While Braves offense in deep freeze, Prado’s bat sizzles
CINCINNATI – Since we’ve bombarded you with almost exclusively bad news here from the Queen City these past few days, let’s start with a bit of good news: Martin Prado’s bat is blazing.
While most Braves hitters have struggled mightily the past couple of weeks, Prado's bat has sizzled. (AP Photo)
The bad news, of course, is that his is about the only one that is among Braves, who as a team are in deep-freeze mode offensively. But more on that in a moment.
First, the Prado facts and figures.
He’s hit .463 (19-for-41) with seven extra-base hits, a .521 OBP and a .707 slugging percentage in his past 11 games, and over his past 31 games he’s carried a .350 average and .947 OPS. In his past 33 games, Prado has 16 extra-base hits, 22 runs and 19 RBIs.
Whew. Stat overload. Catch breath while hitting coach Greg Walker discusses.
“I don’t know if he knew how good he really is,” said Walker, who’s in his first season with the Braves. “He’s a really big-time player.”
Walker said Prado was intensely focused during spring training, particularly on refining his inside-out, opposite-field stroke that had been his bread-and-butter in 2010 but slipped along with the rest of his offense during a 2011 season slowed by a six-week absence for a staph infection.
“He wanted to find right field again, so he spent a lot of spring working on right field, and I think to an extreme,” Walker said. “Early in the season we just felt like he needed to open it up a little bit, use more of the field and not just hold himself to using the right field line – which he can do very well, and we want him to continue to do that.
“But we just felt like there was a lot more there in the body, the talent, and he can do other things too. So we just started doing some drills. He’s really good. He’s a really talented player.”
For the season, Prado’s hitting .327 with a .397 OBP and .485 slugging percentage (.882 OPS), including .369 (24-for-65) with a .955 OPS in 16 games at Turner Field, where the Braves will play 15 of their next 21 games after tonight’s merciful finale of a four-game series at Cincy.
He’s tied for sixth in the NL in hits with 53 (teammate Michael Bourn is second with 61, and ex-Brave Melky Cabrera leads with 64).
Against left-handers, Prado ranks among league leaders with a .389 average (21-for-54) and 1.051 OPS, including 10 extra-base hits.
Walker does not take credit for Prado’s resurgence.
“He’s a tireless worker,” the hitting coach said. “I think if we’ve done anything for him, we’ve just confirmed to him that you are that good. You don’t say it if you don’t mean it, and I meant it when I told him early this year. He’s really good. And he’s doing as good a job in the 2-hole as I’ve ever had somebody do. We felt like all along that he should be a really good No. 2 hitter. That’s kind of a lost art in today’s game….
“The one thing we’ve told them is, don’t get frustrated. You can get made, just don’t get frustrated. And he’s done it as well as anybody. He fights through at-bats and when he doesn’t have success he gets made. But we just say, don’t let yourself get frustrated. Just keep working. And he’s fought as well as anybody I’ve ever coached, every at-bat. He doesn’t give anything away.”
And that concludes the upbeat section of our essay, folks.
• Slump deepening: What an ironic time for the Braves to be mired in their worst hitting slump so far this season, worse (and longer) than the one they endured during their 0-4 start. Here they are playing in the smallest, most hitter-friendly ballpark in the league, and the Braves’ bats have been mostly silent, save for Bourn’s two-homer game Tuesday and Dan Uggla’s mammoth upper-deck homer Wednesday.
All of those were solo shots, as was Juan Francisco’s homer in the series opener Monday.
• Brace yourself for the cringe-worthy numbers: The Braves have hit .128 (12-for-94) and scored five runs in three nights at Great American Ball Park, with all but one run coming on solo homers. Work on the run-manufacturing line, as it were, has been shut down.
Braves right fielder Jason Heyward watched Todd Frazler's walkoff home run land in the first row of seats in Cincinnati's 2-1 win Wednesday. (AP photo)
And it didn’t just start when they got to Cincinnati. The Braves have hit .158 (25-for-158) and scored nine runs while going 1-4 in past five games, including the last two games of a series they won at Tampa Bay with help from a baserunning blunder by the Rays.
It’s no coincidence that they’ve played those five without Chipper Jones in the lineup, after his leg injury in the series opener at Tampa Bay. The Braves simply haven’t been a formidable team without him starting. At some point, the record can’t be dismissed as coincidence or a fluke: They are 19-5 with Chipper in the lineup, and 7-14 without him.
The Braves have also played the past two nights without Brian McCann, who had flu-like symptoms including a fever, chills and body aches. The Braves hope to have at least one and possibly both of them back in the lineup tonight.
“The Reds have caught us at a good time – a bad time for us,” Jones said after Wednesday’s game. “I’m out of the lineup, Mac’s sick, Freddie [Freeman] is having trouble with his eyes. You know, we just can’t put anything together offensively right now.”
Even with Chipper, the Braves’ offense had begun to cool, while the pitching has been sharp lately, save for some starts by Mike Minor and Randall Delgado. In their past 10 games, the Braves are 4-6 despite a 3.02 ERA. They’ve hit .233 in that stretch, including .204 by Braves other than Prado.
They lost 2-1 on a walkoff homer Wednesday, after Tommy Hanson threw a two-hit shutout for five innings and gave up one run and four hits in six.
“They’ve got a lot of confidence, they’re playing well right now,” backup catcher David Ross said of the Reds, who are on a season-high five-game winning streak. “And we’re just in a little bit of a lull. We’re too good a team not to stay in here [in the division race], and our pitching’s really good, so we’ll be fine. But it’s a real frustrating loss when a guy goes out and pitches like that.
“Beachy actually pitched a really good game [Tuesday], better than the results showed. Hopefully Randall comes out and gives us a good outing [in tonight’s finale] and hopefully we score some runs for him…. We’ve got some guys banged up. Guys are dropping like flies around here. We’ve just got to keep our heads up, and the B squad’s got to pick up the A squad. We’ve got a long way to go.”
• Eyes are this important: The problems that Freddie Freeman has had in recent weeks with his dry-eye condition – including corneal abrasions sustained in windy, dry Colorado – have coincided with a slump after what had been the hottest extended stretch of hitting in his young career.
In his past 15 games, beginning with the Chicago series after the Braves left Colorado, Freeman has hit just .164 (9-for-55) with three doubles, one homer, six RBIs, a .292 OBP and .273 slugging (.565 OPS). The Braves are 7-8 in those games.
In his previous 19 games: he hit .364 (28-for-77) with seven doubles, one triple, six homers, 25 RBIs, a .372 OBP and .714 slugging (1.086 OPS). Oh, and two NL Player of the Week awards. and two POW awards? The Braves were 13-6 in those games.
Freeman is continuing to try various contact lenses and medicated drops, seeking to find the right prescription that’ll allow him to keep his eyes moist. He had a procedure to plug the tear ducts, but that hasn’t brought the relief that he and the Braves’ eye specialist had hoped it would.
• Venters’ woes continue: Injury was added to insult for reliever Jonny Venters on Wednesday when he was struck in the left leg by Joey Votto’s line drive in the eighth inning. This after giving up a leadoff single and throwing a wild pitch to advance the runner to third. He managed to recover, pick up the ball and throw out Votto, moving the runner to third.
After an intentional walk to Brandon Phillips, Venters was replaced by Eric O’Flaherty because manager Fredi Gonzalez didn’t want Venters to face Jay Bruce with runners on the corners and one out with his leg throbbing from the liner he took off it a few minutes before. O’Flaherty induced a double-play grounder and the Braves got out of the inning unscathed. (Cristhian Martinez wasn’t as fortunate in the ninth.)
Gonzalez didn’t think Venters was hurt badly, but said it would be today before the Braves knew for sure.
It's been a rough month for Venters, who has put multiple runners on base in almost every inning. He was struck in the leg by a line drive Wednesday. (AP photo).
It continued what has been an extremely rough month for the lefty, who a year ago was arguably baseball’s best reliever at this point of the season.
This month Venters has a 6.75 ERA and .419 opponents’ average in nine appearances, with 13 hits, six runs (five earned), two walks and four hit batters in 6-2/3 innings. He’s allowed at least two baserunners in seven of the eight appearances this month in which he faced more than one batter.
For the season, Venters has a .317 opponents’ average and .848 OPS, including .286 with a .708 OPS by lefty hitters. Last season he finished with a .176 opponents’ average and .508 OPS, including a microscopic .128 average and .402 OPS by lefty hitters.
With runners in scoring position, opponents have hit .346 (9-for-26) against him this season, after hitting just .141 (10-for-71) in 2011. He’s allowed just one fewer hit already with runners in scoring position than he gave up all of last season.
The Braves and Venters say it’s just been mechanical problem with his delivery, nothing physically wrong with his arm.
• Familiar results: The Braves need a win tonight to avoid being swept, but are already assured of another series loss in Cincinnati. They’ve won only one of eight series here in the past seven seasons, that by a 2-1 margin in 2009, the only year they played two series in Cincy in that period.
Atlanta has a 7-18 record on the road against the Reds in that seven-year period entering tonight’s series finale. They were swept in a three-game series in 2008, lost three of four in a four-game series in ’07, and lost two of three games in the other four series in that period.
BRAVES LINEUP
- Bourn CF
- Prado LF
- Heyward RF
- Uggla 2B
- Hinske 1B
- Ross C
- Pastornicky SS
- Francisco 3B
- Delgado P
• Tonight’s matchup: It’s Randall Delgado vs. the Reds’ Homer Bailey in a rematch of a May 14 game at Atlanta that the Reds won 3-1. Delgado and Baily each gave up one run in 6-2/3 innings in that game, but the run off Delgado was unearned and the Braves rookie allowed only four hits and three walks in a strong start that earned him only a no-decision in a loss.
Delgado is 1-2 with a 5.40 ERA in four road starts, with two grand slams among three homers he’s allowed. (He’s 1-2 with a 3.33 ERA and one homer allowed in four home starts.)
He gave up a third-inning grand slam Saturday at Tampa Bay and lasted four innings in a 5-2 loss.
Bailey is 1-0 with a 2.77 ERA in his past two starts, road games at Atlanta and New York (Mets). He got no decision last week against the Braves and is 1-0 with a 2.13 ERA in two starts against them, including a July win at Cincy when he gave up two runs in six innings.
The potentially good news for Braves followers: Bailey has allowed six homers in 18 innings of three home starts, compared to two homers in 29-2/3 innings in five road starts. He’s 0-1 with a 4.50 ERA and .310 opponents’ average this season at Great American Ball Park.
Then again, the Braves have faced a couple of other pitchers in this series who had struggled previously this season at home, but didn’t have much difficulty against Atlanta’s sputtering offense.
Jason Heyward is 2-for-6 against Bailey, while Uggla (2-for-11) is the only other Brave with more than one hit against him. Bourn is 1-for-9, McCann 0-for-4, Chipper 1-for-3 and Prado 1-for-5.
• Etc.
Uggla had 31 strikeouts in 79 at-bats in 21 May games before not striking out Wednesday. He’s hit .256 with a .367 OBP and .439 slugging percentage this month, with six doubles, three homers and 10 RBIs this month…. Braves relievers have allowed 14 homers, second-most in the NL to Arizona’s 16…. Hanson is 4-1 with a 2.88 ERA in his past seven starts, with 55 strikeouts and 15 walks in 40-2/3 innings.
• Let’s close with a great tune by Over the Rhine, a really good band from Cincinnati that’s been crafting fine under-the-radar tunes for years. You can hear it by clicking here.
“ALL I NEED IS EVERYTHING” by Over the Rhine
Slow down. Hold still.
It’s not as if it’s a matter of will.
Someone’s circling. Someone’s moving
a little lower than the angels.
And it’s got nothing to do with me.
The wind blows through the trees,
but if I look for it, it won’t come.
I tense up. My mind goes numb.
There’s nothing harder than learning how to receive.
Calm down. Be still.
We’ve got plenty of time to kill.
No hand writing on the wall:
just the voice that’s in us all.
And you’re whispering to me,
time to get up off my hands and knees,
’cause if I beg for it, it won’t come.
I find nothing but table crumbs.
My hands are empty. God I’ve been naive.
All I need is everything.
Inside, outside, feel new skin.
All I need is everything.
Feel the slip and the grip of grace again.
Slow down. Hold still.
It’s not as if it’s a matter of will.
Someone’s circling. Someone’s moving
a little lower than the angels.
This voice calling me to you:
it’s just barely coming through.
Still, I clearly hear my name.
I’ve been fingering the flame
like tomorrow’s martyr.
It gets harder to believe.
All I need is everything.
Inside, outside, feel new skin.
All I need is everything.
Feel the slip and the grip of grace again.
So from now till kingdom come,
taste the words on the tip of my tongue.
‘Cause we can’t run truth out of town,
only force it underground.
The roots grow deeper
in ways we can’t conceive.
All I need is everything.
Inside, outside feel new skin.
All I need is everything.
Feel the slip and the grip of grace again.
All I need is all I need.
by David O’Brien, Braves/MIB blog
1,457 comments Add your comment
Threadkiller
May 24th, 2012
3:00 pm
My Shaun impression:
Threadkiller: Hello everyone! Beautiful day out today!
Shaun: No it’s not! Chesley McNeil gave today an 8 in the Wizometer! 8 is not a 10 so it’s not the most beautiful day.
That’s also the reason It doesn’t take a genius to figure out the save rule has ruined the way managers use relievers. It also makes the game less interesting because often you don’t have the best relievers in when the game is most on the line, instead you have them in when their team already has a lead and is going to win a majority of the time with just a halfway decent reliever. If that makes me smarter than everyone, that’s pretty sad.
So I have quantative facks that today is not a beautiful day!
Murph
May 24th, 2012
3:02 pm
Anyone else seen the movie “Macgruber”?
Every time I read or hear the phrase “upper decker” it makes me think of that movie.
TheOnlyBravesFan
May 24th, 2012
3:03 pm
Thanks DOB
Go get em tonight boys.
George
May 24th, 2012
3:03 pm
Thank you DOB.
Fresno Bravo
May 24th, 2012
3:05 pm
Oh my goodness, I am first! Not that it matters. Question here for Dave. What is the thought that switching to glasses would be of assistance to Mr Freeman? Have the Braves discussed this option. Not really sure how that would work, although he certainly would lose the cool factor. Time for this never ending road trip to end…
TheOnlyBravesFan
May 24th, 2012
3:05 pm
Hmmm 3rd, not great… but still good (though I hear the 1st stuff is pointless)
nolie
May 24th, 2012
3:05 pm
damn it, now Marteen is gonna be jinxed too. prepare for freefall…..
Fresno Bravo
May 24th, 2012
3:05 pm
Aww, I was so hoping for first! Darn non updating browser…
TheOnlyBravesFan
May 24th, 2012
3:05 pm
nolie @ 3:05, oh really??? don’t spoil it for me, haven’t read the blog yet, let me do it now
tiger297
May 24th, 2012
3:06 pm
nolie – on the plus side freeman should start tearing the cover off the ball
Fish Bisch
May 24th, 2012
3:08 pm
Bailey owns us
™
TheOnlyBravesFan
May 24th, 2012
3:08 pm
From the Vent: I keep hoping Fredi will wake up soon and realize that his #4 starter, Chris Medlen, is being wasted in the bullpen.
Wow. I bet it’s one of the DOB article bloggers as well…. btw, his name is spelled Kris Medlen
ncscoots
May 24th, 2012
3:08 pm
damn it, now Marteen is gonna be jinxed too. prepare for freefall…..
Yeah, but David also basically said, “The rest of these guys got suckage.” So, they got that going for ‘em. Reverse the curse, and like that. Martin will just have to take one for the team.
Brian from SC
May 24th, 2012
3:08 pm
No Chipper, McCann, or Freeman tonight in the lineup.
PMC
May 24th, 2012
3:08 pm
That’s great, this means last year can be written off as injury issues.
It’s just unfortunate everyone in the line up is so streaky.
Venice Jim
May 24th, 2012
3:11 pm
Atlanta Braves @Braves
Tonight’s lineup at CIN (7:10, SPSO/680AM/BRN): Bourn 8 Prado 7 Heyward 9 Uggla 4 Hinske 3 Ross 2 Pastornicky 6 Francisco 5 Delgado 1
nolie
May 24th, 2012
3:11 pm
7-14 without Chipper? so we will win 54 games next year
Casey Stinkle
May 24th, 2012
3:13 pm
i am pretty sure Freddie asked Ventors “is your leg hurt? please tell me your leg is hurt”
Casey Stinkle
May 24th, 2012
3:13 pm
i am pretty sure Freddie asked Ventors “is your leg hurt? please tell me your leg is hurt”
brian
May 24th, 2012
3:13 pm
still no Chipper????
nolie
May 24th, 2012
3:13 pm
good point scoots, lets hope it works that way
ncscoots
May 24th, 2012
3:14 pm
Delgado saw the lineup and thought, “Damn, I wish I had a bigger a**, ’cause I’m gonna have to pitch it off to win this sumbee.”
This squad prolly scores a gazillion tonight, just for grins.
David O'Brien
May 24th, 2012
3:14 pm
Braves lineup: Bourn CF, Prado LF, Heyward RF, Uggla 2B, Hinske 1B, Ross C, Pastornicky SS, Francisco 3B, Delgado P
Hugo Z Hackenbush
May 24th, 2012
3:14 pm
Red Sox front office addresses its critcs:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qro7oBzUBos
brian
May 24th, 2012
3:14 pm
and no McCann and Freeman either – is Fredi going for the reverse curse for the lineup to try and get some hitting??
TheOnlyBravesFan
May 24th, 2012
3:16 pm
finally REV gets to hit #7, should put him ahead of ross though…
Poor McFann, her homeboy missing the entire series… he’s screwed for the rest of the year, won’t hit .280 now
Alphabet
May 24th, 2012
3:17 pm
Walkers comments about Prado (or at least the transcription of them) made me so made
Ease
May 24th, 2012
3:17 pm
With this lineup, at least we can say that we have one of the best benches in the league…
cricket
May 24th, 2012
3:17 pm
Theo the GM, what can he do if his payroll falls short of gazillion by a dollar?
