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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
538 comments Add your comment
LuisG
September 29th, 2011
2:20 am
Thanks DOB!
Tyler
September 29th, 2011
2:21 am
140 days until pitchers and catchers report! Proud of these guys tonight thought, they gave it everything they had
Freefall: Over
September 29th, 2011
2:27 am
wow
what a waste of a season
Freefall: Over
September 29th, 2011
2:33 am
who didnt think it was over when linesh*t came on to pitch?
battling battler
September 29th, 2011
2:34 am
when you finish the season with five losses-are you really ‘battling’?
ohhhYEAH
September 29th, 2011
2:34 am
even in the interview, jsut seems not to really care if they won or lost(Gonzalez)
Joe Maddon
September 29th, 2011
2:37 am
Onward and upward for my guys… RAYS WORLD CHAMPS in 2011!!!!!!!!!
Freefall: Over
September 29th, 2011
2:37 am
keep prado away from excessive training
do not play him in every single ST game again like this season..
he tired himself out.. & the staph infection didnt help much either
LuisG
September 29th, 2011
2:37 am
I believe it was a 2-8 record over the final 10 games of the season, including with those five straight Ls.
shmoe
September 29th, 2011
2:37 am
Release Lowe. Replace Parrish. Replace Gonzalez. Get a new impact LF, make Prado utility and get a stud starting pitcher. That is all.
J-Man
September 29th, 2011
2:40 am
Someone must pay for this collapse, Fredi must go. Enough of this Tip of the Hat crap. Your guys had sense of urgency and all you can do is tip your cap. Maybe it was the fact that you didnt go out and beat those teams that made you tip your cap. This makes me sick almost as bad as 96. I have supported this team throughout the years but I can’t if there is nothing done. This team needed another leader but all it got was a hit tipper. My solution is to make a drastic I say package Prado, Jurrjens and Vizcaino for either Matt Kemp, Curtis Granderson, or Adam Jones. Derek Lowe had NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO BUSINESS pitching on Tuesday’s game but Fredi kept rolling him out only to gt lit up……….D Lowe ITS OVER I understand you wont retire because theres 15 million reasons you wont but you have to give better effort than you did this year. Put him in Double A like you did Kawakami or move him to a reliever role because maybe he can still be decent there. Larry Parrish and Pendleton must go also because this team need a new and fresh face and to truly move on from the Bobby Cox Era and all we got is his unwanted children.
J-Man
September 29th, 2011
2:42 am
There is nothing comforting in this loss
jebrett
September 29th, 2011
2:43 am
Everyone compares to FG to Bobby, but if you read his comments, it sounds like he could care less, Bobby was never like that. I dont care what anyone says,the leadership on this team is bad. Chipper is a team leader as a player,so he can only do so much, but the management controls how the team flows. Poor Management!
Joe
September 29th, 2011
2:44 am
Going to be a long 140 days, but I am looking forward to it.
Just for info, but Evan Longoria (Tampa Bay) hit his wild card clinching home run off, are you ready for this??? Scott Proctor. Pretty appropriate considering how this season ended and went for the Braves.
Josh
September 29th, 2011
2:45 am
still a Braves fan and always will be. Thanks DOB
Matt the Brave
September 29th, 2011
2:45 am
While there is nothing comforting in this loss, I guess we will separate the wheat from the chaff in terms of Braves staff and players. About time that part of this team gets overhauled.
Oh yeah, and GO BRAVES!
rc35
September 29th, 2011
2:46 am
It’s reassuring to hear that some of the players really cared at the end. Given the “cap-tipping” and “long season” and “bloop here and there” recurring quotes, it’s easy to fill in the blanks and assume that they didn’t give a hoot. I appreciate the effort of every player who gave it what he had, no matter the result.
As Spider-Man’s,line goes, “With great power comes great responsibility.” The greatest power, and thus the greatest responsibility, lies with the manager. It’s hard to accept that Fredi Gonzalez could take the players he had on September 1, watch them day in and day out at batting practice and in game situations and fail to figure out some lineup combination that couldn’t play better than .333 baseball.
Many episodes of the old cartoon, “The Tick,” closed with the title character asking, “What have we learned today, Arthur?” I sincerely hope that a 9-18 finish has taught Fredi, Frank, Chipper, or one of the faceless corporate suits at Liberty something that will give us a better 2012 season.
Fire Fredi
September 29th, 2011
2:46 am
Fredi Gonzalez and his staff have to go. Way too many games were decided by his ineptitude this year. The front office owes it to the fans and the players to clean house and get some coaches in the clubhouse who know how to field a winning club.
marshall
September 29th, 2011
2:47 am
Thanks DOB — best in the biz.
