet was kinda acting weird. Dad checked that, though, to see if anything was loose…
I’ll (obviously) let you know what happens when he calls them this weekend. That’ll be exciting if it gets fixed!
David O'Brien
June 29th, 2011
7:48 pm
Link to QUOTAGE
http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-braves-blog/2011/06/29/braves-quote-after-sweep-of-mariners/
MIBravesFFFFFan
June 29th, 2011
7:51 pm
Thanks, DOB
Bat Masterson
June 29th, 2011
7:53 pm
Tom O’
Its unfortunate you did not have Glinda, the Good Witch of the North, looking out for you with cab.
Bat Masterson
June 29th, 2011
7:56 pm
Anyway Tom O’, I thought it was clever of you.
Veer
June 29th, 2011
8:00 pm
come on red sox
Tom O'Hawke
June 29th, 2011
8:02 pm
Tom O’
Its unfortunate you did not have Glinda, the Good Witch of the North, looking out for you with cab.
You’re not kidding, Bat. Here I am, all proud of myself for the literary comparison, and then, whoooooosh. The cyclone known as “Cab”, sweeps me away and puts me in a freakin’ doghouse with nolie.
cabravesfan
June 29th, 2011
8:05 pm
Not helping your case Thomas…
Bat Masterson
June 29th, 2011
8:07 pm
cab_
I’m not sure you are helping yours. You have heard of The wizard of Oz?
Tom O'Hawke
June 29th, 2011
8:08 pm
Thanks, Bat, I appreciate that.
The next time I make any literary comparisons, however, I’ll pick something less obscure.
Bat Masterson
June 29th, 2011
8:09 pm
Tom O’
Now thats funny!
cabravesfan
June 29th, 2011
8:11 pm
Bat-
umm, yes. I’m just giving Tom a hard time. After all the bitching about west coast games…
Heath
June 29th, 2011
8:11 pm
Great start to the second half of the season for the Braves. If the Braves have the same record in the second 81 games as the first… I think we can live with that, no?
Tom O'Hawke
June 29th, 2011
8:11 pm
Here, LAdy. Listen to my favorite version of the song, from the original artist.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXJ2Q0F8H80&NR=1
I picked it out just for you.
jeffrey d
June 29th, 2011
8:14 pm
West Coast games are pretty annoying
cabravesfan
June 29th, 2011
8:16 pm
Tom-
Of course I have heard that version
Many times! It’s lovely
Heath
June 29th, 2011
8:16 pm
jeffrey d
June 29th, 2011
8:14 pm
West Coast games are pretty annoying
Not if they start at 3:40pm et, I work 5am – 3pm
Bat Masterson
June 29th, 2011
8:17 pm
cab_
Okay I was a little concerned about you. You know there are 4 questions about The wizard of Oz on the USA Citizenship test.
ray k.
June 29th, 2011
8:18 pm
DOB, I cant say that I understand Fredi’s answers to your question about Venters. Was it your inquiry that made the light bulb go on in his head and realize he has trotted Venters out there near every game for the last couple weeks? Has to do a “better job of managing” him? Then why didn’t he do that very damn thing today? Was the home run his first clue? Did his moniker, every day Johnny, escape Fredis notice? His league leading number of innings pitched?
This guy is talking as if he just returned from a desert island. Just idiotic.
Tom O'Hawke
June 29th, 2011
8:19 pm
cabravesfan
That’s not the original version from the ‘39 movie. She did that live in 1955. Can you hear her crying at the end.
The story of her life appears every once in a while, on TV. That’s where I first saw it.
Gone Viral
June 29th, 2011
8:21 pm
Gonzalez’ situation with Venters reminds me of that movie, The Box. Gonzalez knows the downside if he pushes the button, but the temptation is so strong. I’ve been watching Braves baseball since the days of Biff Pocoroba and I have -never- seen a Braves relief pitcher go on a streak like that, not even Smoltz. When you don’t use Venters, you are giving the opposing team a much better chance of scoring runs yet if you use him too much, he could burn out or get injured. There needs to be moderation but the temptation is irresistible.
jeffrey d
June 29th, 2011
8:23 pm
I love that song, Tom. But I think I like younger Judy Garland singing it better.
cabravesfan
June 29th, 2011
8:26 pm
Bat-
Good thing I don’t have to worry about a citizenship test
Tom-
You know, I saw the “1955″ in the title and never even thought it was not the original- sounds just as good as when she was younger
Tom O'Hawke
June 29th, 2011
8:29 pm
This is the original from the movie soundtrack, jeffrey.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QhzbzwPNgXA
As much as I’ve liked that since I was a little kid, I preferred her live stage version, better. I think it was her emotion.
ray k.
June 29th, 2011
8:29 pm
I can’t stop watching the trailer for Moneyball. Gives me chills every time. There’s a shot of the team standing side by side that includes David Justice (well, an actor playing David Justice). I had forgotten he played for Billy Beane the final year of his career.
The song in the trailer is by This Will Destroy You. They are of the Explosions in the Sky ilk. Very effective accompaniment in sports movies.
jeffrey d
June 29th, 2011
8:31 pm
I can agree to that Tom. I like the innocence of young Judy singing it.
Tom O'Hawke
June 29th, 2011
8:37 pm
If you told me one day I’d be on a public forum posting show tunes, I’d say NO FREAKIN’ WAY!!!!!! Nope, no way, no how, never gonna happen.
(Not that there’s anything wrong with that)
Kirby Smart
June 29th, 2011
8:38 pm
Not gonna lose any sleep if Chipper lands on the DL. He’s become a .250 hitter with little or no power. This team can get it done without him.
D man
June 29th, 2011
8:44 pm
Braves looked good today. Make that 12 over 500.
jeffrey d
June 29th, 2011
8:46 pm
This team can get it done without him
You know he’s second on the team in RBI’s? You know that – even though some make him out to be horrible – his replacements (Lugo…Diory) are nowhere near as productive as Chipper?
jeffrey d
June 29th, 2011
8:47 pm
“Somewhere Over the Rainbow” and the theme from The Office start off with the same interval.
nolee
June 29th, 2011
8:48 pm
Not gonna lose any sleep if Chipper lands on the DL. He’s become a .250 hitter with little or no power. This team can get it done without him. Kirby
pretty silly thought. he is still one of the highest OPS on the team, he is near the league lead in doubles and intentional walks and RISP, and he is second in OPS among all qualified NL third basemen. There is nobody on the team that can
replace him
D man
June 29th, 2011
8:49 pm
Kirby, I’ll tie Chippers 250 BA any day over the rest of the team…he makes everyone around him better…
nolee
June 29th, 2011
8:50 pm
damn. I actually agreed with jeffrey d, how embarrassing….
D man
June 29th, 2011
8:51 pm
How do I turn auto correct off? Take not tie…
TnBrian
June 29th, 2011
8:51 pm
I don’t want to spew negative garbage after we just swept a decent team on the road and I think Fredi’s done very good work with just about everything but the pen. The pen …… I don’t get it. He says they need to watch Venters’ work load, yet, he ran him out there again today with a 4 run lead AFTER he had Linebrink already warming up. If he’s just now realizing Jonny might just be getting a tad tired than I have to wonder about him some. He was showing definite signs of fatigue against SD. DUH!
Nice to see he now gets it. Venters and back-end pen guys are huge for this team down the stretch. HUGE
Tom O'Hawke
June 29th, 2011
8:51 pm
Really? I’ll have to remember to check that out, jeffrey.
I don’t watch too much TV, and I rarely see the office. But it’s on all the time in syndication.
I suppose that theme song is easy to find on the old net?
jeffrey d
June 29th, 2011
8:52 pm
About Chipper or SOTR?
jeffrey d
June 29th, 2011
8:54 pm
Tom, it’s no big deal…just the first 2 notes in SOTR and The Office are the same interval – an octave – apart. Just a small little thing I noticed when I started fiddling around on a piano. It’s the harmonica part that’s right after the piano intro.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b9GilKnpiv0
Tom O'Hawke
June 29th, 2011
8:55 pm
damn. I actually agreed with jeffrey d, how embarrassing….
nolee, your biggest problem, IMO, was admitting it.
I think this may take a while to live down. Maybe a moniker change? I’m sure Lou has a few he hasn’t used yet that he’ll let you borrow.
nolee
June 29th, 2011
8:55 pm
Chipper…
I wasn’t really paying much attention to the SOTR talk, I was too excited about Tom coming back to visit Stanley and me…
and J/K anyway
George
June 29th, 2011
8:56 pm
Good evening y’ll
Any win is a good win. I did not see game so cannot comment on it. Very good we are done with west coast trips[sorry cab]we did end it on a high note. So outta here, have a good one or two y’ll.
richbrave
June 29th, 2011
8:57 pm
Life is good we go 46-35 in the first half, then a win to kick off the second. A 47-34 second half is a 93 win season. I’ll take it, considering where the offense is at this point. You’ve got to believe the pitching will slow up in the second half, so the offense has got to come around soon. HEYWARD and UGGLA need to step it up a notch. With CHIPPER, McLOUTH, SCHAFER, and SEABASS, what you see is what you get I believe. Having PRADO back may help. McCANN can’t stay this hot forever. He needs serious help. FREEMAN is certainly holding up his end of this deal.
McFann ;Ô; ;Ô;
June 29th, 2011
8:59 pm
richbrae McCANN can’t stay this hot forever.
Says who?
jeffrey d
June 29th, 2011
8:59 pm
Yes, because my thoughts are so loony and irrational that you’d have to be a fool to ever agree with m.
Tom O'Hawke
June 29th, 2011
8:59 pm
TnBrian
I haven’t said it, but I’ve been thinking EXACTLY the same thing you just posted @ 8:51.
jeffrey d
June 29th, 2011
9:00 pm
Bat – I told you he’s always in a hurry.
smits
June 29th, 2011
9:04 pm
can you tell us what was discussed between Schafer and Mclouth after the incident in LF…
Tom O'Hawke
June 29th, 2011
9:06 pm
jeffrey – You must have a great ear. Not in a million years would I have ever noticed that.
nolee – I’ve been wanting to see what you’ve done to the place (doghouse) since I was last there.
Hugo Z Hackenbush
June 29th, 2011
9:06 pm
Somebody guessed right…Kawakami lasted two innings, allowed seven earned runs.
jeffrey d
June 29th, 2011
9:10 pm
Tom – That’s just how I learned some intervals by knowing what they sound like. Like a 4th is Amazing Grace. A 5th is the old NBC jingle. An 8th (octave) is SOTR.
And now that I’ve bored everyone, let’s go back to discussing Venters’ usage.
Tom O'Hawke
June 29th, 2011
9:10 pm
That would be Murph, Hugo.
Earl Williams
June 29th, 2011
9:13 pm
Fredi should realize that steroids and other crap are basically out of the game. He should just assume he is now managing guys who are not receiving the benefit of Mother’s Little Helpers. Venters should be watched more closely. He is too valuable of a commodity to be entrusted in the hands of a guy who probably thinks “Verdi” is a misspelling of the Spanish for Uggla’s “verde.”
Frankie Wren
June 29th, 2011
9:14 pm
No doubt great series and good momentum coming home and going into the break. Have to say though, Fredi’s remarks are puzzling. Linebrink or really why not Proctor to start the 7th. Up 4 runs what is the comfort level using these guys 6,7 runs ahead? That’s not going to present itself very often obviously with the offense right now. He’s going to have to show a little more confidence in both of these guys. If you don’t trust Proctor, bring the sidearmer back up from Triple A. Venters and Kimbrel both have been outstanding but need to be careful. EOF can certainly pitch the 8th and not sure why he can’t be trotted out there for setup in until Moyland gets back to ease off on the dynamic dual.
richbrave
June 29th, 2011
9:15 pm
DOWN ON THE FARM
DSL
BRAVES best TIGERS 6-5 today.
ROBERTO ‘Star’ ESTRELLA [ND,4.72 ERA] 5.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R/ER, 2 BB, 0 SO.
JESUS ‘Spontaneous’ CAMBUSTON [H 1, 4.91 ERA] 2.0, 4 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 SO.
JO ROSARIO [BS 2, 4.15 ERA] 0.2 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 0 SO.
RICKY MEDINA [0.93 ERA] 2.1 IP, 0 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 SO. Sa-weet!
ORIEL R. CAICEDO [1-0, 6.14 ERA] 2.0 IP, zeros, 1 BB, 1 SO. Nicer than his past two outings.
Lead-off 2B DAN CASTRO [.221 BA] 2-6, 1 R.
1B IBRAHIM McKENZIE [.192 BA] 1-5, 1 3B [3], 1 BB, 1 SO.
CF SALMERON [.269 BA] 2-3, 1 R, 1 SO.
MIBravesFFFFFan
June 29th, 2011
9:15 pm
“richbrave
June 29th, 2011
8:57 pm
Life is good we go 46-35 in the first half, then a win to kick off the second. A 47-34 second half is a 93 win season. I’ll take it, considering where the offense is at this point. You’ve got to believe the pitching will slow up in the second half, so the offense has got to come around soon. HEYWARD and UGGLA need to step it up a notch. With CHIPPER, McLOUTH, SCHAFER, and SEABASS, what you see is what you get I believe. Having PRADO back may help. McCANN can’t stay this hot forever. He needs serious help. FREEMAN is certainly holding up his end of this deal.”
I don’t believe the pitching will slow up the second half (if Jonny isn’t worked into the ground) – the team was built around pitching and it shows. I agree Jason and Dan need to step it up, but at least Dan is providing the power part of what he was signed for, despite the awful other numbers. Having Prado back “may” help?! Having Martin back being Martin makes this team run offensively, IMO. And McFann is right about Brian – Brian is Brian, year in and year out, and he’s actually getting better! I agree about Freddie – I’m sure you’re shocked!
Tom O'Hawke
June 29th, 2011
9:17 pm
Interesting way to do it, jeff. You’ve never learned to read music? Or was that the method you used in the early days?
tiger297
June 29th, 2011
9:19 pm
after all the blogging sunday talking about how far back we would be after getting swept by the mariners I haven’t been catching much baseball…anybody tell me where we stand
tiger297
June 29th, 2011
9:20 pm
ok maybe I’m kidding and still watched the games…so where the hell are they
Tom O'Hawke
June 29th, 2011
9:21 pm
Earl Williams
I gave you a reply to an earlier post of yours to me. I believe it was yesterday. If you didn’t see it, I saved it and can re-post it if you’d like.
jeffrey d
June 29th, 2011
9:23 pm
Yeah I can read music. But when I was first learning theory it helped to know what it would sound like.
Soph
June 29th, 2011
9:25 pm
Good job again, boys – come on home. No more late games!
jeffrey d
June 29th, 2011
9:25 pm
Tiger – here’s Mixxo on Sunday
Mixxo
June 26th, 2011
7:06 pm
Oh……and we’ll get “owned” in Seattle……mark my words
Earl Williams
June 29th, 2011
9:26 pm
Not really.
I’m now going to read the nasty New York Times and watch the Marlins try to go 3 For June. I can’t spend the amount of time that you OCD guys utilize here.
Good Night
Thing Uggla is still getting to .215? The decline has been very strange!!!!! to say the least.
tiger297
June 29th, 2011
9:27 pm
yawp…one of the folks I was referencing..
Tom O'Hawke
June 29th, 2011
9:27 pm
tiger297
The ol’ blog is always slow after a win, much less a sweep.
I’ve even resorted to talking about show tunes.
tiger297
June 29th, 2011
9:30 pm
well I can use an easy night…enough going on on the home front
Soph
June 29th, 2011
9:31 pm
Maybe if you read a few posts instead of saying the same thing 50 million times, you’d be able to keep up.
Tom O'Hawke
June 29th, 2011
9:32 pm
Ahh, MAN! Earl! Do you really have to leave so soon?
The guy is so much fun to have around.
Chastity Bono
June 29th, 2011
9:33 pm
Uggla is probably into some Barry Manilow stuff. Very performance appropriate. He probably listens to my mon’s material while working out.
jeffrey d
June 29th, 2011
9:34 pm
I thought Early got the boot?
Red Barber
June 29th, 2011
9:37 pm
Does anyone believe that Chip ever looks into the mirror and thinks–”I don’t really deserve this gig.I’m only here because of gramps and dad.Maybe I’ll just resign.”
phil
June 29th, 2011
9:38 pm
No on Chip, but we can hope…
phil
June 29th, 2011
9:39 pm
It’s clear that Venters is overrated….pathetic effort today.
Sybil
June 29th, 2011
9:40 pm
jeff d–If Earl goes so do at least 2 other regulars. We don’t want that. DOB recognizes what Earl brings to the blog. Of course he is no Nolee!!!
jeffrey d
June 29th, 2011
9:40 pm
Red – I don’t think so. Chip genuinely seems like a great guy…he’s just a little abrasive and annoying behind the mic.
Tom O'Hawke
June 29th, 2011
9:41 pm
I thought Early got the boot?
If you are referring to the idiot that kept stealing monikers, jeff, I’m quite certain that wasn’t Lou Vales, or anyone in his stable of monikers. Not his MO.
Dumbfound
June 29th, 2011
9:42 pm
In about 5 minutes, the crew of baseball tonight is going to discuss is the braves a threat to the phillies ? Tune in.
