Hanson takes big step; Gonzalez misses entire series
ST. LOUIS — The last time Tommy Hanson tested his troublesome shoulder with throws on the mound, he lasted nine pitches before shutting it down because of pain.
Three weeks later, Hanson threw 20 pitches without incident Sunday, a significant step to what he and the Braves hope will be a return to the rotation before the season ends.
“I was nervous,” he said. “I didn’t know how it was going to go. It went really well. I’m happy with the way it went. I think from the last time I did this, I made a lot of improvement and am feeling a little bit better.”
Hanson has been on the disabled list since Aug. 7 with what was originally diagnosed as tendinitis and later as a small tear on the undersurface of his rotator cuff. Assuming the slumping Braves hold on to win a wild-card postseason berth, his presence – if healthy — would improve their chances of making it past the first round of the playoffs.
Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said Hanson would probably throw another bullpen session, perhaps Tuesday, then go to the team’s Instructional League in Florida to face some hitters. Barring setbacks, he could return to the rotation before the season ends.
“I think we almost have to [get him a regular-season start] for his and our sakes,” Gonzalez said. “You don’t want him starting one of those [playoff] games in his first game back.”
A. Gonzalez misses series
After initially saying Alex Gonzalez would miss the first two games of the weekend series at St. Louis, manager Fredi Gonzalez decided to rest the shortstop for the entire series. The veteran has a chronic back problem that flared up during the trip.
Jack Wilson played shortstop the entire series, going 3-for-12 and playing solid defense.
“Just giving Gonzo a breather,” said Fredi Gonzalez, who planned to have Gonzalez back in the lineup Monday against Florida. “He’s still a little sore. He’s progressed. Give him a breather and I think he should be good to go the next series.”
Chipper passes Yaz
Chipper Jones‘ homer Sunday was his 453rd, moving the 39-year-old Braves third baseman past Carl Yastrzemski into sole possession of 33rd place on the career list. Next on the list is Jose Canseco, with 462.
Jones has hit .361 with eight home runs and 17 RBIs in his past 28 games.
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
106 comments Add your comment
cow tipper
September 11th, 2011
6:44 pm
freefalling
Who Me?
September 11th, 2011
6:46 pm
Keep giving AG a breather Freddi, i’ll take 3 for 12 versus 0 for 12 all day long…
Who Me?
September 11th, 2011
6:46 pm
DOB’s on a roll ya’ll, the mans bloggin’ out of his mind tonight….
Braves R A Joke
September 11th, 2011
6:53 pm
The Braves can forget about the playoffs, and the announcers should shut their damn mouths about the playoffs. This choke artist of a team already has threw away their chance. They can never win a must win game much less a must win series. I am sick of this team missing away everything. I could give a crap less what they do the rest of the way, its now on to football for me. They had their chance and let down their fan base down, now they deserve backlash and I hope that their attendance looks more like a Marlins game from this point on.
Greg
September 11th, 2011
6:59 pm
When is the last time the Braves beat a good team? Get Constanza back in the lineup.
John A
September 11th, 2011
7:12 pm
WhoMe? I second the motion!!!! AGON should rest his back for the remainder of the season. By sitting on the bench he won’t be hitting into doubleplays!!!!
Braves20
September 11th, 2011
7:12 pm
Rough patch – yes. Miss the playoffs? – This ain’t the ‘64 Phillies. And the Jack Wilson pick-up is looking better every day.
dogman
September 11th, 2011
7:13 pm
I think the braves just showed us how they would fare in the playoffs and I would rather see just not win the wild card than get swept again. They are no match for the Phillies if it came to that. Getting swept by the Phillies and then by the Cardinals was the last straw. If they make the wild card and I doubt they will they will not last past the first round. If they did make it to the NLCS to play the Phillies who will be there they wouldn’t have a chance. I for one hope neither the Phillies or the Yankees make it to the world series because I am sick and tired of these teams with unlimited funds buying up all the good players every year. The only reason the Phillies won’t pursue Fielder or Puhols is because they have Ryan Howard at first. They may even sign Puhols and let him play 3rd base like he has in the past. The braves just don’t have what it takes to go very far in the playoffs if they happen to get there and they are trying their best not to get there. Why isn’t Constanza playing? I agree that Gonzo can continue to sit and let Jack Wilson play.
Weaseal
September 11th, 2011
7:18 pm
Time to put it all out we need a big week …Let’s go Braves!!!!