West Coast Michael
September 29th, 2011
2:48 am
Tough end to your season, Braves fans. You have a tough young team that will be in the playoffs many times in the years ahead.
ohhhYEAH
September 29th, 2011
2:54 am
I say trade JJ back to the tigers for Boesch, we need a TRUE outfielder. Prado, Lord bless him, i love his hard work and attitude, is just not an outfielder, he is an infielder and not an every day one. we needa true outfielder mannign the position
J-Man
September 29th, 2011
2:55 am
We have a young and talented team but we wont make the play-offs anytime soon until we get rid of these Bobby Cox Rejects……….BRING BACK BOBBY. or get somebody with BALLS I mean hell this team played like a bunch of PU$$YS and their generic and redundant post game “HAT-TIPPING” comments show just how incompentant this staff really was. I say other than McDowell, Eddie Perez, and the ballboys they should can all of EM DAMMIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
shawn
September 29th, 2011
2:55 am
DOB thanks for the blog this season, by far the best of all ajc sports blogs!
Tdavis
September 29th, 2011
2:57 am
Maybe we will go get another power hitter now. We couldve really used it over the past month
Hopeful
September 29th, 2011
3:00 am
How many years will it be before we announce Chipper Jones as the Braves manager? …man that would be awesome – a leader with some fire and drive to WIN.
I agree with a lot of these comments in that it seems like losing and having another “oh well, almost” kind of season is chalked up as the norm in the Braves organization. Just once I would like somebody to say in an interview, “THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE and inexcusable!” I just wish the Braves leadership had that attitude and then did something about it. Why can’t we have the mindset of WINNING so we don’t have to keep making excuses? Phillies fans are laughing at us…and all we ever say is, “Oh well, maybe next year…”
After all that ranting, I sure do love my Braves…no matter what.
jonathan Simeone
September 29th, 2011
3:11 am
I cannot believe Pence was pitched to with Martinez on deck. Moving forward this team needs to get a third and a fourth place hitter. With so much money being tied up in Lowe and Chipper I’m not sure how that happens.
fonzischeme
September 29th, 2011
3:11 am
“That’s just the way it goes. Maybe they are, maybe they’re not.” The Braves will never fire Fredie because they see themselves as this “stable” franchise instead of a WINNING franchise. Anyone with half a brain can tell Freddie should go – one blaring reason is that he is the worst tactical manager I have ever seen _ lets pitch to Kemp with a base open – but also his answers in these press conferences reveal him to be not a very bright person. He had a no brainer team and he still lead them to a massive choke. Braves fans are used to the manager making stupid mistakes in the playoff s but this team literally had to beat both their opponents and Freddie’s poor managing.
NEVER underestimate the power of poor manager decisions to demoralize a team.
Why would anyone go see this team next year with Fredie in charge? He’s proven he can’t mange with the big boys. He sure as hell can’t get a team’s attention enough to make them get the most out of their games.
fonzischeme
September 29th, 2011
3:14 am
Anyone think that the fish would have taken Prado in the Uggla deal over Infante? If they would have, put another pin in Wren. I think Prado is afraid of the ball.
fonzischeme
September 29th, 2011
3:20 am
Fire freddie:”Fredi Gonzalez and his staff have to go. Way too many games were decided by his ineptitude this year.”
Way too many. What do you estimate? I would say at least ten games blown just by not knowing what he was doing. I guess we are supposed to wait while he learns how to manage. I don’t think he is very bright. Listen to his answers to questions. “Well it was tough out there. Alex got a couple of hits. Didn’t he get a couple? Hudson had six strikeouts. Didn’t he have six? But I thought Chipper did great. he had a sacrifice. Didn’t he have one sacrifice? Was it one or two? Oh well it was struggle out there.”
fonzischeme
September 29th, 2011
3:20 am
I think Pendleton is a jinx.
Joe Maddon
September 29th, 2011
3:21 am
Wipe away those tears and root for my Rays, damnit!!!!!!!
What kind of idiot pitches to Hunter Pence with a utility guy on deck? SMFH.
bad dawg
September 29th, 2011
3:22 am
Tonight,should never been a factor,you could see this coming for almost a month.Live and get better.