Sybil
June 29th, 2011
9:42 pm
jeffrey–That is why you can’t have Earl leave. We need him on this wall.
bravesgrl4life
June 29th, 2011
9:42 pm
Good night folks. Enjoy the day off tomorrow.
MIBravesFFFFFan
June 29th, 2011
9:43 pm
“Tom O’Hawke
June 29th, 2011
9:27 pm
tiger297
The ol’ blog is always slow after a win, much less a sweep.
I’ve even resorted to talking about show tunes.”
Some of us appreciated that!
jeffrey d
June 29th, 2011
9:43 pm
Well that guy was always around the same time as Lou. And he kept siding with him. I just figured Lou went over the edge (you know…even more)
Bat Masterson
June 29th, 2011
9:43 pm
Bat – I told you he’s always in a hurry.
jeffrey_
So you did and now I believe it. When I see George blow through here I’ll just throw out an a for him.
Tom O'Hawke
June 29th, 2011
9:44 pm
jeff d–If Earl goes so do at least 2 other regulars. We don’t want that. DOB recognizes what Earl brings to the blog. Of course he is no Nolee!!!
C’mon, Lou. You’re being modest. Only 2 other regulars???? That’s funny.
jeffrey d
June 29th, 2011
9:44 pm
Who’s off tomorrow? I’m not off tomorrow.
richbrave
June 29th, 2011
9:44 pm
GCL
No game today.
DANVILLE
Free baseball in the first of a double-header make-up game 1-1 against PRINCETON, W.VA. BRAVES two on, two out in the bottom of the eighth.
ROME
‘LOS PEREZ [4-7, 5.01 ERA] comes up short tonight 2-5. 8.0 IP, 6 H, 3 R.ER, 1 BB, 4 SO.
17th round AUGIE SCHLOSSER [18.00 ERA] 1.0 IP, 2 H, 2 R/ER, 0 BB, 0 SO. Rough first outing since his promo from DANVILLE.
3B ED SALCEDO [.274 BA] 1-4, 1 2B [16].
DH CHRIS GARCIA [.351 BA] 1-4, 1 R, 1 HR [6], 1 RBI [27], 2 SO.
C ‘Big’ JIM GATTIS [.336 BA] 1-3, 1 R, 1 HR [9], 1 RBI [19].
Sybil
June 29th, 2011
9:44 pm
Tom–I believe that Earl is improving at this stuff. He tells me that he NEVER steals others names because that is wrong and he would not like it done to him. I think that was Earl. I’m kinda sad that he only spends about a half hour a day here.
cabravesfan
June 29th, 2011
9:46 pm
I’m off most of tomorrow
Tom O'Hawke
June 29th, 2011
9:46 pm
Good night, bravesgrl4life.
Thanks, MIBravesFFFFFan
phil
June 29th, 2011
9:46 pm
The espners seem fairly keen on us….we’ll see!
Sybil
June 29th, 2011
9:48 pm
I meant that Red Barber was Earl and not the other guy, the one who steals names. DOB can verify that Earl does not steal names, is not a racist or any other kind of “ist.”
Soph
June 29th, 2011
9:48 pm
Dang, long LONG weekend for you then.
Tom O'Hawke
June 29th, 2011
9:49 pm
Well that guy was always around the same time as Lou. And he kept siding with him. I just figured Lou went over the edge (you know…even more)
Can’t say that you are wrong, jeffrey, for certain. I just doubt it. The guy that was stealing monikers was acting like a very immature kid.
Vales acts like a very immature old guy.
Dumbfound
June 29th, 2011
9:50 pm
The pudits are still saying the phillies have the best rotation. The braves rotation 1-5 is getting no Respect !
cabravesfan
June 29th, 2011
9:50 pm
Soph-
off tomorrow through Wednesday (even though I am coming home on Tuesday
)
jeffrey d
June 29th, 2011
9:50 pm
I got 2 more days of work then I’m off for 3 weeks. Suckas
Soph
June 29th, 2011
9:50 pm
Well, thought Kruk would totally dismiss us but he said we have a shot when ‘teeen comes back.
Soph
June 29th, 2011
9:52 pm
Nice cab, can’t complain though – work through Friday then I’m off all of next week.
cabravesfan
June 29th, 2011
9:52 pm
jeffrey-
I could be gone for the next 2 months and I’d still get paid
Dumbfound
June 29th, 2011
9:52 pm
phil
June 29th, 2011
9:46 pm
The espners seem fairly keen on us….we’ll see!
You think ?!?!
Only Kruk seems to like the braves. 
Gene Siskel
June 29th, 2011
9:54 pm
Why don’t we just appreciate Earl or Lou or whoever he goes by and just be thankful he injects some much needed humor into this blog. I certainly would not be here without him.
jeffrey d
June 29th, 2011
9:55 pm
Why all the surprise? The Phillies have proved for about 4 years now that they’re the team to beat.
jeffrey d
June 29th, 2011
9:56 pm
I certainly would not be here without him.
Didn’t Gene Siskel die about 15 years ago?
Rex Reed
June 29th, 2011
9:56 pm
I second what Gene said even though I’m now dead.
Roger Ebert
June 29th, 2011
9:57 pm
I think you are right. Was Gene the tall one?
unbelievable
June 29th, 2011
10:00 pm
Had he already warmed up today, is that why you went ahead and used him in 5-1 game?
“What was it, 5-1? A 5-1 game and you had those left-handers coming up. We had Linebrink going just in case we popped another one [in the top of the eighth], and give Linebrink an inning. We didn’t and it was a 5-1 game, so go ahead and run Jonny out there.” – FREDI
Oh dear, he’s shockingly really this dumb isnt he? So he’s basically saying he doesnt trust any other reliever with a 4 run lead and the bases empty. I thought Dusty Baker could destroy some arms. He’s a moron.
Bubba Phillips
June 29th, 2011
10:00 pm
If this turns into a reunion of movie critics it will be more boring than a Nolie-Lew recitation of Kubla Khan.
David O'Brien
June 29th, 2011
10:00 pm
Link to GAME STORY
http://www.ajc.com/sports/atlanta-braves/braves-sweep-mariners-lowe-992592.html
Tom O'Hawke
June 29th, 2011
10:01 pm
Why don’t we just appreciate Earl or Lou or whoever he goes by and just be thankful he injects some much needed humor into this blog. I certainly would not be here without him.
I just, recently, said that!!! Doesn’t anyone read my posts?
jeffrey d
June 29th, 2011
10:02 pm
I know I enjoy a good Tom O’Hawke post
Woodie Held
June 29th, 2011
10:02 pm
See, now I think that Bubba Phillips is Earl.
TnBrian
June 29th, 2011
10:02 pm
All the whining about our offense, I can be in that group too, some of us forget that we’re almost at 50 wins already. Only Philly can claim they’re better at this point.
Earl Williams
June 29th, 2011
10:04 pm
Tom–That’s why I said it.I love your wisdom.
MIBravesFFFFFan
June 29th, 2011
10:05 pm
Thanks again, DOB
jeffrey d
June 29th, 2011
10:05 pm
I thought you left, Earl
phil
June 29th, 2011
10:05 pm
Dumbfound – didn’t say they were THAT keen on us! Enough to suit me….actually, i don’t care what they think…i care about winning games and playoff series. 12 years now…that’s long enough for me!
Louie Brandeis
June 29th, 2011
10:06 pm
You guys/girls never need worry about Lou/Earl/Archbishop of Canterbury/Mark Richt stealing names. He views that as a cheap shortcut.
Tom O'Hawke
June 29th, 2011
10:07 pm
Tom–That’s why I said it.I love your wisdom.
Even though that’s insincere, and probably self-serving in some way, I’m vain enough to say … really? Thank you, buddy.
phil
June 29th, 2011
10:08 pm
Glad to see Lowe have a good outing and get a W…
Frankie Wren
June 29th, 2011
10:08 pm
Look at all the offense today. Twins win 1-0, Angels blow out the Nats 1-0, and the Cubbies drilling the Giants 1-0 going into the 9th. Braves aren’t the only ones not putting up crooked numbers these days. I’ll take a 5 spot anyday.
Mike
June 29th, 2011
10:11 pm
Sorry if ist been said already, but we cant even rely on the Red Sox to beat Vance Worley….who? You have got to be kidding me. What a joke.
phil
June 29th, 2011
10:11 pm
FW – i just can’t excuse the ofensive woes because others have struggled too…we control us…the futilities of others don’t…
We’re showing signs of breaking out of some of it….maybe?
David O'Brien
June 29th, 2011
10:11 pm
McFann: Roof was open today, and it was gorgeous out. In fact, still is. Sunny, cool, low-60s, big clouds out over the Puget Sound, but not over us on land.
dogsbrekky
June 29th, 2011
10:12 pm
Anyone see the radar gun on Jonny rock n roll today.. I am very worried about the kid… He could be the best weapon since Mariano and we are going to burn him, not slow cooked like a nice pig, I mean basically TORCHED like a bush pig in a bushfire !
Good effort by McCann and Fab 5 again this series
Tom O'Hawke
June 29th, 2011
10:14 pm
I know I enjoy a good Tom O’Hawke post
I think I would too, jeffrey. Do you know where I could find one?
phil
June 29th, 2011
10:15 pm
You do have to wonder what FG is thinking with Venters….is he this dumb?
tiger297
June 29th, 2011
10:17 pm
brekky – think he was hitting 95 today so maybe a touch slower…either way he wants the ball every day and the manager has to be a little smarter than that
MIBravesFFFFFan
June 29th, 2011
10:17 pm
A 4-2 road trip and the B & M goes on and on and on . . . .
phil
June 29th, 2011
10:19 pm
MIBravesFFFFFan
June 29th, 2011
10:17 pm
A 4-2 road trip and the B & M goes on and on and on . . . .
Go read a book…
Mudge
June 29th, 2011
10:20 pm
Venters (and O’Flaherty and Kimbrel) are being overused. Note that Worley (rookie) and Stutes (rookie) and Bastardo (rookie) beat the Red Sox. One earned run. The Philles have 3 closers on the DL and still have the ability to beat the best hitting team in baseball. Mirrors.
TnBrian
June 29th, 2011
10:21 pm
Venters was at his usual 93-96 mph today. Problem was location, which they say goes when you get tired, not necessarily velocity.
brian
June 29th, 2011
10:23 pm
although I try to support Fredi, I do have to question his thinking on using an overworked Venters in the 8th inning of a 5-1 game, especially with an off day tomorrow that would help give him a few days rest in a row. Judging by the post-game comments seems he is aware of the appearances (and if he and McDowell are not aware then we have big problems) so what was accomplished today? Trying to get a tired reliever back to form? Give him rest and then let him work off the rust.
TexasBrave
June 29th, 2011
10:23 pm
No way Jonny should have been brought in today with the Braves up by 4 at the time. Fredi G really needs to do a better job of spreading the inning out.
If he doesn’t throw today then he gets two days off and is fresh starting the Baltimore series. Eric, Jonny and Kimbrel should never be used when the Braves are up by more than 3 runs.
brian
June 29th, 2011
10:24 pm
what is the over/under for the amount of times trading for Adam Jones will be posted during the Orioles series?
TnBrian
June 29th, 2011
10:24 pm
I think maybe Wren goes and gets a RP and hitter in one trade again like last season. If he does, hopefully these guys can help a little more than Farnworth and Ankiel did.
MIBravesFFFFFan
June 29th, 2011
10:24 pm
Phil – Gee, thanks for the advice! What would I do without that?!
Rice and LSU Pitching Coaches
June 29th, 2011
10:24 pm
What did you guys think of moronic South Carolina coach having his closer throw 98 pitches?
David O'Brien
June 29th, 2011
10:25 pm
Kawakami in Double-A Mississippi start today at Hunstville: 2 IP, 6 H, 7 R (7 ER), 2 BB, 1 K, 30 strikes in 53 pitches
Mudge
June 29th, 2011
10:25 pm
There can never be too many times suggesting a trade for Adam Jones.
TnBrian
June 29th, 2011
10:27 pm
Many things on here people harp on are very annoying, but Fredi’s misuse of Venters should be harped on to no end. Now if he starts using him only when he should than it should be buried and covered and it probably will.
TexasBrave
June 29th, 2011
10:28 pm
Does anyone know what is going on with Jason’s right hand or wrist. I noticed that he had it wrapped during the last two days. Hope it is not effecting his swing.
MIBravesFFFFFan
June 29th, 2011
10:28 pm
KK should have agreed to the sale back to his former league. I understand the pride issue. There were times when he looked really good here, but this is just going to end badly, and I feel badly about that.
David O'Brien
June 29th, 2011
10:28 pm
Do some of you realize the Braves have won eight of their past 10 games, and just swept a series by beating Bedard, Pineda and King Felix? Just making sure.
TexasBrave
June 29th, 2011
10:32 pm
Did you all notice that even though Uggla has one of the worst OBP in the league, that he is still second in runs scored on the team behind Prado? How is that possible?
cabravesfan
June 29th, 2011
10:33 pm
TexasBrave-
he’s also 2nd on the team in home runs, only 2 behind Mac if I remember correctly
Mudge
June 29th, 2011
10:35 pm
DOB. The Braves are playing great baseball right now, 8-2 in the last 10. The Phillies are 7-3 so the Braves picked up one game. They are 3 up in the wild card race, but many here are frustrated by their inability to make up much ground on the Phillies. The Braves are a good team, but to some it is annoying they are not good enough.
Martin Elginbrod
June 29th, 2011
10:36 pm
TexasBrave, that’s easy to account for. Any pitcher sorry enough to let Uggla get on base is gonna have a hard time pitching to the next guy.
TexasBrave
June 29th, 2011
10:37 pm
Dave please don’t mistaken our gripping about Venters being over used as us being unhappy with how the Braves are doing. But the past couple of appearances could be a sign of things to come if Fredi doesn’t start using his bullpen more wisely. I still love the position the Braves are in right now, just want Venters to be sharp for the second half and a run into the post season.
MIBravesFFFFFan
June 29th, 2011
10:39 pm
Mudge – what = “good enough”? And for what, exactly? Making the playoffs?! The only thing that really matters is at the end of the season. If they get into the post-season, their pitching actually might make them “good enough”!
Soph
June 29th, 2011
10:40 pm
Yikes on KK’s line.
TnBrian
June 29th, 2011
10:40 pm
I think DOB gets a kick out of posting Kawakami’s struggles. Man that guy is soooo washed up and a BUST if I’ve ever seen one. WOW! Can’t even get AA hitters out. Almost sad really. Whether he’s rich or not, everybody has some pride I would think.
TexasBrave
June 29th, 2011
10:40 pm
cabravesfan that would account for 12 runs, but with his OBP so poor he would have to score just about every time he gets on base.
Martin Elginbrod LOL!!! So true!
cabravesfan
June 29th, 2011
10:42 pm
TexasBrave-
I was merely pointing out another oddity in his stats
Tom O'Hawke
June 29th, 2011
10:44 pm
Do some of you realize the Braves have won eight of their past 10 games, and just swept a series by beating Bedard, Pineda and King Felix? Just making sure. — DOB
I do. I’ve been silly all evening. I’ve also been grinning like a jackass eating cracked corn through a barbed wire fence.
David O'Brien
June 29th, 2011
10:46 pm
Mudge, the Phillies are just about everyone’s pick as the best team in baseball. To be 4-1/2 games behind them at the midpoint of the season is no shame.
phil
June 29th, 2011
10:47 pm
No, DOB…we’re too stupid out here to realize that. We’re not writers, like you.
phil
June 29th, 2011
10:48 pm
KK ’s struggles are hardly surprising….sad at this point.
Tom O'Hawke
June 29th, 2011
10:49 pm
Yikes on KK’s line.
Soph, did you see Murph’s prediction, two days in a row (rainout yesterday)?
David O'Brien
June 29th, 2011
10:49 pm
Braves’ 47-35 record is third-best in majors behind Phillies (51-30) and Yankees (47-31), and ahead of Red Sox (45-34) and Giants (46-35).
And yes, I agree it doesn’t seem possible. Just that kind of season in the majors. Lot of parity.
N8
June 29th, 2011
10:51 pm
“No, DOB…we’re too stupid out here to realize that. We’re not writers, like you.” Phil
LOL. What a jerk. Besides…. it’s RIGHTERS, not “writers”….. What and idiot!!!!
phil
June 29th, 2011
10:52 pm
Amazing where we are with the lack of offense…encouraging.
tiger297
June 29th, 2011
10:53 pm
n8 – I’m confused I thought all writers were lefters not righters
phil
June 29th, 2011
10:54 pm
Yes, i can be a jerk and so can many of you, as can DOB….not the end of the world.
Mudge
June 29th, 2011
10:56 pm
Certainly there is no shame being 4.5 games behind the Phillies, and the Braves are a very good team, they have excellent pitching, but some focus on the Phillies too much. Patience is a virtue in a long baseball season.
MIBravesFFFFFan
June 29th, 2011
11:00 pm
I’m calling it a night. I wish everyone well.
Tom O'Hawke
June 29th, 2011
11:03 pm
Good night, MIBravesFFFFFan, see you soon.