Ward
May 24th, 2012
3:18 pm
Hello everyone! The fact is that Wren, might have to trade for a solid pitcher after all, also make a trade for a bat. If the trend continues? Braves are in serious trouble. Just hope the offense can snap out of it………….
Fargo
May 24th, 2012
3:18 pm
DOB; I thought for sure you would have closed with a Bob Dylan tune. It would have been appropriate on his 71st Bday….
Happy Birthday Robert Z!
nolie
May 24th, 2012
3:18 pm
if any of them are well enough to be used, Ease….
brian
May 24th, 2012
3:18 pm
I do want to see what Heyward does in the 3rd spot
Hillbilly
May 24th, 2012
3:19 pm
Bomb squad, baby. Go get ‘em boys.
Ward
May 24th, 2012
3:19 pm
Either that call up Simmons, or Todd Cunningham, both been playing very well.
nolie
May 24th, 2012
3:20 pm
Oh God said to Abraham, “Kill me a son”
Abe says, “Man, you must be puttin’ me on”
God say, “No.” Abe say, “What?”
God say, “You can do what you want Abe, but
The next time you see me comin’ you better run”
Well Abe says, “Where do you want this killin’ done?”
God says, “Out on Highway 61”
Well Georgia Sam he had a bloody nose
Welfare Department they wouldn’t give him no clothes
He asked poor Howard where can I go
Howard said there’s only one place I know
Sam said tell me quick man I got to run
Ol’ Howard just pointed with his gun
And said that way down on Highway 61
Well Mack the Finger said to Louie the King
I got forty red, white and blue shoestrings
And a thousand telephones that don’t ring
Do you know where I can get rid of these things
And Louie the King said let me think for a minute son
And he said yes I think it can be easily done
Just take everything down to Highway 61
Now the fifth daughter on the twelfth night
Told the first father that things weren’t right
My complexion she said is much too white
He said come here and step into the light, he says hmm you’re right
Let me tell the second mother this has been done
But the second mother was with the seventh son
And they were both out on Highway 61
Now the rovin’ gambler he was very bored
He was tryin’ to create a next world war
He found a promoter who nearly fell off the floor
He said I never engaged in this kind of thing before
But yes I think it can be very easily done
We’ll just put some bleachers out in the sun
And have it on Highway 61
Ward
May 24th, 2012
3:21 pm
Cunningham might be a good fit in the club house, and could brighten things up. He could losen the team up a bit.
monty
May 24th, 2012
3:21 pm
WHew! No FF,CJ, or BM. Delgado pitching, looks like we keep the streak alive.
bravesgrl4life
May 24th, 2012
3:22 pm
Maybe this lineup can do something tonight. Sure hope so.
I just want Heyward to look like he cares.
TennesseePaul
May 24th, 2012
3:23 pm
Thanks for the work DOB.
GO BRAVES!!
Last 9 Starts of the Starting 9
_________AVG__OBP__SLG___OPS_wOBA_L9S9+
Bourn__ .250 .250 .475 0.725 .303 __116
Prado__ .455 .526 .758 1.284 .564 __290
Heyward .206 .250 .265 0.515 .260 ___59
Uggla__ .207 .368 .379 0.748 .339 __132
Hinske_ .355 .417 .516 0.933 .383 __186
Ross___ .188 .235 .406 0.642 .273 ___92
Pastorn .250 .273 .281 0.554 .278 ___72
Francis .161 .188 .290 0.478 .207 ___44
Delgado .250 .250 .250 0.500 .278 ___55
Ease
May 24th, 2012
3:23 pm
Go Barves…!!!…Have Hope…Go Barves…!!!…Have Hope… Go Barves!!! Hope!
nolie
May 24th, 2012
3:23 pm
one never knows fer sure, but the odds do look longish tonight, no doubt
monty
May 24th, 2012
3:25 pm
Tryin to work a reverse jinx, Nolie.
heymmered
May 24th, 2012
3:25 pm
Anyone else disgusted with the effort Heyward made last night on that homerun?
nolie
May 24th, 2012
3:26 pm
man I get really tired of all the Andruw/Heyward/Uggla/Chipper/etc should look like they care.
nolie
May 24th, 2012
3:27 pm
nope, not me.
Brian from SC
May 24th, 2012
3:27 pm
heymmered
No…
What do you want him to do? Grow a couple feet?
monty
May 24th, 2012
3:27 pm
“Anyone else disgusted with the effort Heyward made last night on that homerun?”
No! Too bad he’s not Spider Man.
heymmered
May 24th, 2012
3:28 pm
it landed in the first row. He climbed higher for a ball 12 rows up earlier in the series.
Ward
May 24th, 2012
3:29 pm
Well, Delgado is due……..Mabye the Force will be with him tonight? Yes…..Believe in the Force…….
TennesseePaul
May 24th, 2012
3:29 pm
seeking to find the right prescription that’ll allow him to keep his eyes moist. He had a procedure to plug the tear ducts, but that hasn’t brought the relief that he and the Braves’ eye specialist had hoped it would
Don’t know much about the eye, but why would you plug up a tear duct if you are seeking moisture? Seems counter intuitive.
Brian from SC
May 24th, 2012
3:29 pm
And climbing would have done him the same amount of good on the one last night as it did on the one earlier in the series.
nolie
May 24th, 2012
3:30 pm
and that really worked so well didn’t it?
heymmered
May 24th, 2012
3:31 pm
I guess trying is too much to ask. Guess thats just me
nolie
May 24th, 2012
3:31 pm
he musta caught it from that damn McFatty….
nolie
May 24th, 2012
3:32 pm
football fan, right??
TheOnlyBravesFan
May 24th, 2012
3:32 pm
Calling it now. BRAVES LOSE!!! SEASON!!!!
if that can’t do the trick, what will…
ChopAttack
May 24th, 2012
3:33 pm
It didn’t look like Heyward could see the ball. Not that it would have mattered. I guess it would have made heymmered feel better.
cabravesfan
May 24th, 2012
3:33 pm
There is no way Jason would have come close to catching that ball, even if he had jumped. So “trying” would have yielded the same result.
cricket
May 24th, 2012
3:34 pm
Grow a couple feet?
doesn’t he have a couple already?
JT Grace
May 24th, 2012
3:34 pm
“Anyone else disgusted with the effort Heyward made last night on that homerun?”
Nope
monty
May 24th, 2012
3:35 pm
Those catches are so rare. It’s why they still play Otis Nixon’s catch against Andy Van Slyke about a gazillion years ago. Or those Jim Edmonds used to make in St. Louis. They don’t grow on trees..thought I’d work that ole saying in of my father’s.
McFann :Ô: :Ô:
May 24th, 2012
3:36 pm
[sigh]…
Brian from SC
May 24th, 2012
3:36 pm
Try what? Jumping 10 feet into the air? Climbing a fence and then magically stretching his arm to a length of six feet?
Murph
May 24th, 2012
3:36 pm
This team is due-due.
BLK09GT
May 24th, 2012
3:40 pm
I actually agree with heymmered. The picture is posted all over AJC. Jason is tall and has long arms. It would have been close if he would have timed his jump. I guess what he is getting at, and so am I is he should have tried. Same concept as Uggla busting it down first base line when going through that bad stretch last year. He was putting forth effort. That is all I ask. But hey, I’m not the coach, just an armchair fan making an observation.
Ward
May 24th, 2012
3:40 pm
All, have a good one! Hope the Braves just don’t sink into a black hole, and never get out. I have hopes, but they are troubled, as of now. Delgado the Force is with you………”Go!!!!!Braves!!!!!” Talk after the game tonight……
monty
May 24th, 2012
3:41 pm
What’s the scoop on this Mejia(sure i mis-spelled it) in the Minors? Is he another Gattis?
Brian from SC
May 24th, 2012
3:41 pm
By the time Heyward actually got to the wall and could collect himself for the jump, the ball was in the fan’s hands.
cabravesfan
May 24th, 2012
3:42 pm
Jason is tall. He has long arms. He would not have caught it. The Reds TV got a good close up right at the wall…no way.
Bat Masterson
May 24th, 2012
3:42 pm
I just want Heyward to look like he cares.
You know I don’t get this. Heyward would have had to jump straight up 14 feet, or more, to catch that ball last night. I’ve seen him jump up on top of the wall at least once in this series. I’ve seen him throw his bat, throw his helmet, grimace when he just misses a pitch. What does he need to do to show he cares?
heymmered
May 24th, 2012
3:42 pm
Exactly. It meant the ball game. The ball landed in the first row of seats and i have seen him catch one in the first row not long ago. The picture posted above even shows the ball only about 10 feet above him. He may not have caught it but at least try with the game on the line.
Brian from SC
May 24th, 2012
3:43 pm
When the fans say they “want him to look like he cares” what they really means is they want him to hit .300.
nolie
May 24th, 2012
3:43 pm
ludicrousness , the ball was gone
ChopAttack
May 24th, 2012
3:44 pm
People who say I want X person to look like “they care…” I get it if someone is pouting or not putting in effort, but that’s not an issue with any Braves player. It’s just nonsense.
ChopAttack
May 24th, 2012
3:45 pm
I guess heymmered doesn’t know that the first row in the outfield is different at every park.
nolie
May 24th, 2012
3:45 pm
sure make a spectacular try and get hurt and miss half the season, that’ll show he really cares…….
heymmered
May 24th, 2012
3:46 pm
I guess you dont know that I go to the games in Cincinnati and often sit in the first row.
Brian from SC
May 24th, 2012
3:46 pm
Heyward doesn’t react any differently to strikeouts and other negative things than Chipper Jones does. The difference is Chipper isn’t hitting .240. Fans are looking for something to pick at players about when they don’t like how they’re performing. Pretending they know whether a player “cares” or not I guess makes them feel better about themselves.
nolie
May 24th, 2012
3:47 pm
no wait…the same folks who are now bitchin’ about him not trying, would then be bitchin’ about how stoopid it was to try and take a chance on getting hurt
ncscoots
May 24th, 2012
3:47 pm
He would not have caught it.
That’s a mere fact for some of our folks, easily ignored. More important to get Jim-Edmonds style points in a fruitless effort than anything else.
Bat Masterson
May 24th, 2012
3:48 pm
I actually agree with heymmered. The picture is posted all over AJC. Jason is tall and has long arms. It would have been close if he would have timed his jump
That picture does not tell the story. A grown person reached up as high as they could for that ball last night. He would have needed to time his jump off of a freaking trampoline.
Dawg '88
May 24th, 2012
3:49 pm
love the lineup….no Chipper, no McCann, no chance.
Chalk up another loss tonight.
Wonderful….
nolie
May 24th, 2012
3:49 pm
exactly, never let mere facts stand in the way of a good emotionally cleansing rant….
ncscoots
May 24th, 2012
3:50 pm
When the fans say they “want him to look like he cares” what they really means is they want him to hit .300.
Brian nails it. If Heyward were raking, nobody cares if he even turned around and went to the wall, or just stayed in his tracks.
cricket
May 24th, 2012
3:51 pm
we are judging by picture? i took “THE” washington monument picture when i visited. don’t mind if i’m judged by that..
Bay Area Steve
May 24th, 2012
3:51 pm
Heyward would’ve jumped, if he could.
Watch the replay. He drifts back, and he runs into the wall. By the time he regains his balance to jump, the ball’s in the seats. If he erred, it was in not getting to the wall sooner.
Questioning the guy’s desire is ridiculous.
raleighbravefan
May 24th, 2012
3:52 pm
veer – (continuing from previous blog) – I thought YOU were a regular.
Of course you are right. We REAL regulars, who all agree on everything, don’t try to actually own the blog, we just unanimously band together to ridicule morons who continue to say stupid things over and over. ( this was said with a GREAT DEAL of sarcasm).
Actually, even we “like minded” mostly positive leaning fans often have disagreements. Most of us, at least, enjoy an intellegent discussion involving our favorite team and players, as well as BBQ, music, etc. Where we seem to “pile on” as a joint effort, …..well that occurs when some whiner or troll rants irrationally about everything negative they can think of, with no basis in reality. This is exacerbated by the fact that many of these same whiners have an arrogant attitude of superiority, even though they usually have no clue what they are talking about.
If that upsets you, well…scroll on.
Bay Area Steve
May 24th, 2012
3:53 pm
“This team is due-due”
But, are they an upper-decker due-due?
Heisenberg
May 24th, 2012
3:53 pm
Delgado the stopper? Braves can only hope.
ncscoots
May 24th, 2012
3:55 pm
If he erred, it was in not getting to the wall sooner.
Might have forgotten it’s Pony League depth out there, too.
tiger297
May 24th, 2012
3:55 pm
BAS nailed it…I don’t think the ball landed much higher than Jayson got the other night and I expect he would have jumped into the stands again if he hadnt hit the wall
Hillbilly
May 24th, 2012
3:56 pm
From the twitter side bar:
Yes, he is. RT @coinstar22: @ajcbraves is chipper the last player on the braves roster from the division title streak teams?
McCann and Hudson were here in ‘05, no?
Hugo Z Hackenbush
May 24th, 2012
3:57 pm
Heymmered certainly brought the hammer down on the bullpen usage brouhaha…
McFann :Ô: :Ô:
May 24th, 2012
3:57 pm
Hillbilly—
Yes, they were.
ncscoots
May 24th, 2012
3:58 pm
Delgado the stopper? Braves can only hope.
Add the Bomb Squad lineup on top of that, and it might just tickle the baseball gods enough for them to wave their magic wands.
I don’t know that I’d want to go with that as an operational strategy all the time, but one night? I’m going with it, sure.
nolie
May 24th, 2012
3:58 pm
I think it was higher, but I think he would have jumped anyway if the timing had been right with the wall
Heisenberg
May 24th, 2012
3:58 pm
Rough couple games for Heyward. Popped out to end game with a chance to tie and send into extra innings, then cannot get to walk-off HR last night. Not sure if he could have reached it or not but it would sure look good from the PR perspective if he had at least climbed the wall and stretched out a glove.
heymmered
May 24th, 2012
3:58 pm
Just asking a question for a friendly debate.
Bay Area Steve
May 24th, 2012
3:59 pm
“Might have forgotten it’s Pony League depth out there”
Exactly, scoots. I think he’s gliding back, as he always does, assuming he’s going to catch the ball. A little extra carry, a little quicker wall, and he’s not able to time the miracle leap. Why do people assume it’s his desire? I mean, all you have to do is watch the play. Watch it now. Watch it again, and tell me it’s his heart. Nonsense.
Murph
May 24th, 2012
3:59 pm
But, are they an upper-decker due-due?
Based on how many runs they’ve scored over the last few days I’d have to say, yes, they are indeed upper-decker due due.
Hugo Z Hackenbush
May 24th, 2012
4:00 pm
You thought you were going to get a friendly debate? Hahahahaha…
nolie
May 24th, 2012
4:00 pm
like has been said here several times Heisen, by the time he coulda jumped it was already in the seats
nolie
May 24th, 2012
4:01 pm
doo doo is more like it….
Trader Jack
May 24th, 2012
4:02 pm
nolie
May 24th, 2012
2:57 pm
for whatever reason, there have been a number of guys who were great set up pitchers and who did rather poor jobs as closers
Good fact Nolie. Case in point Tyler Clippard. one of the better set-up guys, but only 2 for 21 in close opportunities, for 10%
B_F 52
May 24th, 2012
4:02 pm
killer tune
Get mad but don’t get frustrated
Random
May 24th, 2012
4:03 pm
Does Chipper shave his arms?
TennesseePaul
May 24th, 2012
4:04 pm
Yes. McCann and Hudson were both on the team for “The Streak”. Chipper is the longest tenured of “The Streak” members. McCann and Hudson both joined the team in the final year.
Heisenberg
May 24th, 2012
4:04 pm
Sorry to bring up old memories, but I cannot imagine Kirby Puckett would have stood there and looked up no matter how many rows deep it was. Every now and then it would be nice to see that kind of fire from ATL sports teams.
B_F 52
May 24th, 2012
4:05 pm
Does Chipper shave his arms?
Only if Gattis asks him to
nolie
May 24th, 2012
4:06 pm
obvious football mentality
Durrtydogg
May 24th, 2012
4:06 pm
The fact remains even in a “slump” we are still at the top of division. Freddi has a problem with motivation and game management. He sucks at both. I rarely see him get excited. When he goes out to fight for his players after bad calls (and there have been so many), its more like a mediation than a confrontation. Its like he is tired already. Our coaches lack fire from every one of our Pro Teams. They are good ol boys who just go with the flow. What bothers me is that majority of our fan base and the people who cover our teams seem to expect us to fail. I dont blame you guys, until the teams show up and start winning, you have a right to view the glass half empty. All this oh well we will get them tomorrow is a bunch of crap. Prado and Bourne seem like the only two that has a deep desire to win.
Bay Area Steve
May 24th, 2012
4:07 pm
I love me a good prank, Murph. But, if anybody ever defecates in the back of my toilet, I’m borrowin’ the biggest caliber revolver scoots owns, and that 1000-round-a-second BB-gun from nolie, and I’m goin’ to prison.
nolie
May 24th, 2012
4:09 pm
save the rah rah for SEC pointyball
cabravesfan
May 24th, 2012
4:09 pm
Sorry, but jumping into a wall for an uncatchable ball is not “fire” It’s pointless.
Bay Area Steve
May 24th, 2012
4:09 pm
Heisenberg,
I kindly ask that you re-watch the video, and tell me if you see his back run into the wall. If you do, I’d ask you to run into a wall, and try and jump right as you do. Lemme know how high you get, and if you still think it’s because he didn’t want to.
ncscoots
May 24th, 2012
4:12 pm
From a guy named Paul Daugherty on SI (Iwasn’t familiar with him before this article):
We don’t behave this way elsewhere. More often than not, we allow the games to speak for themselves, and the players to describe the games. If they play well, they’re not superhuman and infallible. If they don’t, it wasn’t because they weren’t dedicated or played golf on an off day or drank beer on days they weren’t pitching. It was because they had a bad day.