Fire Larry Parrish
September 29th, 2011
3:23 am
How big of a kick in the pants is it that Scott Proctor is going to the playoffs?
hawaiibravefan
September 29th, 2011
3:26 am
ANY QUOTES FROM DEREK LOWE? I mean we could have use maybe 1 or 2 less losses from him. Atlanta did end up being just 1 game short. But i really want to know what Derek Lowe thinks of his season, 9-17 with and era above 5. Oh by the way, he’s getting paid 15 mil a year, the most on this team. TO ALL YOU CHIPPER BASHERS COMPLAINING TO HIM ABOUT RETIRING, YOU GUYS ARE POINTING YOUR FINGER TO THE WRONG AGED ONE. If Fredi or Wren woulda done the right thing and cut him from the rotation to make him a long reliever, maybe they would have the WC wrapped up a week ago.
hawaiibravefan
September 29th, 2011
3:28 am
BTW, not trying to blame Jack Wilson or anything, but why no quotes from him? He did boot that ball. And i guess he can continue to brag on how he haven’t reach the postseason yet. We had our good luck charm in Hinske, but Jack Wilson’s horrible luck cancelled it out.
fonzischeme
September 29th, 2011
3:28 am
What can you tell Kimbrel
“I told him, hell of a season. We had a bunch of good seasons. Kimbrel’s got a chance to win the rookie of the year. Freddie Freeman’s got a chance to win rookie of the year. Danny got, what, 35 home runs [36], did something no [second baseman] had ever done before. There’s a lot of good stuff you can hold your head up about.” —–
In Fredie’s way of thinking if we can manage to get a player to win the triple crown, have the rookie of the year and have 4 20 games winners and do NOT make the playoffs we had a good year. This man is an idiot. A LOSER.
brave braverson
September 29th, 2011
3:29 am
shame it ended this way. but look forward to next year. we should somehow get stanton and infante. that would be a good upgrade. stanton in Lf, infante ss. but for who??? i hate to say it, but jurj and A-gon. or prado, a gon and mclouth? idk.
hawaiibravefan
September 29th, 2011
3:34 am
Other than that, I will always and still continue to support my Braves. Even with this disappointing end to the season, this is just the end of the dark tunnel this organization been having since 2006 (despite last years magical run). The future looks bright, but as i fan i really want the organization to make some bold moves. Trade or release Derek Lowe and make use of our Teheran’s and Delgado’s. No more Linebrinks, keep it young the bullpen already has veteran like experience with O’ and Venters.
hawaiibravefan
September 29th, 2011
3:38 am
Btw, did anyone else notice Brian Mccanns weight gain after his injury. He did have a good first half, maybe his injury was a factor in his diminish in productivity, or maybe it was his diet? Who knows.
ohhhYEAH
September 29th, 2011
3:38 am
brave braverson
cant trade A-gon being as how, as soon as the world series ends, and technically even right now, he is a free agent. also, infante isnt a SS, and the marlins will NEVER deal Stanton, not with the salary he currently makes anyway. dream on
John A.
September 29th, 2011
3:41 am
The person that wasn’t prepared was Fredi. This was the last game of the regular season, and he should have had the bullpen ready in case Kimble had any problems. As usual he (Fredi) was asleep at the switch and the end result is another loss. SEE YOU NEXT SPRING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
fonzischeme
September 29th, 2011
3:43 am
Fire Larry Parrish – do you think they are dumb enough to put him on the roster? NYY fans would burn Geradi at the stake if he used him when it counted.
I think Braves fans are too nice. If you noticed, Uggla broke out of it and started his streak right at the same time you first heard some boos at the Ted. They need to start booing when Fredi puts someone like Linbrink in at crucial time – the whole stadium knew he was hoisting the white flag, they should have BOOOOOED him..
JM: What kind of idiot pitches to Hunter Pence with a utility guy on deck? SMFH.
The same kind that pitches to Kemp with runner at 2nd and 3rd with a first base open. Fans of the other teams wonder why the braves fans can be so sour. They just don’t know what it’s like watching chokers year after year. The only WS was just an absolute no brainer team even BC couldn’t screw up..
I TOLD My wife in April Feddie Gonzales would put Linebrink into a crucial spot in crucial game and take us out of the running for the series. I hoped he wouldn’t do it till the playoff but Fredi is the gift that keeps on giving.
I am seriously miffed at the loser mentality of Fredi’s replies. He acts like this was just one great year. He had fun, made a lot of cash why is anyone upset?
brave braverson
September 29th, 2011
3:47 am
that doesnt mean infante couldnt play short, right? isnt he a utility infielder?
brave braverson
September 29th, 2011
3:48 am
and yes hawaii, it did look like Bmac gained a bit of the chub back. he really needs to do ALOT of running in the offseason. when he runs he goes back in time
brave braverson
September 29th, 2011
3:51 am
and i will dream on. for any possible way of unloading bad, and bringing in some good. time to make some bold moves if we want a different result next year
ohhhYEAH
September 29th, 2011
3:51 am
he is a utility man, indeed, but you dont usually see those guys at short. it is by far the hardest, and most important of all the infield positions. thats not to say i dont think he COULD do it, but it would be another gamble
Thumbs Up for the Fightin' Phils
September 29th, 2011
3:51 am
The Braves were cursed as soon as they hit Chase Utley in the head. If not for that, the Phillies would have cared less about the last three games of the season. For whatever reason, Phillies pitchers do not retaliate by hitting a Braves star. They win on the field….and guess again, Ben – if you don’t think they’ll be a force to be reckoned with next year. Cliff Lee and Roy Halladay might be a year older … but they’re gonna be sick again in 2012 like they were in 2011!!!
fonzischeme
September 29th, 2011
3:56 am
jman Someone must pay for this collapse,
No one will pay for this collapse. The braves management can’t see. Fredi thinks it was wildly successful year.