John A
September 11th, 2011
7:18 pm
You can forget about Constanza playing anymore. He has pissed Fredi and Frank off due to him coming up from the minors and making them look bad. Its too much for FANS to wonder where he has been, and now those same FANS want to know why he isn’t playing. Obviously JHEY has something on those two guys, as well as AGON.
We are now 4 1/2 games up on St Louis with another series against Phillie. Who wants to bet we will win the WC?
dgnickle
September 11th, 2011
7:19 pm
We’ve won two games since Constanza last played. Fredi?
Orange Brave f/k/a Billy Jack's BBQ
September 11th, 2011
7:24 pm
Stick a fork in us. Someone said we were a “lock” for the WC berth about 10 days ago. Did they not check the roster (injuries) and the schedule (phils [2x], cards, etc.)?
I feel like we have quit. Players, management, and fans.
Very demoralizing to play so well up until Sept. for the 3rd year in a row and then seemingly run out of gas.
Just for conversation sake, what is our magic number??
DontStopTheChop
September 11th, 2011
7:31 pm
hahahahahahahaha Constanza isn’t playing because he played to well when he came up and made Frank Wren look bad???? Is that a serious suggestion? I have read a lot of ridiculous comments from people on these blogs but that one might be the best. haha
Doc Holliday
September 11th, 2011
7:36 pm
So thats the news on Tommy, and whats the news on JJ?
John A
September 11th, 2011
7:43 pm
DontStopTheChop….have you got a better reason for Constanza not playing? Constanza did something for this lineup that JHEY is unable to do….PUT A CHARGE IN THE OFFENSE.
Braves fan in NY
September 11th, 2011
7:47 pm
Nobody misses alex gonzalez,man
DontStopTheChop
September 11th, 2011
7:47 pm
And he continued to play until his performance declined severely. Now I’m not defending Heyward because hes been awful but we saw how he can carry an offense last year, and I think the feeling in the minds of Fredi and Frank are that the only chance this club has of making a run in the postseason is if Heyward gets hot. And he’s not gonna get hot on the bench.
VinceVanGo
September 11th, 2011
7:50 pm
What’s going on with some of the Braves veterans as far as swinging at the first pitch way too often, especially Chipper. It’s the main reason why their hitting has dropped off again. You’ve got to work the count, make the opposing pitcher work a little, and be patient. Chipper has been the least patient hitter lately. I don’t care that his average has been steadily rising, think of what it might be if he practiced a little more patience like he knows he should and set the example for the rest of the hitters. Do you want to know why Bourn and Freeman have consistenly high averages? Because they are patient and work the count. Even Dan Uggla was more more patient when he was on his hitting streak. The only exception is Jason Heyward. He’s fairly patient, he just can’t hit and try’s to pull everything. If Larry Parrish hasn’t preached patience at the plate by this time of the season, or if the Braves aren’t listening then the slumps are going to continue and maybe take the playoff hopes or chances of advancing past the first round with them.
63 year Braves fan
September 11th, 2011
8:01 pm
Fire F. Gonzalez & Larry Parish. Spend some money and sign free agent Lance Berkman to play
right field. Send Heyward to Gwinnett to start next season. I would to see Chipper quit and money used
to sign some contact hitters who don’t always strike out with a runner on third and less than 2 outs.
ray
September 11th, 2011
8:12 pm
all the Braves had to do was win 1 of 3. that would have left wild card lead at 6 1/2 games. giving away the first one clearly changed the series. if they can’t hnadle this lowe level pressure, what will they do if they make the playoffs?
they have played 3 consecutive bad series (Mets doubleheader not a true series).
they won’t even make it to the Phils even if they sneak into the wild card so that is a non-issue..
when you have a medium level payroll, you can’t waste so much money on Lowe, Mc Louth and KK.
30% of salaries going to waste.
when Hudson gives up 5 in an inning, we are really in trouble with no Jurgens and no Hanson.
when some say Lowe pitched okay (4 runs, 9 hits in 6 IP) that shows how little is expected of him.
Felix
September 11th, 2011
8:15 pm
Playoffs? You mean playoffs?
Felix
September 11th, 2011
8:23 pm
Cut Lowe and send Hudson to the bullpen. Let all the young guns do the starting pitching. What the heck, it can’t get any worse and it will give them great experience. Let Tommy heal up for next year (with a rotator cuff issue, he is probably headed for surgery anyway).