The games are the thing. Not the insignificance that clutters them.
I’m just spitballin’ here, but I don’t think this guy has ever been an in-game contributor to this blog.
Bay Area Steve
May 24th, 2012
4:12 pm
“our fan base seems to expect us to fail”
Well, there is that baseball is a game of failure thing. And that 29 of 30 will fail thing. Seems to me, expecting to win The Series is expectin’ an awful lot.
D.A. Nuggla
May 24th, 2012
4:12 pm
With CJ, BMac, and FreeMan out of the lineup tonight I’ve already marked it down as another loss, and another “giveaway” game. Even those 3 at 50% are better than what FG has in there. Not surprised though as he is totally lost as a manager. I’m keeping track of the “giveaways” this year and that’s two in one week. There were several last year and would have made a huge difference at the end of the year. Wonder if it was the last week of the season if those 3 would be in the lineup? Guess these games don’t count as much huh? Also, with Homer Bailey pitching the Braves don’t stand a chance tonight. He made them look like “Little Leaguers” last week!
Murph
May 24th, 2012
4:12 pm
That’s a bit extreme, BAS. While I would be none-too-pleased about being on the receiving end of an upper-decker, I don’t know that I’d go to prison over it.
The upper decker will seem like a nice memory when you’re taken deep.
raleighbravefan
May 24th, 2012
4:13 pm
Unbelievable comments, and getting worse…Things like, “the other team just wants it more”, “I wish these guys would at least try to win”, “I wish these guys would at least act like they care”…Asinine.
Anyone that questions their desire or heart…well, you have no basis for making that judgement. You don’t know what is in their head or heart. Get over yourself, how about it.
ncscoots
May 24th, 2012
4:13 pm
All this oh well we will get them tomorrow is a bunch of crap. Prado and Bourne seem like the only two that has a deep desire to win.
Maybe you’re mistaking batting average for competitive will.
bravesgrl4life
May 24th, 2012
4:14 pm
Okay, I’ll take back what I said about Heyward. It just looked to me last night like he was pouting a little bit. I love the guy, truly, and think he’s a great player. But I don’t think I’ve ever seen him look so down as he did trying to go for that ball. Maybe it was just knowing he wouldn’t be able to get it. I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt.
But to say he would get hurt trying, I don’t buy that. He’s a big boy and he’s made that play before, jumping and getting back a ball that would have been a homer. If don’t believe his that fragile that a jump would have injured him. If he were, I’d question whether he belongs up in the Big Leagues. And I don’t question that at all. I just don’t think you can base an argument on “well, he might have gotten hurt”.
cricket
May 24th, 2012
4:14 pm
i want to see uggla break his bat the next time he takes a walk..now that’s real hell-hot fire
ChopAttack
May 24th, 2012
4:15 pm
Freddi has a problem with motivation and game management. He sucks at both. I rarely see him get excited.
Haha… you can’t help but laugh at these people.
Bay Area Steve
May 24th, 2012
4:15 pm
“The upper decker will seem like a nice memory when you’re taken deep”
Good stuff. I’m not sayin’ I wouldn’t try and get away with it, but have you watched an episode of CSI? Yeah, I’m gettin’ caught.
raleighbravefan
May 24th, 2012
4:15 pm
OMG, enough about Heyward should have tried to jump for a ball that was 10 feet out of his reach. Sheeesh.
Mister Frisky
May 24th, 2012
4:15 pm
WTF,Heyward in the 3 hole?This line up is AAA at best tonight.Gonna call my bookie.Reds get the brooms ready.
Heisenberg
May 24th, 2012
4:16 pm
I only got a 10-12 inch vertical with a running start. Back against the wall maybe 4-5 inches.
One Big Dummy
May 24th, 2012
4:16 pm
“•Yes, he is. RT @coinstar22: @ajcbraves is chipper the last player on the braves roster from the division title streak teams?”
DOB: Huddy and McCann were both on the 2005 playoff roster.
Matt Chernoff
May 24th, 2012
4:16 pm
like has been said here several times Heisen, by the time he coulda jumped it was already in the seats
He might have been there earlier if he sprinted to the wall, it seemed as if he “jogged” there. not that it would’ve mattered anyway…
I’m really hoping he’s not another Frenchy… hyped up to heaven but can’t produce after a great first year.
Bay Area Steve
May 24th, 2012
4:17 pm
“With CJ, BMac, and FreeMan out of the lineup tonight I’ve already marked it down as another loss”
Uh, you marked it as a loss yesterday. Put the little pencil down, and check your sheet.
Fish Bisch
May 24th, 2012
4:17 pm
Baily owns us
Great american park owns us
and Cincinnatti owns us this year.
I can’t foresee a win tonight w/out old battleaxe.
cricket
May 24th, 2012
4:18 pm
I rarely see him get excited.
that’s not what she said
nolie
May 24th, 2012
4:18 pm
good stuff yourself BAS
Matt
May 24th, 2012
4:18 pm
I wish the Braves would JUST ONCE have a season where they were good all the time. This rollercoaster BS makes them a very difficult team to follow.
Hillbilly
May 24th, 2012
4:19 pm
OMG, enough about Heyward should have tried to jump for a ball that was 10 feet out of his reach. Sheeesh.
OK, back to bullpen management, then. SHAAAAAAAAUUUUN! Game on.
TheOnlyBravesFan
May 24th, 2012
4:19 pm
Sorry, but jumping into a wall for an uncatchable ball is not “fire” It’s pointless.
Agree. The old-school people can suck it
, I don’t mind seeing my outfielders watch the ball go for homeruns… I actually hate it more when they (Jason) climb up the fence for balls they have no chance of getting… risky
bravesgrl4life
May 24th, 2012
4:20 pm
Okay, so can we chalk last night up to a lot of “woulda, coulda, shoulda” (or not) moments?
Shoulda been a DP, no way Phillips shoulda made that play, Martin shouldna tried to score on that shallow hit. Not blaming anybody, just the way it goes sometimes. Just a very frustrating loss. Probably the most frustrating, at least for me, this season.
Heisenberg
May 24th, 2012
4:20 pm
If you think Braves can be difficult to follow, try watching the Hawks.
B_F 52
May 24th, 2012
4:20 pm
Some of you are so dense and some of you must be dentz
count_schemula
May 24th, 2012
4:21 pm
I thought Charlotte was the Queen City?
Bay Area Steve
May 24th, 2012
4:21 pm
noles,
Were you watching last night? You questioned an umpire strike call, and am curious if it was GameDay bad, or with-your-eyes bad.
nolie
May 24th, 2012
4:21 pm
he was tracking the ball, woulda looked even worse if he has sprinted to the wall only to have the ball fall short
ncscoots
May 24th, 2012
4:22 pm
WTF,Heyward in the 3 hole?This line up is AAA at best tonight.Gonna call my bookie.Reds get the brooms ready.
Yessir, it’s why bookies sail yachts while bettors bail dinghies. If you can’t find a book, I’d probably take your action.
TheOnlyBravesFan
May 24th, 2012
4:22 pm
I only got a 10-12 inch vertical with a running start. Back against the wall maybe 4-5 inches.
I can get almost 40″ with a running start, about 15″ when still…. I’m sure Jason’s a better athlete than I am, but again, it wouldn’t have mattered to catch that ball…. the only way he does is by standing on the top of the wall (how’d he get there?) and reaching as high as he could
McFann :Ô: :Ô:
May 24th, 2012
4:24 pm
True, it has been a brutal series to watch…painful, even…I shudder at the thought of one more friggin’ game…
raleighbravefan
May 24th, 2012
4:24 pm
Matt – You might want to choose another sport. No team plays a 162 game schedule of baseball without slumps and losing streaks. The best teams will lose around 60. Do the math. If we should never lose more than 1 in a row, then we should never win more than 2-3 in a row, even if we were the best team in MLB.
nolie
May 24th, 2012
4:24 pm
I was watching most of the game
kenhotlanta
May 24th, 2012
4:24 pm
Great tune, DOB, thanks. Happy Birthday to Bobby Zimmerman, you still inspire.
cricket
May 24th, 2012
4:24 pm
larry bird would call ncscoots S-O-F-T since he always finishes his comments with
Mister Frisky
May 24th, 2012
4:24 pm
No way Heyward gets that ball.Doesn’t matter anyway dude is a bust.
Heisenberg
May 24th, 2012
4:25 pm
Who needs vertical, go get some Inspector Gadget arms!
count_schemula
May 24th, 2012
4:25 pm
“If you think Braves can be difficult to follow, try watching the Hawks.”
Sixers advance and play Boston tough.
Hawks? In da club.
Mister Frisky
May 24th, 2012
4:27 pm
Ncscoots,Your bank ain’t large enough for my cash brother.
Bay Area Steve
May 24th, 2012
4:27 pm
Sweet noles,
MLB.tv has some free thing for the next week or so, and thought you might be interested.
nolie
May 24th, 2012
4:27 pm
a 40″ vertical leap? hmmmm
raleighbravefan
May 24th, 2012
4:27 pm
If you think the Braves are so hard to watch this year, give the Phillies, Red Sox, or Angels a try.
raleighbravefan
May 24th, 2012
4:28 pm
David Thompson wouldn’t have caught that ball.
Lew
May 24th, 2012
4:29 pm
nolie – That was Johnny Winter’s encore when we saw him a couple years back. He had to be helped on and off the stage, but really ripped up Hwy 61.
nolie
May 24th, 2012
4:29 pm
thanx BAS, I’ll check it out
ncscoots
May 24th, 2012
4:30 pm
larry bird would call ncscoots S-O-F-T since he always finishes his comments with [a smiley].
Larry (I can call him that, you know) knows I’m secure in my manhood. Also, that I’m meaner than a snake when riled, so he would never give me such crap, about smileys or the cost of groceries or any other damn thing.
Besides, I’d probably come off ill and crabby, if I didn’t use emoticons to lighten it up. And I don’t end every post with one.
Do I?
nolie
May 24th, 2012
4:30 pm
Yeah I saw Johnny do that a coupla times. one of my favorite Dylan songs, and I am a huge Dylan fan
Veer
May 24th, 2012
4:30 pm
The reason we are not scoring runs is because Gonzalez is sitting key players out. Today there is No freeman No mac, No jones.
Can we really win with guys like Fransisco? Ross? Hinske? in the starting lineup?
ncscoots
May 24th, 2012
4:32 pm
Your bank ain’t large enough for my cash brother.
I imagine I got you covered with change from the couch, my man, LOL.
nolie
May 24th, 2012
4:32 pm
Today there is No freeman No mac, No jones….veer
sigh….
DAP
May 24th, 2012
4:33 pm
matt I wish the Braves would JUST ONCE have a season where they were good all the time
you seem to be pretty unfamiliar with the game of baseball….
Lew
May 24th, 2012
4:34 pm
nolie – From an earlier question – yep, I’m familiar with West Bruce and Laing – have their live album.
Have you ever heard of a cd called Secret Sessions? It’s ostensibly from Corky Laing, but has everyone playing on it from Ian Hunter and Mick Ronson to Eric Clapton, Dickey Betts and Leslie West. Also, ever heard the couple of albums of hard blues that West put out? Good stuff.
Bay Area Steve
May 24th, 2012
4:34 pm
I really expect more out of Francisco. Mostly, I think from that fluff we heard about from others in Venezuela that if he ever got his shot… I was thinkin’ .315/.500 was possible. Weak approach, sure, but I figgered he could square up a fastball. Man, has he been brutal. If he doesn’t show more, they’re gonna have to rethink their plan to keep Prado in LF.
ChopAttack
May 24th, 2012
4:35 pm
The reason we are not scoring runs is because Gonzalez is sitting key players out. Today there is No freeman No mac, No jones.
The reason you’re a horrible fan is because you care enough to have an opinion, but care too little to know why those players aren’t playing.
cricket
May 24th, 2012
4:35 pm
Major League Baseball was named Sports League of the Year at the 2012 Sports Business Awards presented by SportsBusiness Journal and SportsBusiness Daily last night in New York. The award recognizes the success baseball enjoyed in 2011 coupling unparalleled drama on the field with record business performance and innovative fan engagement. Baseball Commissioner Allan H. (Bud) Selig accepted the award on behalf of the league.
On the field, the 2011 World Series – one of the most memorable in history –generated a +19% increase in television ratings versus last year’s Series. MLB registered its ninth consecutive year of record industry revenues in 2011 – in excess of $7 billion – which produced the fifth-best attended season in history. MLB also continued its unprecedented era of labor peace by agreeing to a new five-year Basic Agreement with the Major League Baseball Players Association.
Among the off-field highlights for 2011 was the creation of the MLB Fan Cave, which was also recognized last night with the award for Best in Sports Event and Experiential Marketing. Now in its second season, the MLB Fan Cave began in March 2011 as a truly novel idea with the goals of engaging fans via social media, showcasing the personalities of players and connecting baseball with music, technology and pop culture. The MLB Fan Cave has hosted more than 220 famous guests, 90 current MLB players, two dozen concerts and generated more than 400 videos distributed through social media and available on MLBFanCave.com.
DAP
May 24th, 2012
4:35 pm
who hit the ball last night where the reds outfielder basically had his back against the wall when he caught it? i think it was uggla, with runners on, too. a couple of feet from winning the game last night…kinda sucks. thats baseball.
Bay Area Steve
May 24th, 2012
4:36 pm
I thought I had the day’s grossest post, but ‘OB just topped it, I think, with “milked” the contusion.
Veer
May 24th, 2012
4:37 pm
Gonzalez is pathetic. He resting bullpen guys, Gambling with Durbin in close games, throwing Martinez out there and has Medlen in the bullpen to give rest our big 3. How many games have we lost because of the “rest”? How many games didn’t we win because Medlen didnt start?
Now everyday yo see a regular getting a rest esp when Jones and Mac are out. Resting guys for what? So they are fresh come September? when we are out of the running for our division and the wildcard?
Freddie Gonzalez is taking resting to the extreme. Mac should man up and play in this series for once. M. Jordan played with flu many times in his career. With Ross Fransisco Hinske and Pitcher thats 4 free outs right there.
nolie
May 24th, 2012
4:37 pm
I’m not a Francisco fan, I hate those kinda hitters, but I imagine he might do a bit better playing all the time than he has so far in small playing time.
The Cap Tipper
May 24th, 2012
4:37 pm
One thing is for certain the EXCUSES HAVE GOT TO STOP!!! It is startling (even for the Braves) that 100 percent of the time it is not their fault for ANYTHING having to do with bad, and downright horrific play. From Fredi “the cap tipper” Gonzalez, to Chipper Jones, to basically everybody on the Braves who has been interviewed its always some baseball god, divine intervention, or catching a “really hot team” at a bad time. No matter that the team may be 5-24, the Braves will tout them as having “one of the best young pitching staffs in the league”. They just got shutdown by Mike Leake, Mat Latos, and Bronson Arroyo, three below average pitchers in the most hitter friendly park in the NL, and what do we hear? Excuses.. “Well we’ve got Chip hurt, Mac is sick, and Freddie’s eyes are hurting” , “the trainer’s dog died last night, so as a team we are hurting, so that didnt help” “Dan Uggla hurt his pinkie finger playing poker last night…I really feel like Dan would have hit 4 homers and changed the game without that pinky injury”…blah, blah, blah. When its not proclaiming the Reds have the greatest pitching staff in modern baseball history, its the injuries. When its not the injuries, its the “if that ball bounces a few more feet to the left we should have won”, when its not that its the “baseball gods” intervening. Face it Braves fans, the Braves are that whiny kid on every little league baseball team that whines and complains about the heat, and then strikes out 4 times, crys and pitches a fit before leaving with his mom to get ice cream…
ChopAttack
May 24th, 2012
4:37 pm
Bay Area Steve,
Totally right about Francisco. He’s been a bust so far. Chipper’s backup can’t be hitting 200. Chipper misses too many games and that kind of drop off is killing the team.
Venice Jim
May 24th, 2012
4:38 pm
Does Chipper shave his arms?
Apparently you’ve been shaving off big slices of brain…without much to spare…
nolie
May 24th, 2012
4:38 pm
I believeyou need to think platoon on the guy though
ChopAttack
May 24th, 2012
4:39 pm
Gonzalez is pathetic. He resting bullpen guys, Gambling with Durbin in close games, throwing Martinez out there and has Medlen in the bullpen to give rest our big 3
Last year Fredi was an idiot for pitching these guys too much, now he’s pitching too little. Maybe it’s the fans are dumb?
Lew
May 24th, 2012
4:39 pm
veer – Mac should man up? Have you ever had strep throat you moron? He shouldn’t even be anywhere near the rest of the players.
PCOLA Braves Fan
May 24th, 2012
4:40 pm
What happens when Chipper sits out? Francisco plays. Is it that we have JF in the lineup that is causing us to lose? He sure isn’t contributing very much. We now have two bench players hitting sub 200, Now there is a recipe for a bad bench.
Murph
May 24th, 2012
4:41 pm
I really expect more out of Francisco.
Yeah, me too… I wasn’t thinking he’d put up all-star numbers, but I did think he’d at least prove to be a serviceable hitter and a shade under decent fielder. So far he has been neither.
Unless a guy is brought in from outside the organization I think it’s a pretty safe bet to assume Prado will be the starting 3B next season.
Which leaves the FO with the task of finding both a LF and a CF, two things they have proven over and over they are not capable of doing (with the exception of Bourn, of course).
And people wonder why some of us are so excited/hopeful about Gattis. He may end up being the best LF option out of necessity, not choice.
Lew
May 24th, 2012
4:41 pm
Downright horrific play? You mean the play that has us swapping the lead with the Nats on a daily basis?
bravesgrl4life
May 24th, 2012
4:41 pm
there are a lot of times that a pitch is ruled one way but appears on gameday as the other. strikes as balls and balls as strikes.
cricket
May 24th, 2012
4:43 pm
Have you ever had strep throat you moron?
i’m rooting for Carpal Tunnel
Bay Area Steve
May 24th, 2012
4:43 pm
“think platoon on the guy”
Yeah… I guess that would have to be the back-up SS, so not an option here. I wasn’t sure where I stood on the don’t-move-Martin thing, but it’s hard to argue with success. He’s such an intense guy, maybe it is better to let him focus in one spot. I just don’t see how they can avoid it if Francisco doesn’t show up. His glove is so bad that he’s gotta swing it.
