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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
538 comments Add your comment
southern hope
September 29th, 2011
9:32 am
I envy those of you who are angry right now….I’m just incredibly incredibly sad.
This Boston.com article made me feel a tad better…it turns out that misery truly does love company.
http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/articles/2011/09/29/sox_make_unwanted_history_with_historic_collapse/
philly fan 4 ever
September 29th, 2011
9:33 am
ALEX you are right now the Phillies have to beat everyone they play or we will be broken hearted like you are…If we don’t win we suck
Mako
September 29th, 2011
9:34 am
Between Chumper & Lowe….next yrs team is screwed before Spring Training……Chumper stay home and see if maybe you can hit a deer or two…the Braves need your 11 or 14 Million more than you…and Lowe I think this 2nd half you achieved a new LOW…hang it up or else go back to Boston. WREN you should be fired…2 yrs in and you still haven’t managed to improve the team…1st Kamakize, then Lee and now Ugglia…that pretty much shows how good you are picking talent. Yikes!!
darrell starks
September 29th, 2011
9:34 am
Dam im good like i said the braves will get sweept by phillies if Constanza ride the pine, the braves are now 8 wins and 20 losses when Constanza on the bench and still counting, O my bad the season is over LOL!!!!!!!!!! WHAT A WASTE OF SEASON, now im on band wagon of fire Fredi.
FIRE FREDI !!!!!!!!
Obee
September 29th, 2011
9:34 am
Failure isn’t the Braves. Houston, yes.
Garfkinle
September 29th, 2011
9:35 am
what up jrod. this be in that comment section. AYYYYYYYYYYYYYY
Lobosolo
September 29th, 2011
9:35 am
Wow, tina… for someone who can’t read or write, you sure do seem to know a lot about baseball… go back for your GED if you want to write in public forums, Einstein… LOL! What an idiot!!!
mike
September 29th, 2011
9:37 am
Waaaa, waaaa, waaaa. Quit whining. It’s not the end of the world. The sun will come up, the leaves will fall, life goes on.
MoneyBall
September 29th, 2011
9:37 am
2012: you have $47 million tied up in Derek Lowe (5.05 ERA); Chipper Jones (old & oft-injured); and Dan Uggla (.232 average & lots of solo HRS)
Not exactly “bang for the buck” when half your payroll is tied up in these clowns !
Expect the NL East to get tougher the next few years as the Nationals & Marlins start rising and the Phillies continue to dominate.
Not looking good for the Braves !
darrell starks
September 29th, 2011
9:39 am
When Constanza was playing the braves avg atleast 4 runs a game, since Fredi put him on the bench the braves avg 2.8 runs a game, how retarted is that for and head coach, one of the most dummest move in the history of braves baseball.
GO BRAVES!!!!!!!!!!
bruce
September 29th, 2011
9:40 am
Disappointed last night, sad this morning. If I had opportunity to speak to any of the players in person I would say thanks for a great season, for giving it your all. And I would clap, give a standing ovation. No booing from this fan.
Chipper Jones
September 29th, 2011
9:41 am
I’m back on the ranch in Texas, living the good life. I plan to do a little hunting with Mike Hampton.
Looking forward to spring training and lots of fishing & golf in Orlando.
Keep sending those big, fat paychecks !
See ya in 2012, SUCKAS !
Joe Maddon
September 29th, 2011
9:42 am
Oh man. Now Rangers fans are talking smack, too?
Texas is the home of Rick Perry. ‘Nuff said.
LOL. Rays in four.
elainewilliams
September 29th, 2011
9:44 am
First of all I am and always will be a Red Sox fan…but have followed Derek Lowe’s pitching career since he left Boston.For months I have read you Braves fans ostracize him because he didn’t meet your expectations, Well the same can be said here in Boston,……same situation…but the fans in Boston do not openly humiliate a pitcher (like some of you moronic Atlanta Fans) How much confidence does that give a pitcher going out on the mound? Don’t you all think that if he had a team who was producing hits to back him up it would kind of build his confidence…Where were they? All the blame cannot be put on one man…Was he responsible for your loss last night?? We all have had bad days…imagine if that was a member of your family or a close friend pitching. How would you all feel hearing all that derogatory crap?I am a mother and if I had to sit it the stands and listen to it I would be sick.Suck up your loss like true fans like we are doing in Boston, some nights were great, other nights we are not.Don’[t hide behind blogs who protect you, give your names….You would be more respected. Some of you have all the answers to what’s wrong with your team…Step up and submit your ideas.Don’t hide behind blogs crucifying the person you don’t like and spreading your garbage.
Or even better if you want a perfect game with a perfect pitcher the next time you are planning on going to a game, give God a call…who knows he might not be busy that day.Sorry for your loss, but its not just one man’s fault……………..revise your thinking………………
damngooddawg!
September 29th, 2011
9:44 am
They Braves and the Falcons have one thing in common which reinforces Atlanta’s rep as “Losersville”. They flop at the end. For Freddie Freeman to throws Down Lowe out there against Oswalt night before last shows that he’s another Bobby Cox. He has no concept of urgency in or near the playoffs. Get rid of Lowe. Find some guys who get clutch hits every once in a while. Get some starting pitching that won’t wear out your bullpen by 130 games into the season. Or better yet…get out of town!
reckingball
September 29th, 2011
9:44 am
Oh well, get em next year.