And whatever happened to Nieves?
blue
September 11th, 2011
8:23 pm
chipper needs a rocking chair.
iTiSi
September 11th, 2011
8:32 pm
It’s not “Playoffs?” Playoffs?” anymore, it’s “Wildcard?” “Wildcard?” ” ARE YOU KIDDING ME?” Braves last 6 games are Nationals and Phillies. Cardinals last 6 are Cubs and Astros? Anybody who can’t see where this is going, is dumb, blind, and crazy!!!! (Sarcasm Alert) I nominate FG for Manager of the Year!!
TIRED OF MEDIOCRITY
September 11th, 2011
8:34 pm
I am just disgusted with the Braves and Falcons.Can you play any worse than these two teams did this weekend? I agree with some of the other people who said just start the younger pitchers instead of the veterans and play Costanza over Heyward please.As far as the Falcons I think I would be checking the waiver wire for secondary help because here comes Vick and the Eagles and it ain’t gonna get any easier.
Rick James
September 11th, 2011
8:53 pm
The Braves are done for the year just like the Falcons and the Hawks, if the Hawks play this year. It is hard being a die-hard Atlanta Sports fan in Philadelphia territory via South Jersey. I hate to face my co-workers tomorrow who are die-hard Philadelphia fans. I don’t have anything to brag about with them. I most definitely hate to see next Sunday night when the eagles put a butt kicking on the Falcons. Mr. Blank should fire some key members on the Staff and put Smitty on notice. Last but not least, we need a Billionaire to buy the Braves so we can compete against the Phillies and win another WC. I miss Ted Turner.
mexican-brave
September 11th, 2011
8:56 pm
DOB, please ask Fredi G. why did he stop playing Constanza on an everyday basis…Georgie can give a boost to the offense batting 2nd (and dropping wilson/gonzo to the 8th spot). J-Hey needs to be out of the starting lineup for the rest of the year.
JJ
September 11th, 2011
9:11 pm
I can’t help but laugh at some of these posts on this blog.Just when things get a little dicey,they start quacking in their bowels and getting scared The Braves are about to make them unhappy by giving up the wildcard.I,for one still trust The Bravoes and I hope Freddi don’t panic and start making too many changes and stick with the guys that got them here and start managing Chipper and not let Chipper manage him.Leave Prado,Heyward and Wilson in the line-up everyday and tell Chip he has to play everyday so these guys can find their comfort zone.I believe the Young Guns will bring us home because Huddy and Lowe need a break.We are home and Mac,Freeman,Uggla,Prado,Chipper,and Heyward will join our lead off hitter and we are fixing to roll.The back-end of the pen will be fine and Moylan and the new additions,minus Linebrink will see us through.GO BRAVES
Rick James
September 11th, 2011
9:28 pm
JJ, we can read the handwriting on the wall and it says “Stick a fork in the Braves, they are done”. The collapse of the Braves started when phillies ownership started investing in his team and got a quality manager not like Bobby Cox and Bobby Junior. There is no way the Phillies and the National are going to let the Braves sweep them.
gcs
September 11th, 2011
9:31 pm
“a little dicey”??? In case you have not heard, the Braves haven’t been swept all season and now they have two sweeps in one week. They have lost 10 of their last 15.
Now is the time to play your best baseball.
The next 12 Braves games are against Fla, MYM and WAS.
ATL needs to stop worrying about Philly and start worrying about St Louis.
.
Who Me?
September 11th, 2011
9:32 pm
Mmm – mmmmm. Too early to write ‘em off but the horses are saddled. My question is, how is this team going to react down the stretch? We are so on the bubble the bubble is on us. 4.5 games up in the WC is nothing with 2 weeks left. it’s the hot team headed into the post-season that usually makes the run, and right now we look out of gas. I know DLowe is a playoff stud in the last 2 years but right now, neither he or Linebrink make the post-season rotation, should we get there.
Ken Stallings
September 11th, 2011
9:34 pm
Dave,
Don’t you think the biggest story of the game was the Braves walking in with a 7.5 game lead in the NL Wildcard and walking out with a 4.5 game lead!
Braves had a chance to sew up the wild card and giving players structured time off to prepare for post season. Now, they better scramble and sell their souls fro three series wins in a row or the pressure starts to build like a tidal wave on them.
John in Wichita
September 11th, 2011
9:42 pm
DOB: I made the trip to St. Louis for the first two games… I think the Cards should to the fans a favor and give an expanded scorecard to accomodate all the moves their manager insists on making every single game… not enough room on the basic $2.50 scorecard to record them properly!
George Stein
September 11th, 2011
9:54 pm
Costanza is 9 for his last 45 with two walks.
Orange Brave f/k/a Billy Jack's BBQ
September 11th, 2011
10:04 pm
Would the guy at the end of the table, please pass me the large, stainless steel, fork?