I know. Let’s just get Chipper right, and we’ll only have to see skillet once a week.
Boonie27
May 24th, 2012
4:44 pm
Talk about a sorry line up tonight. WOW……now watch them go out and score 10 runs
nolie
May 24th, 2012
4:44 pm
you would think that the gameday results should be right considering the way they are tracked, but who knows?
Lew
May 24th, 2012
4:44 pm
Murph – I still wouldn’t count on Gattis. Where Martin plays next year will depend on whether Wren is better able to find a 3B or a LFer.
One thing is certain, they should go ahead and lock up Martin for another four or so years this winter.
Murph
May 24th, 2012
4:45 pm
there are a lot of times that a pitch is ruled one way but appears on gameday as the other. strikes as balls and balls as strikes.
Gameday can be downright worthless some days. I used to think it was automated somehow, but now I’m starting to think they’ve got a bunch of interns locked in a basement somewhere, entering pitches manually.
Fish Bisch
May 24th, 2012
4:45 pm
Trade Minor and JJ for Wandy Rodriguez and Brett Myers.
raleighbravefan
May 24th, 2012
4:46 pm
Cap Tipper – Seems to me that YOU’RE the one doing all the whining.
Fish Bisch
May 24th, 2012
4:46 pm
breaking
Oswalt close to signing with the Ranger.s
nolie
May 24th, 2012
4:46 pm
counting on Gattis is kinda like drawing to an inside straight
Dawgdad (The Original)
May 24th, 2012
4:46 pm
Restasis Freddie, unplug those ducts.
Lew
May 24th, 2012
4:46 pm
cricket – carpel tunnel leads to brain damage? How? From taking the affected hand and slamming it repeatedly into his head?
nolie
May 24th, 2012
4:47 pm
lotta ties there IIRC for O
Murph
May 24th, 2012
4:48 pm
Lew, I’m not counting on him, but definitely hoping Gattis gets back on track after his stint on the DL and makes me believe again.
I’ll put it this way… I have more faith in Gattis to develop into a decent LF than I do in the Braves’ front office to go out and get a decent LF via trade or FA.
nolie
May 24th, 2012
4:48 pm
a person has to have a brain B4 they can damage it. many here are prolly safe
cricket
May 24th, 2012
4:49 pm
counting on Gattis is kinda like drawing to an inside straight
pretty much norm at hard rock tampa
Bay Area Steve
May 24th, 2012
4:49 pm
“a pitch is ruled one way but appears on gameday as the other.”
I’ve noticed that. I don’t often have GameDay up with the game, but when I do, locations are often wrong, and even more often, pitch types are wrong. They’ll call the same pitch a two-seam one time, a four-seam the next. A guy with one breaking ball has it called a slider one time and a curve the next.
That’s why I think the pitchFX numbers that are becoming popular now must be inaccurate. How much I don’t know… And, I think some of the defensive metrics use this type of observation as a base. How inaccurate are those because of the observer?
ncscoots
May 24th, 2012
4:49 pm
a person has to have a brain B4 they can damage it. many here are prolly safe
OK, now that’s funny.
Lew
May 24th, 2012
4:50 pm
Murph – Yeah, but Martin is turning into a pretty good LFer. Maybe he’ll have better luck finding a 3B better than Francisco
timthebrave
May 24th, 2012
4:50 pm
Come on Braves….Let’s stop the skid right here…Go Braves!
cricket
May 24th, 2012
4:50 pm
Lew – at this point i’m just hoping carpel tunnel prevents him for typing and “contributing” here
nolie
May 24th, 2012
4:50 pm
I ♥ inside straight drawers…
cricket
May 24th, 2012
4:51 pm
hey, scoots post not ending in
or LOL 
Ron Roberts
May 24th, 2012
4:51 pm
One suggestion for getting the offense back on track:
Tell Michael Bourn we don’t need him hitting the long-ball.
Get him on; get the pitcher throwing out of the stretch and less comfortable and let Prado get on base, too. Instead of a solo homer, now you’ve got the potential for multi-run innings.
Lew
May 24th, 2012
4:52 pm
cricket – Then the continual head bashing is just an added plus?
bravesgrl4life
May 24th, 2012
4:52 pm
Do we agree that this year so far and most of last year, the umps have been really bad – at calling strikes and balls, at determining safe or out at 2nd. Not saying it’s all the umps, but a handful of them.
Murph
May 24th, 2012
4:52 pm
Yeah, that’s true Lew… maybe they can find a 3B.
Geoff Blum
Miguel Cairo
Brandon Inge *
Maicer Izturis
Kevin Kouzmanoff
Placido Polanco *
Mark Reynolds *
Scott Rolen
Mark Teahen
Ty Wigginton *
David Wright *
Kevin Youkilis *
* denotes a player with an option for 2013
nolie
May 24th, 2012
4:53 pm
Bourn hitting a coupla homers has ruint da season?
nolie
May 24th, 2012
4:54 pm
if that the list, we need to think trade, which they most likely would anyway
Bay Area Steve
May 24th, 2012
4:54 pm
Only one even remotely acceptable name on that list, and no way that he’s available. He’s traded and re-upped, or the option is used.
Whatcha got for corner OFers?
cricket
May 24th, 2012
4:56 pm
Tell Michael Bourn we don’t need him hitting the long-ball
also tell prado not to spoil team chemistry by hot hitting when rest of the team hitters are struggling….
Murph
May 24th, 2012
4:56 pm
Outfielders:
Michael Bourn
Marlon Byrd
Melky Cabrera
Matt Diaz
Andre Ethier
Curtis Granderson *
Josh Hamilton
Torii Hunter
Carlos Lee
Angel Pagan
Carlos Quentin
Aaron Rowand
Luke Scott
Ryan Spilborghs
Ichiro Suzuki
B.J. Upton
Shane Victorino
Reggie Willits
Delmon Young
Not sure how old these lists are… I know there are a few players whose status’ has changed.
cabravesfan
May 24th, 2012
4:58 pm
Sounds like MattE is under the weather also…better hope Rossy doesn’t get hurt tonight
Bay Area Steve
May 24th, 2012
4:58 pm
Frickin’ Melky. Guy’s gonna be an All-star. Is there anything worse than guys who blow for us, and then kill it somewhere else? Lemme go see what Lowe did his last start…
cricket
May 24th, 2012
5:01 pm
victorino strong possibility. his last contract was 3 yrs/$22M (10-12)
raleighbravefan
May 24th, 2012
5:02 pm
BAS – Yeah, they prolly just didn’t want to win when they played for us.
It is exasperating, though. Of course, there are examples of players that came to the Braves and had career years, too. How do you think the Yanks liked Vazquez?
David O'Brien
May 24th, 2012
5:02 pm
Chipper’s worse today, after they “milked” injury yesterday to get the blood out of the joint. Some moved up into calf, so he’s hobbling around even walking. Fredi said he hoped Chipper would be ready to play this weekend now, but Chipper said he doesn’t know when he’ll be ready. Said he’d originally thought a couple days, but never dealt with anything like this before. And because he played last night (pinch-hit), can’t DL him retroactively….
McCann’s got full-on flu, they think, rather than flu symptoms. He’s gotten worse each day….
Freeman still having trouble with contacts, could barely pick up ball on throw last night, lucky to catch it. Sports glasses on way, so that might be the solution he has to go with if can’t figure out anything to keep his eyes moist wearing contacts….
The only good news on health front: Venters only a bruise on left calf, hit him flush on muscle, not bone. Might be available tonight.
cricket
May 24th, 2012
5:02 pm
Sounds like MattE is under the weather also…better hope Rossy doesn’t get hurt tonight
don’t worry, prado can do everything
Murph
May 24th, 2012
5:03 pm
I wonder what will happen with Ichiro… can’t imagine him playing for anyone other than the Mariners.
He seems like the kind of guy the Braves would pursue. Used to be a big name with a big game, on the downward slope of his career, old, probably not all that expensive, etc.
Obviously I think there’s a zero point zero chance of him coming to Atlanta, but I could imagine the Braves kicking the tires on a 39 year old Ichiro.
nolie
May 24th, 2012
5:04 pm
I like the Flyin Hawaiia, but this could be his last big contract. not sure he will wanna settle for 3 or 4 years
cricket
May 24th, 2012
5:04 pm
looks like unfortunately may end up putting chipper on DL to get some help in dugout..bad timing with all tough games coming up
cricket
May 24th, 2012
5:05 pm
not sure what victorino can hope to get on open market but at least he should be withing braves’ budget range
Murph
May 24th, 2012
5:06 pm
And because he played last night (pinch-hit), can’t DL him retroactively….
Awesome! Nothing beats a player stuck on the bench who can’t play for weeks at a time. WTF didn’t they DL him a day or two ago?
I guess it doesn’t matter all that much with Gattis on the DL himself. Who else would they have called up? Constanza? Pfffft. Might as well just keep the broken Chipper at that point.
cricket
May 24th, 2012
5:07 pm
Freeman still having trouble with contacts, could barely pick up ball on throw last night,
what i suspected when he couldn’t scoop the ball on tough play from pastor..hope the glasses work
David O'Brien
May 24th, 2012
5:08 pm
The bruising in Chipper’s leg is really severe. I mean, it runs now all way around ankle to other side of foot, and way up high into calf. And it’s dark purple, almost black, for about a 6-inch area around the spot where ball hit it, which is still raised even after they popped the blister.
nolie
May 24th, 2012
5:09 pm
you mean veer was wrong, and fredo ain’t sitting them 3 guys just outta sheer stoopididity?
cricket
May 24th, 2012
5:11 pm
don’t worry, fredo will soon be blamed for not putting chipper on DL the day he got injured
Heisenberg
May 24th, 2012
5:12 pm
Win or loose today, that is all Braves will see of Reds unless meet in postseason. They look to me like the winners in NL central.
nolie
May 24th, 2012
5:12 pm
ok, its always a great day when we can blame fredo for sumthang…
cricket
May 24th, 2012
5:13 pm
reds may look good now but i won’t count cards out. reds just have our number.
Murph
May 24th, 2012
5:13 pm
Chipper in a wheelchair has to be about on-par with Francisco at 3B… might as well give it a shot.
Plus, his strikezone would be much smaller.
nolie
May 24th, 2012
5:14 pm
yeah I wouldn’t count out the Cards either jus yet
McFann :Ô: :Ô:
May 24th, 2012
5:15 pm
DOB—
Boy, you are nothing but bad news today…except for the Prado, stuff…
[BMac’s] gotten worse each day….
Wow, poor BMac…
Wish they could call up a catcher to help out till he gets better should Ross need to come out…I take it BMac’s at the park, yes?…
Jay Dubu
May 24th, 2012
5:15 pm
Those that think Heyward doesn’t care….this is his job, to play baseball! He doesn’t have a multi-year contract, and doesn’t make a lot of money in baseball terms, so the Braves can let him go any time without a huge loss.
Don’t you think he knows that from the treatment that he got last season, that he can be gone any time?
If the Braves are willing to pay D-Lowe 10 million to pitch for Cleveland, and pay JJ 5+ million to pitch in AAA, and paid KK, 7+ million to pitch in AA…don’t you think they would pay Heyward 565 K to play in AAA, AA, be unemployed, or sit on the bench?
Use you noodle for more than knocking holes in the wall!!!
McFann :Ô: :Ô:
May 24th, 2012
5:16 pm
cabravesfan Sounds like MattE is under the weather also…
Where’d you hear that??
monty
May 24th, 2012
5:17 pm
I think the team would win even if we had to stick Chipper out there on crutches. Only half-kidding.
cricket
May 24th, 2012
5:17 pm
McFann :Ô: :Ô:
cabravesfan Sounds like MattE is under the weather also…
Where’d you hear that??
weather channel
Jay Dubu
May 24th, 2012
5:20 pm
DOB,
How did Chipper get this injury?
Have they sent Mac back to Atlanta to keep him away from the rest of the team? Sure would be bad news for the flu to spread through the locker room.
Murph
May 24th, 2012
5:21 pm
I’d hope that Mac hasn’t left his hotel room… doubt he’s sitting in the locker room hacking up lung butter on everyone.
nolie
May 24th, 2012
5:22 pm
not even June yet and we have a damn storn poking around down here already. hottest first 4 months on record already have the water hoe enuff to cause trouble. not an auspicious start to our summer
cricket
May 24th, 2012
5:23 pm
rally bear
http://animaltracks.today.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/05/24/11830806-rescued-in-oregon-bear-cub-finds-new-home-in-wisconsin?lite
phil
May 24th, 2012
5:23 pm
Lew
May 24th, 2012
3:43 pm
“Logic, reason and evidence”
No Shaun, what you broiught was your own opinion. There was no logic except what you see in your rigid little mind. Therew was no evidnce. The only reason was what you chose to see. And whenever someone deigns to disagree with you there are always claims of ignoring what was never there to begin with.
*****************
Lew is the master at exactly pegging the issue with shaun….nails it most every day, depending on what narrow minded twist it takes.
cricket
May 24th, 2012
5:24 pm
How did Chipper get this injury?
hot shot at hot shot corner, ball missed glove and hit his leg
phil
May 24th, 2012
5:25 pm
heymmered
May 24th, 2012
3:25 pm
Anyone else disgusted with the effort Heyward made last night on that homerun?
*************
Not at all disgusted but the thought about his effort there did cross my mind….
In the end, he wouldn’t have caught the ball with stilts on.
phil
May 24th, 2012
5:30 pm
heymmered
May 24th, 2012
3:58 pm
Just asking a question for a friendly debate.
****************
Well don’t do something so stupid again, ok?
TheOnlyBravesFan
May 24th, 2012
5:30 pm
send mac to the DL, he’s gonna need to recover from this…. been 3 or 4 days already now, will only iss another 10…. I don’t know if MAC fresh out of the flu should start…. as for Chipper, that’s scary. Getting worse, not good news at all.
David O'Brien
May 24th, 2012
5:30 pm
A guy sent me this photo on Twitter, asked if Chipper’s looked like this (this guy was in a mini-bike wreck).
https://twitter.com/Qyax/status/205769033486839808/photo/1
And it does. It looks quite similar. (That’s the guy’s calf, not a broken bone, for those wondering). Only Chipper’s is even darker around the area, solid purple/black.
Murph
May 24th, 2012
5:32 pm
If Mac goes to the DL, do they call up Bethancourt? Not many other decent catching options right now.
What about Chipper? Who gets the call if he’s out for the next couple o’ weeks? Constanza or Parraz?
Braveone
May 24th, 2012
5:34 pm
From the previous blog which had 1,189 comments, phil led the way with 74 posts. There were 162 different poster names. Here are the Top 25:
Rank Poster Frequency
1 phil 74
2 nolie 58
3 cabravesfan 40
4 count_schemula 40
5 Jerry 34
6 Disgusted 33
7 tiger297 31
8 ChattTownBrian (CTB) 30
9 Shaun 28
10 TheOnlyBravesFan 28
11 Lew 27
12 VaBravesFan 26
13 McFann :Ô: :Ô: 25
14 cricket 25
15 David O’Brien 24
16 jt 24
17 raleighbravefan 20
18 MFin04 19
19 ncscoots 19
20 BravesFAN 17
21 Ward 16
22 Bat Masterson 15
23 ncbravesfan90 15
24 CaptMudd 14
25 Ease 14
TheOnlyBravesFan
May 24th, 2012
5:35 pm
Murph: I was thinking one of the AAA catchers, cuz all they’re doing is backing up Ross.
If Chipper goes down, bring up Terdo!!! Nah, I guess what, Prado to 3B, so bring in a LF… either Constanza/Parraz fine by me.
cabravesfan
May 24th, 2012
5:36 pm
Murph-
If Mac (or Ross) got hurt, I would bet Boscan would get the call up
Murph
May 24th, 2012
5:37 pm
Murph: I was thinking one of the AAA catchers
Who are the AAA catchers? I have no idea… I don’t know that they’ve even been mentioned on the blog before, whoever they are.
Bethancourt is almost up to .300 now….
phil
May 24th, 2012
5:37 pm
I doubt Mac will need the DL from the flu, unless it really crushes him….
He might as demanding as catching in this heat is. In fact, a heat wave is just getting underway.
Great timing.
Fire Jim Cantore!!
cabravesfan
May 24th, 2012
5:38 pm
McFann-
VJ saw it from Kevin McAlpin in his twitter feed…
phil
May 24th, 2012
5:38 pm
Sorry I led the way last blog….
If 2 of those posts were worth a crap, I’d be surprised.
Murph
May 24th, 2012
5:38 pm
Oh, right, Boscan.
Blech. I’d rather see Bethancourt for a couple of weeks.
nolie
May 24th, 2012
5:38 pm
between those two, I choose Parraz
McFann =Ô= =Ô=
May 24th, 2012
5:39 pm
cabravesfan—
Where’d you hear that about MattE?…
phil In fact, a heat wave is just getting underway. Great timing.
For real…
Murph
May 24th, 2012
5:39 pm
I had the full-blown flu two years ago… took me 3 weeks to feel human again.
Then again, I’m not a professional athlete in tip-top condition.
Uh ohh……..
Dbo
May 24th, 2012
5:39 pm
Hey DOB,
What do you think about getting rid of jack McDowell and bringing in Mad Dog!