Linebrink for Cy
June 29th, 2011
11:08 pm
i think it’s pretty safe to say that KK will never again see major league action with the Braves (and we can also call his signing a Busted Deal)
nolee
June 29th, 2011
11:10 pm
perhaps it would be a lot easier to appreciate the humor that Lou brings to the board if it were actually funny
Yunel's Frosted Tips
June 29th, 2011
11:15 pm
OK…………..Venters needs to sit this weekend………….I really hope he don’t make the all star game because it would be a blessing in disguise to get a few days off………..Fredi’s like an alcoholic with beer in the fridge in his overuse of Johnny. If you can’t trust some of the other guys with a 4 run lead then you got the wrong guys down there IMHO.
Yunel's Frosted Tips
June 29th, 2011
11:16 pm
So do we demote KK to Single A Rome after that performance?
Soph
June 29th, 2011
11:16 pm
Nope, Tom – I missed the prediction. What was it?
uga-brave
June 29th, 2011
11:17 pm
any thoughts on maybe stretching out our starters a little more to protect the pen. fredo seems to be stuck on that 100 pitch limit.
as far as bullpen help goes, carlos marmol might be an interesting get.
Tom O'Hawke
June 29th, 2011
11:21 pm
Soph
“KK will not go 5, and will give up no less than 5″
I hope I got that right, Murph.
uga-brave
June 29th, 2011
11:21 pm
if people are going to criticize parrish they better start praising roger for the job he has done with the entire staff.
cabravesfan
June 29th, 2011
11:21 pm
uga-brave
Have you seen Marmol’s contract? he’s signed through 2013 and scheduled to make $7M next year and $9.8M in 2013…not exactly what you would pay a middle relief guy, which is what he would be on the Braves…
Trey
June 29th, 2011
11:21 pm
Yunel, too bad we can’t demote KK any lower. It’s sad that he has no future.
Blob Horner
June 29th, 2011
11:21 pm
If McCann’s the DH, and you pinch hit for Ross(or he gets hurt, thrown out of the game…) then move Mac to Catcher on defense and pinch hitter or someone else(Hudson?) becomes your DH. It’s American league strategy, not that complicated.
Also, Chipper has genetically bad connective tissue compounded by a period of steroid use and a disinterest in increasing his flexability. He’s toast. We lost two superstars early due to the same issues.
nolee
June 29th, 2011
11:22 pm
WTG Roger!
Can I rip Parrish now????
nolee
June 29th, 2011
11:23 pm
compounded by a period of steroid use Blob
never been any serious connection of Chipper to steroids.
Sue him Chipper!!!
cabravesfan
June 29th, 2011
11:23 pm
Blob-
I believe if you put your DH in the field, you lose the DH and the pitcher has to hit.
uga-brave
June 29th, 2011
11:25 pm
cab, did not know the contract. strike that idea.
nolee
June 29th, 2011
11:26 pm
yes I believe that you lose the DH cab and the pitcher must bat
cabravesfan
June 29th, 2011
11:34 pm
uga-brave
I hadn’t either, was shocked by it
Bigwheel
June 29th, 2011
11:34 pm
DOB- Do you think the braves release KK this weekend with 3.3 Million left on his deal? What a shame that line is. I defended him last season, and all off season that he wasn’t getting treated right, guess there was a reason.
nolee
June 29th, 2011
11:39 pm
I knew Wild Thing was too good a pitcher to be true in Major League, Charlie Sheen admitted using steroids during the filming
NEW YORK — Turns out Wild Thing’s fastball had a little extra juice.
Actor Charlie Sheen tells Sports Illustrated in its latest issue that he took steroids “for like six or eight weeks” while filming the 1989 movie “Major League.”
He adds that the performance-enhancing drugs helped his fastball go from 79 mph to 85 mph.
Sheen played fireballing relief pitcher Ricky “Wild Thing” Vaughn, whose wayward pitches were often “jussst a bit outside,” as Bob Uecker’s character, radio broadcaster Harry Doyle, sarcastically announced during the hit comedy.
Sheen, who has made recent headlines for erratic behavior and his firing from the show “Two and a Half Men,” says it was the only time he took steroids and they made him a bit more irritable than normal
Bravo Nam
June 29th, 2011
11:41 pm
That line of KK’s is downright scary. Looks like the Bravos are going to have little chance of trading him this year and freeing up some money. I can’t believe FG is saying that “we’ve” got to do a better job of managing Venters- that should read “I’ve”! Just unbelievable that he brought Venters out in a 5-1 ballgame when the guy is exhausted. Why not give the dude some rest and bring him in only when we really need him- he was brought in coz FG doesn’t trust the other pitchers enough, and if not, the solution is find other pitchers, but don’t burn out one of your most valuable assets.
Anyway, on a positive, I think it’s remarkable that the Bravos swept those 3 pitchers- I thought if we could beat one, we’d be doing well. I think it’s a stunning effort. Seems to me the blog is good at berating the boys when they lose or make a mistake, but not so good at praising them and recognising their good work… bit sad, that.
With Chipper, I’d be giving the old man a few days off to allow his pain to properly subside. Then, bring him back for the last few games before the break, incl the Series with the Phillies… he’s not playing well now as it is given the injury, so better to have a more effective Chipper back.
Bravo Nam
June 29th, 2011
11:43 pm
DOB
Over the course of this year, is it possible that the Braves have a better winning record against winning than losing pitchers? Sounds crazy, but just a gut feel.
Also, what’s the latest info on a possible return date by Medlen?
Tom O'Hawke
June 29th, 2011
11:49 pm
I read the post-game quotes, and DOB tries to get the answer we all want to hear from the players. But even after asking the same question, worded differently, still no answer.
I swear these ballplayers are taught by the same ones that teach politicians. Say something and nothing at the same time.
Venice Jim
June 30th, 2011
12:02 am
Looks like Tom broke the blog…
nolee
June 30th, 2011
12:06 am
everything is always Tom’s fault
Earl Williams
June 30th, 2011
12:07 am
Nolie, How many hours for you tonight??I would have added “Big Guy or Big Girl” but who in the Hell knows and in reality, at a group sponsored event of the Blog, who would even care?
Very salient point about naming guys you think used steroids.That is really stupid. Most people in baseball already know who used steroids and who didn’t. Nobody thinks Chipper EVER used steroids. I give him much credit for that.his consistency has been great and he is one of the 5 greatest switch hitters of all time and a First ballot HOF’er.
Phil,Freddy is that dumb. And to any reasonably sane person it sounds as if you all appreciate the Braves position but also hope they stay there.AND one way to have them stay there is not to have a Godfather caricature blow out Venters’ elbow from over use. Fredo,even though you can’t tell from that glazed expression, manages in a panic. He has it in his mind the entire game that Venters will be used unless something really dramatic occurs. Something like a 7 run lead or 7 runs behind.Fredi would have been a riot as a college coach with no oversight from a front office.He would go through arms as if he had a referral service with Dr. Andrews.
Anyway, understand perfectly your appreciation for the Braves’ great, admirable and unexpected play.Also understand your knowledge that Venters is a large part of that continuing forward. Don’t be dissuaded in expressing yourself by authority figures or people who will be on here for the next 5 hours with the lives of a Polar Bear on a detached piece of ice.
abeeeewright
June 30th, 2011
12:19 am
Something of note…Braves have started to get healthy again (Heyward, McLouth, Beachy, Hanson all back) and they’ve gone back to winning at a pretty fair clip, instead of the anemic .500 team they were with Mather, Young, Minor, and Delgado.
When Prado comes back (and who knows? do they swap Chipper and Prado on the DL?) Braves might be back to full strength.
Tom O'Hawke
June 30th, 2011
12:19 am
nolee
Rumor has it that you like the blues. I’m currently listening to something you might already be familiar with.
“Stormy Monday”, done by Clapton in 2001. Yeah, there are many versions of this song, but this is my favorite.
Not only do I love the music, but the video is good, too. You can actually watch the artists perform, instead of the producers trying to give you “effect”.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YiNUZTyukC4
abeeeewright
June 30th, 2011
12:22 am
As long as the Braves stay close to the Phils in other games, they have enough head-to-head games to catch them. Hopefully the Braves will eke a little closer before the head-to-head match-ups.
I look for a long summer as the Braves bob from 2-7 games back.
Tom O'Hawke
June 30th, 2011
12:26 am
Hey VJ. How’s the new job, so far?
Oh, tell the female you live with, no, not Nala, the other one, that I sent her an email. She doesn’t need to respond, but I just would like her to see it.
Don’t you be peeking at it now, very personal stuff.
Venice Jim
June 30th, 2011
12:30 am
Tom – so far, so good. I also picked up a GRE class that’s Tu-Th from 7-10 for 3 1/2 weeks, which is keeping me a bit busier than I expected. Definitely looking forward to some rest this weekend…
nolee
June 30th, 2011
12:37 am
How many hours for you tonight?? Lou
on the blog? very little time at all today.
I work on on-line data acquisition and manipulation for a few companies so I am on the web 8-12 hours a day.
Depending on how much time I have to spend waiting on programs I might be here 6 or more hours, today maybe an hour and a half all day. Drop in make a comment or two and leave for awhile.
You won’t find many posts from me even if you were interested which I’m sure you’re not.
Tom O'Hawke
June 30th, 2011
12:41 am
VJ, I hope you enjoy the new place & job better (besides the pay).
It always makes life much better when you don’t hate Monday mornings, you know?
That, and a Braves’ winning streak, a little booze, and a good woman. It’s like a slice of heaven.
nolee
June 30th, 2011
12:41 am
Thank you Tom. I have some time to spare so I listened to that version. Very good.
Clapton really shines whenever he plays the Blues.
cabravesfan
June 30th, 2011
12:45 am
Tom-
you have mail
nolee
June 30th, 2011
12:45 am
http://youtubedownload.altervista.org/
not a bad little program to download YouTube video
nolee
June 30th, 2011
12:47 am
you have mail
oooh, I’m gonna tell VJ.
nolee
June 30th, 2011
12:49 am
problem is that it is kinda hard to judge just how good a YouTube video is from the small window. Some download pretty good, others not
Tom O'Hawke
June 30th, 2011
12:51 am
You’re welcome, noles.
I guess it helps Clapton to play the blues, because he understands the blues, with the death of his son. Whether or not that makes a difference, I can’t say.
Why do you let Vales bother you? If it was me doing that, you’d probably tell me, “that’s just what Lou wants. You’re playing right into his foolish game”.
Nova Scotia Steve
June 30th, 2011
12:51 am
Hard to fathom what those Mets are doing these days. Its impressive – no doubt about that.
Tom O'Hawke
June 30th, 2011
12:54 am
Ha! Both cabravesfan’s and nolie’s notice that I had mail beat the actual mail. Slow night tonight.
cabravesfan
June 30th, 2011
12:57 am
noleee-
Well, since Tom posted that he had sent me something, I’m pretty sure VJ already knows
cabravesfan
June 30th, 2011
12:58 am
Off to bed for me. Good night all!
Tom O'Hawke
June 30th, 2011
1:09 am
I would’ve been here to say “good night”, LAdy. But I was to busy reading and creating a reply to your love-letter.
Cabravesfan
June 30th, 2011
1:11 am
Tom-
You were supposed to keep that private!
nolee
June 30th, 2011
1:13 am
Insulting Lou is nothing more than like swatting at a gadfly. Just sumthang to do when I’m bored Tom.
Tom O'Hawke
June 30th, 2011
1:15 am
Oops.
Is it possible that I need some work on these clandestine affairs?
cabravesfan
June 30th, 2011
1:16 am
Tom-
Or maybe look up the term “clandestine”
Good night!
Tom O'Hawke
June 30th, 2011
1:18 am
I’m glad to hear that nolee. I was just checking to make sure you weren’t getting aggravated over it.
Carry on!
TONE-TONE
June 30th, 2011
1:19 am
CHIPPER JONES neesd to re-tire. He is old and injury prone.
If this guy sneeze, he would require nose surgery. But he loves
to run his mouth. He needs to put up or shut up. I am sick and
tired of his comments, when he himself is doing nothing.
Imagine this scenario. The bases are loaded and it’s two
outs. Here comes CHIPPER. I know deep down he will not
deliver. HEYWARD is thje same way. The next at bat, they
will get a hit or walk, when there is no pressure. So, it’s
not UGGLA by himself. IT’S ALL of them. HEYWARD Is
simply patheic!
The braves projected record is 92-70. That’s one win
more than last year. So, uggla is being paid 12 million
for one win more. What a deal! If the BRAVES would
have went to “wal-mart”, they could have got a part-timer
for much, much, cheaper.
TONE-TONE
June 30th, 2011
1:19 am
CHIPPER JONES neesd to re-tire. He is old and injury prone.
If this guy sneeze, he would require nose surgery. But he loves
to run his mouth. He needs to put up or shut up. I am sick and
tired of his comments, when he himself is doing nothing.
Imagine this scenario. The bases are loaded and it’s two
outs. Here comes CHIPPER. I know deep down he will not
deliver. HEYWARD is thje same way. The next at bat, they
will get a hit or walk, when there is no pressure. So, it’s
not UGGLA by himself. IT’S ALL of them. HEYWARD Is
simply patheic!
The braves projected record is 92-70. That’s one win
more than last year. So, uggla is being paid 12 million
for one win more. What a deal! If the BRAVES would
have went to “wal-mart”, they could have got a part-timer
for much, much, cheaper.
Tom O'Hawke
June 30th, 2011
1:21 am
Tom-
Or maybe look up the term “clandestine”
The LAdy is right. I thought it meant to be “as public as one possibly can”.
Good night, again.
nolee
June 30th, 2011
1:24 am
The bases are loaded and it’s two
outs. Here comes CHIPPER. I know deep down he will not
deliver. ….TONE TONE
interesting cause he is pretty high on the RISP hitting chart and second on the team in ribbies, but heck, why let a few facts get in the way of a good rant, huh?
Tom O'Hawke
June 30th, 2011
1:26 am
CHIPPER JONES neesd to re-tire.
TONE-TONE, aka, Terry Collins, 2011 manager of the NY Mets.
bravofan
June 30th, 2011
1:39 am
hey guys I wanted to ask you a favor
this is our local sports website http://www.gradicksports.com/
i was wondering what could be done to it to improve it?
I just wanted someone elses opinion
Husker Tony
June 30th, 2011
1:41 am
34% really think Uggla will hit above .260 second half?? Wow.
Tom O'Hawke
June 30th, 2011
1:48 am
66% think that, Husker Tony is another of the many creations of Lou Vales, on both halves. Wow & Holy Snorklepins!
Ward
June 30th, 2011
1:58 am
Hello every one! We got a sweep………………Here’s my take! One thing we played Seattle, and yes they had good pitchers,but again we beat Seattle.We have a tough scheduale at the end of the season and we barely hung on to Seattle. Yes, we should make the play-offs,but to beat the Phillies is a question,and who ever has good pitching besides them? Sorry I can’t drink the Kool – Aide,I believe our offense will go cold again against good pitching. We can’t make it to the play offs with this line up to past the first round.Look I being realistic here.No trade, no past the first round.
Husker Tony
June 30th, 2011
1:58 am
You sure its not 95%?
Husker Tony
June 30th, 2011
1:59 am
Ward do think this lineup is better than the Giants last year?? I would say yes without a doubt. So please don’t be dumb.
Husker Tony
June 30th, 2011
2:02 am
Not many peeps up still? Whats ur problems!?!??!?!?!?!
Husker Tony
June 30th, 2011
2:04 am
Tone- tone u donkey
Tom O'Hawke
June 30th, 2011
2:04 am
Ward
This is the most games over .500 the Braves have been all season, and the most you’ve been under .500 (negatively) all season.
What’s up?
Husker Tony
June 30th, 2011
2:06 am
Feel like I’m talking to myself. HELOOOOOOOO OUT THEREEEEEEEEEEE
Husker Tony
June 30th, 2011
2:08 am
Tom he donkey. Ran out of beer so hes angry.
Tom O'Hawke
June 30th, 2011
2:09 am
OK, you two keep chatting it up. I have some cooking to do. I’ll be back in a few.
Ward
June 30th, 2011
2:16 am
Hello My Friends! Good , good win, but here is my take! I’m still not sold on our offense,because we beat Seatlle.We will not go past the first round in the play-offs this year,because Wren can’t seem to make a trade for some speed.Sorrry can’t drink the Kool- Aide,because I think the offense will go cold again against better pitching.I think we have a shot at the play-offs,but we have a tough scheduale at the end of the season against teams with good pitching where our bats take a dive.No trade, no post-season. I’m just not buying any thing yet!
Husker Tony
June 30th, 2011
2:17 am
We will for you Tom. If you have extras send em over.
Ward
June 30th, 2011
2:20 am
We don’t have enough offense against good pitching. I’ve seen this before,and I just don’t want to get caught up in it, and be crushed again. I have High hopes,but I’m starting to get un easy right now.
Husker Tony
June 30th, 2011
2:20 am
Already got that Ward.
Husker Tony
June 30th, 2011
2:22 am
I agree we aren’t assured the playoffs and moving on in the playoffs. BUT we do have a good enough offense if the Giants did last year. Offense are WAY down this year so we can compete with the way it is. Would it be nice to add a piece?? Heck yeah it would be great, but we don’t HAVE to.
Ward
June 30th, 2011
2:22 am
Look I’m not being dumb. I just don’t like the offense, and didn’t like it last year.