Thank you.
The Abs Man
September 11th, 2011
10:13 pm
Hey Fat Fredi: Meet your gold medal. You’re lack of aggressiveness or creativity station-to-station staid game will surpass Gene Mauch’s 1964 Phillies. The Phold had 6.5-game lead (sound familiar moron Fredi) with 12 to play. Lost 10 in a row.
2007 Mets had 7-game lead Sept. 12 (sound similar Fat Fredi) then lost 12-of-last-17.
Marcel Lachmann’s 1994 Angels ahead of Seattle 11 games in August and blew.
You Fredi are more incompetent than all 3 scenarios combined!!!
panamajack
September 11th, 2011
10:20 pm
I’m not saying that Constanza should be in the lineup everyday but he should have be in there Saturday against the lefty, batting .395 against them compared to Haywards .195
I personaly don’t care if Hanson or JJ come back or not but let me say this about them, MAKE DAMM SURE THEY ARE HEALTHY, don’t take their word “Yeah coach i’m fine put me in”, we all know how that crap goes. Put them up against live hitting and if they can’t locate all their pitches with their normal velosity then forget them. I would rather see the rookies in there anyway.
Sons of Rick Matula
September 11th, 2011
10:31 pm
The reason Alex didn’t play is that the Braves got tired of seeing him pop up in RBI situations.
JJ
September 12th, 2011
12:06 am
The Braves will miss the playoffs this year and the blame needs to go around everywhere on the club. Every September this happens with the Braves. This mentality needs to change but it won’t. St. Louis is playing great ball and is winning games something the Braves forgot how to do.
Changes need to be made next year, Derek Lowe needs to be traded, Chipper Jones needs to retire, if he is such a leader then why is the team falling? Plus should a team leader really be a 40 year old 3B who is way past his prime? Jair needs to be traded and Alex Gonzalez needs to be shown the door, Lance Parrish needs to go as does Scott Linebrink. Martin Prado needs to be traded, he can’t play a full season.
Harsh words but the truth hurts. I am a Braves fan, but I know garbage when I see it and this Braves team is garbage.
Fire Larry Parrish
September 12th, 2011
1:07 am
This team started rolling down the hill when Jose Constanza hurt his ankle in Chicago.
Constanza needs to be the everyday RF for the last 15 games. Heyward is hot garbage.
Dean
September 12th, 2011
1:55 am
What’s to worry? The Phillies are in Atlanta for the last three games of the season. They will be playing their scrubs. It will be just an exhibition game scenario for them.
Younger Than That Now
September 12th, 2011
3:30 am
Chipper has hit .361, with 8 HR’s & 17 RBI’s in his last 28 games and all you self appointed managers can talk about is finding him a “rocking chair” and retiring him. He’s helping carry this team and providing what little bit of offense that’s been had lately!! You people see his age and assume that he’s washed up and had it… like it or not, he’s consistently earned his keep thru the years. I’ve said this before and you’ll likely hear it again after today… Chipper has earned the right to decide when he wants to retire… he doesn’t need any help making that call. You can bet when he can’t pull his part of the load, he’ll head out and hold his head high and I’ll be there cheering loud and proud for him!
Stinger2
September 12th, 2011
5:05 am
The question to all MLB fans is which team (the Braves or the Red Sox) will completely self destruct first.
The Sox are trying to beat the Braves by letting Tampa Bay cut their WC lead to only 3.5 games. However, the braves are running a close race down to only 4.5 games.
This may turn out to be the most un-exciting race to
get a WC berth. Stay tuned.
Braves want Hanson back by season’s end | sportslocalnews.com
September 12th, 2011
6:07 am
[...] to the paper, and then face batters with Atlanta’s Instructional League team in Florida and could return to the Braves by season’s end. The Braves still lead the National League wild-card race by 4½ games over the St. Louis Cardinals [...]
reason
September 12th, 2011
6:23 am
There is one announcer ex-player that makes excuses for all the bad games the Braves have had.
Ex-players, won’t stop talking long enough for their brain to catch-up, with their mouth.
Don’t care what the batting is thinking, maybe he thinking about striking out, so he can go the toilet.
The Braves players, in simple term don’t have what it takes to be winners.
If Fredi Gonzalez let the play-off get away he’ll never stop hearing about it.
He just doesn’t have control of team, it seems as if the players have no respect for him, or
ready care about the play-off.
reason
September 12th, 2011
6:45 am
About Chipper Jones, one player doesn’t make a team, it support to complete a team,
lets, not put the full load on old Chip, he’s old and worn-down, and he is about the best the Braves have.