McFann =Ô= =Ô=
May 24th, 2012
5:39 pm
cabravesfan—
Oops…sorry about that…
(ITS) Thanks! Dang…hope he’s not getting what BMac has…
nolie
May 24th, 2012
5:40 pm
Bethancourt settling in finally, not sure it would be a good idea to disrupt that process just to sit on the MLB bench
McFann =Ô= =Ô=
May 24th, 2012
5:40 pm
Eh, the (ITS) wasn’t supposed to be there…grrrr…
Maybe I oughta step away for a while…
McFann =Ô= =Ô=
May 24th, 2012
5:41 pm
nolie not sure it would be a good idea to disrupt that process just to sit on the MLB bench
I agree…
nolie
May 24th, 2012
5:41 pm
I bet he doesn’t think much of the idea, Dbo
Murph
May 24th, 2012
5:42 pm
Bethancourt settling in finally, not sure it would be a good idea to disrupt that process just to sit on the MLB bench
Yeah, probably right. He’s the only minor-league catcher I could recall.
All this time I thought the guys in AAA were throwing against one of those nets that bounces the ball back to you. Forgot about Boscan.
ray k.
May 24th, 2012
5:43 pm
Baaaaad news on the Chipper front. Especially since the Braves seem to forget how to hit when he’s out. Francisco is the new Escobar–his future here looks dim.
Jay Dubu
May 24th, 2012
5:45 pm
Delgado is going to pitch a good game tonight, and the Braves will hit enough to win this one!
cabravesfan
May 24th, 2012
5:47 pm
Isn’t Bethancourt on the DL?
Art in TN
May 24th, 2012
5:47 pm
Thanks for the info DOB.
And nice article by CR about Minor too.
Murph
May 24th, 2012
5:50 pm
Isn’t Bethancourt on the DL?
I don’t think so… Gattis is though.
nolie
May 24th, 2012
5:52 pm
he’s been off it a week or so I think cab
David O'Brien
May 24th, 2012
5:53 pm
At least Venters hasn’t lost sense of humor: “Apparently I’ve got to get them to hit it off me or the other team to get somebody out.”
cabravesfan
May 24th, 2012
5:53 pm
Thanks, guys. I knew he had been on it recently but don’t really follow the minor league teams closely
tj
May 24th, 2012
5:56 pm
Braves Lose again tonight, Mr strikeout Hinske and fransisco are in the lineup. The rookie on the mound pitching in a joke of a stadium spells disaster for the braves tonight. The reds might hit 6 or 7 home runs tonight. Maybe Hinske will actually swing at the fastball that’s right down the middle tonight and not swing at the one over his head. Chipper, Mccann, and Freeman out of the lineup theres absolutely no chance. Bet a $1000 on the reds tonight.
Murph
May 24th, 2012
5:59 pm
Delgado averages one HR every 2 GS… and he gave one up his last start.
No, he’ll keep the ball in the park tonight. And Heyward will show some life hitting with some protection behind him.
I have a good feeling about this game. Starting to get the tingle, if you remember from last season… when I got the tingle, the team won.
Mister Frisky
May 24th, 2012
5:59 pm
Let’s see Greg Walker work his magic with this line up going tonight.2 ballers and 6 turds.
Bat Masterson
May 24th, 2012
6:03 pm
Whatever happened to “willy g hates bill shanks”?
All this betting talk made me think of him. Probably somewhere working off gambling debts.
nolie
May 24th, 2012
6:06 pm
sure you aint comin’ down with shingles???
SNEAKY PETE
May 24th, 2012
6:10 pm
counting you, I am sure there will be more than 6 turds here tonight Frisky
Nick
May 24th, 2012
6:10 pm
Sure looks like a sweep with a horrible lineup like that. That’s a Padres or Astros lineup. Pathetic.
nolie
May 24th, 2012
6:11 pm
Nick
May 24th, 2012
6:12 pm
Starting to seem like Chipper, Mac, & Freeman will all miss the entire Nats series so thats a sweep and 7 losses in a row. AWESOME.
TheOnlyBravesFan
May 24th, 2012
6:12 pm
Oops…sorry about that… (ITS) Thanks! Dang…hope he’s not getting what BMac has…
He’d better not…. If McCann causes the team to get sick, he’s gonna be “killed” on the blog… but hey, he won’t be “fat” anymore, so no weight discussions
Murph: That’s why I said one of the AAA catchers, don’t need to mess with Bethancourt, and they’re the closes level to the big-league club. They don’t need to hit, just be someone who can catch if something happened to Rossy.
Murph
May 24th, 2012
6:13 pm
Freeman has sports glasses on their way… Hopefully they paid the extra $1.99 for overnight shipping instead of 2-day (I’m assuming the Braves are Amazon.com Prime members).
TheOnlyBravesFan
May 24th, 2012
6:14 pm
tj: then go join the reds blog… they’d be happy to have you
ncgary
May 24th, 2012
6:14 pm
they finally trained me to do a job and it only took 3 weeks and a day
not bad for a 2 week course……lol
before you laugh too much i was first of 15 training to finish
and i got a promotion on part time job to supervisor
maybe i should bet everything in my pocket on the braves tonight
might win a whole 3 dollars
nolie
May 24th, 2012
6:16 pm
good for you gary
ncgary
May 24th, 2012
6:17 pm
so for the month of may so far
i got a little over 40 hours
now from friday night to monday at noon i get 48 hours
36 on full time and 3 4 hour days on other job
nolie
May 24th, 2012
6:17 pm
Amazon has free shipping over $25.00. I figger thatts aboput the Braves limit
TheOnlyBravesFan
May 24th, 2012
6:18 pm
lol nolie @ 6;17
nolie
May 24th, 2012
6:18 pm
about time you stopped just layin around the house eatin Prime Rib and bon bons
Nick
May 24th, 2012
6:20 pm
In all seriousness, the Braves won’t reach 1st place again and I think all the smart fans on the board expect them to finish in last place and lose around 90 games.
ncgary
May 24th, 2012
6:22 pm
thanks nolie
Patrick
May 24th, 2012
6:22 pm
Well…just good news all around!
nolie
May 24th, 2012
6:23 pm
nah Nick, you’re the only “smart” one who thinks that….
TheOnlyBravesFan
May 24th, 2012
6:23 pm
was wondering, do most people here tweet during the game? would be interesting to see how sane they’re on twitter compared to here
ncgary
May 24th, 2012
6:24 pm
no prime rib fillet mignon and truffles
nolie
May 24th, 2012
6:25 pm
I’m not a bird so I don’t tweet, but I hear it is as bad or maybe worse than here.
TheOnlyBravesFan
May 24th, 2012
6:26 pm
Nick… wrong team buddy, you must be talking about the astros or padres…
Bat Masterson
May 24th, 2012
6:26 pm
Congrats, ncgary
MFin04
May 24th, 2012
6:27 pm
Last time the lineup was posted….it had Francisco behind Pastornicky, but Tyler still hit 8th, did that get miscommunicated?
Anyhow, Heyward hitting 3rd and no Freddie Freeman, Brian McCann, or Chipper Jones? Hmm, tough to win with a bunch of backups I’d think.
ncgary
May 24th, 2012
6:27 pm
thanks bat
nolie
May 24th, 2012
6:28 pm
yup, long odds tonight, but one never knows
Murph
May 24th, 2012
6:28 pm
the Braves won’t reach 1st place again and I think all the smart fans on the board expect them to finish in last place
Smart? Are we grading with a curve? I love having guys like you around… means I’ll get a passing score even if I misspell my name on the test and leave all answers blank.
nolie
May 24th, 2012
6:31 pm
not sure you could distort a bell curve enough to cover the distribution on the ol’ blog…
nolie
May 24th, 2012
6:32 pm
lotta negative WARs on here, no doubt
Murph
May 24th, 2012
6:35 pm
lotta negative WARs on here, no doubt
Have you seen the blog BABIP? Horrible… absolutely horrible.
Kat
May 24th, 2012
6:38 pm
Today’s game is FREE on mlb.tv
http://mlb.mlb.com/mediacenter/index.jsp?c_id=mlb&partnerId=aw-6628580864442776479-996#date=5/24/2012
phil
May 24th, 2012
6:38 pm
Bay Area Steve
May 24th, 2012
4:12 pm
“our fan base seems to expect us to fail”
Well, there is that baseball is a game of failure thing. And that 29 of 30 will fail thing. Seems to me, expecting to win The Series is expectin’ an awful lot.
*********
textbook hate to some here…
McFann =Ô= =Ô=
May 24th, 2012
6:42 pm
TheOnlyBravesFan but hey, he won’t be “fat” anymore, so no weight discussions
That’s not funny…
Murph
May 24th, 2012
6:46 pm
They have same #Braves eye doctor. RT @ShawnWildermuth: @ajcbraves Time to call McCann’s eye doc, no? #Braves
Fire the eye doctor!!!
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
May 24th, 2012
6:49 pm
Degado straight up worries me in dat little league park. Straight up! Dude could get slaughtered in 2 innings. Better have dat change up working yo.
phil
May 24th, 2012
6:49 pm
The Cap Tipper
May 24th, 2012
4:37 pm
One thing is for certain the EXCUSES HAVE GOT TO STOP!!! It is startling (even for the Braves) that 100 percent of the time it is not their fault for ANYTHING having to do with bad, and downright horrific play. From Fredi “the cap tipper” Gonzalez, to Chipper Jones, to basically everybody on the Braves who has been interviewed its always some baseball god, divine intervention, or catching a “really hot team” at a bad time. No matter that the team may be 5-24, the Braves will tout them as having “one of the best young pitching staffs in the league”. They just got shutdown by Mike Leake, Mat Latos, and Bronson Arroyo, three below average pitchers in the most hitter friendly park in the NL, and what do we hear? Excuses.. “Well we’ve got Chip hurt, Mac is sick, and Freddie’s eyes are hurting” , “the trainer’s dog died last night, so as a team we are hurting, so that didnt help” “Dan Uggla hurt his pinkie finger playing poker last night…I really feel like Dan would have hit 4 homers and changed the game without that pinky injury”…blah, blah, blah. When its not proclaiming the Reds have the greatest pitching staff in modern baseball history, its the injuries. When its not the injuries, its the “if that ball bounces a few more feet to the left we should have won”, when its not that its the “baseball gods” intervening. Face it Braves fans, the Braves are that whiny kid on every little league baseball team that whines and complains about the heat, and then strikes out 4 times, crys and pitches a fit before leaving with his mom to get ice cream…
*********
purely moronic but i admit to a hearty chuckle…..wow
Mixxo
May 24th, 2012
6:50 pm
“Bailey owns us ™″
Why yes, yes he does.
We need a wake-up call…..Go Reds!
…and eff anyone who doesn’t like it.
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
May 24th, 2012
6:52 pm
Buncha babies need to go home and snuggle in their own beds to feel normal and good.
cabravesfan
May 24th, 2012
6:54 pm
Interesting column on the market for Roy Oswalt:
http://espn.go.com/mlb/blog/_/name/stark_jayson/id/7969119/examining-market-roy-oswalt?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter
An official of one club that looked into Oswalt reports: “He wants a ton of money to pitch half a season. But based on how he pitched last year, it wasn’t like he was dominant. So he’s not a guy who’s going to wrap up the pennant for you. He’d be a nice guy to add to the bottom of the rotation. He’s not a guy you’re adding to the top of your rotation, at this stage. But [based on his asking price] he doesn’t see it that way.”
Bat Masterson
May 24th, 2012
6:56 pm
I’m worried about you, phil.
Coach (2012 Fredi's Beisbol Fandango)
May 24th, 2012
7:00 pm
Abandon hope all ye who enter here……….We are doomed tonight, finished, swept out of town.
OK, now I have the jinx mojo hanging over the Reds.
Murph
May 24th, 2012
7:04 pm
If you’ve got a chicken handy, kill it now… minutes away from the first pitch.
Jerry
May 24th, 2012
7:05 pm
This weekend, Mike Minor versus Stephen Strasburg. Really? I wonder what the Vegas odds would say to that matchup? What we do know is that things don’t always follow script in the major leagues, but I wouldn’t bank on Minor coming out on top of that one.
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
May 24th, 2012
7:06 pm
This has all the makings of a sweep.
- we have one ugly looking lineup out there
- home run prone kid pitcher in a perfect home run park
- facing a hot team with all the momentum
David O'Brien
May 24th, 2012
7:06 pm
Crowd gave Braves Chipper standing O, GM Walt Jocketty & Scott Rolen presented him w/ “Chipper” base in a glass case. Nice job, Reds. Well done.
Bat Masterson
May 24th, 2012
7:07 pm
4 in the first for the mash unit.
Go Braves
Jerry
May 24th, 2012
7:07 pm
The Reds will have 4 homers in this game, and one of them is Homer Bailey.
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
May 24th, 2012
7:07 pm
Who cares really. It’s not even June. CJ, McCann and Freeman won’t be out long.
David O'Brien
May 24th, 2012
7:09 pm
Chipper frustrated by slow healing of nasty contusion
http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-braves-blog/2012/05/24/chipper-frustrated-by-slow-healing-of-nasty-contusion/
JasonInFL
May 24th, 2012
7:09 pm
CAB, we are winning tonight, aren’t we?!
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
May 24th, 2012
7:09 pm
You won’t see a Alex Rodriguez get the repsect from everybody like CJ is when or if he announces his final year. Ever. Steroided ass wipe.
Cap: Where's My Tip
May 24th, 2012
7:09 pm
so is the only reason “we’re” comparing Minor and Glavine is because Glavine struggled too? Seems a bit weak if you ask me …..
Bat Masterson
May 24th, 2012
7:09 pm
Okay then, good of them.
Now beat ‘em.
George
May 24th, 2012
7:10 pm
I see FREDI has already conceded tonights game No BRIAN, No CHIPPER, No MATT, No FREDDY.
phil
May 24th, 2012
7:10 pm
David O’Brien
May 24th, 2012
5:08 pm
The bruising in Chipper’s leg is really severe. I mean, it runs now all way around ankle to other side of foot, and way up high into calf. And it’s dark purple, almost black, for about a 6-inch area around the spot where ball hit it, which is still raised even after they popped the blister.
********
good grief. I hope he doesn’t develop a DVT. Why did they PH him last night and screw up the DL, where it’s looking like he belongs? Maybe he’ll be decent in a day or two more.
Jerry
May 24th, 2012
7:11 pm
The Cap Tipper,
Thanks for your post, and you are 100% correct. The Braves are all about excuses. They need to accept responsibility for their actions, or inactions as the case may be.
Jerry
May 24th, 2012
7:12 pm
How many errors or lack of range misses will Tyler Pastormissedit have tonight?
bravesgrl4life
May 24th, 2012
7:12 pm
George, Chipper still hurt, Mac has the flu, and Freddie can’t see. Not sure any of them would make a difference in this game.
cabravesfan
May 24th, 2012
7:13 pm
Jason-
Yep
Murph
May 24th, 2012
7:14 pm
How many errors or lack of range misses will Tyler Pastormissedit have tonight?
You actually think the Reds will hit the ball on the ground tonight?
Hahahaha
phil
May 24th, 2012
7:14 pm
Bat Masterson
May 24th, 2012
6:56 pm
I’m worried about you, phil.
*******
some of the inane blather just strikes me as funny sometimes…..that bit above did the trick.
ncbravesfan90
May 24th, 2012
7:15 pm
Good AB from our #3 hole hitter…
phil
May 24th, 2012
7:16 pm
Joe just said Wayward’s struggles surprise him….
They do? Why?
Jerry
May 24th, 2012
7:16 pm
Dan Uggla has been so bad lately that they have shown the replay of last night’s homer at least a dozen times now. That’s terrible.
Jerry
May 24th, 2012
7:17 pm
Good one Murph. We have to keep our sense of humor tonight because this will be a laughing stock.
Bat Masterson
May 24th, 2012
7:17 pm
Ha, Phil. It’s not that you found it funny but that you would take the time to read that mess. I quite after the first sentence.
Damn it, Heyward. Come on
ncbravesfan90
May 24th, 2012
7:17 pm
“Dan Uggla has been so bad lately that they have shown the replay of last night’s homer at least a dozen times now. That’s terrible.”
Yet he has a higher Batting Average than Freeman and Mac.
Ralph
May 24th, 2012
7:17 pm
This lineup is sad!
Brava
May 24th, 2012
7:19 pm
I’m glad to see Uggla taking more walks lately.
Murph
May 24th, 2012
7:20 pm
Gameday just called the 2nd pitch to Hinske an “Automatic Ball” and showed the location as a foot away from Hinske’s knee.
Huh?
phil
May 24th, 2012
7:20 pm
I usually skim that kind of thing, but sometimes I find a “gem” if i’m in the mood to read em all…..
Jerry
May 24th, 2012
7:21 pm
Hinske still showing out I see.
Ralph
May 24th, 2012
7:21 pm
I feel so sorry for Delgado tonight!
bravesgrl4life
May 24th, 2012
7:21 pm
Dang it, Big E. You can’t hit for crap anymore can you?
phil
May 24th, 2012
7:23 pm
Heavy is now something like 1 for his last 21…
A sound choice for tonight’s game! Of course, there’s no one else able to play.
And how is it we’ve managed to get two starters who can’t see? Who’s the eye doctor? Ridiculous.
MFin04
May 24th, 2012
7:23 pm
Heyward is lost at the plate, way too many K’s and shouldn’t be hitting 3rd. Love the shot of Delgado after the Braves blow a chance at a 3-run lead…you can tell he thinks it is going to be a very long night for the Braves.
Mixxo
May 24th, 2012
7:23 pm
Attaboy Cozy!
phil
May 24th, 2012
7:23 pm
First pitch, crushed through the hole.
Ballgame!!
Bat Masterson
May 24th, 2012
7:24 pm
That’s one
Cap: Where's My Tip
May 24th, 2012
7:24 pm
dang, I see Hinske sporting a career .127 avg in 55 ABs vs the Reds. They got his number
Jerry
May 24th, 2012
7:24 pm
“This is why we chop” should be replace with “This is why we Choke”.
MFin04
May 24th, 2012
7:25 pm
The Braves crushed Delgado’s spirit last half inning, you could see it in his eyes.
Disgusted
May 24th, 2012
7:25 pm
Braves going to lose tonight and the sweep is completed.
This Braves team has zero chance of making the postseason. We are getting our September collapse just before Memorial Day.
There is no hope, don’t care what the apologists say.