Ward
June 30th, 2011
2:23 am
Giants beat us last year,and they have good pitching again. Just don’t buy it!
Ward
June 30th, 2011
2:25 am
I want the Braves to make it past the first round,and we have a golden chance too,but I just feel we need to make a trade for speed.
Tom O'Hawke
June 30th, 2011
2:26 am
stage one completed, HT
It’s a cookin’
Ward, for the second time…. WTF? You just posted that same thing @ 1:58.
I’m gonna have to report you to ….. Murph!!!! Sorry, but it has to be done for the good of the blog.
Ward
June 30th, 2011
2:29 am
Husker Tony: I would like Agone…… gone! Along with Lowe, and Nate. We need to trade now for a big bat. Then I will be O.K………………………
Ward
June 30th, 2011
2:29 am
Tom: My computer froze,and didn’t know it was on.
Husker Tony
June 30th, 2011
2:31 am
I agree, BUT Lowe and McClouth are probably untradeable to get anything back. If Lowe could put a few good starts in a row together maybe you could get a decent bat. McClouth you aren’t getting anything for. Thoughts?
Husker Tony
June 30th, 2011
2:32 am
Tom what you cookin? Anything good?
Ward
June 30th, 2011
2:35 am
Husker Tony: If we throw a player to be named later it could work?Yeah, I might piss some Braves fans off,but we can’t have evaluations.The Phillies are getting ready to make another splash,and mean while Wern is evaluating it.
John Leonard
June 30th, 2011
2:40 am
I agree with Ward,yes we have the good record,but ALL because of the pitching.The pressure could cause that to go south in a heart beat.I think we need two Outfield bats.Uggla is what he is and right now is how he plays.
Husker Tony
June 30th, 2011
2:43 am
Why 2 outfielders?? You want to sit Heyward?? That is not going to happen sorry.
Husker Tony
June 30th, 2011
2:44 am
I gotta hit the hay. You guys have a great night. Go Braves, anything that improves us I am for. I want to beat the frickin filthies this year. CHOP CHOP!
Ward
June 30th, 2011
2:44 am
John Leonard: Thanks,because I’m starting to see Ground Hog day at the end of the year.
John Leonard
June 30th, 2011
2:45 am
I think Chipper is done , hope I’m wrong.That moves Prado to 3rd.I would try to get Bourn and Pence.
Tom O'Hawke
June 30th, 2011
2:47 am
I’m taking off tomorrow or early Friday, to my summer place. Before I go, I make a “kitchen sink” omelette (everything but…), to finish off everything that I don’t feel like taking with me.
If I can’t get it all into one omelette, such as the case tonight, I make a side dish, also.
This morning, we’re featuring turkey breast, roast beef, southern baked beans (spicy), cheese, eggs (yeah, what’s an omelette without eggs), tuna, green beans, copius amounts of lemon and lemon and pepper seasoning, onions, more onions, garlic. peppers, and uh…… beer.
I think that’s it. When there’s too much of that last ingredient, I tend to forget.
Ward
June 30th, 2011
2:47 am
Husker Tony: Have a good one! It was a great win.I would like Coco Crisp or Josh Willingham or David DeJesus.
Ward
June 30th, 2011
2:53 am
Have Schafer your forth out fielder,and get two out fielders, or an out fielder,and a SS.
Tom O'Hawke
June 30th, 2011
3:03 am
Ward
Before I leave, I’d like to offer you a suggestion. Take it with as many grains of salt as you wish.
Instead of constantly wanting to CHANGE the Braves, how about just rooting for them?
I’ll see y’all around the All-Star break. GO Braves!
Ward
June 30th, 2011
4:56 am
Have a good one Tom O’ Hawke! I’ll Always root for them, and try not to be too whinny,but I’m just bothered,and hope it will go away.Don’t want to be negative.We know the Braves will make it. The Question is how to get further,so I’ll try,and be cool. Thats all I can do.We all get bothered some times. All be cool, and peace. “Go!!!!!! Braves!!!!!!”
The Grinch
June 30th, 2011
6:01 am
Chipper is not out of gas and does not need to retire; he looked great just a couple of weeks back. He ABSOLUTELY does need to have surgery on that knee and take the three weeks off though; he looks like Fred Sanford at the plate and on the bases. But it isn’t his age.
I’ve really liked Fredi’s handling of the pitching staff/bullpen most of this year; dramatic improvement over Bobby. Yesterday’s use of an obviously gassed Venters with a 4 run lead and Linebrink already warm (and several other rested options) against a team that can’t hit was the first completely indefensible move I’ve seen so far (there are always moves you disagree with, but you can at least see the thought process…this was just strait WTF/Bobby stuff). But the difference is I think he realizes it and will be the better for it in the future. He seems to be capable of learning. No manager is flawless, and Fredi’s been pretty good so far in my opinion.
The Grinch
June 30th, 2011
6:02 am
And I’m sure he’d be delighted to know how I feel, and do his job accordingly.
TeheranTime
June 30th, 2011
6:56 am
OK, I’m in on needing an upgrade in CF. I looked over at MLBTraderumors and they listed likely candidates and it sounds like Atlanta already has: Dexter Fowler, Rajai Davis, Michael Bourn. The thing is that I don’t see the Braves parting with their top prospects for anyone and certainly not for those players. I don’t think any of those would be an upgrade. I am also sick of watch Alex Gonzalez get praise when he stinks it up at the plate. At least Dan Uggla has 12 home runs. Gonzalez, yeesh! I don’t see a whole lot of moves coming. It wouldn’t surprise me to see them pick someone up from the scrap heep like Melvin Mora who was released by Arizona. They do that on an annual basis. I hope they get a player or two who can make on impact this season. With the way this team has pitched, they could be really good if they just hit….even a little bit. They had better put themselves in a position to have an answer when/if Chipper goes out for a while. I know Martin Prado can play third, when or if he comes back. That leaves holes in LF and CF. Get a couple bats there and you’re good.
TeheranTime
June 30th, 2011
7:08 am
Bourn: .288 AVG, 1 HR 26 RBI, 34 SB; Pence: .314 AVG, 9 HR 53 RBI; Davis: .234 AVG, 1 HR 17 RBI, 18 SB; Fowler: .238 AVG, 0 HR 18 RBI, 2 SB. Those are some of the outfielders who have been mentioned as being available and mentioned often on the blog. I don’t see Atlanta getting two outfielders from Houston. Pence would be my pick. They’re going to want decent prospects and Frank Wren will not let his premium prospects go. I wouldn’t. The question is: “If you trade your premium prospects for Hunter Pence, does he make you as good or better as you would have been and for how long?” I see Michael Bourn as nothing more than Jordan Schafer. I wouldn’t trade anything for him. If you get Pence and another better bat for CF, do it as long as you don’t rape your farm system again.
bill
June 30th, 2011
8:01 am
Dave, I live in Nc and cannot get the Braves on the radio after dark. Why do no stations stream the Braves on the internet? It makes no sense. I am going to have to get MLB in self defense. Go Braves its the only thing I miss about Atlanta….. oh yeah Zesto’s and the Ponce movie theater too.
Ease®
June 30th, 2011
8:05 am
bill, try this link for the next game…it has worked for most…also, someone during games will also usually post a link, especially if you ask for one.
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/1570-wcle-am-cleveland%2C-tennessee
Bobby's chauffuer
June 30th, 2011
8:06 am
A better second half? Yes!
More or less production?
Martin tiny bit more
Jason a lot more
Chipper less- nagging injuries
Brian don’t see how he can do more (been great)
Dan better more clutch hitting
Freddie more… continuing to grow
Nate same – nothing to look fwd to
Jordan same – to better
Alex same to better
Pitching – same
Pen same until Jonny’s arm falls off
without a trade Wild card
With a trade Bourne or r/h bat play off bound
CrαZy
June 30th, 2011
8:11 am
bill, If you come on the blog at the beginning of games someone always posts a live stream of the game on radio. And if you have a smartphone you can get a radio app and save the stations that tend to forget to cut game feed. I’m able to get the braves using my phone no matter where I’m at. The one that I normally get the game on is WQNT Charleston.
jeffrey d
June 30th, 2011
8:15 am
bill – I can’t give you a specific link, but I thought I’d seen people post links to feeds for the game before.
Ease®
June 30th, 2011
8:18 am
For scoots’ eyes only…
Major League teams haven’t forgotten about David Eckstein, the ten-year veteran who was the MVP of the 2006 World Series. In fact, he says he drew more interest than ever last offseason, including one offer that came four weeks ago and some Major League offers. Though the second baseman has not retired, he told Mike DiGiovanna of the LA Times that he won’t return unless the circumstances are right.
“It totally has to be the right situation, but when you say that, it’s like you’re disrespecting the clubs that have talked to you,” Eckstein said. “This goes so much deeper than you guys will ever know.”
The 36-year-old says he feels fine physically and made a personal decision to take time off and manage his wife’s acting career. Eckstein posted a .267/.321/.326 line in 492 plate appearances for the Padres last year.
space monkey
June 30th, 2011
8:22 am
DOB: It may be no shame to be 4.5 games behind Philly at this point. But what’s galling is all the missed opportunities. We keep losing to horrible teams and letting Philly make hay. We’ll probably drop two of three to Baltimore. That’s what we do.
Thrillhouse44
June 30th, 2011
8:23 am
The 36-year-old says he feels fine physically and made a personal decision to take time off and manage his wife’s acting career.
I’m sure there’s never been a more gritty manager.
John Leonard
June 30th, 2011
8:26 am
Bill; I can’t do the link thing,but1450 wqnt-tuneln web tuner.Got this link about a month ago from Jimmy on the blog.Got every game since then. I believe its N.C. station.
Lee in S GA
June 30th, 2011
8:29 am
Tone-Tone
Reading your 1:19 post once was enough agony. You really didn’t have to submit it twice.
Frankie Wren
June 30th, 2011
8:33 am
Offensive explosion across the bigs yesterday. 3 teams shut out(1-0 in two of those games) 3 teams won by 2-1 score and 3 other teams muster up 2 runs in losses. Only the Mets and Tigers score runs. Flashback to the 1960’s.
MikeInFl
June 30th, 2011
8:35 am
I think Eckstein could really help the Braves. If you don’t think so, THIS ARTICLE explains why.
Tomas
June 30th, 2011
8:37 am
52 runs in the last 4 games for the Mets……good gracious.
tiger297
June 30th, 2011
8:38 am
space monkey – we remember the missed opportunities for our team but forget the missed opportunities by the other teams, it works both ways. Kinda like we remember the lined shots that are caught with the bases loaded more than the bloops that drop.
Bobby's chauffuer
June 30th, 2011
8:45 am
Mets are feeding off of Reyes
Mixxo
June 30th, 2011
8:48 am
The Mets ‘want’ this.
Fish Bisch
June 30th, 2011
8:50 am
Mets will win wild card.
jeffrey d
June 30th, 2011
8:52 am
Good call on us getting “owned” by the Mariners, Mixxo. I marked your words.
Afan
June 30th, 2011
8:56 am
Mets dont have the pitching. the hitting will not stay at that pace. Ask the red sox…
Mixxo
June 30th, 2011
8:57 am
jeffi – Hey, I was wrong, it happens.
After that pathetic performance in Sandy Eggo, I wasn’t expecting ‘much.’
jeffrey d
June 30th, 2011
9:00 am
Still sticking to your 70-something win prediction?
Mixxo
June 30th, 2011
9:03 am
I think we’ll win 78 games.
Fish Bisch
June 30th, 2011
9:20 am
I’ll call a sweep of the O’s this weekend
McFann ;Ô; ;Ô;
June 30th, 2011
9:20 am
DOB Roof was open today, and it was gorgeous out. In fact, still is. Sunny, cool, low-60s, big clouds out over the Puget Sound, but not over us on land.
Ah, thanks, DOB! Sorry I missed you last night…that weather sounds SOOO awesome…
Soph
June 30th, 2011
9:21 am
Boo off days.
Fish Bisch
June 30th, 2011
9:22 am
More off day ownage today
jeffrey d
June 30th, 2011
9:23 am
of course you do.
Afan
June 30th, 2011
9:23 am
Its pretty sad when they post the Braves lineup before a game and everone from top to bottom minus McCann would be batting .240 or below. Man we need a Fred Mcgriff type spark to this team. (oh yeah Freeman is hitting better and what a day yesterday!)
dogsbrekky
June 30th, 2011
9:26 am
Thursday morning blues music blasting…. Ian Moss Live… awesome stuff
nolee – will re-listen to that Clapton blues album…have it on a pc somewhere…
Chipper is almost our best clutch hitter (was 2nd in NL with RISP til a week or so ago) so I am not sure why there are people asking him to retire
JHEY – still cannot remember him hitting a towering shot to the warning track or beyond since April… in Apr he was leading mlb with 7 hr…. As of July he is still on 7 hr…. hope we have not burned his wrist/s and shoulder…. kid is too valuable long term
Fish Bisch
June 30th, 2011
9:30 am
Afan, I agree. We need to get prince fielder.
Mixxo
June 30th, 2011
9:30 am
Seriously though, I think we’ll wind up with 97 wins if the stars align.
McFann ;Ô; ;Ô;
June 30th, 2011
9:33 am
Will they announcer the June Player of the Month tomorrow afternoon?
timthebrave
June 30th, 2011
9:35 am
Another great win by the Braves. I’ll take 4-2 on that west coast road swing. Braves have been playing well lately. Not hitting a lot but when they do hit it usually means runs
Soph
June 30th, 2011
9:35 am
Ease, wherever you are – I see what you did.
Venice Jim
June 30th, 2011
9:37 am
Yes, I get sad thinking about the lineup, especially since we now have the THIRD best record in baseball…(of course, I wish it wasn’t the Phillies who helped push us ahead of Boston)…
timthebrave
June 30th, 2011
9:37 am
For those who are traveling….Here is so you can listen on the radio at the beach or anywhere away from your home
http://mlb.mlb.com/atl/schedule/affiliates.jsp
timthebrave
June 30th, 2011
9:38 am
McFann, I’m so glad brian will be the starting catchers and those ballot stuffers in st louis can’t do anything about it this year…Go Mac and go Braves
Fish Bisch
June 30th, 2011
9:40 am
I hope McAnn doesn’t get posey’d at the all star game
jeffrey d
June 30th, 2011
9:43 am
Is there a reason Fish keeps calling him McAnn?
McFann ;Ô; ;Ô;
June 30th, 2011
9:45 am
timthebrave—
Me, too!!
jeffrey d—
I was about to ask the same question…
Venice Jim
June 30th, 2011
9:46 am
Joe Mauer making the radio rounds promoting Head and Shoulders – just went back-to-back with the Mikes and then DP – hope McFann is nowhere near a radio…
Venice Jim
June 30th, 2011
9:47 am
And she pops up while I’m typing…
VaBravesFan
June 30th, 2011
9:48 am
McCann, Jurrjens or Hanson, Venters, possibly Kimbrel and Chipper make the Allstar Team.
VaBravesFan
June 30th, 2011
9:48 am
Chipper would decline thought with the injury trying to avoid the DL and surgery.
CB
June 30th, 2011
9:49 am
McFann,did you have someone in mind for Player of the Month in June?
Ease®
June 30th, 2011
9:49 am
Soph, I am everywhere.
Ease®
June 30th, 2011
9:49 am
MAUER!
McFann ;Ô; ;Ô;
June 30th, 2011
9:51 am
V. Jim hope McFann is nowhere near a radio…
Well, I’m near one, but it’s turned off.
CB—
Me? Have someone in mind for POtM in June? What gave you an idea like that…?
Of course, now that you mention it…
Ease—
Earl Williams
June 30th, 2011
9:52 am
Did Nolee get aggravated? He probably did because I responded to his/her(????) salvo directed at me. With my new self-enforced maximum of 45 minutes on this Blog, I’m able to say “Hello” to my good buddies and miss reading the responses. It’s a self-disciplined “Ignore Button.” I’m perfectly willing to never say anything personal as long as I’m allowed to make my little comments on Daniel and Fredo–ONLY 2 Braves in the dugout I’ve ever criticized—without personal comments being directed towards me. If you believe “Dan is heating up” that is your business. If i disagree, I’ve never attacked personally anyone who voiced that idea. If you believe Venters doesn’t stand a chance of breaking down under Fredo’s workload, once again your business. I just happen to disagree after watching him in the dugout for a few years. Once again, not personal against the Blogger.
I actually lauded Chipper Jones in one of my comments because of the dominant belief that he always did it above board. No help,no shortcuts, just let his body perform to its natural capabilities and his longevity has been remarkable. Those writers(and especially those who have been around long enough to build up trust–a la DOB) who cover MLB teams can get a real good “INKLING” from people associated with other teams about who has used in the past.Now writers will not say with a certainty,unless it’s McGuire, that the suspicion exists someone took shortcuts,but they know.
I’m still suggesting the New York Times Sunday Magazine article about Derek Jeter that addressed “natural” aging process and un-natural aging process. The idea that without assistance players START losing it at 30 was pretty telling. For all you individuals who would deem it Communistic to read the Times,you could actually just access the Jeter article and not be sullied by reading anything else. Really good article with many insights.
Tom–Was not kidding. I do like reading your comments.Going to hit some golf balls and try to get an idea if somehow we are going to default on our debt obligations. If we do that, we will have far greater concerns than Hunter Pence’s ultimate destination.