McCann, is not helping a bit, can’t throw runners out, nor get a hit when it courts.
For right now old Chipper should be an thought, comparing with what the rest of the team is doing.
Braves want Hanson back by season’s end | yoursportsinfo.com
September 12th, 2011
7:03 am
[...] to the paper, and then face batters with Atlanta’s Instructional League team in Florida and could return to the Braves by season’s end. The Braves still lead the National League wild-card race by 4½ games over the St. Louis Cardinals [...]
klmbbfan
September 12th, 2011
7:20 am
It is about offensive out put. So damn tired of runners on 2nd and 3rd wiht less than two outs and getting no runs. This is the most selfish hitting team in the history of baseball please hit it to the right sied somebody instead two straight strike outs. God forebid we get to the bottom of the order with runners on might as well be three pitchers in a row batting. we have the most pathetic 7, 8, 9 hitters in all of baseball. 3 runs will not win when the league ERA is over 4.0 do the math Wren Even Hinske taking a strike three call with runners in scoring position was the last straw for me-they call these idiots professionals-ha.
Braves want Hanson back by season’s end | blacxbox.com
September 12th, 2011
7:40 am
[...] to the paper, and then face batters with Atlanta’s Instructional League team in Florida and could return to the Braves by season’s end. The Braves still lead the National League wild-card race by 4½ games over the St. Louis Cardinals [...]
Noholdsbarred
September 12th, 2011
7:40 am
There seems to be a little dissension among the team’s core . . . maybe fed up with the “tipping of the hat” manager’s lineups????? The next bad thing he does is failure to use bullpen properly. JV is a victim of FG. JJ and TH can’t pitch a whole season–time to unload and reload with rookies.
Tom G
September 12th, 2011
7:47 am
Seriously, Hanson and Jurrejens back will not help! They will be just like Moylan(after injury or DL) not effective in that short period of time. They probably need a month or so to get back in playing shape. We are screwed!!!!!!!!!!!! Until next season!!!!!!!
NickGranite
September 12th, 2011
7:47 am
I guess the idiots missed this part of DOB’s blog:
“Jones has hit .361 with eight home runs and 17 RBIs in his past 28 games.”
The guy can still hit and we are missing 40% of our starting rotation, our two aces the first half of the season. Take the Phillies or anyone else’s top two and they have problems too. We’re getting into the playoffs and if at least one of our two aces get back, we’re going to make noise. Lots of it.
Bro
September 12th, 2011
7:54 am
I mentioned in a previous to one of the AJC reporters not to count your wild card berths before obtained. Rember the Phillies in the 60s. Lost a six game lead for the pennant with about 7 or 8 to play. The fat lady has not even taken the stage much less started to sing. CHOKE CHOKE CHOKE.
jt
September 12th, 2011
8:41 am
No Comment, this is just horrible for the fan base. And they wonder why Atl fans are so “wishy washy” think it is time to blame the Team, not the fan base.
milford snow
September 12th, 2011
8:50 am
WHERE is Constanza? Get him in the line-up.
Ted Abernathy
September 12th, 2011
9:02 am
Keep AG on the bench, we like Wilson much better. Braves are out of pitchers, anyone left so they don’t have to call me back up?
Maybe we can trade McLouth for Ankiel and let him pitch.
Arkansas Transplant
September 12th, 2011
9:09 am
What a great offense we have.
UGAFAN13
September 12th, 2011
9:22 am
True enough that we are going through a rough sprut however; the playoffs are about getting hot at the right tiem. Especially during the division playoffs. All we need is for the young guns to continue what they are doing and the offense to score a couple of more runs. It is doable but the time to do it is fading fast.
bvillebaron
September 12th, 2011
9:27 am
I sure am glad that none of you panicking fair weather fans play on the team in which case all your dire predictions would certainly come true. I also must have missed when Constanza suddenly became the second coming of Rickey Henderson.
coachx
September 12th, 2011
9:27 am
Glad to see Chipper healthy and hitting well at 39. Even his defense is back. He was covering shallow bunts like he was 29.
dap
September 12th, 2011
9:38 am
Rest Chipper every 3 days and he will stay fresh and VERY productive.