Dennis Reynolds
September 29th, 2011
9:45 am
Well….wow. I guess Im excited for winter..?
See who we get to tweak this already really good team.
Number one priority is to hold Larry Parrish accountable for the lack of hitting and get his ass out of town.
damngooddawg!
September 29th, 2011
9:45 am
I meant Freddie Gonzales…I’m soooooo angryyyyy!
SPhillyPhilliesFan
September 29th, 2011
9:47 am
Dammed Philly Yankee, speak for yourself. Charlie’s ‘dick headed moves’ have worked out every time. go back and take a look.
Braves fans, tough one. Was half hoping they pulled it out last night— would not have minded seeing the braves and cards have to battle it out one more day!
GO PHILS!!!
bozz
September 29th, 2011
9:48 am
Lobosolo,
I couldn’t have said it better myself. All these fairweater “fans” coming on here with their idiotic posts is the cherry on top of a turd sundae. Shut up with the ridiculous firings and trades and swallow this collapse and move on. Yes, it sucks beyond belief but it happened and there’s nothing to do now but look forward to next year.
The back of the bullpen will be a year older and more experienced, Uggla probably won’t start off so slow, McCann will be healthy, our starters will be healthy, we’ll have Bourn’s speed all year and hopefully Jason will figure things out. We’re not the Pirates for God’s sake so quit whining like there’s no tomorrow, it’s embarrassing.
Aside from that, thank you DOB for another great year of coverage.
invictus mon
September 29th, 2011
9:50 am
So what these guys are saying is, top to bottom, we gave it our all and we weren’t good enough. It’s okay because we tried. This isn’t the dadgum public school system where you just get passed on for mediocrity. This is the once proud Atlanta Braves! If you go out there and consistently give it your best and it is consistently not good enough STOP TIPPING YOUR HAT! Make some dadgum changes, or get off the field! By that logic we should fire the whole lot of you and get a new team in place.
sportsmandh
September 29th, 2011
9:52 am
“Like I said, man, we don’t have anything to hang our heads about.” – Hudson
That comment is why this organization fails to win championships.
Baseballguy
September 29th, 2011
9:53 am
The Braves season went bad because of injuries to 2 of their top 3 starters and overusing the back of the bullpen. Hindsight is always 20-20 but you have to wonder if Fredi would have used O’Flaherty, Venters and Kimbrel a little less, they may have been fresher at the end of the year. The hitting was inconsistent all year long but the starters and bullpen allowed the Braves to keep winning until the wheels (arms) fell off. McCann’s oblique injury probably was the key problem with the offense dropping off. I really thought that Bourn would put the Braves over the top because when he gets on first it’s almost an automatic double. With a smart hitter like Prado, you figure that the team would score a lot of small ball runs which the pitching would be able to hold for low scoring wins. Next year the Braves need to ramp up because it looks like Washington is in it to win and the Marlins will have more revenue if South Fla shows up at the new stadium. And, oh yeah, the Phillies are going to be competition for the long haul. Ruben Amaro, Jr and the ownership has committed to winning and seems to be able to fill any holes they have.
CardsFanNumberOne
September 29th, 2011
9:53 am
God Bless you all, Braves Fan. We always have next year. Good luck to you all. May the best year yet to come.
fan since 1964
September 29th, 2011
9:53 am
Sean..you crazy. What if don’t win games.. Fire FREDI!!!!!!!!
phil
September 29th, 2011
9:54 am
phil
September 29th, 2011
9:05 am
The Braves let the Bosox beat them out for the worst collapse ever. Oh, do I ever miss Omar.
*************
not me.
wow
September 29th, 2011
9:54 am
@joe maddon with kk and mcclouth money about 12 million we have to pay prado in arb and 8-10 for bourn and we r stuck with no monies for LF,RF and shortstop.
reckingball
September 29th, 2011
9:55 am
So many crybabies, well I suppose they have a legitmate reason to whine, but come on, man up it’s only baseball.
The Braves blew it, for sure.
They have the makings of a very good team, for years to come.
Wasn’t their time this season, but wait until next year, I think that they will go all the way.
SportsRadio PD
September 29th, 2011
9:55 am
Love the Braves;
- I just can’t believe the WAY we lost last night
-no single player can be blamed for a loss, it’s a TEAM.
-Hoping for good moves in the off season, see you next year.
bring back blauser
September 29th, 2011
9:55 am
dear santa,
please bring the atlanta braves a hitter that can hit with runners on base.
we really do not care if he hits .100 as long as he can hit with runners in scoring position
alex
September 29th, 2011
9:56 am
@elaine, can’t call GOD, your player said he/she was busy watching the sox/orioles game…..sheeesh.Lowe get’s paid 15 mill to pitch ,that’s it he’s not my friend or family member and I don’t give a shi# how he feels, earn your big money and pitch well, noexcuses or get the he** out. sheesh
Jborodawg
September 29th, 2011
9:57 am
Perspective is a funny thing. St Louis Post Dispatch articles paint it as the Cards overcoming the odds; having a great run. Here, it’s a sorry team and manager.