Soph
June 30th, 2011
9:53 am
Ease, mine is better. More eee’s = awesomer.
Lew
June 30th, 2011
9:53 am
“In Xanadu did Kubla Khan
A stately Pleasure Dome Decree
Where Alph, the Sacred River ran
Through caverns measureless to man
Down to a sunless sea.”
Nolie, you’ll have to take it from here if we’re going to put that assh9le to sleep. That’s all I remember off the top of my head and he’s not worth the effort of looking the rest up.
Ho hum, another 8 of 10, third best record in baseball, but the Braves suck, right? No offense and the bullpen is dead. Obviously, they’re doomed..
timthebrave
June 30th, 2011
9:55 am
McFann, I think Jose Reyes will win player of the month but hope I am wrong….Reyes has gotten way more hype…Not sure of what his numbers for June are but think they are really good as well
monty
June 30th, 2011
9:59 am
In the news today…”KIng Felix” was dethroned in Seattle yesterday. A small band of Indian warriors referred to as “Braves”ascended his royal palace and knocked the monarch off of his inlaid rubber throne much to the surprise and dismay of his loyal fans.
Fish Bisch
June 30th, 2011
9:59 am
Spelling typos with player’s names own me. I get confused when to add the c or drop the c with mcclouth and mcann.
Lemke's Knuckler
June 30th, 2011
10:00 am
On this same date last year, the Braves were 45-33, exactly 12 games over .500. Funny how history repeats itself. But at this point last year, the Brave’s best baseball was behind them. This year, I firmly believe their best baseball will be played in the second half.
MikeInFl
June 30th, 2011
10:00 am
Prince Fielder might’ve had the best month: .354/.509/.785 w/10 HR and 27 RBI. Mac’s numbers are great, but hard to compete with that.
BravePack
June 30th, 2011
10:00 am
Reyes hasn’t shown the power McCann has this month and McCann has hit something like .396 his last 25 games.
Kimbrel definitely should make the All-Star team, he has been dominate and the numbers prove it. No other closer I would want in the NL.
Ease®
June 30th, 2011
10:01 am
Soph, I actually have him on my team…So my means more! (and I really , really, really need him back. My good for nothing catcher is really dragging me down.)
Earl Williams
June 30th, 2011
10:02 am
Lew–He wrote that while using heavy duty drugs. Do you think I’m wrong for excusing that while having a different perspective for baseball players? Samuel T. probably gained an advantage over other writers by having extra “inspiration” and the Commissioner of Romantic Writing never intervened by testing him. It’s quite possible that he would not have been able to write a lick without it and we would have been denied his assisted brilliance. I guess it’s real similiar to what players could do with or without assistance. No 73 for Big Mark.No 66 for Sammy. Basically no lotta stuff without help.
jeffrey d
June 30th, 2011
10:02 am
I love McCann, but there’s players who had better numbers than Mac in June. Mainly Kemp, Fielder, and Reyes.
BUT…no one’s been hotter than McCann over the past 2 weeks.
McFann ;Ô; ;Ô;
June 30th, 2011
10:02 am
timthebrave—
Yeah, hopefully he won’t—he’s like, my arch enemy already…
Shaun
June 30th, 2011
10:02 am
I hoped for the best when the Braves hired Fredi Gonzalez. All indications are he’s a great players’ manager. But I don’t know that he understands strategy well enough to continue to manage for a long time in the majors.
He uses his best or second-best reliever to protect a 4-run lead against a bad offensive club playing in a park favorable to pitchers when the Braves only have 6 outs to get. Now they’re in a situation where he may not be available for at least a couple of days.
I understand most managers don’t do a great job regarding bullpen usage and leverage but this is about as bad as it gets. Bobby Cox was a charming “old school” manager who did some non-old school things. Fredi Gonzalez is the quintessential example of being an old school manager in all the worst ways.
timthebrave
June 30th, 2011
10:03 am
Reyes June .377 avg, 3 HR, 29 runs, 15 rbi’s and 10 stolen bases
Mccann June .351 avg, 8 HR, 13 runs, 17 RBI and 1 stolen base
CB
June 30th, 2011
10:03 am
tim,Reyes batting .377 with 29 runs scored in June.
jeffrey d
June 30th, 2011
10:04 am
I didn’t know if it was a nickname like McOUT or Kawakrapi. I thought for whatever reason, Fish thought McCann wasn’t good enough and called him McAnn (like a girl)
jeffrey d
June 30th, 2011
10:05 am
Nobody understands strategy as good as you, Shaun.
McFann ;Ô; ;Ô;
June 30th, 2011
10:05 am
BMac’s June numbers: .342/.435/.671 8 HR, 18 RBI…only 2 Doubles, but still a heckuva month. By far his best June—that’s been a trouble month for him before. Not always, but a lot of times…
Lew
June 30th, 2011
10:06 am
Earl- Your problem is believing that any of us really care what you think about much of anything.
timthebrave
June 30th, 2011
10:06 am
Fielder June .354 AVG, 10 HR, 27 RBI, 19 Runs, and 0 stolen bases for speedy
Earl Williams
June 30th, 2011
10:07 am
Who on this Blog is really not impressed with the Braves’play with all these injuries? It has been remarkable> Is it mutually exclusive to highly respect the Braves’ play and also to not want Johnny Venters to do a Joel Zumaya impersonation? I believe one has a lot to do with the other and especially with the lowest batting average in all of baseball for a regular serving as a DAILY Black Hole in your batting order.
Lew
June 30th, 2011
10:08 am
Shaun’s back.
Fish Bisch
June 30th, 2011
10:09 am
I’m not impressed Earl with the awfense. I’m impressed with the pitching and managing.
Lew
June 30th, 2011
10:09 am
Yep – Prince feasted on pitching this month for sure. The cut fastball must be vegetarian.
bravesgrl4life
June 30th, 2011
10:10 am
Tom O’Hawke – This morning, we’re featuring turkey breast, roast beef, southern baked beans (spicy), cheese, eggs (yeah, what’s an omelette without eggs), tuna, green beans, copius amounts of lemon and lemon and pepper seasoning, onions, more onions, garlic. peppers, and uh…… beer.
Leave out the tuna and that might be alright
Hey, I could change my moniker to McAnne, since my first name is Anne
Earl Williams
June 30th, 2011
10:11 am
Lew–It’s not a “problem” for you, but your delusion that your male/female friends don’t care has been disproven by fact based responses. You are obviously an intelligent person. Is this all gamesmanship or do they raise the debt ceiling? I’m contemplating what would be considered a safe harbor under those circumstances.
Ease®
June 30th, 2011
10:11 am
Shaun, I have forwarded your message to the Braves front office. I also took the liberty of writing your resume in baseball management based on your postings over the course of the season as well and forwarded that as well. Your extensive experience/qualifications and knowledge should put you on the short
buslist. I wish you luck pal!bravesgrl4life
June 30th, 2011
10:11 am
Ease®
June 30th, 2011
10:11 am
arrogant a-hole.
Lew
June 30th, 2011
10:14 am
Ease – Thanks for that fact based response.
Fish Bisch
June 30th, 2011
10:14 am
Anyone seen transformers 3?
McFann ;Ô; ;Ô;
June 30th, 2011
10:15 am
bravesgrl4life—
Hey, sweet!
Anne is a pretty name.
CB
June 30th, 2011
10:15 am
Be nice,Ease. Your mother might read what you post.
Tech 67
June 30th, 2011
10:16 am
Uggla is not really a “black hole.” I believe a black hole generates energy. Sorry Earl, you need a better analogy to describe Uggla. How about a drifting asteroid?
johnny d
June 30th, 2011
10:17 am
I think Jeffrey is a pretty name too.
jeffrey d
June 30th, 2011
10:17 am
Thanks, Johnny.
VaBravesFan
June 30th, 2011
10:17 am
Well the blog just ate a nice comment i wrote, i dont even feel like blogging now.
Don
June 30th, 2011
10:18 am
The sad thing is that the Braves great pitching may be wasted. No matter how good the pitching, it is going to be difficult for the Braves to compete with their 3rd place hitter barely hitting .250, their shortstop at .240, their 2nd baseman below .200 — And two of their outfield positions with terrible production – McLouth at .232 and both Heyward and Schaffer in the .220s. This is a shame to waste this great pitching. It is difficult to understand how the Braves fail to develop/improve their hitters at the major league level. There are probably not very many really great hitting coaches – but they have had a pressing need for one for years.
Ease®
June 30th, 2011
10:19 am
Oh right, it is the uniformed, unintelligent that resorts to calling Shaun names. I apologize Shaun. Sincerely. From the bottom of my heart. Hugs and kisses. XOXO.
VaBravesFan
June 30th, 2011
10:19 am
Braves should check in on Ryan Franklin the former Cardinals closer. He could bounce back and help us in the 7th/8th innings. He would be a low risk type move. Something they should think about.
Lew
June 30th, 2011
10:20 am
Please – No drifting asteroids. Dan can’t even hit a low outside slider right now.
Ease®
June 30th, 2011
10:21 am
And now my breakfast is beginning to come back up.
Lew
June 30th, 2011
10:21 am
Ease – I really felt it was fact based.
Ray T
June 30th, 2011
10:21 am
Techster-An asteroid may actually hit something and cause some damage. I don’t think Physics is the place for an Uggla analogy. I don’t know what branch of science would be the best place to look.
CB
June 30th, 2011
10:22 am
timthebrave
June 30th, 2011
10:22 am
Shaun, use some stats to sping some positive. After all the Braves are playing pretty well lately. Stats don’t always have to point to negativity….We did just sweep the Mariners after all. We are 8 and 2 in our last 10. Sometimes it’s ok to just feel good about your team without criticizing everything…. Go Braves!
Fish Bisch
June 30th, 2011
10:22 am
Ray T, possibly the fringe division.
timthebrave
June 30th, 2011
10:23 am
spin
Shaun
June 30th, 2011
10:23 am
Ease, so no one is allowed to be critical? If so, you are being an arrogant a-hole?
I don’t know, seems pretty reasonable to not want your favorite team’s manager to use your best reliever (or maybe second-best, at worst) with a 4-run lead against the Mariners in Safeco, when said manager continues to use that reliever in less-than-ideal situations.
Oh, but if I point that out, I’m just being an arrogant a-hole.
Earl Williams
June 30th, 2011
10:24 am
Lew–You always respond to my posts in a nice way. I just can’t post as Earl. I kinda favored the asteroid analogy.
Ease®
June 30th, 2011
10:25 am
Lew, but I ruined it by name calling. And we all know how much he hates that (not that I was trying to be a jerk or anything). Should have just stuck to my Joe Friday spiel.
VaBravesFan
June 30th, 2011
10:25 am
Those of you who would love to see Michael Bourn in CF, i’m telling you Mike Minor alone would get the deal done. Minor would be the Astros 3rd best starter right now, They save money as well.
Michael Cuddyer wouldnt cost much if we just pay his remaining salary for the season (roughly 4-5 mil) Were talking 2 non-top prospects get it done. If the Twins are selling that is.
timthebrave
June 30th, 2011
10:26 am
There is always talk about running out relievers too much but it seems like injuries seem to be random and not care if you pitched 50 or 60 innings in 3 months
Venice Jim
June 30th, 2011
10:27 am
it is going to be difficult for the Braves to compete with their 3rd place hitter barely hitting .250, their shortstop at .240, their 2nd baseman below .200 — And two of their outfield positions with terrible production – McLouth at .232 and both Heyward and Schaffer in the .220s
Does “difficult” include having the THIRD best record in MLB?
Fish Bisch
June 30th, 2011
10:27 am
Why do they call him everyday Johnny when he cleary has not pitched everyday?
McFann ;Ô; ;Ô;
June 30th, 2011
10:29 am
johnny/jeffrey d—
DAP
June 30th, 2011
10:29 am
even though i always loved bobby, i never liked the way he used the bullpen, and i dont always like the way gonzalez runs it either. it isnt how i would do it alot of times, but he has more information to make those decisions than i do, so i find it hard to question him too much. as far as using venters with a 4 run lead yesterday? im indifferent on it. i dont think it was a terrible move, with an off day coming up.
jeffrey d
June 30th, 2011
10:29 am
Because he seemingly pitches every day. It’s a joke, Fish. Don’t suck the fun out of it
Ease®
June 30th, 2011
10:29 am
See, now Defensive Debbie is back.
VaBravesFan
June 30th, 2011
10:30 am
Fish Bisch
yeah not everyday, but more than any other reliever in all of baseball.
timthebrave
June 30th, 2011
10:30 am
I think the Braves have finally stopped the carousel at first base. Freddie Freeman is a great fielder and if he keeps hitting like this we could have the top 2 in rookie of the year with Freeman and Kimbrel.
Shaun
June 30th, 2011
10:31 am
timthebrave, indeed. Go Braves. But I don’t think there is anything wrong with expressing frustration that Venters may be unavailable for a couple of days because Gonzalez uses him in games like yesterday, when they have a 4-run lead with 6 outs to get against the Mariners.
Lew
June 30th, 2011
10:31 am
Earl – I respond in kind most of the time. Besides, I can’t keep up with your D.I.D. -don’t have the time to figure out what incarnation you’re in at any given time.
VaBravesFan
June 30th, 2011
10:32 am
timthebraves
dont forget about Brandon Beachy who is considered a rookie if i’m not mistaken?
Ray T
June 30th, 2011
10:34 am
Venice Jim, Let’s not include a DL’ed Venters to our “difficulties.
Bat Masterson
June 30th, 2011
10:34 am
Why do they call him everyday Johnny when he cleary has not pitched everyday? _ Fish Bisch
Do you type with your fins?
timthebrave
June 30th, 2011
10:35 am
I don’t think it’s a big deal using Venters with an off day today and the all star break coming up
brian
June 30th, 2011
10:36 am
nice one Bat
timthebrave
June 30th, 2011
10:36 am
VABravesfan, Top 3 would be even better. Braves have a good mix of veterans and young players.
Afan
June 30th, 2011
10:40 am
Do you guys think the braves will make a trade before the all star break or after?
cause you know they have to do something to spark this non existent offense.
Bat Masterson
June 30th, 2011
10:40 am
Thanks, brian.
Lew
June 30th, 2011
10:40 am
VaBravesFan – The thing about Beachy re: ROY – he doesn’t have the stud stats to get the recognition he deserves on a National level. Not enough wins, he missed a fair amount of time and he hasn’t had a National Game against a stud opponent to attract the necessary attention.
Really glad we have him in our rotation, but I don’t see him having enough of a National presence to get him any votes.
Shaun
June 30th, 2011
10:40 am
There is always talk about running out relievers too much but it seems like injuries seem to be random and not care if you pitched 50 or 60 innings in 3 months
timthebrave, sure there is certainly randomness to injuries. But do you really think it’s completely random and a pitcher being overworked isn’t a factor at all? Teams certainly do and will rest relievers if they feel they’ve thrown too many consecutive days or thrown too much within an outing. This is a bigger issue because now they are saying that Venters may be given a couple of days off. So Venters may not be available in a close game on Friday because they decided to use him to protect a 4-run lead with 6 outs to get yesterday.
Earl Williams
June 30th, 2011
10:41 am
Lew-How about I don’t post as Earl and instead just post 3 or 4 times a day under assumed names so that you and what’s his/her name don’t need to get aggravated. However, for that to work you can’t be saying “That is Earl” every time you see a great blog.
I’m serious about the debt ceiling question.And that transcends politics. This is the economic fiber of this country,industrialized world and our standing around the globe.
Fargo
June 30th, 2011
10:45 am
@VaBravesfan: I like the sound of what michael bourn would potentially cost us to acquire.
but I think Cuddyer would be difficult.
I live in Twins territory and they are HUGE on that guy! their young CF Ben Revere is winning many hearts from the fans…and I think delmon young is the odd man out in that outfield.
once Denard Span returns ofcourse…
They also like Cuddyer because he plays many positions.
Lew
June 30th, 2011
10:46 am
Earl – Do whatever it is that you’re going to do. You’ve never needed my permission in the past. Why start now?
As to the debt ceiling? I sincerely doubt that the people who need to deal with it (and maybe, just maybe might actually do something about dealing with it) care about my opinion. Not so sure why you need mine. Never thought that I was all that integral to your forming an opinion and can’t see why I would be.
Besides, I’m an artist, not an economist and no matter what decision is made, there will still be plenty of economic suffering to go around.
Fish Bisch
June 30th, 2011
10:46 am
I see; seems like we could call him ‘every other day’ Johnny.
timthebrave
June 30th, 2011
10:47 am
Shaun, I get your point and would agree completely except we have a day off today. I think Venters will be good to go on Friday if needed
Lew
June 30th, 2011
10:48 am
Fargo – I’d be more interested in Denard Span with his longer controlled contract and good numbers. What is the Twins’ opinion of trading him?
timthebrave
June 30th, 2011
10:52 am
I think the braves will not make any major moves. Look for maybe a move to get a bench player or another reliever to help out until Moylan gets back
jeffrey d
June 30th, 2011
10:53 am
Every Other Day Jonny. That just rolls off the tounge.
How about Every Fifth Day Jair?
Or Every Time It’s A Blowout Cristhian?