Kat
May 24th, 2012
7:25 pm
Murph .. re: gamday ..you may already know but the game is free to watch today on mlbtv.
Disgusted
May 24th, 2012
7:26 pm
Never mind Heyward hitting 3rd, he should be hitting 10th, as is the position of Left Out.
Ralph
May 24th, 2012
7:26 pm
Cincy is full of confidence tonight!
Jerry
May 24th, 2012
7:26 pm
That space between Francisco and Pastormissedit isn’t just a hole, it’s a black hole. Everything just gets suck through it.
Murph
May 24th, 2012
7:26 pm
Wow… if I had any doubts about staying off the blog during a game, they’re quickly going away.
Talk about a big group of pout-pout fish.
Kat
May 24th, 2012
7:27 pm
Red’s tribute to Chipper http://www.twitvid.com/HV0GH
Murph
May 24th, 2012
7:28 pm
Kat, yeah, I know… I’m workin’ late tonight, and they frown on us watching baseball.
I could play a game of Diablo 3 and nobody would think anything of it, but stop and watch baseball? No no no.
cabravesfan
May 24th, 2012
7:28 pm
Nice throw, catcher…
Jerry
May 24th, 2012
7:28 pm
Bailey had 24 pitches in the first, but that just means their bullpen that we can’t hit gets in the game quicker.
JasonInFL
May 24th, 2012
7:29 pm
Wow, that was a strike.
Ralph
May 24th, 2012
7:29 pm
Ross has been taking throwing lessons from McCann!
Rick
May 24th, 2012
7:29 pm
Guess you can stop watching and commenting now then, Disgusted.
Jerry
May 24th, 2012
7:29 pm
hey! Pastormissedit missed it. I cain’t believe it!
Disgusted
May 24th, 2012
7:30 pm
The Braves are about as good of a gamble as Facebook.
All hype, bumb performance.
George
May 24th, 2012
7:30 pm
bravesgrl4life
May 24th, 2012
7:12 pm
George, Chipper still hurt, Mac has the flu, and Freddie can’t see. Not sure any of them would make a difference in this game
*********************************************************
OH I AGREE CHIPPER really hurt just hope it does not get infected like MARTINS leg did last year, also BRIAN IS sick and MATT caurt it. Somehow all this does not say much good about the BRAVES medical staff.
Disgusted
May 24th, 2012
7:30 pm
Oh, I believe it Jerry.
cabravesfan
May 24th, 2012
7:30 pm
Of course, the fact that he missed it because it was a terrible throw is not important, right? Or that the runner would have been safe even if he had caught it?
Rick
May 24th, 2012
7:31 pm
Not sure if you really need to worry about Chipper getting an infection unless there’s an open wound, which it doesn’t sound like there is.
Disgusted
May 24th, 2012
7:31 pm
Chipper is just going to miss alot more games than we hoped. He won;t even get to 100 games, maybe not even 90.
cabravesfan
May 24th, 2012
7:32 pm
Somehow all this does not say much good about the BRAVES medical staff.
If you can come up with a way to cure the flu or get rid of the swelling in Chipper’s leg, I’m sure the Braves staff would love to hear it…
ncgary
May 24th, 2012
7:33 pm
well lets go on and get it out of the way braves win braves win braves win!!!
JasonInFL
May 24th, 2012
7:33 pm
Ross: …….Career CS% of 38
McCann: ..Career CS% of 24
League Avg: 28%
Easy there, CAB…I know you are nudging the guys that always get on here and mouth about McCann, but when it comes to throwing out runners; there really isn’t any comparison.
Ralph
May 24th, 2012
7:35 pm
I’m waiting for the braves to take a big lead so the kool-aiders can chime in and the haters fade out.
cabravesfan
May 24th, 2012
7:35 pm
Jason-
So he should get a free pass when he makes a mistake, while Mac should get ripped, even when it’s not his fault?
Ralph
May 24th, 2012
7:36 pm
Swinging but coming up
CaptMudd
May 24th, 2012
7:36 pm
Sample is much larger for Rossy there.
Kat
May 24th, 2012
7:36 pm
Gotta get a phone that has the MLBtv app. you can set it up next to your computer and watch the games. Maybe they wouldn’t see it haha.
George
May 24th, 2012
7:36 pm
The Cap Tipper
May 24th, 2012
4:37 pm
One thing is for certain the EXCUSES HAVE GOT TO STOP!!! It is startling (even for the Braves) that 100 percent of the time it is not their fault for ANYTHING having to do with bad, and downright horrific play. From Fredi “the cap tipper” Gonzalez, to Chipper Jones, to basically everybody on the Braves who has been interviewed its always some baseball god, divine intervention, or catching a “really hot team” at a bad time. No matter that the team may be 5-24, the Braves will tout them as having “one of the best young pitching staffs in the league”. They just got shutdown by Mike Leake, Mat Latos, and Bronson Arroyo, three below average pitchers in the most hitter friendly park in the NL, and what do we hear? Excuses.. “Well we’ve got Chip hurt, Mac is sick, and Freddie’s eyes are hurting” , “the trainer’s dog died last night, so as a team we are hurting, so that didnt help” “Dan Uggla hurt his pinkie finger playing poker last night…I really feel like Dan would have hit 4 homers and changed the game without that pinky injury”…blah, blah, blah. When its not proclaiming the Reds have the greatest pitching staff in modern baseball history, its the injuries. When its not the injuries, its the “if that ball bounces a few more feet to the left we should have won”, when its not that its the “baseball gods” intervening. Face it Braves fans, the Braves are that whiny kid on every little league baseball team that whines and complains about the heat, and then strikes out 4 times, crys and pitches a fit before leaving with his mom to get ice cream…
******************************************************************
Sad to say, but a lot of the above is true. I don’t remember as much whineing when BOBBY was here.
Ralph
May 24th, 2012
7:36 pm
i meant bunt
JasonInFL
May 24th, 2012
7:36 pm
Nope, not at all. But, McCann deserves it a little more than Rossy.
Homer Bailey
May 24th, 2012
7:37 pm
Hi, Let me introduce myself. I’m an exterminator and my specialty is Indians, mostly Braves. If you ever need my services just call me. My motto is “No Brave Left Standing”.
CaptMudd
May 24th, 2012
7:37 pm
I meant McCann….his total chances at this stat are much higher
ncbravesfan90
May 24th, 2012
7:37 pm
“I’m waiting for the braves to take a big lead so the kool-aiders can chime in and the haters fade out.”
I think we need to get out of Cincinnati before you see the Bravos with a big lead haha
Jerry
May 24th, 2012
7:38 pm
I swear, I hate Francisco more than any Braves player in recent memory. I just hope after this season is over, they will dump this bum off at the bus station.
Disgusted
May 24th, 2012
7:38 pm
“You won’t see a Alex Rodriguez get the repsect from everybody like CJ is when or if he announces his final year. Ever. Steroided ass wipe.”
Off the top of my head I cannot think of any one else in the game except Jeter who will get that kind of universal respect that Chipper is getting.
Who really belongs to one franchise anymore? When Pujols went to LAA, the game is about itinerant business men who play a game for a living. Cannot fault the guys, it just is what it is. Stinking 21st century, even the was stats are interpreted don’t make sense anymore.
At least I used to enjoy being a baseball fan, there was a special relationship between the game and the regular guy, and it was still there for the first 20 or so yrs of free agency.
The business of sports has just become too big to be what it was. That even includes Colleges in some sports.
JasonInFL
May 24th, 2012
7:38 pm
We are winning this game. But, Fransisco sucks.
VaBravesFan
May 24th, 2012
7:38 pm
Francisco is horrible, He’d K over 200 times if he played full time.
George
May 24th, 2012
7:39 pm
What we really need is a lot of home games against teams that are not as good as the REDS.
Bat Masterson
May 24th, 2012
7:39 pm
Heap did lead the league in caught stealing percentage a couple of years ago.
Jake W.
May 24th, 2012
7:40 pm
Its funny, no one is hitting but Prado and all people can complain about is Heyward.
Bourn, Uggla, Francisco, and Heyward. The only people who have driven in runs this series and three of them have driven in themselves on solo homers. 3 of those 4 people are back to back in the lineup with the only consistent hitter mixed in there. Sounds like Fredi is trying to give us our best chance to win with what we have to work with by batting Jason 3rd.
McFann =Ô= =Ô=
May 24th, 2012
7:40 pm
George also BRIAN IS sick and MATT caurt it.
The good news (for MattE) is that MattE’s symptoms aren’t as sever as BMac’s…
Disgusted
May 24th, 2012
7:41 pm
Jerry–I don’t have any love for Rrancisco either but what did you really expect.
Unfortunately, due to injuries, he has had to play a bigger role than first anticipated and we pretty much know he is a marginal MLB player.
ncbravesfan90
May 24th, 2012
7:41 pm
What in the world is going on over there in the 5-6 hole???
JasonInFL
May 24th, 2012
7:41 pm
Pudge threw out 46% of runners who tried to steal off of him, including 9 seasons over 50% with a high of 60%. Wow.
McFann =Ô= =Ô=
May 24th, 2012
7:42 pm
Be careful, David…
My Pastor's Name is "Nicky"
May 24th, 2012
7:42 pm
The Rev needs one of those large fish nets for those hit left or right of him.
Disgusted
May 24th, 2012
7:43 pm
Francisco will never get enough AB’s to K 200 times, at least I hope not, and that goes for any team.
Might need to look for a replacement for him this yr–what is out there is anyone’s guess.
George
May 24th, 2012
7:43 pm
Should have gotten FRAZIER instead of FRANCISCO.
JasonInFL
May 24th, 2012
7:43 pm
Bat, he did? When, 2010 when he had 30%?
TheOnlyBravesFan
May 24th, 2012
7:43 pm
The good news (for MattE) is that MattE’s symptoms aren’t as sever as BMac’s
At least right now… never now what could happen
Just like everyone else, I really hating Francisco now. He hits under .200 but unlike Wilson, he isn’t a defensive whiz… we should look for a backup 3B at the deadline, IMO
D.A. Nuggla
May 24th, 2012
7:43 pm
Enter your comments here
Jake W.
May 24th, 2012
7:44 pm
That was a strike
Bat Masterson
May 24th, 2012
7:44 pm
Jason_
I’m not sure if it was 09, or 10. McFann will know.
Disgusted
May 24th, 2012
7:45 pm
Jake W—We expected more from Heyward, like Francoeur, he did not become what he was expected to be so he is under more fan fire.
Its not fair but he was supposed to be a franchise building block and is on the verge of being a bust
Murph
May 24th, 2012
7:45 pm
As bad as The Terd has been at AAA, I’d rather have him backing up Chipper than Francisco… but that’s just so I can say his name more often. I don’t think he’d do much better.
JasonInFL
May 24th, 2012
7:45 pm
Nope, wasn’t that year. Yadier threw out 49% in 2010
Jerry
May 24th, 2012
7:45 pm
The ump is having all kinds of problems calling balls and strike on the first base side of the plate. Very inconsistant.
McFann =Ô= =Ô=
May 24th, 2012
7:45 pm
TheOnlyBravesFan At least right now… never now what could happen
True…hopefully it doesn’t become a big thing…
Bat Masterson
May 24th, 2012
7:46 pm
McFann _
What years did Mac lead the league in caught stealing percentage?
McFann =Ô= =Ô=
May 24th, 2012
7:46 pm
It was 2010…
George
May 24th, 2012
7:47 pm
Outta here to enjoy or not the game. Have a good one tonight y’all win or lose. I will not be upset if we lose tonight I expect it, we need to get home and get well. It worries me how long it will take CHIPPER.
McFann =Ô= =Ô=
May 24th, 2012
7:47 pm
Bat M.—
Ha! Nearly beat you to it…
richbrave
May 24th, 2012
7:47 pm
Top two bats in LYNCHBURG
Batting – minimum 100 AB
* = promoted or otherwise not currently active
EVAN GATTIS*
1B CHRIS GARCIA .326 BA, 144 AB, 19 R, 47 H, 10 2B, 0 3B, 4 HR, 24 RBI, 27 BB, 36 SO, 3 SB, 2 CS, .439 OBP, .479 SLG, .918 OPS, 41 G, 3 E, .993 %
GARCIA is 24. 6′ 2″ 230. Came to the BRAVES from the Independent PIONEER League.
2B TOMMY LaSTELLA .302 BA. 139 AB, 22 R, 42 H, 10 2B, 1 3B, 4 HR, 29 RBI, 18 BB, 8 SO, 8 SB, 2 CS, .394 OBP, .475 SLG, .869 OPS, 37 G, 4 E, .974 %
LaSTELLA is 23. 5′ 11″ 185 Bats: L; Throws: R. Drafted 2011 8th round.
JasonInFL
May 24th, 2012
7:47 pm
We are scoring this inning.
Ralph
May 24th, 2012
7:47 pm
Delgado is really sharp tonight but with 0 runs it won’t do him much good.
D.A. Nuggla
May 24th, 2012
7:48 pm
Strange thing is for the last 2 days McCann had “flu-like symptoms” and now he has the flu. Never heard of the flu acting like that. Also, strange that FF hit a homerun AFTER he started having his eye problems. Believe he had on his regular glasses that night. Why not just wear those and play? I’ve already marked this game down as a loss and another one of those “giveaways” that don’t really count.
McFann =Ô= =Ô=
May 24th, 2012
7:48 pm
Aw, that’s nice, Chipper…
JasonInFL
May 24th, 2012
7:48 pm
How could it be? Yadier threw out 49% that year.
Mixxo
May 24th, 2012
7:48 pm
See that shot of Chipper?
He wants to hang ‘em up tonight.
Jerry
May 24th, 2012
7:49 pm
I like the fact that McCann gets the flu and rather than isolate him from the rest of the team, they keep him in amongst them and now Diaz seems to have the same thong. Just great.
Disgusted
May 24th, 2012
7:49 pm
The Terd does not look like the answer. Salcedo does not look like the answer.
Third base is going to be a dark hole for a while till another prospect gets developed, hope they get one high in this draft and he makes it in 2 or 3 yrs. Preferably a college player who is more MLB ready.
Jerry
May 24th, 2012
7:49 pm
*thing
TheOnlyBravesFan
May 24th, 2012
7:49 pm
http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/mccanbr01-field.shtml
Those are macs fielding stats, best year was 2010…. threw out 30% of runners….. he owns a 24% career CS
Mixxo
May 24th, 2012
7:49 pm
“We are scoring this inning.”
B.S.
David O'Brien
May 24th, 2012
7:50 pm
Scoring change from Monday game. Pastornicky awarded hit. Joe Torre overruled E-5 ruling. Extended hit streak to 9 games, but that ended Tue.
McFann =Ô= =Ô=
May 24th, 2012
7:50 pm
Jason, Bat—
He actually led the league in runners caught, not percentage—he caught 31 runners that year (36 if you count pitchers’-pick-offs).
Disgusted
May 24th, 2012
7:50 pm
If there ever was a must win game to date, this is one.
If they keep this up vs the Nats, they are headed to the basement.
Jake W.
May 24th, 2012
7:51 pm
Its not fair but he was supposed to be a franchise building block and is on the verge of being a bust
Its his third season in a largely injury riddled career. The guy is still pretty young. There is still upside with him. Sorry he’s not doing it on the schedule you imagined but hey, that’s life.
ncbravesfan90
May 24th, 2012
7:51 pm
I hope that this offense is not coming back down to reality……I really hope not.
Murph
May 24th, 2012
7:51 pm
BMac’s CS percentage year by year:
2005: 19% (22 SB)
2006: 23% (70 SB)
2007: 21% (70 SB)
2008: 23% (93 SB)
2009: 24% (76 SB)
2010: 30% (84 SB)
2011: 22% (104 SB)
2012: 24% (25 SB)
JasonInFL
May 24th, 2012
7:51 pm
Thanks, McFann
TheOnlyBravesFan
May 24th, 2012
7:51 pm
How could it be? Yadier threw out 49% that year.
Did he play a “full” year?
and now Diaz seems to have the same thong.
I see you fixed this typo, but it’s still funny as hell.
Ralph
May 24th, 2012
7:52 pm
Will have to fill Chippers spot via trade or free agency. We desperately need a back up NOW!
cabravesfan
May 24th, 2012
7:52 pm
Jerry-
Mac is still the back up catcher. Need to keep him at the park just in case
JasonInFL
May 24th, 2012
7:52 pm
Yes, Molina played in 137 games that year. But, McFann has solved the mystery. That was ball 4 to Delgado, BTW.
CaptMudd
May 24th, 2012
7:53 pm
Excellent professional at-bat Marteen.
TheOnlyBravesFan
May 24th, 2012
7:53 pm
Extended hit streak to 9 games, but that ended Thurs.
This kid can hit…. he’s gonna start another one
Jerry
May 24th, 2012
7:53 pm
Chances are that before Chipper’s at bat last night, Fredi saw how bad his foot was, but felt he could hit and run anyway. Is there a bigger reason why Frdi shouldn’t be allowed to manage a big league team? He is detrimental to this team. Now if you DL Chipper, it’ll be a full 15 days and not retro. So they will keep him on the bench and we will be shorthanded for an even longer period of time. ALL HAIL KING FREDI!!!!!!
Ralph
May 24th, 2012
7:54 pm
We need Gattis as a 3rd catcher and LF back up so Prado can back up Chipper.
JasonInFL
May 24th, 2012
7:54 pm
Prado is on FIRE. We need someone else go get going! Of course, our other 3 best hitters are out of the lineup. Come on, J-Hey. Let’s get it going starting with this AB.
Jerry
May 24th, 2012
7:54 pm
Earlier in the season Heyward looked better at the plate. Now, he looks like he did last year.
TheOnlyBravesFan
May 24th, 2012
7:55 pm
okay… so people didn’t run as much against molina, so he had a higher percentage, less # of runners thrown out… mac got run all over, but threw out more runners
Bat Masterson
May 24th, 2012
7:55 pm
Yep, McFann.
Caught stealing it is. It’s funny, but I remembered having a conversation here about that back then and for some reason thought it was percentage.