Younger Than That Now
September 29th, 2011
3:59 am
Fire Larry Parrish
September 29th, 2011
3:23 am
“How big of a kick in the pants is it that Scott Proctor is going to the playoffs?”
That guy will never, never-ever make the playoff roster of the New York Yankees… write it down!
ohhhYEAH
September 29th, 2011
4:02 am
our BEST bet to improve this team, is to unload a Hanson/JJ (whichever is garnering more interest/value from other teams) is to go out and get a YOUNG, true outfielder to put in left. Names that come to mind are detroits Brennan Boesch, Arizonas Gerrardo Parra, Carlos Gomez(i think he still has at least a year or two left before arbitration), Cincys Chris Heise. All would be better options than Prado, he just isnt a natural outfielder
brave braverson
September 29th, 2011
4:02 am
thats true. could be a gamble. we just really need to sure up the lineup with some more average type guys like bourne and stop putting faith in people who cant produce consistently. honestly, aside from freeman, huddy, bmac, bourne, uggla, and oventbrel, im down with anything else they might do in the offseason
Stinger2
September 29th, 2011
4:06 am
My post will not speculate on what the Braves need to do to avoid another collapse in 2012. Let the GM and Manager
make the changes that need to be made. It is their job not mine.
My only comment is that the fan were the big losers.
AJ84
September 29th, 2011
4:07 am
Well after reading all these comments I am reassured that Atlanta has the most “fair weather” fans than any other city. I do agree that Fredi should show a little more emotion. As for the “fans” that have ten million suggestions for fixing the team stick to your day job. I think the best thing for the Braves would be to have more fans that support them no matter what like real baseball fans. I’ll bet half of the people venting on this forum are the same group that cursed Dan Uggla when he wasn’t hitting but suddenly love him because he started swinging a good stick.
ohhhYEAH
September 29th, 2011
4:11 am
AJ
I have said nothing bad about the team, only what i have seen that needs to be improved. I have done nothing but love and cheer for this team since i can rememebr knowing what baseball was, includin this ENTIRE month of poor baseball. So please, do the die-hards a favor and dont lump ALL fans into your categories
brave braverson
September 29th, 2011
4:16 am
i think we’re allowed to talk about possibilities for next year. kind of part of the fun of baseball…. and i think being mad about losing, is no different than being happy about winning. thats called being passionate about a team. that is pretty much the opposite of “fair” “weather” “fans”
Bobbybrave
September 29th, 2011
4:27 am
thank god for college football…go gators…this is a sad day for all of the braves fans…..someone has to be held accountable for this free-fall….fredi needs to go and the entire staff..bring in fresh smart baseball people…ryne sandberg would be great….i like others by our own choice spent good hard money on this team…i live out of town and drove over 300 miles to see the braves 4 times this year and i also bought the mlb package..way to much talent for this to happen…goodbye until next year enjoyed lots of good and funny humor on this blog…rows if you are out there good luck on your ball playing..
Craig
September 29th, 2011
4:29 am
Major disappointment…..and it was the experienced guys that let the team down …and Heyward…
Kimbrel, Venters, big O….fantastic guys, personalities and great pitchers…even the young pitchers who came up late did a great job
Freeman fantastic year….curious to see how he goes yr 2
Lowe….not good
Linebrink and Sherrill…..gone….way past used by dates
Gonzalez SS ….probably gone too…..not sure what to do at SS
Uggla…way too scatchy for too long….especially Sept
Prado…out of position, too tight mentally and physically
Matty Diaz….good 5th OF….but we needed a big bat…..
McCann….disappointing at the end ….he and Uggla swinging way too had…..remember RISP…..
Bourn A MAJOR KEEPER….need him and Geoorgie in the club
Heyward….jury is out…..I would have given up Heyward, Shcafer and a young pitcher for Bourn and Pence….Pence is gamer….we need more of them and one big for average home run hitting bat…and how many young pitchers can you stack in AAA when the major team is playing .300 ball!