Yes, last night’s loss hurts…big time. But it was bloop-broken-bat-hit, off a pretty good pitch. It was not like Linebrink hung one or something. Just a very lucky at-bat for Pence.
No fire; no effort? I don’t agree. I think they played hard and Fredi did a credible job. Yes, a terrible September. Happens to the best sometimes.
Some of y’all say pull the pitcher after three innings or never should have pitched Lowe. Then some say Fredi overused his bullpen. Isn’t that contradictory? A manager has to use the players he has available.
If you think Fredi and Frank don’t know about the unproductive bats and Lowe, well, I think you have another think coming. They know; and they know what this club needs.
Yes, it’s totally disappointing. But my Braves will be back next year, stronger and better and ready for September. Ya gotta believe.
tina
September 29th, 2011
9:57 am
FOR SALE have first round playoff tickets if anyone wants to buy them.
Tom
September 29th, 2011
9:57 am
Bring out the tarp. Cover the field. I cant watch this anymore. Its over. Turn the lights out. Bring in the bull dozers and turn this place into a parking lot
ChokeArtist
September 29th, 2011
9:58 am
K. MEDLIN was the ONLY RELIEF PITCHER LAST NIGHT THOWING STRIKES. The other relief pitchers were wild and gave the game to the Phillies. The Braves should have won the game 3-2 in the ninth inning. Gonzales brought in Kimbrell and Kimbrell COULDNT FIND THE STRIKE ZONE. Thats what cost us the game in case anyone wants to know who is the blame. The blame falls at the feet of FREDI GONZALES. FREDI GONZALES BROUGHT KIBRELL IN, IN THE NINTH INNING. FREDI GONZALES SHOULD GET FIRED AND BE REPLACED BY Ozzie Gillian.
Jborodawg
September 29th, 2011
9:58 am
recking ball….you’re absolutely right.
Phanatic
September 29th, 2011
10:00 am
TO THE BRAVOS FANS:
Dont think we dont enjoy ending your season. We watched you rub our noses in in for 12 years and payback is a real bitch. So enjoy the feeling this year like the last 6. We own you now and probably will for the foreseeable future.
Get used to it.
alex
September 29th, 2011
10:01 am
@lobo , ,you’ve got 140 days to get better;do NOT miss any of your appointments and take all of your meds on time AND take Ms. Wrenn(if there is one) on a nice long vacation,about 5 years worth)
reckingball
September 29th, 2011
10:02 am
Phanatic……10:00am………The Phillies do have one of the best teams that money can buy. Enjoy.
Brandon
September 29th, 2011
10:02 am
My only guess is that Fredi is a Cards fan?
Why on earth did he put Lowe out there? Why did he bench Heyward for Diaz? And why was Jack Wilson at SS and not Prado? ANYONE and I mean ANYONE could make better decisions!!!
He tinkered with the lineup on a daily basis and then scratches his head when none of his hitters can get into rhythm
he benches a young star for any warm body that wants to try out in RF, and scratches his head as to why the kid isn’t hitting in his once game a week.
He throws pitchers out there that are CLEALY done and scratches his head when they get lit up, keeps them out there and scratches his head.
He throws rookie relievers out there to lead the MLB in innings pitched and scratches his head when they run out of gas in September.
No wonder he has no hair…
At any rate Fredi HAS to get fired! Already rumors Boston is making a coaching move and their manager has a MUCH better record than this clown we found in a garbage can outside of the Marlins’ locker room. I was never a huge fan of the decisions Bobby Cox made, but that said I NEVER questioned if he cared, with your season on the line Fredi looked bored, when Bourn was clearly safe stealing 3rd he walked out there and seemed to just chat for appearance and trot back to the dugout.
HIRE ME, I CAN DO BETTER!
phil
September 29th, 2011
10:02 am
bozz
September 29th, 2011
9:48 am
Lobosolo,
I couldn’t have said it better myself. All these fairweater “fans” coming on here with their idiotic posts is the cherry on top of a turd sundae. Shut up with the ridiculous firings and trades and swallow this collapse and move on. Yes, it sucks beyond belief but it happened and there’s nothing to do now but look forward to next year.
The back of the bullpen will be a year older and more experienced, Uggla probably won’t start off so slow, McCann will be healthy, our starters will be healthy, we’ll have Bourn’s speed all year and hopefully Jason will figure things out. We’re not the Pirates for God’s sake so quit whining like there’s no tomorrow, it’s embarrassing.
Aside from that, thank you DOB for another great year of coverage.
*************************
Some of it IS over the top, but even worse is guys like you who want to accept mediocrity and getting your butt kicked as if it doesn’t matter. Some of us want to win titles. Others, apparently like you, just like a little friendly competition and oh well, we lost.
That’s great but quit trying to tell the rest of us how to think.
PeteInPhilly
September 29th, 2011
10:03 am
I thought it was a terrific game last night. And probably the most exciting night in regular season baseball for years and years, what with TB’s incredible comeback win and Boston’s heart-breaking loss.