Or Every Time There’s a Hot Day Game After a Night Game David?
zookey
June 30th, 2011
10:54 am
Lou,Earl,Ease.
Can’t hide that nice nasty style.
Luke
June 30th, 2011
10:54 am
Obviously I’m a huge braves fan and I am biased in making this comment but, I believe The NL EAST is just as good if not better than the AL EAST right now.
Phils best team in Baseball possibly on the verge of sweeping the Red Sox(Philly advantage). Braves right on there heels and more complete team than the Yanks (slight advantage to ATL). Mets have been playing great baseball as of late and the Rays are playing good as well…we’ll call that a push (maybe slight advantage to TB). Nats and Blue Jays have identical records…and Marlins and Orioles have same amount of wins…I’m just sick of ESPN stating how the AL EAST is the best division in baseball when the numbers don’t really back that up. How do you guys feel about that??
Lew
June 30th, 2011
10:54 am
timthebrave – Actually with yesterday having been a day game, Venters will have at least a full 48 hours before he could be pitching again. Give him Friday off and it’s three days rest.
I understand that Smoltz had issues with relieving, but he was muh older, had had several arm surgeries and was still wanting to be a starter. I understand that Saito, at age 40 last year, needed to pitch no more than two days running.
But, I really don’t see the fatigue factor as being such an issue with him. He’s already been through ligament replacement surgery, which rarely needs re- doing and he’s pitched as much as 156 IP in a single season in the minors. Did anyone truly believe that he was going to maintain a sub 1 ERA all season?
Fish Bisch
June 30th, 2011
10:56 am
Afan
June 30th, 2011
10:56 am
I dont see how the Braves cannot make a move. I mean we have (arguably) the worst offense in the majors. Just look at the averages of these guys…
Don
June 30th, 2011
10:57 am
Venice Jim, Let’s see how this works out by the end of the season.
No question, PITCHING in the name of the game — but there is a limit to how much it can overcome — 3rd place hitter .250s, Shortstop .240, Second Baseman below .200 and two of the three outfield spots not producing – McLouth 232, and Schaffer and Heyward both in the .220s.
If ever there was a need for a good hitting coach — and the Braves have failed to develop/improve their hitters at the major league level for years – to the extent that family members get involved.
Fargo
June 30th, 2011
10:57 am
Lew- I think the fans would be open to trading span…hes not necessarily a “fan favorite”
I think the braves might balk at acquiring him. hes been hurt a lot this year…and he would be another lefty.
Im luke warm to him. he doesnt quite have the threat on the base paths that bourn has….but I think is a much better hitter.
VaBravesFan
June 30th, 2011
10:59 am
Lew
I agree about Beachy and ROY, but its nice to have a bunch in the top 10.
Bat Masterson
June 30th, 2011
10:59 am
Lou,Earl,Ease.
Can’t hide that nice nasty style. _ zookey
What? Is that one of those, which one of these three does not belong, questions?
cricket
June 30th, 2011
11:01 am
But I don’t know that he understands strategy well enough to continue to manage for a long time in the majors.
Again, I wish there was a way to make some bloggers put their money where their keypad is. What is the definition of “long” here? Fredi is already in 5th year of managing in ML. He’s currently managing in an organization where they don’t flippantly change managers. Powers to be in Braves org seem to be happy with their choice of a manager whose team is most likely going to playoffs, which means he won’t be fired soon. Looks like he will be here till at least 2013, and braves will most likely pick up the option for 2014. That would mean 8 yrs managing, is that long enough?
One can criticize Fredi all one wants but looks like he’s going to manage in MLB for reasonable number of years. If you feel he shouldn’t be able to do that, get on with the usual drivel about how the so-called baseball people – the GMs and other old fogeys that run MLB don’t understand baseball anywhere as well as you do.
I didn’t always agree with Bobby’s decisions and same is true with Fredi, including the decision to bring in Venters yesterday. But I am pretty sure Fredi understands basics of baseball management enough or he wouldn’t have gotten his current job.
Ease®
June 30th, 2011
11:05 am
Well Bat, if it was…what would your answer be?
VaBravesFan
June 30th, 2011
11:06 am
Fargo
Comparison
Bourn Elite-Speed/Defense/SB Ability Iffy with the bat, playing better than his career norms right now. Solid Leadoff man regardless offers Zero power Under team control for the 2012 season as well. (Roughly 6-7 mil next year after arbritration)
Span Great-Speed/Defense/SB Ability Good hitter with good OBP ability, Younger, slightly more power, Longer contract (til 2015) has some injury questions.
Overall there neck to neck slight edge to either one depending on your style, Bourn is the best defensive CF in baseball, and NL’s best Base stealer, while Denard Span is clearly the better hitter
Lew
June 30th, 2011
11:06 am
Fargo – Thanks. I thought he’d played most of their games so far. Really like his hitting and he has more than enough speed to get by fine in Atlanta. Looks to be a good fielder, too.
VaBravesFan
June 30th, 2011
11:07 am
I actually agree with SHAUN…. you dont use Jonny Venters with a 4 run lead, against the Mariners.
VaBravesFan
June 30th, 2011
11:08 am
Fargo/Lew
(reposting just incase yall missed this at bottom of last page.)
Comparison
Bourn Elite-Speed/Defense/SB Ability Iffy with the bat, playing better than his career norms right now. Solid Leadoff man regardless offers Zero power Under team control for the 2012 season as well. (Roughly 6-7 mil next year after arbritration)
Span Great-Speed/Defense/SB Ability Good hitter with good OBP ability, Younger, slightly more power, Longer contract (til 2015) has some injury questions.
Overall there neck to neck slight edge to either one depending on your style, Bourn is the best defensive CF in baseball, and NL’s best Base stealer, while Denard Span is clearly the better hitter
Delray Brave
June 30th, 2011
11:09 am
I love how just now Fredi starts to worry about fatigue with Venters…the guy has more appeararnces and innings of any reliever in baseball…There has been times he’ll bring in Venters when we don’t even need him and now the guy is gassed and we haven’t even made it to the All Star Break…NOW Fredi says he may rest Venters for the weekend but here’s an idea Fredi – why don’t you manage and watch how many times you use him during the course of the year?? How’s that for an idea??
Ease®
June 30th, 2011
11:10 am
cricket, you get it. Thanks and props.
Debbie (Shaun), please read cricket’s 11:01 posting. It might help with your “problem”.
Bat Masterson
June 30th, 2011
11:10 am
Ease_
Ease does not belong.
Did I get it right?
Murph
June 30th, 2011
11:11 am
Told y’all that KK would fall flat on his face. The guy should just hang it up and go figure out how many yen his millions of unearned dollars will convert to.
It pains me to think of the money wasted on him. He obviously isn’t even giving much of an effort. Makes me wish the Braves had some sort of contract clause where they could just cut him loose for a fraction of what he’s owed given that he’s completely given up.
On the bright side at least he’s not losing games for the MLB club anymore.
cricket
June 30th, 2011
11:11 am
I love how just now Fredi starts to worry about fatigue with Venters
better late than never
zookey
June 30th, 2011
11:13 am
Lou,When your post run close together you give it up.
Earl=Ease
cricket
June 30th, 2011
11:15 am
Thanks Ease, though I know that unfortunately that post is just an exercise in futility with this guy…
Fargo
June 30th, 2011
11:15 am
VaBravesFan- great comparison. I agree completely with your last paragraph.
I think Span would be easier to get than Cuddyer. and i would rather have span on my ball club.
Twins are a lot like the braves in being left handed heavy at the plate. although thus far they have not been able to have them all in the lineup at the same time ie thome, morneau, mauer, span, etc….
and I think the twins would only need a young pitcher or two. and im not sure, but I think span is only getting somewhere in the 5 mil range…so he would basically take over nate’s contract the next few years.
K.C. Frenchy
June 30th, 2011
11:16 am
I’m tied with my best buddy B. Mac for most rbi with 47, with 11 bombs & 13 steals with my cannon arm, you guys miss me dont you? Outplaying your savior J. Hurtward by a mile with my nice RH bat!! Go Royals
jeffrey d
June 30th, 2011
11:17 am
ooh I like those questions.
Which of these doesn’t belong:
Marilyn Monroe, Martin Prado, George HW Bush
Earl Williams
June 30th, 2011
11:17 am
Ease does not belong among those 3.
Ease,On this Blog you should take that as a compliment.
Ease®
June 30th, 2011
11:19 am
Bat, mostly agree, I have been know to become vile every once in a while to certain “people”. Usually more on the nice (if not snarky) side.
But this, I mean this here statement Earl=Ease I have to take exception to. I know that VJ is the math wizard but by no means do those two equal up.
This is a better equation: Ease>Soph
Earl Williams
June 30th, 2011
11:20 am
Chipper Jones, Brady Anderson, “Super Star” Billy Graham(Was the wrestler’s first name “Billy?)
Ease®
June 30th, 2011
11:20 am
Murph, who is this KK that you speak of…and why are you so obsessive over him?
jeffrey d
June 30th, 2011
11:21 am
That’s an inequality, not an equation
Ease®
June 30th, 2011
11:22 am
Earl, no offense…to each his own
Fish Bisch
June 30th, 2011
11:25 am
I miss u KC French.
Lots of Luv.
The Lemmer
June 30th, 2011
11:26 am
Can we really do any damage with only 3 REAL hitters? McCann, Freeman, & Prado is all we REALLY have. SS, RF, CF, LF, & 2ND are all non productive, & we can still make a run in the playoffs??? FW needs to rethink this one, better start shopping I say!
Bat Masterson
June 30th, 2011
11:27 am
Ease_
Nothing wrong with being snarky. Its often warranted if not out right demanded. I took zookey to mean Earl, Lou and Ease are all the same commenter. Which it seems zookie has confirmed was his premise, Earl=Ease. To which I say, BS.
Murph
June 30th, 2011
11:28 am
Ease, I can’t bring myself to type his name. He’s just some pitcher collecting millions and millions of dollars to go out and give zero effort while getting shelled by a bunch of 18 year old kids fresh out of diapers. My 3 year old could go yard on him, and she’d be at the plate with a load in her pants and a chocolate chip cookie in one hand.
Afan
June 30th, 2011
11:28 am
Gonna have to be a move soon. The pitching has been great but its gonna take an offensive surge to catch the phillies and that is gonna require a bat!
K.C. Frenchy
June 30th, 2011
11:30 am
Thanks Fish, me & Melky are RAKING!!!! Im on pace for 90 rbi, so that big FAT raise is coming next year, thank you FW, playing everyday & getting paid without the whining, its nice out here in AAAA land!!!!!!
Fish Bisch
June 30th, 2011
11:30 am
Who would you suggest Afan?
Soph
June 30th, 2011
11:32 am
That’s an inequality, not an equation
Don’t be too hard on him, he is a petrel, after all.
Ease®
June 30th, 2011
11:33 am
Murph, then can she play CF…?
jeffrey d
June 30th, 2011
11:33 am
Im on pace for 90 rbi, so that big FAT raise is coming next year
Didn’t you hit over 100 RBI for the Braves twice? What kind of raise did that get you?
jeffrey d
June 30th, 2011
11:34 am
What’s a petrel? I forget. And why is Ease a petrel?
Ease®
June 30th, 2011
11:34 am
damn it Soph…8 points…8 measly points and I’ll show you…
cricket
June 30th, 2011
11:35 am
Go Royals
Are the Royals again going to the land of not-even-false-hope?
Afan
June 30th, 2011
11:35 am
Well Fish…I dont really know. I have heard the talk about Bourn and he would be a nice spark at the top if he keeps hitting. We know he can run. Pence would be ok too if hurtward can play center. We just need someone that is hitting to spark this lineup.
looks like houston may be the first team to start dealing.
do you think they will deal before the all star break or after?
jeffrey d
June 30th, 2011
11:35 am
If I may nerd it up for a second, an EQUATion means two things are equal. So in that case Ease would indeed = Soph
Ease®
June 30th, 2011
11:36 am
Bat, I think I am getting sick again…just the thought of being compared…
cabravesfan
June 30th, 2011
11:36 am
Im on pace for 90 rbi, so that big FAT raise is coming next year
I’m sure the Royals and their $38M in team payroll will be all over that
Bat Masterson
June 30th, 2011
11:37 am
Im on pace for 90 rbi, so that big FAT raise is coming next year
Didn’t you hit over 100 RBI for the Braves twice? What kind of raise did that get you? _ jeffrey
Big fat ones, then an even fatter one from the Mets. A serious pay cut from the Rangers though.
Ease®
June 30th, 2011
11:39 am
jeffrey, a petrel (a Stormy Petrel) is a sea-faring bird that sailors would use as a good omen…they warned of upcoming storms. And it is my mascot.
Fish Bisch
June 30th, 2011
11:40 am
Afan, I dunno, I think the Braves will actually stand pat this year.
jeffrey d
June 30th, 2011
11:42 am
Oh okay. My mascots are a bulldog and a falcon.
Bat Masterson
June 30th, 2011
11:43 am
Well not really a fatter one from the Mets. In Francoeur’s first arb year with the Braves his pay increased about 700%, the next year with the Mets about 40%. Then a 50% pay cut from the Rangers.
Earl Williams
June 30th, 2011
11:43 am
I am NEVER vile. The thing I did to start all of this crap was to have an unshakeable idea that Dan Uggla is through. I stated this in March and was bashed. I don’t know if the intensity of the responses was turned up because he is proving my point or because there was no doubt in my mind and that agitated people. There are only 2 people on this Blog who I have personally insulted and that was a response to what they had to say.Nobody else can cite one time that I insulted him or her. I said in March you would have no use for Uggla by August. If it makes anyone happy. I NEVER expected this level of futility. I thought that was coming but not until 2013. I thought last 2 years of deal were absurd. I NEVER thought the 1st year of deal was going to turn into this. Why my projections for a second baseman caused this much agitation is still a puzzle. When I believe someone to be wrong about something I usually dismiss it. I don’t blame people for being agitated at first but after 3 months of witnessing this,how they can continue to blame the messenger is bizarre.
Now I’m reading people being criticized because they have voiced concern for the way Venters is being utilized.I would say everyone worrying about Venters is a Braves fan. You would think the response by those who disagree would actually pertain to “the way Venters is being utilized”,instead the Braves record is cited and people are basically told not to complain about Fredo because the Braves’ record is so good. Does that really make sense?
Murph
June 30th, 2011
11:43 am
Murph, then can she play CF…?
The 3 year old does have deceptive speed, but the lines that she takes on fly balls leave a lot to be desired. She is fearless, though, and would run right through the wall on a deep fly.
She also has a Saltamacchia type issue… every time she throws the ball it goes straight up and bounces off her head. That could prove to be a problem. I’ve got her seeing a sports psychologist twice a week and we’re hoping she can play through it.
TennesseePaul
June 30th, 2011
11:45 am
The Braves are checking out available hitters. Some rival executives have speculated on the possibility that the Braves will consider trading Jair Jurrjens, whose stock has never been higher.
Speculated or salivated?
Afan
June 30th, 2011
11:47 am
Fish
I dont think the Braves can afford to stand pat. The offense is to bad…But then again…
Ease®
June 30th, 2011
11:47 am
Murph,
Afan
June 30th, 2011
11:48 am
If the braves are going to make a run it is going to require the current starting pitchers we have. If they make a deal they need to do so with prospects…
Fish Bisch
June 30th, 2011
11:52 am
I would be surprised if the Braves made a big move before the deadline. I forsee small, economical, and/or something that wont blow up the farm system type of deal. I think the braves learned their lesson on the hole mortgaging the future for the present type of blockbuster.
Fargo
June 30th, 2011
11:52 am
TennPaul – just read that about 20 minutes ago. kinda makes me sick to my stomach. But I guess you have to give something, to get something.
not sure im a fan of moving JJ, but then again; I don’t know what we would get in return.
Veer
June 30th, 2011
11:54 am
According to rival executives Jurrjens willl be traded by the Braves, as reported by MLB TR.
aj
June 30th, 2011
11:56 am
THE BRAVES’ OFFENSE CANNOT PERFORM ANY WORSE IN THE SECOND HALF.
ALSO, THEIR PITCHING CAN’T CONTINUE AS WELL AS IT DID THE FIRST HALF OF
THE SEASON. SHOULD BE IN THE WILD CARD RACE THE REST OF THE SEASON.
N8
June 30th, 2011
11:56 am
Fargo…. are you actually living in Fargo or just from there? I live in Bismarck.
jeffrey d
June 30th, 2011
11:56 am
Whatever happened to willieg?
Soph
June 30th, 2011
11:58 am
We probably scared him away.
Afan
June 30th, 2011
11:59 am
The braves made a good move in getting texiera. they made a bad move when they didnt pay to keep him. It made the deal stupid in the long run.
As far as JJ. Isnt he in the last year of his contract? he is going to want big money.
It might be of interest to see what we can get…
Fargo
June 30th, 2011
12:00 pm
N8- Im from West Fargo. so to answer your question; both
you staying dry in the Biz?
TexasBrave
June 30th, 2011
12:00 pm
Trading JJ would be totally asinine. MLB TR just made that up just to stir the pot. No way in he11 the Braves trade JJ while they are still in contention.
Murph
June 30th, 2011
12:00 pm
If the Braves trade JJ then they better get an all star with several years of team control left. I can’t even think of a name that would qualify. Rasmus?