Fredi…not sure yet….could have pulled the whip ealier …..probably too loose and cocky early September…..
for a team with that payroll and depth one would have to say good season…for most of it…anyway but would have, could have should have!
Sean
September 29th, 2011
4:35 am
Amen AJ84, it makes me sick to see these people with hundreds of suggestions for this team. They have no idea what it would actually take to make these changes. Fire Fredi? How would the team feel about that? A new start? We JUST had that, prior to this season. Fredi and Bobby are similar, yes, but it’s new management nonetheless. For the players it makes a HECK of a difference. Trust me. I’ve had new coaches on my teams, things are completely different. People don’t understand–the Braves players don’t give a flip about what the bloggers think. We have no idea what goes on in that clubhouse or in the front office. Most of us have played a little baseball…that’s about the most experience we have. Ever hit a 95mph fastball? Yeah, neither have I. I understand it’s these guys’ jobs to hit, sure, but it just isn’t going to happen every time.
Yeah, let’s just trade such and such for such and such. Yeah, sure, other teams MIGHT go for that. And team chemistry is big too, you can’t just trade Prado. What if the team likes him? What if he works with our young Hispanic pitchers to make them better, since they are of the same heritage? We don’t KNOW what goes on. What does Frank Wren know? Do any of us know Frank Wren personally? No. So let’s just all waste time and guess what he’s going to do. Call him a genius when he does things no one thought he would do and succeeds, but call him a failure when he does something else.
As for tonight’s game, the bloop hit by Pence IS baseball. It’s the same game we all watch our beloved Braves play. It’s a game of inches, a game of chance, a game that is seemingly controlled by the uncontrollable. That ball could have been a little higher so Uggla could have caught it. Linebrink made the perfect pitch to a long-swinging, open-stanced Hunter Pence, and yet Hunter (hate those long socks by the way) got a hit out of it. That’s why Fredi and the rest of the team says there’s nothing you can do about it. BECAUSE THERE ISN’T. The Braves we’re NOT meant to win tonight, and that’s that. I am as sick about it as anyone. I’ve watched all year, just as we all have. I had tickets to tonight’s game and couldn’t go.
The Braves played their heart out–there’s no denying that. I knew they would. The amount of emotion they’re talking about in the quotes IS BECAUSE THEY CARE. I mean people, let’s use logic here, anyone can see from what they say that THEY CARE. It’s THEIR JOB. It’s what they live for. What they breathe. In the off season? They’re still working. Working out and getting better. Why would you work hard for something, sacrificing family time and traveling constantly, in and out of hotels, etc, and then not care about it? They care. I get so tired of reading blogger’s comments about them not caring. Tip your cap? Yeah, that’s a BASEBALL term. You’re talking to BASEBALL players. Yes, you’re going to hear it. I hear it all the time. It doesn’t mean they don’t care, it means they respect the other team for what they’ve done. That’s baseball. It’s a game of respect.
I respect these Braves this year. I had a good time watching them, going to games, and being a fan. I’ll continue to be one for years to come. Next year is going to be sick, and I can’t wait.
Robert
September 29th, 2011
4:37 am
Fonzischeme: funny as hell posts!
Appreciate the sarcastic humor!! Haven’t laughed this much in a long time!
theriddler
September 29th, 2011
4:41 am
I blame the OUTFIELD again this year. Left field was weak, center field a black hole until Bourne showed up and right field was miserable. Worst offensive OF in the league again.
ohhhYEAH
September 29th, 2011
4:45 am
Sean….have you EVER watched baseball? do people not get traded EVERY off season and before EVERY deadline? are you kidding me? Chemistry is definitely a part of the game but guess what, so are hitting, fielding, pitching….etc. Any of the players i suggested we could trade for are a, plausible, b, inexpensive, c, NOT showboat all star cry babies, and d, BETTER OUTFIELDERS than our current left fielder. Dont get me wrong, as i said, i love Prado, the guy is a gamer and a true athlete, but he is a fish out of water in the outfield. so before you start bashing people who give a damn about the team and want to see us IMPROVE instead of stay the same next year, know what the heck youre talking about
Chief Fan
September 29th, 2011
4:50 am
The Braves have some real thinking to do this off season if they want to move up a notch to the big boys. We can’t let a division rival like the Phillies get the top free agent in the off-season- Cliff Lee and in the middle of the season – Hunter Pence … if we are to compete with them. Cliff Lee might not be a good example as he was determined to go back to the Phillies for a lot less money – but Hunter Pence was obtainable for minor league players and could have meant a tremendous difference this season and possibly for a couple of seasons to come.
Robert
September 29th, 2011
4:55 am
Bring back the TEE-PEE
We need the CHIEF! As in Chief Noc-A-Homa. Until he’s back in left field, our Braves will never win the WS again!!!