The Braves fought hard for the entire game, using the tools available for them by the management they had in place. We approached the game with a “tune up the pitchers” approach, but make no mistake, the Phillies had to EARN this win.
Changes are needed for the Braves next year, but I’m not one to point at particulars; you guys know your team far better than I could. I do expect the Braves, which missed the playoffs by so slim a margin, will be an even better team next year and I wish you well. Hopefully last night’s attendance will become a norm in the future.
Go Phillies!
Shaggy1973
September 29th, 2011
10:03 am
Dear Braves,
Can I have my summer back? What a waste.
phil
September 29th, 2011
10:05 am
sportsmandh
September 29th, 2011
9:52 am
“Like I said, man, we don’t have anything to hang our heads about.” – Hudson
That comment is why this organization fails to win championships.
**********************
Exactly. I’m surprised Hudson would say something so clearly wrong. They have EVERYTHING to hang their heads about, as well they should for about the next week. We’re an embarassment to sports in general and he says that?
I’m so disgusted with them all that I can’t see straight.
Phanatic
September 29th, 2011
10:06 am
Hey, might makes right and the Phillies win. The name of the game is to spend and make wise decisions and right now the Phillies do both. I cant say the same for the Braves.
If Braves were smart ...
September 29th, 2011
10:06 am
2012 starting rotation will be:
Delgado
Teheran
Minor
Beachy
Medlin
Take offers on Hanson & Jurrjens, and unload Lowe by whatever means necessary !
A starting thirdbaseman & leftfielder should be TOP priorities !
Chipper needs to ride off into the sunset !
Jo-Jo
September 29th, 2011
10:10 am
At least Red Sox player took the blame. Braves players except Bourn and Kimrel…(two took the blame) WE DID OUR BEST CRAP!
Next year is another joke if major changes don’t take place.
RF and LF is crap…SS is needed.. Bench is needed..DAMN MANAGER IS #1 Need
Braves Fan
September 29th, 2011
10:11 am
“2012: you have $47 million tied up in Derek Lowe (5.05 ERA); Chipper Jones (old & oft-injured); and Dan Uggla (.232 average & lots of solo HRS) Not exactly “bang for the buck” when half your payroll is tied up in these clowns !”
This is why we won’t be in the post-season anytime soon !
Frank Wren needs to be held accountable.
Blake
September 29th, 2011
10:12 am
This team didn’t hit when It needed to and that was their demise.They only have themselves to blame.I mean c’mon,how many times have the Braves gotten big hits In their history compared to otherwise?
Larry30
September 29th, 2011
10:14 am
I can’t believe I read on here that maybe we’ll get another power hitter next year. Good grief, were you watching the game last night. Our long ball hitters were swinging like they were trying to hit it to the moon every time they swung the bat. Did you see Utley’s swing on the hit that tied it up? He just reached out there and punched it into left field. It is obvious that our guys have never even considered an approach like that. If anyone can ever teach them the art of hitting, maybe we won’t leave 1000 runners on base in a season. They probably left more than a thousand on base. And can someone tell me how many solo homers we had this year?
Phredd
September 29th, 2011
10:15 am
“We had our chances,” center fielder Michael Bourn said. “Not just this game. You can go weeks before.”
only Bourn and Chipper were honest, everyone else needs to grow up and act like men, especially Fredi.
Larry30
September 29th, 2011
10:15 am
We had a good right fielder. How did that Ryan Church trade work out, Wren?
PMC
September 29th, 2011
10:16 am
DOB, Did Fredi ever explain why with a base open in the top of the 13th he decided it would be a good idea to let Linebrink pitch to the best hitter (Pence) that was currently left in the ballgame?
I just don’t get that decision at all.
Vince
September 29th, 2011
10:17 am
Martin Prado simply was not the same after his illness and his production fell off. He has the whole off season to overcome that.
He is one of the best natural infielders and hitters in the majors but went to the outfield to make room for Uggla and worked too hard learning the new position.
Trading him and keeping any of the lesser players would be one of the biggest mistakes Mr. Wren could ever do.
If he is kept look for the same spark plug next season that he was when this season began.
Jo-Jo
September 29th, 2011
10:17 am
Red Sox mgr mad as hell!
Braves mgr. tip my hat we played hard , I’m proud of our guys…..BS! What a Great winning attitude right?
Fire the whole Staff !
Jo-Jo
September 29th, 2011
10:17 am
Red Sox mgr mad as hell!
Braves mgr. tip my hat we played hard , I’m proud of our guys…..BS! What a Great winning attitude right?
Fire the whole Staff !
Jo-Jo
September 29th, 2011
10:17 am
Red Sox mgr mad as hell!
Braves mgr. tip my hat we played hard , I’m proud of our guys…..BS! What a Great winning attitude right?
Fire the whole Staff !
Jo-Jo
September 29th, 2011
10:18 am
damn did I do that?
Taste E. Cake
September 29th, 2011
10:19 am
reckingball, you get what you pay for – no exceptions. Your sorry town hasnt sold out a Braves game in how long? What pro athlete wants to play were fan support is so weak. Phillies payroll is a direct reflection of their citys support.