Navigator
September 12th, 2011
9:57 am
Gonzales should stay on the bench the rest of the season, as he won’t be here next year (saving a trade being possible). Chipper’s situation has hurt two positions this season, third and left field. Having constantly switching the left fielder to third has destroyed his hitting (too much effort trying to convert position, always affecting the hitting). Why not get a full time third baseman in the off season and left Chipper pinch hit and spell the third baseman, keeping Chipper out of the injury bug and probably making his numbers much like this year. After next year send him on his way.
Joey
September 12th, 2011
10:00 am
If they’re gonna choke, may as well be now.
How can a team have so many players who cannot hit with RISP?
Braves want Hanson back by season’s end | sportsinfoworld.com
September 12th, 2011
10:05 am
[...] to the paper, and then face batters with Atlanta’s Instructional League team in Florida and could return to the Braves by season’s end. The Braves still lead the National League wild-card race by 4½ games over the St. Louis Cardinals [...]
Doug
September 12th, 2011
10:05 am
I sure hope we find a shortstop before the start of next year. D.P. Gonzalez has been an overall disaster. Escobar and his ‘tude don’t look so bad now. We are seeing this team seek its level at the end of an agonizingly long season. Their current record is way too good for the kind of painfully poor baseball they have played this year. I hope we can start to shed wasteful salaries and over-the-hill players and make real strides towards putting promising young players on the field every day. This act is getting individually and collectively old.
John A.
September 12th, 2011
10:07 am
It’s laughable to think AGON missed this past series. DOB Agon has missed this whole season!!!! He has more than his share or errors, and definitely more than his share of hitting into double plays. A TRUE VALUE don’t you think? Come on Dave start giving us the true facts instead of all this mouthwash that has a bad flavor. We as fans are not a stupid as you pretend we are. Are you on the Braves Management Payroll?
John A.
September 12th, 2011
10:13 am
For all of you Frank fans….he is their.have you ever looked at his trades and what they have done to the Braves? Take the trade to Texas for Tex, Frank gave up Feliz, Andrus, Harrison, and Salty. Feliz is their closer, Andrus is their SS, Harrison is one of their SP, and they traded Salty to Boston where he is their everyday catcher. Great deal for a rental don’t you think?
Cobby Box
September 12th, 2011
10:27 am
Well, it should be another horrible week for sports fans in Atlanta, and then the Eagles get here!
Orange Brave f/k/a Billy Jack's BBQ
September 12th, 2011
10:30 am
John A, with all due respect, that was a Shurholtz deal, not Frank Wren.
Well, tonight is another game. Hopefully our bats can find some balls and Beachy can nip at the corners. Each win is crucial, each loss not so much so long as St. Louis has a loss……
Jim Mora
September 12th, 2011
10:33 am
PLAYOFFS? You’re talkin’ PLAYOFFS? I just want to win a game!
jek
September 12th, 2011
10:43 am
$$$$$ Phillies, Yankees, Red Sox– Money is the difference between these teams and all the rest. This has been the worst year I have seen for competitive balance in baseball. Only a handfull of teams are significantly over .500. The Braves are in the pack that generally suck and the players know it. Until Liberty is replaced by an owner ready to spend, or until there are some meaningful salary controlls in MLB the Braves are irrelavent.
phil
September 12th, 2011
10:46 am
I said it two weeks ago….again.
The WC lead wasn’t safe.
Whadda ya think now? Still a sure thing?
A team that can’t hit with any consistency that then sees its starting pitching almost completely implode, combined with an inevitable bullpen fade, isn’t exactly well positioned for the playoffs.
St. Louis swept us with Gonzo on the bench. Guess his sorry bat isn’t the full reason, eh?
I don’t know what to say or think. We might pull it together, make the playoffs and advance a few rounds. We might not make it at all and won’t if things don’t turn around immediately. We might limp on in and lose in 4 or 5 games.
With this team, there’s just no way to tell. Inconsistent should be emblazoned on every jersey.
phil
September 12th, 2011
10:48 am
And don’t get me started on the Falcons. Green Bay exposed us for what we really are.
Philly wins 45-15 Sunday night. Any margin under 30 will be a blessing…
So frustrating having the teams we have that so rarely get it done…
varoadrunner
September 12th, 2011
10:53 am
WOW – C’mon people. This is baseball! It’s not Fredi’s fault and I saw where many want his head on a platter. This makes it exciting. Except for being able to rest certain players more if you clinch early, this is becoming very exciting. Let’s root the Braves on to the Wild Card. Someone pointed out that we have to play the Phillies but didn’t mention that St Louis has a four game set with the Phillies themselves, in Philly. When, and I’ll give the naysayers a “If/When” the Braves make the playoffs, the question will be – who to pitch. Hudson, ………… – then who? I think Beachy has earned a nod and maybe even Minor, but I find it hard to find a playoff spot for Lowe. Unless he comes up big in his last 3 or 4 starts, he sits.