Honestly I can’t imagine the team making this move. There isn’t a soul in the minors who can come up and fill JJ’s shoes at the moment. Minor is the closest, but he’s no JJ. Teheran isn’t ready, Delgado is a couple years away…
I doubt this will happen, and if it does I will be extremely befuddled. The only thing keeping the Braves near contention is their pitching. Dealing their top pitcher for an offensive player who is bound to come in and struggle (every bat minus Tex has struggled after coming to Atlanta) would be a big, big mistake.
Big mistake.
Fish Bisch
June 30th, 2011
12:02 pm
JJ for Tex straight up.
Bat Masterson
June 30th, 2011
12:03 pm
Whatever happened to willieg?
Who knows. What I have been wondering for a while now is where is Crime Dog? I can’t remember the last comment I saw from him but it has been a long time.
Lew
June 30th, 2011
12:05 pm
That last wasn’t from me. I may not be back for a while, so not much else with my name will be from me. Later.
Ease®
June 30th, 2011
12:05 pm
Bullshhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.
Ease®
June 30th, 2011
12:06 pm
Oh, sorry Lew.
N8
June 30th, 2011
12:07 pm
Somebody mentioned this before, but offered no link or quote.
“The Braves are checking out available hitters. Some rival executives have speculated on the possibility that the Braves will consider trading Jair Jurrjens, whose stock has never been higher.”
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/
It’s about halfway down the first “article” on the page.
I’ve been saying it for two years. With our pitching we have, and have coming either via the farm system (Teheran, Delgado and even Minor since he’s been back and forth), or back from injury with Medlen (and Moylan coming back to help shore up the pen, along with JJJ being a Boras client that trading Jurrjens might be the best move to improve the TEAM.
Keep in mind I’m well aware of the fact that our rotation might take an initial “hit” in overall production. But with his years remaining on his contract and his stock never being higher, he clearly would net us the biggest bat out of anybody on our staff (including Teheran).
So the question is what it’s been for months….
Is this team better off with JJJ in the rotation every 5th day, and waiting for Chipper, Uggla and Heyward to do their thing?
Or are we better off simply plugging Teheran into the rotation (with a backup plan for 2011 of Minor or Medlen should Julio fail), and adding a true leadoff hitter or cleanup hitter to this lineup that would make us better EVERY day?
I’m actually torn. I honestly don’t think that JJJ is in the long-term plans for Wren with all the younger, cheaper pitching coming, considering what he’s going to start making once arbitration kicks in.
That being said, once Chipper and Lowe come off the books, we certainly could afford to lock up JJJ long-term. It’s really a matter of where Wren wants to lock up salary. Rotation or everyday players.
We have one of the elite pitching staffs in baseball and certainly Jair is a BIG part of that this year. But we also have one of the worst offensive clubs in recent Braves memory.
I say pull the trigger Wren and let Teheran pitch the second half with the big club. If he tires (like he likely will down the stretch), Medlen or Minor could step in down the stretch.
We need the bat. But hopefully if Jair would be traded, it would at least be for an impact bat that is part of the future Braves teams and not a rental.
I’d also be “alright” if Wren traded Jair for a rental big bat, as long as a top prospect was coming our way as well.
Thoughts?
TexasBrave
June 30th, 2011
12:08 pm
The Braves have the second best record in the NL with a three game lead over the Diamondbacks for the wild card. Now while I will admit we have a lot of baseball left to play, the current formula has worked with a lot of major pieces not hitting well or on the DL. No way FW trades one of the major reasons we are winning right now for perhaps a little more offense.
Some front office person from another team that needs a starting pitcher to stay in contention most likely said that to MLB TR to stir the pot so that they could call FW to ask about his availability. FW is not that stupid.
MikeInFl
June 30th, 2011
12:11 pm
According to rival executives Jurrjens willl be traded by the Braves, as reported by MLB TR.
veer, you managed to incorrectly report a two-sentence report. How is that possible?
Here’s what mlbtr said:
The Braves are checking out available hitters. Some rival executives have speculated on the possibility that the Braves will consider trading Jair Jurrjens, whose stock has never been higher.
So, the Braves are checking out hitters. Duh.
And some unknown “rival” executives have speculated that JJ could be traded. That’s a good bit different than saying “he will be traded”.
Keep your day job. Reporting’s not your gig.
cricket
June 30th, 2011
12:12 pm
Forget Hardy
http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/blog/2011/06/orioles_start_hardy_talks_orio.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter
Afan
June 30th, 2011
12:13 pm
isnt this the last year of JJ’s contract?
MikeInFl
June 30th, 2011
12:13 pm
Braves will not trade JJ during the season.
We have the 3rd best record in baseball because of pitching. So, we’re gonna trade away our best pitcher in the hope that, instead of using a proven formula, we can out-slug our opponents?
It’s a ridiculous idea.
Arkansas Transplant
June 30th, 2011
12:14 pm
So JJ is going to be traded huh?
N8
June 30th, 2011
12:14 pm
Fargo, I live on the north side of town, so yeah… we’re high and dry. But the south side of town and along the river looks like a war zone. Kind of spooky and it’s not going away anytime soon.
Two riverfront houses and a riverfront cabin south of town have completey been washed away and fell into the river. The water hasn’t come in as far as they thought it would. But the heavy current from the constant record releases from the dam have pretty much assured that most of the riverfront property will be toast, because the foundations are being swept away and damaged beyond repair. Kind of crazy.
But we’re in better shape as a city than Minot is. The way they are set up with the heart of all their businesses being at such a low level it will be months before Minot recovers. I read that before the flood in Minot there was about 60 houses on the market and around 1200 homes have pretty much been destroyed/damaged. So about 10,000 people looking for someplace to live. Ugly.
Ease®
June 30th, 2011
12:16 pm
N8, I agree with your premise, but honestly can’t think of an available big bat that would make it work, rental or otherwise. Yankees need pitching (and like Boras), would they give up Granderson, AZ Upton, LA Kemp, CHI Quenton? I am just not sure there is a big bat to be had…
Murph
June 30th, 2011
12:17 pm
I say pull the trigger Wren and let Teheran pitch the second half with the big club. If he tires (like he likely will down the stretch), Medlen or Minor could step in down the stretch.
It depends on the player acquired. The Braves are a pretty one-dimensional team right now with pitching being the only saving grace. Degrading your one strength to improve your most glaring weakness could improve the club or it could be a total disaster.
I tend to lean towards keeping JJ because I do not see either Minor or Teheran stepping up and filling in well for him. When Huddy and Lowe have struggled and the constant stream of spot starts by prospects have faltered it’s been JJ who has carried the staff with his consistency. If Lowe’s struggles continue and Huddy returns to being inconsistent then you’ve got Hanson and Beachy, both of whom have spent time on the DL this season, as your rotation cornerstones.
I don’t think they are enough. JJ has been the rock. The one that has consistently produced. He’s a legit Cy Young candidate. Trading him would weaken the team instantly.
brian
June 30th, 2011
12:18 pm
although it leads to interesting trade rumors, I can’t see the Braves trading Jurrjens during the season unless it leads to us getting Matt Kemp or Jacoby Ellsbury. Even if those players were available, I just don’t see Jurrjens traded until the offseason if he is going to be traded. We have the best rotation and best pitching staff in the major leagues. I just don’t see Wren breaking it up unless he gets an offer he can’t refuse
Afan
June 30th, 2011
12:18 pm
JJ would have to bring an all star type player…nothing else would justify
Veer
June 30th, 2011
12:19 pm
Mark Texiara and Prince Harry were seperated at birth.
The guy that just got married I think its harry cud been Henry
brian
June 30th, 2011
12:19 pm
Medlen will not be ready to be a starter when he comes back at the end of the year. He will not have the feel for his change up when he returns. Bullpen help? maybe. Starter? next year
Bat Masterson
June 30th, 2011
12:20 pm
I’m actually torn. I honestly don’t think that JJJ is in the long-term plans for Wren with all the younger, cheaper pitching coming, considering what he’s going to start making once arbitration kicks in. _N8
This is JJ’s first arb year, his pay increased about 650% to 3.25 million. Two more years of arb., if he keeps pitching the way he has so far this year what kind of a raise does he get next year? I don’t know but a nice one no doubt.
brian
June 30th, 2011
12:20 pm
pitching and defense win championships
Whoop
June 30th, 2011
12:21 pm
It sounds more like rival executives are praying that the Braves will trade Jurrjens
No chance the Braves trade Jurrjens. That would be idiotic.
TexasBrave
June 30th, 2011
12:22 pm
N8 Pitching and defense will win you most games. Granted the Braves have had a few games lost because the offense was shutdown by the opposing teams pitcher. That’s going to happen and even happens to great hitting teams.
I contend that one hitter is not going to win you more games driving in runs than JJ would win starting games.
N8
June 30th, 2011
12:24 pm
Ease, I agree. Not much out there to be had. Just talking thought process more than anything. Only Wren knows what’s available and who he has on the block to offer. It’s just fun to speculate and discuss.
“I tend to lean towards keeping JJ because I do not see either Minor or Teheran stepping up and filling in well for him.” Murph
For the most part I see your point and actually agree with it. If Wren can “fix” the offense without damaging the current rotation (which certainly isn’t broke – so no need to fix that). But….
I disagree about Minor or Teheran. Wren wouldn’t be looking for them to replace what JJJ has done. Simply to keep us in games and allow the offense to actually contribue everyday.
It’s such a double edged sword. If you trade JJJ, certainly that might tax the already overworked bullpen since he’s the one true innings eater on the staff. It is unlikely that Minor or Teheran could replace those innings. Thus the bullpen would be taxed a bit more.
But on the other hand, fixing the offense would allow Fredi to stick with ALL of his starters a bit longer, since every game (in theory) wouldn’t be so damn close and runs wouldn’t be at such a premium. Not to mention that if we actually had a 4 or 5 run lead, he wouldn’t be forced to use O’Flaherty, Venters and Kimbrel so much (though he did use Venters with a 4 run lead yesterday for whatever reason).
So many ways it could go.
I’m not going to pretend to know what other teams have available and what it would take to get them. That’s just silly. But if Wren could swing a deal centered around JJJ for Matt Kemp and then lock him up long term, would you do that? I think I would.
John Leonard
June 30th, 2011
12:24 pm
Would you trade JJ for two bats,say a ss and cf that could play D and hit?
Bilbo
June 30th, 2011
12:26 pm
Van is not the working man in his prime he once was based on his performance (or lack thereof) at the Verizon last summer. 90 minutes at top shelf prices for slurring monotony except for Brown Eyed Girl. What a rip off. Sad to see a great one go that way.
Soph
June 30th, 2011
12:26 pm
McFann –
http://www.ajc.com/travel/nyc-airport-invaded-by-992478.html?cxntlid=thbz_hm
Whoop
June 30th, 2011
12:26 pm
I don’t care what anyone says, Minor, Teheran, Delgado, Medlen aren’t nearly as good as JJ is. We hope that Teheran and Delgado will be at some point, but now? Hell no
He couldn’t be easily replaced.
DAP
June 30th, 2011
12:27 pm
N8 I honestly don’t think that JJJ is in the long-term plans for Wren
i think he ought to be. if im wren, i hang onto jurrjens at least through arbitration.
i know he would be a huge trading chip, but dang…so would heyward or mccann. dont trade jurrjens, ever.
richbrave
June 30th, 2011
12:28 pm
DOWN ON THE FARM
GWINNETT
T-RAN on the hill tonight – 8-1, 1.79 ERA.
G-Men previal 3-1 over the BATS.
TODD REDMOND [ND, 3.07 ERA] 7.0 IP, 6 H, 1 R/ER, 1 BB, 3 SO. TODD was on his game last night.
CORY GEARRIN [3-1, 2.59 ERA] 2.0 IP, perfection, three punch-outs. Yes-s-s!!!!
LF/3B ED LUCAS [.223 BA] 2-4, 2 R, 1 3B [1], 1 RBI [27].
SS DIORY HERNANDEZ [.231 BA] 1-4, 1 2B [8].
1B ‘45′ GOMEZ [.291 BA] 1-4, 1 2B [20], 1 SO.
C WILKIN CASTILLO [.266 BA] 1-4, 1 R.
RF JEFF FIORENTINO [.215 BA] 1-3, 2 RBI [9], 1 SO.
PH/LF ‘George’ CONSTANZA [.344 BA] 2-2.
MISSISSIPPI
RANDALL DELGADO toes the rubber tonight.
The ‘Master of Disaster’ starts for the Bandits last night in a 0-12 loser-fest. KK of course is the leader of the loser-pack, but JULIO LUGO ‘relieves’ him, and decides to follow KK’s odoriferous lead.
KENSHIN KAWAKAMI [1-3, 6.92 ERA] 2.0 IP, 6 H, 1 HR, 7 R/ER, 2 BB, 1 SO. Nasty line, just nasty, and not in a good way.
JULIO LUGO [11.57 ERA] 2.1 IP, 2 H, 3 R/ER, 4 BB, 2 SO. Horror-show of an outing.
RICHARD SULLIVAN [6.10 ERA] 1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R/ER, 0 BB, 2 SO. Thank you RICHARD for an excellent outing.
ROWDY HARDY [3.81 ERA] 1.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R/ER, 1 BB, 3 SO. Normally reliable ROWDY catches a loser-cold also.
BILLY BULLOCK [5.17 ERA] 1.0, zeros 1 BB, 1 SO closes it out on a high note – thank goodness.
Hitting? Are you kidding. One hit, two BB’s, 11 SO’s, 0-5 RISP. Nobody get’s a mention with that ‘offensive’ line.
LYNCHBURG
HILLCATS howl last night 5-3.
ZEKE SPRUILL [ND, 3.39 ERA] 6.0 IP, 5 H, 1 HR, 3 R/ER, 2 BB, 6 SO. One gopher-ball [ 1 run] screws up an otherwise decent outing.
DAVE HALE [5.64 ERA] 1.0 IP. 1 H, 0 R/ER, 0 BB, 2 SO.
ELICER CARDENAS [2-1, 1.29 ERA] 1.0 IP, perfection, 1 SO. Outstanding season so far. Look for him to more up if this type of work is forth-coming.
RYAN BUCHTER [SV 5, 1.98 ERA] 1.0 IP pristine with 3 SO’s. Back to his usual excellence after a wobble last time out.
Lead-off LF MARCUS ‘Bob’ LEMON 2-3, 1 R, 1 BB.
2B PHIL GOSSELIN [.279 BA] 3-4, 1 R, 1 2B [20], 2 RBI [39], 1 SO.
1B JOE TERDOSLAVICH [.266 BA] 1-3, 1 RBI [38].
RF KEENAN WILEY [.302 BA] 2-4, 1 R.
DH GERARDO RODRIGUEZ [.267 BA] 1-4, 1 R, 1 HR [7], 2 RBI [28].
DANVILLE
Drop a double-header to PRINCETON 2-4, and 1-2.
Fargo
June 30th, 2011
12:28 pm
N8- Its really sad what is happening to Minot. like you said; all those people displaced from their homes now. That area of the state is already having a housing crisis. They cant build housing to fit the demands…it just got a lot worse.
are you speaking of fox island that is washing away in bismarck? I dont understand why people in the plains states build luxury homes on rivers! the wealthy in fargo also build on the red river….it makes no sense!!
I still feel bad for them losing their homes…but their glut for material possessions got the best of them…
N8
June 30th, 2011
12:28 pm
Oh, I’m fully aware of the pitching and defense winning games. I’m not concerned about us winning enough games to get the wild card. When/if our offense gets right (might not happen without a move), we’ll pull away from the pack in the wild card and with some luck and good head to head results we might even catch the Phillies. Though I’m not counting on it.
But as for winning a championship? I’m not sure this 25 man roster has what it takes. Not without Heyward and Uggla raking the way we thought they would.
Nobody could really fault Wren for standing pat and waiting until winter to make some bold moves. But some fans certainly WILL fault him if he does just that.
It’s amazing what some health and better 2nd halves would do for this lineup. But does Wren want to wait it out? Time will tell.
Ease®
June 30th, 2011
12:29 pm
But DAP is a happy man today…Mike Cameron has been released is available!
Veer
June 30th, 2011
12:31 pm
MIKE CAMERON!!! what a great addition this guy would be.
Murph
June 30th, 2011
12:31 pm
JJ for Kemp? It would really depend on what could be done with Kemp’s contract situation. If I were Wren and I were offered that deal I would do it but only if I could get Kemp signed to an extension. And not an Uggla extension… maybe a 3 year deal with a team option. I wouldn’t want to lock him up much longer than that mainly because I don’t like long contracts anymore.
Kemp locked up for this season plus 3+ years with Teheran in the rotation… I still think it would sting, but I could be convinced it’s the right thing to do.
cricket
June 30th, 2011
12:34 pm
Mike Cameron has been released is available!
so are Melvin Mora, Doug Davis and Ryan Franklin
jeffrey d
June 30th, 2011
12:34 pm
I’d trade JJ for Kemp.
DAP
June 30th, 2011
12:36 pm
cricket Forget Hardy
no. hardy is a good player the braves should be targeting. a little hiccup in negotiations with baltimore is all it would take.
Afan isnt this the last year of JJ’s contract?
no, it isnt. he has two more years of arbitration coming, if im not mistaken.