Man, how I do miss the 60’s.
WAKE UP BRAVES MANAGEMENT!
Sean
September 29th, 2011
4:58 am
Was Prado one of our best players last year? Yes. His bat was crucial. Give up on him now? I don’t think so. It’s tough to judge him on his defensive play, besides number of errors. It’s really based on his perceived throwing arm strength, range, etc. Things that are tough to measure. Tough call on defense in baseball.
People get traded…there is a business side of things. That I understand. The MLB, and it’s individual teams, are out to make money. Chemistry gets shoved aside, and there are upgrades to be had, no doubt. Just trying to make people understand (I say people, not necessarily you personally) that really, Frank Wren is going to do his best with what he has. Think of him getting rid of Prado. That doesn’t click with me. You have to give him a chance to bounce back. You know what he can do when he has a good season, you can’t give up.
Wasn’t trying to bash, but it’s true–people waste a lot of time making guesses about possible transactions when not all of the facts are present. Who saw the Bourn trade coming the way it came down? I doubt many did. Leave it to Wren. It’s fine to make predictions and such, but don’t insult the guy because the team he put together didn’t make the playoffs.
We’ll improve just based off this loss. I have no doubt that we ALREADY have the talent to be better team.
I have watched baseball. I have played lots of baseball. Maybe I’ve managed teams. Maybe I played some minor league ball. Don’t bash my knowledge. I don’t know everything, but I know an informed opinion when I see one–not to infer that your opinion is uninformed. Because I’d say it is.
brave braverson
September 29th, 2011
5:02 am
why do you come on blogs to just talk down to the people on the blog? what would you like them to say? go braves? blogs would be a very boring place if everyone didnt have input and criticism. thats what sports fans do. talk about the teams…. if you dont like it, probably best to steer clear.
Robert
September 29th, 2011
5:04 am
Braves management: This end of the season collapse is squarely and surely on you! Do something next time to stop the bad ju-ju (when our team is spiralling into oblivion).
For starters, next year, do something unreal that all of us Braves’ fans will love: bring back the CHIEF. Yes, Chief Noc-A-Homa.
What’s stopping you? Political correctness BS? Grow a pair will ya. We loved the Chief and need him back!! Once done, the Braves will win many World Series, SERIESLY!!!! Well, even if we don’t win a bunch of series, fan attendance, particularly young fans, will increase as the CHIEF will be a big hit out there in left field! COME ON, WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? You are business men,no? USE YOUR BUSINESS BRAINS AND BRING BACK THE ONE AND ONLY REAL MASCOT OF THE BRAVES!!!!! GEEEEEEZ.
ohhhYEAH
September 29th, 2011
5:06 am
Absolutely Prado was huge….last year. This year he was nowhere near as crucial or as clutch.
I, for one, have not insulted Wren, though i have questioned him at times, nor have i suggested trading Prado, but he is honestly better served as a utility player. I suggested trading either JJ or Hanson, as they are Boras clients anyway, for a young and consistent and more natural outfielder. keeping prado on our team would be a must, but only as the super-utility guy Infante was for us last season. that would take tremendous pressure off having to rely on a jack wilson or a brooks conrad any time we need infield help or a late inning bat. As much as i love Prado, thats what he needs to be for this team.
brave braverson
September 29th, 2011
5:07 am
we should get cliff lee and victorino for mcclouth.
ohhhYEAH
September 29th, 2011
5:07 am
and i thank you for the compliment in my baseball intellect
Sean
September 29th, 2011
5:09 am
It’s all about just doing a little research. Like I said before, I’m all for predictions and whatnot. Let’s just leave the fire Frank Wren’s and fire Fredi Gonzalez’s off. Watch the game, know a little about what’s going on, and have an informed opinion. I’m really not trying to insult and bash people, really, I’m just tired of reading the same thing. Thought I would share my thoughts, just like everyone else.
And yeah, actually, a few more Go Braves would be nice…
Sean
September 29th, 2011
5:11 am
Not a problem. I just think Prado can play better next season. He batted what, .260 or so this year. He’s obviously a better hitter than that. Are you going to have a guy that can hit .260+ on an everyday basis on your bench? Nearly .300 most likely? Defensive might be a little skimpy but I’d take him…
brave braverson
September 29th, 2011
5:12 am
agreed. thats a little over the top with the firings and whatnot
Maria
September 29th, 2011
5:16 am
Yep, when you size it all up, poor management is the reason this team is not in the playoffs. Gonzalez made some of the dumbest moves I have ever seen early in the season and I just knew it would all blow up in their faces at the end of the season. I’m sorry but I thought he did a terrible job of managing this team especially in the second half. John Schuerholz should make him rewatch every single game during the offseason and give him a write up on what he did wrong during a certain game and w3hat could have been done differently. Maybe the idiot will learn something.