JasonInFL
May 24th, 2012
7:55 pm
Heyward does look pretty lost. I still think he is going to be a superstar though.
TheOnlyBravesFan
May 24th, 2012
7:55 pm
Prado steals it!!! And a winner for the Marathon gas cards on the Braves Radio Network
JasonInFL
May 24th, 2012
7:56 pm
…not if he continues to swing at those types of pitches.
Rick
May 24th, 2012
7:56 pm
Jerry, he’s hit BP the last few days, so he can hit. And then Fredi immediately pulled him for a pinch runner.
ncbravesfan90
May 24th, 2012
7:56 pm
Heyward still has that hitch in his swing to where he cannot get his hands fully extended, thus pops everything up or rolls out to second/first.
Murph
May 24th, 2012
7:57 pm
Heyward Heyward Heyward…
Disgusted
May 24th, 2012
7:57 pm
Not only that Pastornicky is questionable in the field, his OBP is below .300, that is not good.
The BA is not bad, but you want that OBP at least in the 3’s, I would accept .310 to .320.
And of course once again our once fair haired prospect Mr Heyward makes another out. Or should he be Hopeless Heyward. I have completely lost patience with him he cannot do the job.
Ralph
May 24th, 2012
7:58 pm
No need to waste your effort stealing Prado, no one is going to knock you in!
JasonInFL
May 24th, 2012
7:58 pm
Damn, that was a very hittable pitch
Jerry
May 24th, 2012
7:58 pm
cab,
At the detriment to the rest of the team? DL Chipper or someone else and get Boscan up here.
TheOnlyBravesFan
May 24th, 2012
7:58 pm
yep, heyward still has those holes in his swing, hopefully Greg and Fletch will get him fixed up
phil
May 24th, 2012
7:59 pm
cabravesfan
May 24th, 2012
7:28 pm
Nice throw, catcher…
*********
cab proving she’s just a homer for Mac….maybe?
Disgusted
May 24th, 2012
8:00 pm
“Heyward does look pretty lost. I still think he is going to be a superstar though.”
When??? When he is 65? This is beyond being young it just not being very good. The pitchers caught up iwth him and he can’t make the adjustments. Much like Francoeur.
Mixxo
May 24th, 2012
8:00 pm
Attaboy Stubby!
Mixxo
May 24th, 2012
8:00 pm
Stubbs can FLY too!
Murph
May 24th, 2012
8:00 pm
yep, heyward still has those holes in his swing, hopefully Greg and Fletch will get him fixed up
They had me believin’ at the start of the season. Now? Not so much.
Mixxo
May 24th, 2012
8:01 pm
What I’M talkin’ about!
TheOnlyBravesFan
May 24th, 2012
8:01 pm
Not only that Pastornicky is questionable in the field, his OBP is below .300, that is not good.
The BA is not bad, but you want that OBP at least in the 3’s, I would accept .310 to .320.
I take that personally, don’t attack my REV. When you hit in the 8th spot, you’re not looking for walks, but to put the ball in play… he’ll get his OBP up gradually…, but his avg. is pretty damn good right now. He’s doing well for a rookie who had limited time in AAA if you ask me.
No need to waste your effort stealing Prado, no one is going to knock you in!
While pessimistic, it still is funny!
Jerry
May 24th, 2012
8:01 pm
Rick
You completely missed my point, didn’t you?
Mixxo
May 24th, 2012
8:02 pm
The “New” Red Machine!
Disgusted
May 24th, 2012
8:02 pm
Here come the Reds. They are so much better than the Braves its sad that they have slapped the Braves silly this series.
Watch the Braves get swept by the Nats this weekend.
cabravesfan
May 24th, 2012
8:02 pm
Jerry-
DL Chipper or someone else when 1. they thought Chipper would be back before now, 2. when they didn’t think Mac would miss 3 games, 3. lose a player for 2 weeks for a guy that is going to sit on the bench, and 4. there is nobody else that is hurt so you can’t DL “someone else”
TheOnlyBravesFan
May 24th, 2012
8:02 pm
Great DP
CaptMudd
May 24th, 2012
8:03 pm
Carving the delgado steak tonight…No, way to hang in there Bravos!
Dr. Kenneth Noisewater
May 24th, 2012
8:03 pm
They are 19-5 with Chipper in the lineup, and 7-14 without him——- i know Chipper is a legend, but the rest of the team should stop relying on him. Man UP BRAVES!!!! get better mac & freddie. 12 for 94 in the past 3 games??? absolutely pathetic
MIBravesFan
May 24th, 2012
8:03 pm
Good job by Delgado getting out of that!
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
May 24th, 2012
8:04 pm
Mixxo, you are the winiest bitc* on the blog, ever. You big cry baby bitc*. Meet me here in Chatt and I’ll knock you senseless, maybe make a man out of you.
Matt Chernoff
May 24th, 2012
8:04 pm
cabravesfan
May 24th, 2012
7:28 pm
Nice throw, catcher…
*********
cab proving she’s just a homer for Mac….maybe?
Such a homer, she’s forgotten the backup catcher’s name…. it’s David Ross
phil
May 24th, 2012
8:04 pm
JasonInFL
May 24th, 2012
7:55 pm
Heyward does look pretty lost. I still think he is going to be a superstar though.
********
looking less and less likely…
Disgusted
May 24th, 2012
8:04 pm
They will not rely on Chipper next yr—and that might get beyond ugly.
Rick
May 24th, 2012
8:05 pm
Jerry, no I got it pretty clearly. Just pointing out that he was able to hit. And if Chipper didn’t think he could play, he wouldn’t have. Stop blaming all of the team’s problems on Fredi.
cabravesfan
May 24th, 2012
8:05 pm
Umm, I know what his name is, thanks. And since they play on the same team, I’m not sure homer is the word you are looking for
Ralph
May 24th, 2012
8:06 pm
DAMM, september got here in a hurry didn’t it!
George
May 24th, 2012
8:06 pm
Jerry
May 24th, 2012
7:53 pm
Chances are that before Chipper’s at bat last night, Fredi saw how bad his foot was, but felt he could hit and run anyway. Is there a bigger reason why Frdi shouldn’t be allowed to manage a big league team? He is detrimental to this team. Now if you DL Chipper, it’ll be a full 15 days and not retro. So they will keep him on the bench and we will be shorthanded for an even longer period of time. ALL HAIL KING FREDI!!!!!!
************************************
AGREE
CaptMudd
May 24th, 2012
8:06 pm
Man, we have some hacking hackers
TheOnlyBravesFan
May 24th, 2012
8:06 pm
What’s with all these bandwagon fans? It’s a game fercriss sake.
They had me believin’ at the start of the season. Now? Not so much.
Why? The season isn’t even 3 months old, and Heyward’s 22…. can’t give up yet, wait another year or so…
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
May 24th, 2012
8:06 pm
Bailey looks like a strung out druggie.
Dave
May 24th, 2012
8:06 pm
Has anybody else gone back and looked at Jason’s stance in 2010 compared to 2011 and 2012? I noticed he didn’t bend his knees has much as he does not. When he loads up to swing he goes from bending his knees to straighning them causing his head to move as the pitch is coming. Too many moving parts I think.
kevkat
May 24th, 2012
8:07 pm
The weakest swings I’ve almost ever seen..
George
May 24th, 2012
8:07 pm
Ralph
May 24th, 2012
7:54 pm
We need Gattis as a 3rd catcher and LF back up so Prado can back up Chipper
*************************************************************
AND AGREE
Ralph
May 24th, 2012
8:08 pm
Surely Cincy will win the WS with 4 Cy Young candidates.
TheOnlyBravesFan
May 24th, 2012
8:08 pm
Though, this is why it’s not always good to rush hitters to the Big Leagues (basically meaning, they don’t spend a year at each level)…. in the Majors, your holes will be found, and there’s no where higher to move you…. in the Minors, you crush one level, they move you up, and you never really have to struggle.
cabravesfan
May 24th, 2012
8:08 pm
Ummm, Gattis is still in Double A and on the DL…not sure how helpful he’d be at the moment. Or if it is a good use of his development to have him sit on the bench most of the time
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
May 24th, 2012
8:09 pm
We ain’t getting anything off Bailey. Forget it. Even when we get something to hit we foul off or make an easy out.
phil
May 24th, 2012
8:09 pm
Homer Bailey…..
Sad.
Fire FG!!
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
May 24th, 2012
8:10 pm
Not a Ross fan. Sorry, but he stinks. Now his throws are way off line. What’s the fascination with the guy is beyond me.
phil
May 24th, 2012
8:10 pm
Gattis, injured, would have to be hitting better than this bunch, save Prado…
CaptMudd
May 24th, 2012
8:11 pm
Camera shots of our guys in the dugout…. appears as though the guys are deflated.
TheOnlyBravesFan
May 24th, 2012
8:11 pm
Dave, I’ve noticed his swing, never really liked it, looks worse now, and especially since he isn’t hitting all that well, I do wonder about it…. however, he’s young and so I’l give him the benefit of the doubt that he can fix it and start hitting again.
Jerry
May 24th, 2012
8:11 pm
cab
OMG! You are seriously gonna tell me that no player is ever DLed with a fictitious injury? And if you were the manager and you saw Chipper’s foot and it was black, would you send him to the plate?
phil
May 24th, 2012
8:11 pm
Ross probably saw mac and FF’s eye doctor too…..sigh.
phil
May 24th, 2012
8:13 pm
Chipper is faking the bruise with black eye shadow so he can finally get his left knee healed up…
Mixxo
May 24th, 2012
8:13 pm
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
lol
Relax Chief….and the Kool-Aid is right over there….next to the excuses.
P.S. Anytime you want… you can get some of this old man buddy….any time. I’ll PM you my particulars. I’m in Warner Robins Ga and real easy to find.
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
May 24th, 2012
8:13 pm
Hog legged Ross fits in with a slumping lineup to a tee.
cabravesfan
May 24th, 2012
8:14 pm
Jerry-
You do realize teams actually have to DOCUMENT injuries, right? Why would you DL someone that could be useful because your catcher has the flu? (that they didn’t know would be so bad?) Does that make sense to you?
And Chipper had been taking BP for a couple of days. If Chipper Jones says he can hit, I believe him.
ncbravesfan90
May 24th, 2012
8:14 pm
Take notes Braves….
TheOnlyBravesFan
May 24th, 2012
8:14 pm
Dang…. they score first….. gonna have to fight from behind…. boys, imagine that Chipper is playing out there
Ralph
May 24th, 2012
8:15 pm
TheOnlyBravesFan
May 24th, 2012
8:06 pm
Why? The season isn’t even 3 months old
———————————————————-
Feels like September to me.
Fols
May 24th, 2012
8:15 pm
This lead is going to be real hard for us to come back from….use all your might Braves….we need 2 runs for a win tonight!
Nick
May 24th, 2012
8:15 pm
Well, thats the f****** BALLGAME. Shocker. Swept by the Reds.
TheOnlyBravesFan
May 24th, 2012
8:16 pm
Chipper is faking the bruise with black eye shadow so he can finally get his left knee healed up…
Funny
Disgusted
May 24th, 2012
8:17 pm
What I would do to trade thie entire Braves team straight up for this entire Reds team.
I would do that in a heatbeat. They are so so much better than the Braves & I did pick the Reds to win the Central this yr. And I also picked Washington to take the East, everybody thought I was crazy but now I am Prophet Disgusted.
TheOnlyBravesFan
May 24th, 2012
8:17 pm
well bye nick…. you can go to bed now
Feel like cab, arguing with fools
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
May 24th, 2012
8:17 pm
“We’ll, thats the f****** BALLGAME. Shocker. Swept by the Reds”
I take that back, Mixxo.
Mixxo
May 24th, 2012
8:18 pm
Reds…. 1
Us…. zip
cabravesfan
May 24th, 2012
8:18 pm
And I also picked Washington to take the East, everybody thought I was crazy but now I am Prophet Disgusted.
I wasn’t aware the season was over. Or even half way over. I’d save the back slapping for, you know, the actual end of the season.
Jerry
May 24th, 2012
8:18 pm
Rick
May 24th, 2012
8:05 pm
Jerry, no I got it pretty clearly. Just pointing out that he was able to hit. And if Chipper didn’t think he could play, he wouldn’t have. Stop blaming all of the team’s problems on Fredi.
Not blaming it all on Fredi. This whole team can share in the blame. But you said that Chipper was able to hit last night. I watched his face on his first swing and he obviously grimaced when he swung. The Reds did him a favor by walking him. If he had to run, an outfielder might’ve been able to throw him out at 1st base.
Jake W.
May 24th, 2012
8:18 pm
Given the braves placement in the standings come the trade deadline it would be nice to have a better backup for Chipper. We’ve been spoiled with Prado, Infante, even Betemit. You can never fully replace a future hall of famer with a back-up but i’m sure we can get more that what we are getting from Francisco.
Reid in EAV
May 24th, 2012
8:19 pm
OTR FTW!
Nick
May 24th, 2012
8:19 pm
How sad is it to see our beloved Braves team look like this? Ross, Hinske, and Francisco are regulars in the lineup now. This might be the worst team in baseball. 60-102.
Disgusted
May 24th, 2012
8:19 pm
Remember how Jeremy Hermedia was supposed to be all that when he first came up? Another local product who was a Marlins hot shot.
Heyward is becomming the same type of player. Sad. A potential big resource that fizzled but we are used to busts in this town.
TheOnlyBravesFan
May 24th, 2012
8:20 pm
Disgusted… don’t follow the Braves then, trade yourself to be a Reds fan
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
May 24th, 2012
8:20 pm
Fact:
Hinske = scrub
Ross = Scrub
Pastornicky = scrub
Heyward = not a scrub, but sure is hitting like one
Disgusted
May 24th, 2012
8:20 pm
Maybe more like 72-90 Nick
CaptMudd
May 24th, 2012
8:20 pm
When was the last time one of our guys hit a triple? Far and few….Even doubles are down as our bovines keep trying to stretch hit and test opponents’ outfield arms.
ncbravesfan90
May 24th, 2012
8:21 pm
How are all these Reds pitchers going to fit on the Cy Young ballot this year?
Jake W.
May 24th, 2012
8:21 pm
Not blaming it all on Fredi. This whole team can share in the blame. But you said that Chipper was able to hit last night. I watched his face on his first swing and he obviously grimaced when he swung.
Chipper’s face is pretty much always a grimace.
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
May 24th, 2012
8:21 pm
How can I forget the biggest scrub … Mr. Francisco
Nick
May 24th, 2012
8:21 pm
I am so embarrassed being a Braves fan watching this team right now. Ashamed.
Nick
May 24th, 2012
8:22 pm
Options or not, the Braves need to dump Francisco immediately.
Disgusted
May 24th, 2012
8:22 pm
Hey, as a baseball fan I like this Reds team, they can hit and they would be good in any ballpark.
Not a Reds fan, but face it, they are better. If this does not prove to you they are better and the Braves need lots of work, well, nothing I can say.
The ATL Braves are a bad team right now, That is fact.
Roman Gal
May 24th, 2012
8:22 pm
Prado’s so hot he’s been able to overcome the blog jinx.
TheOnlyBravesFan
May 24th, 2012
8:22 pm
The Reds did him a favor by walking him. If he had to run, an outfielder might’ve been able to throw him out at 1st base.
This I agree with, Chipper could have gapped one to the wall and still only been at first.
Holy hell Francisco, you don’t need to swing that hard.
Ben Ingram (Braves Radio) says he think Chipper’s leg looks more like he was bit by a snake than hit with a ball.
CaptMudd
May 24th, 2012
8:23 pm
Nice way to reach Fraranco….guess…go for it
Nick
May 24th, 2012
8:23 pm
Poor Delgado, trying to do it all.
TheOnlyBravesFan
May 24th, 2012
8:23 pm
Randall!!!!
Bourn, hit a homer here, you lead the team with homers at this park for the series
Mixxo
May 24th, 2012
8:24 pm
I still think we win 80 games.
idk
Guess I’m an optimist.
Jerry
May 24th, 2012
8:24 pm
cab
And I suppose that if Chipper says he can hit tonight, you’d believe that too? At what point do you accept the fact that having him take batting practice and pinch hit will just keep him out of the everyday lineup just that much longer.
And as for documenting injuries, I can see that there’s no point in trying to convince you that everyone is not that above board.
Rick
May 24th, 2012
8:24 pm
Nick, it’d be a pretty big stretch to call yourself a fan.
MIBravesFan
May 24th, 2012
8:24 pm
Nice hit, kid!!
Disgusted
May 24th, 2012
8:24 pm
Prado might have to play some third and have Hinske or Diaz in LF.
Because we cannot keep Fatscisco in there we know he cannot play.
ncbravesfan90
May 24th, 2012
8:25 pm
The acquisition and the signing that Wren made this season, combined they are batting .179
Nick
May 24th, 2012
8:25 pm
Folks, the Marlins and Mets are only a half game behind us after tonight. This is a 4th place team in mere days.
TheOnlyBravesFan
May 24th, 2012
8:25 pm
I called it!!!!!
cabravesfan
May 24th, 2012
8:25 pm
Wow…Michael Bourn!
Rick
May 24th, 2012
8:25 pm
Wow
VaBravesFan
May 24th, 2012
8:25 pm
Wow, Bourn is becoming Carl Crawford
D.A. Nuggla
May 24th, 2012
8:26 pm
Homer finally lived up to his name.
Jake W.
May 24th, 2012
8:26 pm
Not a Reds fan, but face it, they are better. If this does not prove to you they are better and the Braves need lots of work, well, nothing I can say.
What, winning 2 one run games and only getting 4 runs off of Mike Minor makes them great. In that bandbox, all they could get was 4 runs off of Minor, not to mention their pitchers have been spared Chipper and McCann.
Damn, i’ve heard of rose-colored glasses, don’t know what yours are.
Brava
May 24th, 2012
8:26 pm
Bourny!!!!!
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
May 24th, 2012
8:26 pm
Where would they be without Bourn. I’m serious, he’s our MVP so far.