I think Joe Maddon is either brain dead or has selective amnesia. Who embarrased your AAA Rays in 2008? Feel good about that miracle last night…party will be over soon.
PMC
September 29th, 2011
10:19 am
Elaine, Derrick Lowe is paid 15 million dollars to pitch and he’s been remarkably terrible at it. Now, go back to berating Bill Buckner….
Ghostrider
September 29th, 2011
10:22 am
I can’t wait for Filthadelphia to lose, I wanna hear the excuses the those pig phillie fans have….God I hate that Team and the azzhole Fans. Their just like the Yankees buying a championship with a massive payroll.
Stiffneck
September 29th, 2011
10:23 am
Good to see Chipper giving the team a pep talk before the game. They played hard and with emotion. Almost pulled it out. Kimbrel man’d up and put it on himself for the loss. He’s been a bright spot for most of the season. Too bad they didn’t play with this type of determination for the last 20 days.
JHey's better
September 29th, 2011
10:23 am
I STILL LOVE MY BRAVES THAT GAME LAST NIGHT IS THE WAY THEY NEED TO PLAY THEY GAVE IT ALL THEY HAD AND YOU COULD SEE THAT. RALLY AROUND THESE BOYS CAUSE ALOT OF THEM ARE STILL HURTING
jch
September 29th, 2011
10:24 am
Vince, I agree. Prado was never the same after the staph infection. I would expect him much closer to the old Prado after an off-season to get his strength and timing back.
Phredd
September 29th, 2011
10:24 am
PMC, I also want to know why Freddie is holding the runner on in the 13th with a man on second. If Freddie is in position, the inning is over
Nate from State
September 29th, 2011
10:25 am
“Someone must pay for this collapse”…
That’s our problem right there. We all want SOMEONE to blame for EVERYTHING that happened this year. The reality is there are so many people that didn’t come through that to put the blame on one person is silly. Fredi overused the bullpen and might have pulled his starters too early throughout the year, Derek Lowe had one of his worst seasons as a pro, for half the year Dan Uggla couldn’t hit the baseball, after his injury McCann couldn’t hit the ball either, Prado had his worst season since becoming a starter, Heyward had a terrible year compared to last year, JJ and Hanson got hurt, Frank Wren overspent for Lowe and KK…..
It was a combined effort. There will be changes next year but to put all the blame on one person ignores the collective effort… Did no one watch the Bartman documentary?
Biggest need? Inning eaters. They need good starting pitchers to go the distance. And I believe they will go get one or 2. But sweeping changes? No way. This is the Atlanta Braves, they don’t make rash decisions.
Preston Thompson
September 29th, 2011
10:25 am
It’s really hard not to see all the bitterness and to a large degree I have to say it’s warranted. But I read all the blasting of the pitching staff and wonder if a lot of you know what talking about. With the staff the Braves had this year, no changes as they stand now, with some decent hitting, and not HR’s, but singles and doubles, the Braves would have won the division. The Braves can’t hit, period. That is their downfall. But, Freddi and Lowe- have to go. And have Wrens trades really done any good? I don’t think soooo.
David O'Brien
September 29th, 2011
10:25 am
PMC, you might have missed my comment from wee hours today: When asked the question about pitching to Pence, Fredi ended the interview. It was the third or fourth question of a second-guessing sort of nature about his moves — I asked him about worn-out relievers, Bradley asked him about not sending Roger out sooner to talk to Kimbrel, etc — and he was apparently tired of answering them. His office was packed with about 35 reporters/camera crews and radio guys, and at that point he said “OK, guys, thanks,” or something to that effect, ending the interview.
Justafan
September 29th, 2011
10:25 am
Cake..Rays had fire sell and turn over this year and still won when they had to..what the hell do you know…at least they have something to party about. Braves stay in BC Clone stage and lose again..damn joke..so is Fredi!
Braves Way
September 29th, 2011
10:26 am
“Tip your Hat” and “We left it all out there” The Phils beat you with there bench where is the anger where is the emotion. You lose 3 to the Phils and they could care less. The “braves way” sucks.
NO FIRE NO BALLS I am done with these losers.
Mcnuggets Sandwich
September 29th, 2011
10:26 am
A day in the life of Fredi G.
Mr. G how is your mcdonalds for lunch?…Gotta Tip Your Hat to the cook
Mr. G.did you have a good vacation? …Gotta Tip your hat to Delta
Mr. G. did you enjoy your romantic vacation? Gotta Tip your hat to the ladies
Mr. G. did you need to use the restroom? Gotta tip your hat to fiber
Bag-O-Bats
September 29th, 2011
10:27 am
There’s a lot of folks (bloggers and team) who are leaning on the absences of JJ and Hanson, bot pitchers, but their batting averages together wouldn’t be anymore than .075! Our young pitchers did step up and keep us in ball games but we can’s expect any pitcher, rookie or veteran to go to the mound night after night and hold the opposing team to zero, 1 or 2 runs. To coin a phrase taken from “Money Ball”, the Braves couldn’t hit water if they all fell out of a boat and having those two pitchers back wouldn’t have helped us get on base anymore than the pitchers we did utilize!