phil
September 12th, 2011
11:07 am
Losing is exciting stuff….let’s make it really close so we can have a few more “off nights” and end up at home in round one….great idea.
varoadrunner
September 12th, 2011
11:56 am
@Phil
That’s the attitude that loses games. You can look at it as if they are doomed or that it is exciting to see if they are going to win. Phil, wallow in your self pity and just don’t watch anymore. We’ll let you know in the blog how it turns out. It should be
varoadrunner
September 12th, 2011
11:57 am
(OOPS) It should be exciting!
PhillyGuy
September 12th, 2011
12:06 pm
Can the Braves please win at least 1 game this series. I have season tickets to the Phils and if the Phillies sweep the Astros on the road this week and the braves get swept the Phillies will clinch the division on the road. So please Braves win at least 1 so I can see the Phillies clinch. THanks
varoadrunner
September 12th, 2011
12:06 pm
Clearly, Phil had a bad day yesterday. Let’s ROOT for the Braves to beat the Marlins and dig themselves out of this funk. BTW Phil, funk is a baseball term – meaning can’t get it right, RIGHT NOW. But they can easily get back into the winning mode. Let’s see, the next 12 games are against the Marlins, Mets (at home) and the Mets and Nationals on the road. Then we finish the regular season against the Phillies at home after they have clinched and potentially resting many players. Phil, what is our “magic number” right now? Do you know? or do you spend your time bashing the Braves?
varoadrunner
September 12th, 2011
12:08 pm
Over and OUT!
kreedham
September 12th, 2011
12:29 pm
I may have figured it wrong but I’ve got the # at 12 to clinch the wildcard
DawgDad
September 12th, 2011
12:30 pm
Well, those lackluster remaining home games I picked up tickets for at the discount window are starting to look a lot more exciting. Cool bobbleheads, too!
Yes, the starting pitching has imploded, but the offense is nosediving at the same time. It seems obvious McCann shouldn’t be hitting third, he’s slow, tired, and not hitting a lick. Prado and Uggla have cooled, and the lineup is once again susceptible to left-handed pitching. If Prado and Uggla don’t heat up this team may not make the playoffs.
Brave New World
September 12th, 2011
12:54 pm
John A. September 12th, 2011 10:13 am
For all of you Frank fans….he is their.have you ever looked at his trades and what they have done to the Braves? Take the trade to Texas for Tex, Frank gave up Feliz, Andrus, Harrison, and Salty. Feliz is their closer, Andrus is their SS, Harrison is one of their SP, and they traded Salty to Boston where he is their everyday catcher. Great deal for a rental don’t you think?
Bluto: Hey! What’s all this laying around stuff? Why are you all still laying around here for?
Stork: What the hell are we supposed to do, ya moron? We’re all expelled. There’s nothing to fight for anymore.
D-Day: [to Bluto] Let it go. War’s over, man. Wormer dropped the big one.
Bluto: What? Over? Did you say “over”? Nothing is over until we decide it is! Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor? Hell no!
Otter: [to Boon] Germans?
Boon: Forget it, he’s rolling.
The Truth....
September 12th, 2011
12:55 pm
Whatever! We knew we didn’t have enought when the season started…And Management didn’t address this issues….So ENJOY being average!
Brave New World
September 12th, 2011
1:02 pm
We have been without our two top starters, JJ and Hanson, and yet we still hold the wild card (yes, hard as it is for many to remember, we are still 4 1/2 games up with 15 to play). If Philly was without Halladay and Lee, they’d still be a good team, but would they be steamrolling through the second half? If you are a Braves fan, now’s the time to pull for your team down the stretch. If you just like saying negative things, it’s “always your time” on this or any blog. GO BRAVES!
Brave New World
September 12th, 2011
1:04 pm
The Truth…. September 12th, 2011 12:55 pm
Whatever! We knew we didn’t have enought when the season started…And Management didn’t address this issues….So ENJOY being average!
Easy for you to say. Something tells me the word “exceptional” has been tossed your way throughout most of your life.