brave braverson
September 29th, 2011
5:16 am
pretty excited to see what changes are made, and to see how it plays out next year with uggla being normal uggla all season, and freemans second year. and i think heywards gonna be great again next year. prado and bmac will be back to normal. it was just bad luck and timing this year
Sean
September 29th, 2011
5:18 am
It is. Is Fredi Gonzalez the brightest man on Earth? No. Who is? How do you really judge a manager? By wins? By playoff appearances/wins? How can you tell if that is due to talent on the team or good managing? There aren’t stats for that.
Was the Braves success in the 90s because of Bobby Cox? Or because of great pitching? A combo of both? If so, which had more to do with it?
In other words…let’s give Fredi a little more of a chance here guys. One season of 89 wins and coming close to the playoffs? At least we’re not Cubs fans.
Don’t get me wrong…I’m super disappointed. Fredi might’ve/could’ve/should’ve done better in some games. I bet he feels pretty responsible. Would you feel responsible? Would you show it in the post game interview that you know people could possibly tear you up about?
Robert
September 29th, 2011
5:20 am
BRING BACK THE CHIEF.
CHIEF NOC-A-HOMA!!!
This is a call for all long time (suffering) Braves fans to start a push, a demand, for the team to bring back our one and only true mascot: Chief Noc-A-Homa.
We need him and his tee-pee in left field NOW! The team sorely needs an identity and what better one than the Chief himself. God how I miss the Chief if left field!!!
Finally, anyone out there know how we can email the Atlanta Braves Organization? I tried to find out via the Braves website but couldn’t. I selected the “Help/Contact Us” link buried at the bottom of the page but all I got was this: (appears there is no way to write (communicate) with the Braves organization – not so fan friendly in my opinion… Anyway, here’s what we get when selecting the “Help/Contact Us” option on the team’s web page:
Help
MLB.com FAQs
How Can We Help?
Many questions concerning the Atlanta Braves and Turner Field may be answered by referencing our complete A-Z Guide.
Choose from the options below, selecting the choice that best describes the subject of your question:
Question? Start with our A-Z Guide.
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Sean
September 29th, 2011
5:22 am
I’m pumped for next season too. What if Uggla didn’t slump? What if Heyward had the type of season he had his rookie year? What if Prado played like he did last year?
Plus our young pitching…the Phillies are getting older…the Mets are still in shambles…the Nats might be big in years to come. We’ll see.
frustrated fan
September 29th, 2011
5:27 am
I love this team no matter what. See you all next year.
20 out
September 29th, 2011
5:27 am
Where are the quotes from Wren. Didn’t he have the balls to show up afterwards?
Joe Maddon
September 29th, 2011
5:41 am
So let me get this straight:
Fredi Gonzalez was given MORE talent in the field and MORE pitching talent than Cox had, and the team UNDERACHIEVES, yet you’re throwing all giving him a pass?
LOL
LETS GO RAYS!!!!!!!!!!!!
ohhhYEAH
September 29th, 2011
5:43 am
Sean
there are, howerver, certain things that DO show on the field as a result of bad managing. for example, why bring linebrink in in the 13th? we had moylan, we had viscaino, we had minor. Why run Lowe out every 5th day when he is doign absolutely nothing and our baby arms are lighting it up? other than that, and sticking with proctor WAY too long, i thought he did a good job in his first season. he shuffled the line up, moved players up and down, tried to find that combination that worked. its certainly not all on him
Joe Maddon
September 29th, 2011
5:44 am
Excuses. Give me a $90M roster and I’ll turn it into damn DYNASTY!
SEE YOU AT THE TROP!!!!
Joe Maddon
September 29th, 2011
5:46 am
LONGORIA goes BOOM!
Where’s my champagne?!
Darrell Horne
September 29th, 2011
5:52 am
Bring back the cheif???!! If you knuckleheads believe that’ll stop your loser squad from…LOSING then yall deserve what you continually get..
The Phils won tonight because they have the “Phanatic”… Give me a break. SMDH
Joe Maddon
September 29th, 2011
5:52 am
fonzischeme,
I like the tone of that reply. You seem like a winner and demand results from your team. You should root for the Rays and be a part of this great organization.
No need to worry about the Phillies doing anything, folks. My friend Mr. Pujols WILL knock them out in FOUR. You heard it here first!