David O'Brien
September 29th, 2011
10:27 am
DOB, now that the season is over, can you give us a sense what was going on in the clubhouse over the past month? This team seemed to have some comraderie and some chemistry prior to McCann’s injury, but around that time, the comraderie and the chemistry seemed to disappear. – RFT
Then you sure saw something different than I saw/heard every day in clubhouse. I never saw anything what you’re describing. Clubhouse chemistry was about the ONLY thing that didn’t go wrong down the stretch.
Braves Fan
September 29th, 2011
10:27 am
“2012: you have $47 million tied up in Derek Lowe (5.05 ERA); Chipper Jones (old & oft-injured); and Dan Uggla (.232 average & lots of solo HRS) Not exactly “bang for the buck” when half your payroll is tied up in these clowns !”
Phredd
September 29th, 2011
10:29 am
DOB, did they say anything about why Freddie was holding the runner in the 13th?
PMC
September 29th, 2011
10:30 am
I did miss it, Thank you DOB.
Dirty Dawg
September 29th, 2011
10:32 am
If ‘Ifs and buts were candy and nuts’…and all that…
I do wish that they had asked Uggla if he thinks he could have run harder from the ‘get go’ on the base-hit to right that he was thrown out at the plate. ‘Iso’ on him showed him only half-way running from second to third and turned it on after rounding the bag. Was he assuming that they wouldn’t ’send him’? Did he assume that he could score without bustin’ his butt? Regardless, he very well could, and probably would, have been safe. Just another ‘what if’.
a disappointed braves fan
September 29th, 2011
10:32 am
fredi needs leadership training. he does not have the guts to take a player out when necessary because he is afraid he will hurt his feelings.things could have been better if he would have stood tall and be a manager (boss)
jch
September 29th, 2011
10:33 am
If Braves Were Smart… – what are you doing with Hudson? How is he not in the rotation. He’s starting opening day in mine.
1. Hudson – he’s earned this time and again, should have been last year
2. Hanson – assuming he’s healthy
3. Jurjjens – again, assuming he’s healthy
4. Beachy – great year overall
5. Lowe – no choice, we’re paying him too much to put him in the bullpen, no one else wants him with a 5+ ERA and his salary so we can’t move him.
If, by some miracle, we’re able to move Lowe or he’s OK with coming out of the bullpen (both longshots in my opinion) we have a pretty good list of candidates for #5 (or to fill in for lingering injuries of JJ or Hanson) – Minor, Delgado, Teheran, Vizcaino, Medlen… Of these, I’d personally like to see Medlen but, admittedly, this is as much an emotional decision as it is a “baseball” decision. I’d like to see the guy make it back to where he was – I love watching him pitch!
All in all, we’re in a VERY strong starting pitching situation. One most teams would give an arm and a leg for!
ijudgenot
September 29th, 2011
10:34 am
I thought the moves of Charlie Manual were with class. His job as Phils manager is to have his team primed for the playoffs. He also has a duty to the game to not put 9 pitchers on the field as position players. What he could do was give the prey a sporting chance. He did that. Instead of starting lefthanded Hamels, who the Braves have had problems hitting any lefthander, he started Blanton to give the Braves a sporting chance to score some early runs. But what does genius Fredi do? He starts righthanded hitting Diaz instead of Hinske,Constanza, or Heyward. Fredi says he did not want to burn a player early, What? Constanza, or Hinske were not going to get but one pinch hit opportunity anyway and you would only pinch hit if you had a scoring opportunity. Priceless strategy. Manual then pulls Howard after he gets hit by pitch. Howard can get hit 3 times in a row in the playoffs and will take his bat the next time. Manual sent the back of his bullpen from the 9th inning on and the Braves still could not score. They could not even get a hit. Manual in my opinion is not a HOF manager, but his motivational moves and strategic in game moves makes Fredi Gonzalez look like a litle league manager at best. I don’t like LaRussa, but I have to respect him for making his team believe that they could do what many ,me included, did not think was possible. Fredi could not get his team to truly believe that they could WIN ONE GAME. LaRussa believe me would not have been as classy as Manual, he would have tried to slaughter the hapless prey for public display. Hope the Phils beat the Cards.
Justafan
September 29th, 2011
10:34 am
Thanks DOB and Carroll for all you do!
Phredd
September 29th, 2011
10:34 am
Dirty Dawg, I caught that too, when Uggla looked to pick the ball up he slowed down. just listen to Snitker and run hard!
PMC
September 29th, 2011
10:36 am
I do wish guys on the team would admit that they did not handle the pressure of the Cards well whatsoever, and this was an epic choke job. If it wasn’t they are essentially saying they don’t have the talent to win which is BS, they just fell apart mentally at the plate.
The pride comments should be left for the spring, this was not the time to be patting each other on the back publically and “we’ll get em next year” stuff. It’s like these comments were canned.