AFAN
September 12th, 2011
1:06 pm
Oh no! Chipper dont hit anymore homers cause if you start to pass Jose Canseco then he will tell the world of your troublesome steroid history and how this is the reason for all of your injuries…
Dr. Phil
September 12th, 2011
1:12 pm
I think that the Braves will win the wildcard, but I won’t be following each game. It is just too painful. I hope that Chipper catches the dope fiend, Canseco in homeruns this season.
braveareno
September 12th, 2011
1:13 pm
liked Freeman in the 3 hole and constanza 8th a while back. Seemed to be working good.
phil
September 12th, 2011
1:22 pm
varoadrunner
September 12th, 2011
11:56 am
@Phil
That’s the attitude that loses games. You can look at it as if they are doomed or that it is exciting to see if they are going to win. Phil, wallow in your self pity and just don’t watch anymore. We’ll let you know in the blog how it turns out. It should be
***********************
Who the heck are you anyway, sport? Self-pity? You don’t know me too well, you doof.
Save your advice for someone else.
Dr. Phil
September 12th, 2011
1:27 pm
I think that the Braves will win the wildcard, but I won’t be following each game. It is just too painful.
phil
September 12th, 2011
1:27 pm
varoadrunner
September 12th, 2011
12:06 pm
Clearly, Phil had a bad day yesterday. Let’s ROOT for the Braves to beat the Marlins and dig themselves out of this funk. BTW Phil, funk is a baseball term – meaning can’t get it right, RIGHT NOW. But they can easily get back into the winning mode. Let’s see, the next 12 games are against the Marlins, Mets (at home) and the Mets and Nationals on the road. Then we finish the regular season against the Phillies at home after they have clinched and potentially resting many players. Phil, what is our “magic number” right now? Do you know? or do you spend your time bashing the Braves?
*******************************
Well, I see you’ve singled me out today to test the control tactics that don’t work on your wife/husband/boyfriend….
Bashing the Braves? I’ve never seen you before here, ahole, and it’s obvious you don’t know thing one about me, my personality, etc. I’m as big a fan of the team as you’ve ever been. I just don’t get all excited over getting our asses beaten 8 out of 11. Frankly, I consider people that enjoy losing for the sake of the excitement it creates to be out of their minds…
Let me suggest you stick it in your ear and go find some other blogger to mess with.
willie g hates liberty media
September 12th, 2011
1:28 pm
i told you all last week the braves would get swept by phillies and stlouis and monday would be 4 AND 1/2 UP i was right as long as the idiots that own the braves liberty media this team will never win a division or the playoffs
willie g hates liberty media
September 12th, 2011
1:33 pm
the braves sux, put chipeer in the ferm farm that his parents own , this team will go down as the BIGGEST CHOKERS OF ALL TIME BESIDES THE HOUSTON OILERS AND BUFFALO BILLS this team is a joke i cant wait i hope they do make it so i acn buy more land and a house or to because the phillies will sweep the braves in the ncls but they can split with milwaukee.
willie g hates liberty media
September 12th, 2011
1:35 pm
well between milwaukee and arizona the braves match up but philly it will be embarrasing .
willie g hates liberty media
September 12th, 2011
1:35 pm
MARK CUBAN COME AND BUY THE BRAVES OR ARTHUR BLANK,., SOMEONE WITH MONEY
alex
September 12th, 2011
1:53 pm
@phil, your sounding like lobo…..just a blog, no fisticuffs
Philly Phanatic
September 12th, 2011
2:00 pm
I’m not going to kick a man when he’s down but I will say the main reason I like peaking occasioanlly at this blog only to piss people off but this message is positive. After they sweep the Marlins just do me one favor. Don’t start talking about how good you are and the Phillies are in trouble if you play us. Read how subdued and pessimistic you are at this very minute and do yourselves a favor and don’t start ranting after a few wins. It is very unlikely St. Louis will catch you. On the other hand I firmly believe the Red Sox Nation (isn’t that nauseating?) may choke it up. You guys are in and you’re also just like me because I’d be nervous too but for no reason. I like whoever wrote tell Gonzalez to manage and not the other way around as his arrogance is so unwarranted. Phils have no arrogance and have reason to whereas Jones does and has no reason to. He’s starting to remind me of Favre
Brave New World
September 12th, 2011
2:32 pm
Philly Phanatic September 12th, 2011 2:00 pm
Philly Phanatic: After reading your blog, I felt like Clint Eastwood’s character “Walt” in Gran Torino when he went next door to his neighbor’s party: “I’ve got more in common with this Philly fan than I do my own Braves fans.”
No body misses J Hey!!!!!
September 12th, 2011
2:53 pm
He has done nothing all year…..nobody misses J Hey – it would be fine with me if he did not even show up at Spring Training the way he is now…….GO BACK TO THE MINORS, HEYWARD!!!!!!!!!!!!