LET’S GO RAYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Chief Noc-A Homa
September 29th, 2011
5:52 am
“The Curse of the Tomahawk Chop” is alive and well
Sean
September 29th, 2011
5:54 am
There are things that show on the field, no doubt, I’d agree. I’m not giving Fredi a full pass here, by any means. I guess I am too biased toward people sometimes. I’d like to think that Fredi had a good reason for doing the things he did, but you’re right. Maybe he didn’t really. I suppose managers go on their gut feeling sometimes, and it doesn’t work. Yet sometimes, it does. Do you go with your gut or what the stats tell you?
And then things like Proctor could be orders coming from up top. Scouts that swear by him, he did well in the minors, give the kid a chance, whatever. In the end, yes, he stuck with him too long. There were mistakes this season. It did affect the team. But if we hadn’t crashed in September (which really, who predicted that?), it wouldn’t be nearly as big of a deal.
I’m just saying let’s give Fredi a few seasons to get his feet wet with this team and get going. He’s very blameable as the manager, that’s what he signed up for. But he made a lot of good decisions too, just as you said.
Anyway, I’m heading to bed…6am is not a good bedtime…until next time.
Satchmo
September 29th, 2011
6:00 am
Don’t what to say, except all of this is very sad.
Joe Maddon
September 29th, 2011
6:01 am
A great manager is like a great player… It doesn’t take long to figure out if they’ve got “it” or not. Too many players underachieved this year so big changes are a MUST. Chin up, folks and get rid of the dead weight!
Roots for the Rays or swim with the fishes!
Shakey
September 29th, 2011
6:10 am
Thank you, DOB and AJC, for your great coverage this season.
Thank you, Braves, for a competitive and entertaining season.
I can’t wait to see what next year brings.
Preston Thompson
September 29th, 2011
6:10 am
I believe, I believe. I believe the Braves are going home. As for Kimbrel, just too much weight on a rookies back. Always next year, with a new manager, no Lowe and no Heywood. That Heywood ain’t ready for the big leagues. As the rest on the team has to work in the off season on hitting and not home runs.
Next year folks.
Stevie
September 29th, 2011
6:17 am
LOL @ these crap comments from the fans and players “we (they) fought hard tonight, and left it on the field”. Why couldn’t they fight hard the whole month of September? You fans who are proud of this season have been drinking too much of the Braves kool-aid. This should be embarrassing, not something to be proud of! This just goes to show you, why EVERY game of the year matters. You kool-aid drinking braves fans said in April “we have a long season, the games we lose now don’t matter”. Haha really?!!? Than got a little too cocky going into the month of September. You fans forgot those games do matter in the month of September, even if you have a 8 game lead.
Greg
September 29th, 2011
6:24 am
What’s everyone so down about? “Free Baseball, Free Baseball”. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.” Chip Carary was really on top of things.
M Corleone
September 29th, 2011
6:28 am
“You Broke My Heart” Fredo, “You Broke My Heart”
josh gralton
September 29th, 2011
6:32 am
Chock City | new blog post: http://www.atlantainsight.com
Derek Blowe
September 29th, 2011
6:33 am
time to move beyond the mostly unproductive Chipper-era. Lets dump Lowe’s remaining year on some sucker team. Trade Chipper to the AL so he can DH & fire Fredi.
Lets turn the pitching to our ourn phenoms and go get an everyday thirdbaseman.
Dammed Philly Yankee
September 29th, 2011
6:33 am
To all you Braves fands….
As one who still can’t get over the Phillies epic collaspe in 1964, I really do understand
your frustration and anger…. Hang in there and remember what someone here said a little
while ago that it’s only so many days till spring training starts.
Philly Fan
September 29th, 2011
6:35 am
Hey, Atlanta.
Who’s your daddy ?
The Nationals are one player away from being the second best team in the NL East !
How about an extension for Lowe, Chipper & McLouth ? ! ? ! ? !
bravesfanforever
September 29th, 2011
6:38 am
How about these questions for Freddie Gonzalez: What are you going to do about Derek Lowe who clearly did no contribute much to this club? 17 losses vs only 9 wins is incredible for a playoff contending team. Do you think he contributed mightily to the Braves losing their playoff bid? Do you think it was wise to keep trotting him out there knowing full well he was more than likely to lose?
You know we are only talking about *1* game here. We may be talking about “what if’s”. However, the Braves might have won the wild card if Lowe was not in the rotation.
Can the Braves PLEASE release him? The team does not need him. Just consider it a $15 million epic failure and let Teheran & Delgado develop in the fifth spot.
Dammed Philly Yankee
September 29th, 2011
6:39 am
Forgot to say this just now…..
You would be surprised how many of us up here think the Phillies have taken 5 divisions in
a row in spite of Cholly and his dick-headed moves! I think I’d take Fredi G. over him anytime.