Skokie Dog
September 29th, 2011
10:36 am
The way this season ended is disappointing but hardly shocking. If you put a Bobby Cox protege in your manager’s slot, this is what you get: lousy tactical managerial decision-making, inexplicable losses to below average teams, especially early in the season (when there are “still plenty of games to play”), and overused talent in the bullpen. If the Braves stick with the same basic philosophy in managing this team, don’t be surprised to see the sam outcome, regardless of the talent level on the field. And there were some shortcomings there this year too. Some of our players need to learn again how to hit, especially with runners on base.
elainewilliams
September 29th, 2011
10:37 am
Alex….Doesn’t sound like you have any friends or care about having any…Do you think Derek Lowe is the only high priced pitcher who has screwed up this year…..If you do you haven’t been doing your homework..;;Derek Lowe was great last year and everyone knows it, and is still great…Now if he had a team (that’s the Magic word) who would back him up with a few hits some time,perhaps things would have turned out better. We have 3 great pitchers for the Red Sox and they have all screwed up this year at one time or another and making just as much money AS Derek LoweIF NOT MORE….Getting rid of him would be a huge mistake mark my words. SHAME ON ALL OF YOU FAIR WEATHER FANS WHO HAVE SO LITTLE FAITH…..IN YOUR PLAYERS, YOUR MANAGER ETC.
PMC
September 29th, 2011
10:39 am
One of the worst collapses in Major League history says they have a great deal to hang thier heads about.
This team has a lot more talent than 89 wins.
Carol
September 29th, 2011
10:40 am
Face it Chipper. You have a strong desire but your body simply can’t keep up with the strain it has experienced over the years. Please consider that you are standing in the way of the Braves replacing you and either retire or go to an AL team as their designated batter. Your regular playing days are over but you would make a hell of a good batting coach, preferably for the Braves. You would still have your hunting preserve for income to offset the lower salary from either move.
Phredd
September 29th, 2011
10:41 am
praising Derek Lowe should get you banned! and he was not great last year. He was very good in september
Justafan
September 29th, 2011
10:43 am
Got to say what everyone else thinks..Fire Fredi!
Wren is also to blame..Fire Both!
PMC
September 29th, 2011
10:45 am
Fairweather fans? For criticising a professional baseball player really?
I cannot speak right now because I screamed my head off for the Braves last night. All Derrick Lowe has to do to avoid criticism is either not take that massive contract or show up and earn it.
He’s paid like a #1 at best he’s an emergency starter at this point.
Deflated
September 29th, 2011
10:45 am
As the saying goes, the players “played their hearts out”, and I am proud of each and every one of them. Unfortunately, when you are off your game on any particular day, “playing your heart out” doesn’t cut it at this level. And when the game is a very crucial one, you don’t need to be on the field if you are not “hitting on all cylinders”.
We need to tip our caps to Freddi-Bobby, as he has to take full responsibility for the loss last night along with so many others all season long. Bobby managed for the long season, sacrificing some games to keep pitchers sharp and egos in tact. However, when post-season came around, Bobby was never able to adapt to the new reality of short series and “win or go home games” leaving too many pitchers on the mound way too long (like in regular season). As a result, we could only complete the deal once in almost 20 years.
Unfortunately, Freddi-Bobby has learned at the foot of Bobby, and is also unable to think out of the box when it comes to play-off pressure (well, this was as close to play-off pressure during the regular season that you can get). When you send your rookie closer out there in this intensely pressure-packed situation, with the entire season on the line, and he walks and hits batters, don’t you think a reasonable manager would recognize that the rookie has let the pressure get to him and pull him for a more experienced pitcher (except for way over the hill, automalic-loss Linebrink) BEFORE he is allowed to blow the save, the game, the SEASON???? Hello!!!! Maybe we need to bring in a late season reliever for our manager; his lateness in pulling pitchers in distress all season was the reason that we found ourselves in last night.. Maybe they should study the bio-rythems of the pitchers, or maybe even react before it is too late. I suggest that we find a new manager that can find his way to the mound before the game is out of hand.
jch
September 29th, 2011
10:45 am
Elaine… Lowe, great? True he’s had precious little run support but, he’s also sporting an ERA over 5 with a very, very good defensive team behind him. That’s far from “great” in my book.
Was he great? For a month last year, yes. Has he been a valuable addition to the team over the past few years, yes. Does he appear to be slipping a bit do to age, yes. Am I at all confident in his ability to turn it around next year, no.
He’s old. His stuff isn’t what it used to be. It happens to all of them eventually.
No, he’s not still great.
Naboo the Enigma
September 29th, 2011
10:48 am
Closing thoughts an comments on the 2011 season
1.Freeman, great job this year kid. Future looks bright for you
2.Kimbrel, HELLUVA job this year kid. Rookie closer, top 3 closer in the bigs already, hang in there.
3.Venters, stud
4.Huddy and the young kids, thanks for giving it you all when called upon.
5.Lowe, you suck and you are washed up ya BUM
6.Prado, gotta get you back in the infield. Rebound next season bigtime for you.
7.M Bourn. Finally a CF in Atlanta, haven’t had one since Andruw left.
8.Heyward, Maybe the Rangers have a hitting coach you can talk to in the off season.