Murph
June 30th, 2011
12:36 pm
Keep in mind that Kemp is a FA after this season while JJ would be under team control for 2 more years…
Afan
June 30th, 2011
12:37 pm
what are kemps stats this year?
cricket
June 30th, 2011
12:37 pm
MIKE CAMERON!!! what a great addition this guy would be.
great addition to what? .149 .212 .266 .477
George
June 30th, 2011
12:37 pm
I see the name stealer is back again working on Lew, so I am outta here so y’ll will know posts from this point on are not from me. Wish we could get rid of this person.
N8
June 30th, 2011
12:38 pm
Fargo, the houses that got swept away were north of town. Fox Island is pretty much under water, but most of those homes are inland from the river a bit more, so the current isn’t so bad there. The cabin that washed away was south of Fort Lincoln on the Mandan side I believe.
Totally agree about building on the river. I’ve got a buddy that I used to play in a band with that just finished building this past winter on one of the bay area properties and his house is pretty much done. Sad. But at the same time, you couldn’t pay me enough money to invest all of my money in riverfront property.
But that’s the difference between Bismarck and Minot. Most of the damage done here is to people’s homes, and most of it is people that have enough income to “survive” the flood and move on.
Minot’s in a world of hurt because so many jobs will be lost due to businesses being under water, along with home being destroyed. I think it will be years before they recover as a community. If the Air Force base wasn’t there they’d be in big trouble.
My wife works with an older lady who has lived on the river for years and her husband is close to retiring. They invested ALL of their money into their property with the thought of selling it and retiring off of the money they made from that property. Now it’s pretty much gone and flood insurance will only cover so much of it.
Probably not the smartest decision in the world, but I’m sure they’re not the only ones. Just really sad when you think about it. Thankfully, everybody had enough warning and there really hasn’t been any major injuries or deaths that came along with it. Just a ton of property damage.
But the community in general is suffering a tad. The McQuade’s softball tournament which literally generates millions of dollars each year with all those out of state teams traveling here, was cut in half due to half of the fields being unusable. So it’s hurting everybody to an extent. My business will suffer a tad if any of the fall sports programs are cancelled, but at least I still have my home (so long as I can make the payments. LOL).
We’ll be coming down to Fargo in a couple of weeks for my son’s state baseball tournament. It will be nice to get the hell out of town for a while.
ncscoots
June 30th, 2011
12:38 pm
If I were Wren and I were offered that deal I would do it but only if I could get Kemp signed to an extension. And not an Uggla extension… maybe a 3 year deal with a team option.
Kemp’s agent would knee-cap him before letting him sign a 3-year extension. That would take his first two years of free agency, and he would probably want more years out than that. I would, too, frankly, given the year he’s having.
cabravesfan
June 30th, 2011
12:38 pm
More Kemp talk? *sigh…
ncscoots
June 30th, 2011
12:40 pm
Kemp, completely unavailable, is still more interesting to talk about than all the other names thrown out here. Besides, the unattainable is always the most attractive.
Afan
June 30th, 2011
12:41 pm
I dont see the Dodgers making any deals until ownership is settled.
DAP
June 30th, 2011
12:42 pm
murph Keep in mind that Kemp is a FA after this season
this season and one more, i think.
Soph
June 30th, 2011
12:43 pm
More Kemp talk? *sigh…
Just copy and paste, cab. Copy & paste.
Ease®
June 30th, 2011
12:43 pm
cab, actually its less about Kemp and more about ascertaining JJJ’s value.
N8
June 30th, 2011
12:43 pm
“Keep in mind that Kemp is a FA after this season while JJ would be under team control for 2 more years…” Murph
Totally agree. Which is why I stated that either Wren would need to be allowed to work out an extention with a guy like Kemp (or somebody in a similar situation as him), OR get one helluva prospect in the trade as well if he trades JJJ for a rental.
But I suspect if Wren makes a move for a rental, it’s going to be with a chip like Delgado, Vizcaino, Medlen or even Minor.
So hard to say at this point.
But my point with Kemp was that for simply the results of 2011 and what we need right now (with what we have to “replace” Jurrjens), this team might be better off with Kemp instead of Jurrjens.
I know each season and pending results and impact are different, so comparing one season to another might be silly, but… look no further than 1993.
We had FANTASTIC pitching and were struggling to score runs and provide protection for Gant and Justice. Enter Fred McGriff and BAM. The results speak for themselves.
Of course, JS didn’t have to trade the ace of the staff to make that move. So the pitching remained as is and a bat was added. Which is why if Wren wants to add a bat without impacting the current rotation, he’ll probably have to trade a prospect instead.
But thankfully we have many options.
Shaun
June 30th, 2011
12:44 pm
One can criticize Fredi all one wants but looks like he’s going to manage in MLB for reasonable number of years. If you feel he shouldn’t be able to do that, get on with the usual drivel about how the so-called baseball people – the GMs and other old fogeys that run MLB don’t understand baseball anywhere as well as you do.
I didn’t always agree with Bobby’s decisions and same is true with Fredi, including the decision to bring in Venters yesterday. But I am pretty sure Fredi understands basics of baseball management enough or he wouldn’t have gotten his current job.
Cricket, lots of GM’s and front office personnel understand baseball better than anyone, including managers, coaches, players and fans. I think there are a lot of teams that wouldn’t hire Fredi Gonzalez to be there manager.
MikeInFl
June 30th, 2011
12:44 pm
Murph, why would Kemp sign a 3 year deal when he’s probably in line for more like 8 years/$150 million?
jeffrey d
June 30th, 2011
12:45 pm
Don’t worry CAB. We’ll all be raving over Adam Jones tomorrow.
jeff
June 30th, 2011
12:45 pm
now i just saw a note on mlb traderumors and just had to say this. If Frank Wren and this Braves ownership even think of trading Jair Jurrjens at the deadline or even after the season or not resigning him. WOW what a huge mistake and Wren should be Fired. hes one of a few pitchers in MLB with 10 wins .. unreall..
DAP
June 30th, 2011
12:46 pm
wren needs to talk the orioles into leaving jj hardy behind when they leave atlanta. hardy is having a great year, and has always been a solid player. bulking up that SS position would really help the offense.
Joshua
June 30th, 2011
12:46 pm
The only way I would trade Jurrjens is if we get Kemp and a legit leadoff guy. The Braves could possibly get the Dodgers to throw Furcal in the trade, which would give us a bit of an upgrade over Alex.
Then again, I kinda doubt this trade would ever happen.
David O'Brien
June 30th, 2011
12:48 pm
I dont see the Dodgers making any deals until ownership is settled. — Afan
Agreed. At least not any huge deals, i.e. Kemp.
Shaun
June 30th, 2011
12:48 pm
By the way, DOB Tweeted this after the game: “#Braves’ Fredi G. said they must do better job managing Venters’ use, that he’ll rest at least a couple of days (sounds like could be a few days)”
That’s for all those who think Venters will be ready Friday because the Braves have an off day today.
K.C. Frenchy
June 30th, 2011
12:49 pm
jeffrey, I’m making 2.5 this year, how much YOU making? Thats what I thought dummy, so stfu you liitle terd, I’m raking & not for the Bravos you hater, get a life you pitiful little wannabe!!!!!!
cabravesfan
June 30th, 2011
12:50 pm
Don’t worry CAB. We’ll all be raving over Adam Jones tomorrow.
Thank god I won’t be around…
The Braves could possibly get the Dodgers to throw Furcal in the trade, which would give us a bit of an upgrade over Alex.
Except that Furcal is still on the DL and Alex is healthy. And why on earth would the dodgers trade BOTH Kemp and Furcal for JJ? They wouldn’t trade Kemp straight up for him…
Carroll Rogers
June 30th, 2011
12:51 pm
This is Buster’s exact wording….
Braves: Their evaluators are checking around for available bats, and the Braves are loaded with young pitching to deal.
Some rival executives have wondered if that pitching depth would allow Atlanta to consider a very bold move with a pitcher whose stock has reached its zenith — Jair Jurrjens, who is 10-3 with a 2.07 ERA and a midseason candidate for the Cy Young Award. If the Braves actually dangled Jurrjens in the market, they could put themselves in position to get an impact offensive position player in return.
Just to reiterate: All the discussion among rival evaluators about Jurrjens is pure speculation.
(So he uses “wondered” and “would allow” and “them to consider” and then reiterates that discussion about Jurrjens is speculation….This would be a total about-face from anything I’ve seen the Braves ever do. He’s been their best pitcher. People may wonder, but it would surprise me if the Braves came close to doing something like this, especially in the middle of the season. Lowe and Hudson have taken some lumps. Hanson has had some shoulder issues. Beachy missed more than a month. Medlen isn’t ready now. Don’t know that Teheran is ready to be handed a job just yet. Minor is your best option and he’s had some ups and downs.)
Soph
June 30th, 2011
12:53 pm
Aw, I don’t think Jeffy likes jeffrey.
DAP
June 30th, 2011
12:53 pm
shaun he’ll rest at least a couple of days
if it turns out to be “a couple of days” then he will be ready friday night. besides, i dont think anyone would argue that venters COULD pitch friday night, even if they decide they wont use him.
i guess all we can hope for is for fredi to hunt for days off for venters for the second half. i think he will do that. it does bother me that it seems to have suddenly dawned on the braves coaches that they might be over using venters, but lets hope that they rectify it from here on out.
MikeInFl
June 30th, 2011
12:53 pm
Lowe and Hudson have taken some lumps. Hanson has had some shoulder issues. Beachy missed more than a month. Medlen isn’t ready now. Don’t know that Teheran is ready to be handed a job just yet. Minor is your best option and he’s had some ups and downs.
Geez, maybe we should package Freeman and Prado for some starting pitching, LOL.
Thanks for the clarification on the rumors, Carroll.
George
June 30th, 2011
12:54 pm
Repost from bottom of last page. this is really me making repost.
see the name stealer is back again working on Lew, so I am outta here so y’ll will know posts from this point on are not from me. Wish we could get rid of this person.
DAP
June 30th, 2011
12:56 pm
george….if you were out of here at the bottom of the last page, how come you are re-posting? im confused.
Murph
June 30th, 2011
12:58 pm
I’m against long contracts, no matter who the player is. I know 3 years with an option wouldn’t get it done for Kemp, but since we’re playing the part of the hypothetical GM I gave the contract offer that I would find acceptable. Since I’m the pretend GM and all.
Uggla’s contract has yet to play out, but I’m not a big fan of it so far.
FW
June 30th, 2011
12:58 pm
Dodgers just called & offered Kemp & Eithier for JJ & Heyward, wtf should I do? Hmmmmmmmmmm……………. I dont know about this one, maybe I will call Bobby & ask him, cause I dont want to screw it up & lose my job!
George
June 30th, 2011
12:58 pm
When you are at the bottom of a page no one reads your posts.
RC
June 30th, 2011
12:58 pm
Looks like the fake Lew post is already gone, and I’m hoping the author of it is too. Nice job on the quick catch to whoever on the AJC side took care of that.
Ease®
June 30th, 2011
1:00 pm
Which is just how we like them.
VaBravesFan
June 30th, 2011
1:00 pm
I dont see a problem with dangling Jurrjens out there and seeing the kind of offers we get. A team may love him and offer something we cant refuse. But he’ll stay put. If we do make a trade Mike Minor will most likely be involved.
jeff
June 30th, 2011
1:00 pm
My name is Frenchy and I play for the bad Kansas City Royals oh wait the last place K.C Royals… and I still hit like a girl….
Shaun
June 30th, 2011
1:01 pm
I think the best player the Braves might get is someone like Michael Bourn, simply because they could probably get him without giving up any of their top young pitchers. The Astros could just be looking to sell to get something while Bourn’s value is at it’s probable highest. Bourn is under contract through next season, so the remaining number of years on his contract are just enough to be appealing, at this age. They can just let him walk at the appropriate time.
RC
June 30th, 2011
1:01 pm
Would be very, very out of character for the Braves to trade JJ during the season. However, if his charmed season continues, I would not be suprised at all to see him dealt in the upcoming offseason.
No matter what happens, he’s been a steal for the Braves who got him for one-year of a $7 million Edgar Renteria. Yikes.
jeffrey d
June 30th, 2011
1:02 pm
Ha! Sorry to upset you Frenchy.
VaBravesFan
June 30th, 2011
1:03 pm
Yeah Mike Cameron, Franklin and other known names have been DFA’d but for the league min I dont see a problem giving them a shot. If the Braves fell any of these types could help or be a slight upgrade they might kick the tires.
N8
June 30th, 2011
1:03 pm
“WOW what a huge mistake and Wren should be Fired. hes one of a few pitchers in MLB with 10 wins .. unreall..” Jeff
So if Wren trades JJJ and the player coming the other way helps the Braves win the WS, would you then cast your vote for exectutive of the year for Wren? Just curious.
Not saying it’s a lock to happen that way.
The Braves have a team ERA of 3.07 as is.
If you take out JJJ’s stats, the ERA is 3.21.
Now, I realize that if you replace JJJ’s stats with a pro-rated version of what Minor, Delgado and Teheran have provided (the likely replacements), that 3.21 ERA might climb a bit. But it’s not like we’d all of the sudden fall of the face of the ERA world with those guys stepping in.
At some point the impact on a putrid offense of another big piece EVERY day would counter the loss of Jurrjens to the rotation.
All five spots of our rotation have struggled in receiving run support. I’d take our chances with a rocking offense and one “weaker” spot in the rotation, than going with what we’ve got and “hoping” that the offense gets healthy.
I think we win the wild card either way. The rest of the pitching staff is that good. With or without JJJ.
Take Lowe for example. He’s made 18 starts, 4.16 ERA, he is 4-6 in his starts and the team is 10-8 in his starts.
He’s certainly pitched good enough for the team to be 12-6 in those starts (as are the other starters), with any run support whatsoever.
Everybody keeps talking about how “good” we’ll be when Uggla and Heyward start hitting. Wouldn’t adding another big bat to the lineup instantly solve some of that problem? THEN if Heyward and Uggla start hitting too, all the better.
So many ways Wren could go. But ultimately, it’s a testament to our pitching that we’re on pace with last year’s squad with the black hole that our offense has been.
I also expect a monster 2nd half from Freeman. He’s done that every step of the way in his minor league career and is on pace to do just that this year. That will make a difference too.
Either way, this conversation is much more fun and relaxed knowing that we’re leading the WC race by 3 games and still wondering how to “fix” things and make our team better, rather than speculating on what Wren needs to do to save the season and catch the WC leader.
Either way, I think we’ll be fine and make the playoffs if no other major injuries derail this team. But I still think we’re a tad short of what we need to win in October.
Murph
June 30th, 2011
1:04 pm
I think Minor would be excellent trade bait if packaged with another player like Delgado or Vizcaino.
Again, playing the pretend GM, Minor is the guy that doesn’t seem to fit with the Braves’ long term plans. I don’t see him as being anything other than a 4th or 5th starter for the Braves, although he could be a top 3 guy in other rotations.
jeffrey d
June 30th, 2011
1:05 pm
And after I stuck up for you when everyone else hated you too. tsk
Whoop
June 30th, 2011
1:05 pm
“However, if his charmed season continues, I would not be suprised at all to see him dealt in the upcoming offseason.”
If it does continue, I think it’s far more likely that the Braves lock him up for a few more years.
RC
June 30th, 2011
1:06 pm
I agree that the most likely trade candidate for the Braves is Bourn, and I think the best factor in whether or not they make that move is how the team feels Jordan Schafer is adapting to the majors. If they really think that Jordan has figured it out, then there is very little reason they would give up valuable prospects for a marginal (in their view) upgrade to Bourn. However, if the organization thinks that Schafer doesn’t have what it takes to be the leadoff man for a WS contender (this year, not that he couldn’t develop it), then I would not be suprised to see a player like Minor or Delgado sent to Houston to bring in Bourn, with maybe a lessor prospect coming to Atlanta in the deal as well (or Jeff Keppinger, who would be a perfect 25th man for the Braves).
The Lemmer
June 30th, 2011
1:06 pm
I knew this was coming BEFORE the season started & hoped JJ would have a big 1st half for this exact reason, Lowe is the only other starter we would trade but he has not had a good 1st half & no one wants his salary, If we can get a impact player to a long term deal, do it & give them McOut also as a early Xmas present!
TexasBrave
June 30th, 2011
1:06 pm
VaBravesFan the Braves will not trade Minor because he is the only lefty near ready in their system and they would love to have a lefty in the rotation in the coming years. If a trade does occur it will most likely involve Beachy or Medlin. Although for the record I am against trading either one.
Patrick
June 30th, 2011
1:08 pm
I don’t see the Braves trading JJ.
I’d would however, trade Minor in a package to get Pence. Pence would be my ideal pick to get at the deadline.
VaBravesFan
June 30th, 2011
1:08 pm
RC
I think Jurrjens and Lowe will be rumored to trades during the offseason. If the Braves dont trade any pitching during the season, someone will be dealt. There not gonna keep Mike Minor in AAA again and go with this same rotation in 2012. Teheran will most likely be ready by mid 2012 to contribute alot. I believe Teheran and Minor are replacements eventually. I really hope we could trade Lowe in the offseason. Will have to eat around 3-5 mil of his contract maybe