9.A Gonz, great D all year. Some of the best plays I’ve seen there in a Braves uni in years.
10.Chipper…. Oh Chipper…. Probably my alltime favorite player. Hang in there hoss, your leadership is worth its weight in gold with these kids. Next time make that trip to talk to Kimbrel.
11.McCann, injury free season next year. You are the cornerstone.
12. Fredi G… Ohhhhh Fredi G…. No idea where to even start with you. Mismanaged games on and off all season long. How do you NOT walk Pence with a base open and two outs. a hit still scores the run for them. Show some fire next season, enough Mr. Gee Golly Nice Guy crap. And when you go out to “argue” a blown call, take a page from Bobby’s book and rip someone’s ARSE. Your players feed off that fire.
13.Frank Wren, I honestly don’t think you are that great at your job. Try to get out of this hole payroll wise and stop locking up so much money in three or 4 jokes of a player like Mclouth, Kawakami, and Lowe.
Who to pin this collapse on? It always starts at the top. Wren and Fredi G (Parrish too).
They only thing that wil lighten the sting of this EPIC FAIL would be if the Phils get sent home in the first round. TO HELL WITH PHILY
Moron commenter
September 29th, 2011
10:48 am
Fredi G. has to go dadgummit. I mean he has every opportunity to put himself in and get the hits we need just like Pete Rose used to do as a player manager. When JJ and Hanson went down Fredi should have warmed the old arm up and got himself out there to throw some innings and save this season. What the heck was he thinking, fire his butt.
In other news, commenters who think Fredi G. should get fired should change their name to match my handle.
Phredd
September 29th, 2011
10:48 am
maybe Berkman can opt out of his extension and teach our talented guys how to hit consistently
Naboo the Enigma
September 29th, 2011
10:49 am
Oops, forgot the #1 and #2 aces on the squad. Gentlemen, untimely injuries this year for you both. Thanks for pitching your arses off this year.
Nothing to see here..
September 29th, 2011
10:50 am
@lobosolo and bozz
There are posters out here who are idiots and irrational because they are pissed, so I will give you that, but your the kind of dumb@ss fan they do close-ups of during the Braves games — bowed up redneck with an attitude that wants to kick anyones @ss who says anything bad about His beloved Braves…. “bunch of whiners..Chipper is the Man…don’t talk about my Braves or I’ll pull out a can of whoop @ss”. Your problem is you take all of this way to personally and have zero ability to discern whining, as you call it, from fair criticism that is warranted based on a fan not accepting mediocrity from the team they love. Same guy who can’t take criticism from others about yourself ,,, because you ain’t done nothin’ wrong ,,, you gave it 110 percent and who cares if you made a mistake that maybe cost your company thousands of dollars ,,, your boss is nothin’ but a dam whining SOB.
So, keep believing that Fredi is the greatest manager ever, because how could your beloved Bobby ever make a mistake. Keep believing that the washouts on this team will deliver in this game of inches and that the historic failure that just happened was nothing more than a bad dream, And oh yeah, stop by home depot to get a drywall repair kit to fix that hole you punched thru the wall.
Jay Dubu
September 29th, 2011
10:54 am
I’m not going to blame the pitching for last night’s loss. They have been the backbone of this team all season long.
The Brave s had numerous opportunities, and they have in other games this season, to manufacture runs without the benefit of a hit. It’s impossible to do that when you’re striking out. You have to be able to make contact to play small ball.
Wait till next year
September 29th, 2011
10:56 am
D Lowe needs to contact Roger Clemens to find out the secret to pitching well, in you late 30’s to early 40’s.
While at it, have Chipper contact Barry Bonds for some tips at the plate too.
ccrider
September 29th, 2011
10:57 am
i’m not a fan because “fan” is short for fanatic and i’m hardly fanatical. i see hope for 2012 because of a reduction in payroll and lots of trading chips. solid pitching and possibly a 6 man rotation would make sense. jj and hanson are injury prone, huddy’s getting up there in age and the young arms would benefit from more rest. if they could give more than 5 innings it would take the strain off the pen. lowe’s going nowhere unless we eat at least 10 of the 15 mil and get nothing back in return so why not put him in the pen? hayward needs to start 2012 in AAA regardless of his spring so he can EARN his way to the bigs instead of having it handed to him. it would help if he quit reading his 2010 press clippings. an overused expression is “play like your hair’s on fire.” the braves played like they just got out of the shower. don’t care how good his D was, gonzales was a cancer. he loafs like pujols does sometimes, only he’s nowhere near the talent. how could mcdowell expect self-discipline from his pitchers after his antics. he should have been fired on the spot!!! we need leo back. the frediot, as well as parrish and tp, must go. lure bobby valentine out of the booth and (never happen) get tony gwynn. the players are just very well paid entertainers playing a kids’ game and, for the most part, i was entertained. this blog sometimes irritates me; you praise them to the skies when they do well and berate the unmercifully when they don’t. i put the blame for the demise on fredobut not entirely. like william calley at mei lai (anybody remember that?) he was put in a position he was not capable of handling but got all the blame. i honestly feel the brave can go far next year with a little tweaking but, who knows?