BFChris27
May 24th, 2012
8:26 pm
Michael is a HR hitter now
Mixxo
May 24th, 2012
8:26 pm
Michael Bourn WANTS to be a Yankee next year!!!!!!!!!!
….or…. a Nat.
Disgusted
May 24th, 2012
8:26 pm
I think Nickand Veer are as as good of a fan if not better than the Kool-Aid drinkers on this blog.
You know who you are .
Micheal Bourn does it again–U think he might want to hit in Cincy next yr?
Roman Gal
May 24th, 2012
8:26 pm
Fact:
Hinske = scrub
Ross = Scrub
Pastornicky = scrub
I don’t want no scrubs: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VyfLER3Z0-Q
MIBravesFan
May 24th, 2012
8:27 pm
“TheOnlyBravesFan
May 24th, 2012
8:23 pm
Randall!!!!
Bourn, hit a homer here, you lead the team with homers at this park for the series”
Good call!!!!!
CaptMudd
May 24th, 2012
8:27 pm
All I can say is thank you higher power for Michael and Marteen!
ncgary
May 24th, 2012
8:27 pm
haters baiters
why dont you take them taters
Jerry
May 24th, 2012
8:27 pm
And don’t get me wrong, I like Chipper Jones. But all he is at this moment, he is nothing more than a $15mil a year pinch hitter who cannot be counted on to play in the field. Get his ass well and put him in the lineup. Until then, sit him down!
Kat
May 24th, 2012
8:27 pm
So is Michael Bourn going to name his kid GABP?
TheOnlyBravesFan
May 24th, 2012
8:27 pm
what’s that, 4 homers for Bourn this year??? he’s gonna want 14 mil/yr now
Hit a few more, he could lead the team
Nick
May 24th, 2012
8:28 pm
Disgusted – Exactly. I’ve always said if you don’t get pissed watching this Braves team, then you are not a fan. Most Kool-Aid drinkers on here don’t realize we haven’t won anything in 17 years and don’t seem to be too bothered that we are an average team at best year after year.
Rick
May 24th, 2012
8:28 pm
Disgusted, don’t know about you, but for me fans actually support the team. Not whine and predict failure with every play.
CaptMudd
May 24th, 2012
8:28 pm
Legends…..Mickey Mantle, CF Willie Mays, CF Michael Bourn, CF
Roman Gal
May 24th, 2012
8:29 pm
Ben Ingram (Braves Radio) says he think Chipper’s leg looks more like he was bit by a snake than hit with a ball.
I knew it! That Chipper. He wasn’t hit with a line drive. He was out snake-hunting again!
Brava
May 24th, 2012
8:29 pm
Disgusted, the Reds are better than the Braves? Jeez, put down the crack pipe.
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
May 24th, 2012
8:30 pm
That’s why you’re a bitc* Mixxo. Something good happens and you immediately have to write something as to down it. Bourn probably isn’t a Brave next year, but he’s here now and we’re loving it.
Disgusted
May 24th, 2012
8:30 pm
“Damn, i’ve heard of rose-colored glasses, don’t know what yours are.”
As a Braves fan, I am wearing blind colored glasses, because the way they are losing this week, they are hitting they are LOSING…In plain English.
Three losses in a row and can be going on 4—That is too much. If they pull this one out they do save a little face.
I don’t dig losing in any way shape of form.
I like winning alot better. I do not accept losing especially after what happened in September, just do not trust this team
TheOnlyBravesFan
May 24th, 2012
8:31 pm
nice play Juan (though it hurts to congratulate him, ok not really)
Brava
May 24th, 2012
8:31 pm
Never mind. When Nick is your ally, nothing more needs to be said.
Disgusted
May 24th, 2012
8:31 pm
Brave—Who has been winning?
TheOnlyBravesFan
May 24th, 2012
8:32 pm
so disgusted, you want the Braves to go 162-0? or any team for that matter? Well sorry for you, it hasn’t happened yet, and never will.
Roman Gal
May 24th, 2012
8:32 pm
Wait, when did winning 80 games become the standard for optimism?
Jake W.
May 24th, 2012
8:32 pm
I like the way Delgado bounces back from rough starts. Now if we can only get Minor to do this. Guy doesn’t have to be a freakin cy young pitcher, but he can be productive. Hope he figures it out sooner rather than later.
Nick
May 24th, 2012
8:33 pm
These professional athletes are S-O-F-T. You can’t see out of one eye, your sick, your leg hurts…NUT UP. They are getting paid a LOT of money to play. I broke my hand and still played 3 more games in a tournament bc my team needed me. I’ve played football in the rain with a completely torn groin muscle. I didn’t get paid anything.
MIBravesFan
May 24th, 2012
8:33 pm
Nice shutdown inning there!
Brava
May 24th, 2012
8:34 pm
Just because the Reds won this series doesn’t make them better. Are the Mets better too since they swept us at the start of the season?
Nick
May 24th, 2012
8:35 pm
When our offense was tops in NL, our pitching was 14th. Now our offense is horrible (again) and our pitching has actually been pretty good the last couple weeks.
Nick
May 24th, 2012
8:35 pm
Brava – YES, the Mets are better.
Disgusted
May 24th, 2012
8:36 pm
“Exactly. I’ve always said if you don’t get pissed watching this Braves team, then you are not a fan. Most Kool-Aid drinkers on here don’t realize we haven’t won anything in 17 years and don’t seem to be too bothered that we are an average team at best year after year.”
Nick—For the level of talent that has passed through here there is no excuse that this team does not have at least 3 WS championships up there. 96 was inexcusable the way we let that one get away and at least one of those early 2000’s team (either 02 or 03) they were real good teams and they should have gotten to the series at least. Should have had one of those.
You cannot win it all every yr, but there is something given the level of talent that we have seen pass through that keeps you asking for more.
But U know what–I still support and love the team as POed as I get.
But we never had what happened in September and good fans in my opinion should still be POed about it.
I will not judge anyone for their opinions –Its okay if they want to drink the kool aid, but the kool aid drinkers are the most intolerant (and its not just on this blog).
Hey, the truth hurts.
Jake W.
May 24th, 2012
8:36 pm
I don’t dig losing in any way shape of form.
I like winning alot better. I do not accept losing especially after what happened in September, just do not trust this team
This is baseball. There will be losses. The sooner you realize this, the sooner can step back from the ledge. Its 162 games. No one has ever won them all.
Just take a deep breath and let it sink in. This is a game largely surrounded by failure.
There will be losses. There will always be losses.
TheOnlyBravesFan
May 24th, 2012
8:36 pm
Wow Nick, you really are a fool…
Mixxo
May 24th, 2012
8:36 pm
Brian….
I’m glad he’s (Bourn) here….really glad because I love his game. But, lets get real. He knows where this team is and where it’s going. i.e. nowhere. Bonafide contenders will be waving the cash and he’ll (and his agent) stick their nose in the air.
Bat Masterson
May 24th, 2012
8:36 pm
I like winning alot better. I do not accept losing especially after what happened in September _ Disgusted
What does that mean, exactly. I mean what do you do? Cover your eyes, cover your ears, lie to yourself? Its not like you have a meaningful role to play in the outcome.
Nick
May 24th, 2012
8:36 pm
Heyward is Rondell White at best folks. I still don’t understand how you can be 6′5, 250 and be horrible at baseball.
Brava
May 24th, 2012
8:37 pm
Oh boy.
Mixxo
May 24th, 2012
8:37 pm
All the best to him too!
Jerry
May 24th, 2012
8:38 pm
C’mon Heyward, back away from the plate and lay off the inside pitches. Invite the pitcher to pitch you outside then and extend those long arms. That’s the ticket.
TheOnlyBravesFan
May 24th, 2012
8:38 pm
Disgusted: I was pretty pi**ed after the collapse last year, especially since I was there at the last two games, it was very depressing…. however, I can’t carry that over to this year, it’s a new season
Disgusted
May 24th, 2012
8:38 pm
“I like the way Delgado bounces back from rough starts. Now if we can only get Minor to do this. Guy doesn’t have to be a freakin cy young pitcher, but he can be productive. Hope he figures it out sooner rather than later.”
Well Jake, that is one post that we will agree on. And truth was Minor did show signs of improvement Monday, but hope he does better the next time out.
cabravesfan
May 24th, 2012
8:39 pm
I can think of plenty of people that are 6′5″ 250 and are terrible at baseball
Nick
May 24th, 2012
8:39 pm
HinsKe, the automatic out. AKA Fat Jack Wilson.
kevkat
May 24th, 2012
8:41 pm
Hinske is really having awful at bats tonight..
Nick
May 24th, 2012
8:41 pm
Hinske and Francisco need to be released. Will they? No, the Braves will keep both and their .150 BA the entire season while we cruise to last place.
TheOnlyBravesFan
May 24th, 2012
8:41 pm
Nick, the automatic tool… AKA a more crazy Mitchell
Jerry
May 24th, 2012
8:41 pm
Hinske used to run hard even when he made an out. Not this time. He loafed like a pitcher down to first.
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
May 24th, 2012
8:42 pm
Something I hate seeing is what Hinske just did. Head down the whole way to 1st barely jogging never knowing if 2nd baseman might just bobble it. He knows better.
Roman Gal
May 24th, 2012
8:42 pm
Hey cab.
Dr. Kenneth Noisewater
May 24th, 2012
8:42 pm
the only reason i can see the braves playing sluggish lately is that these cats have been traveling non-stop!!! they’ve got to be road weary- maybe back home tomorrow will change everything and the bats will come alive. i think the braves have played less home games that the majority of the mlb teams
cabravesfan
May 24th, 2012
8:42 pm
Hi RG!
Jake W.
May 24th, 2012
8:44 pm
Hinske is really having awful at bats tonight.
I think a few of our hitters eyes got big going into the Cincy bandbox, a lot of big swings but they have to realize, the reds pitchers know the park they pitch in. They know they can’t afford for that ball to get up in the air. Just go with what they give you, don’t try to do to much with it.
Disgusted
May 24th, 2012
8:44 pm
I am sure that you were The Only Braves Fan, but I am still mad about it.
I have been an unhappy camper since the Thrashers departed, and then the Falcons turn in that game vs the hated NY Giants.
The Hawks I can take or leave because I cannot stand Levinson/Gearon.
We have had our share of disappointments, get laughed at by NY pundits like Steven Ass Smith and Rob Parker and for once, it would be nice for something speicall of happen–like a Braves doing a 2010 version of the Giants or last yrs Cards.
I might not be so disgusted. The Braves have some good pitchers and young pitchers with potential The pen was supposed to be great–I am worried about Venters.
The lineup is off and on, but for once I want the ATL to see its teams give this city something where we get respect, not NYers laugh at us.
Roman Gal
May 24th, 2012
8:44 pm
cab-
Make Mac get better, ok?
kevkat
May 24th, 2012
8:45 pm
he went…no Freddi..?
cabravesfan
May 24th, 2012
8:45 pm
RG-
I wish I could. He looked so unhappy in the brief moment I saw his face last night
Nick
May 24th, 2012
8:45 pm
And here goes the lead….SWEEP.
Mixxo
May 24th, 2012
8:45 pm
lovely
TheOnlyBravesFan
May 24th, 2012
8:46 pm
Trade Ross!!!! HE SUCKS!!!!!
(Sarcasm)
Jerry
May 24th, 2012
8:47 pm
Has anyone ever seen Dusty Baker without a toothpick in his mouth?
nolie
May 24th, 2012
8:48 pm
a wild pitch with Ross catching? I was assured by the blog that was an impossible event…
Rick
May 24th, 2012
8:48 pm
“Exactly. I’ve always said if you don’t get pissed watching this Braves team, then you are not a fan. Most Kool-Aid drinkers on here don’t realize we haven’t won anything in 17 years and don’t seem to be too bothered that we are an average team at best year after year.”
There’s a difference between getting pissed and being an unending stream of negativity and predictions of failure. It’s frustrating watching your team struggle, especially when it’s offensively. But I don’t call the season a quarter way in based on a few bad games. I don’t get the point of even watching if you have nothing positive to say or don’t think they can recover when they are struggling. Why watch it if you don’t ultimately enjoy it?
Roman Gal
May 24th, 2012
8:50 pm
Diaz basically looked like death warmed over.
Venice Jim
May 24th, 2012
8:50 pm
Nice decoy move by Jason – almost caught him…
TheOnlyBravesFan
May 24th, 2012
8:50 pm
Heyward got lucky there…. Phillips didn’t go, and he should’ve
Rick
May 24th, 2012
8:51 pm
Jerry,
The Braves’ commentators were talking about it I think earlier this series or when they were in Atlanta. He picked it up as an alternative to using dip.
cabravesfan
May 24th, 2012
8:51 pm
Why should I get upset watching baseball? Plenty of things in life to get p*ssed at. No reason to get all worked up about a game. Guess I’m not a fan…
kevkat
May 24th, 2012
8:51 pm
why such a long dang meeting
Roman Gal
May 24th, 2012
8:51 pm
His lips were blue for pete’s sake.
Nick
May 24th, 2012
8:51 pm
At least we had a lead for an inning.
TheOnlyBravesFan
May 24th, 2012
8:51 pm
Diaz basically looked like death warmed over.
Really???
Dr. Kenneth Noisewater
May 24th, 2012
8:52 pm
kudos to that Disgusted- as an Atlanta sports fan, this town is horrible..so much potential yet always let down.
Nick
May 24th, 2012
8:52 pm
David Ross and has gotten so much worse behind the plate. Thank God, it’s our last season having him.
nolie
May 24th, 2012
8:53 pm
I’ve always said if you don’t get pissed watching this Braves team, then you are not a fan
what a total self-serving bunch of bull crap. all it means is that one is mature enough to handle disappointment like an adult rather than a spoiled whiny 15 year old
Roman Gal
May 24th, 2012
8:53 pm
Honestly, TheOnlyBravesFan, I’m surprised he wasn’t sparkling in the sunlight.
Nick
May 24th, 2012
8:53 pm
Delgado + bases loaded = I think we all know…
Disgusted
May 24th, 2012
8:54 pm
Rick–Sometimes maybe this is a way to vent frustraation with a team, its not like anyone is threatning to go our and do something violent or stupid.
I vent when things do not go well, and I am relieved after it, because there is nothing I can do about it.
Its only words, different fans have different perspectives on the game. I am tired of this city being such a laughing stock, and I want something good to happen from our sports teams to where we can go out and tell the New York and Philly type of fans to stick it where the sun don;t shine.
I really despise the Northeast, its fans and I am from there. I am here because I like it, wish our teams can have some bragging rights. for a change and tell NYC to go stick it
Jerry
May 24th, 2012
8:54 pm
Looks like this is gonna be THAT inning for Delgado.
Nick
May 24th, 2012
8:54 pm
Pathetic performance by Delgado.
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
May 24th, 2012
8:54 pm
Those damn walks. Kill ya every time. He’ll learn.
nolie
May 24th, 2012
8:54 pm
not looking so good right now
TheOnlyBravesFan
May 24th, 2012
8:55 pm
Delgado did okay…. needs some help from the ‘pen here.
ncbravesfan90
May 24th, 2012
8:55 pm
Safe to say C-Mart won’t be coming in here?
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
May 24th, 2012
8:56 pm
Nick, you’re a little bitc*. I wanna bitc* slap little bitc*y face. Stupid ass
TheOnlyBravesFan
May 24th, 2012
8:56 pm
Medlen should be in the rotation, we’d rather see C-Mart or Gearrin here, right?
MFin04
May 24th, 2012
8:56 pm
Medlen or EOF should be coming in, anyone else, and we can go ahead and ballgame it. Key move here!
Disgusted
May 24th, 2012
8:57 pm
BS Nolie—Who are you to say what an adult should or should not be.
There is a bit of child likeness is being a sports fan, just like there is in the athletes and coaches who have the God given ability to play it.
Its not a court room, its a way to get entertainment and venting is okay so long as it does not go too far.
McFann =Ô= =Ô=
May 24th, 2012
8:57 pm
cabravesfan He looked so unhappy in the brief moment I saw his face last night
Yeah, he looked awful last night…haven’t seen him yet tonight…
ncgary
May 24th, 2012
8:57 pm
why wouldnt the cannibal eat the clown
TheOnlyBravesFan
May 24th, 2012
8:58 pm
Gosh darn it…..
Mixxo
May 24th, 2012
8:58 pm
NICE!!!!!!!!
ncbravesfan90
May 24th, 2012
8:58 pm
Our bullpen is a mess right now guys. You can’t deny that fact.
Trey
May 24th, 2012
8:58 pm
Wonderful
tiger297
May 24th, 2012
8:58 pm
well that smarts…
Venice Jim
May 24th, 2012
8:58 pm
C’est la vie…
Brava
May 24th, 2012
8:58 pm
Delgado could have done that himself.
VaBravesFan
May 24th, 2012
8:58 pm
ballgame lol, wow way to serve it up. This team is in bad shape.
Cap: Where's My Tip
May 24th, 2012
8:59 pm
what is it about a Delgado pitched game and grand slams? wowie
GTI in Brooklyn
May 24th, 2012
8:59 pm
What IS it about this place?
TheOnlyBravesFan
May 24th, 2012
8:59 pm
Don Sutton is tired of seeing people who don’t hit a lot of homers hitting grand slams off of the Braves… he really doesn’t sound happy.
Roman Gal
May 24th, 2012
8:59 pm
He’s an ugly lil’ fellow.
ncgary
May 24th, 2012
8:59 pm
he thought hed taste funny
Jerry
May 24th, 2012
8:59 pm
And that should remove all doubt who’s gonna win this game. It’s a sweep people.
MFin04
May 24th, 2012
8:59 pm
When I come back, it better be 6-5 Braves or something of the sort!
nolie
May 24th, 2012
8:59 pm
go take an anger management course and find out.
tiger297
May 24th, 2012
9:00 pm
but how does his poodle perm feel?
Mixxo
May 24th, 2012
9:00 pm
NOW tell me the Reds don’t ‘want’ this!!
Rick
May 24th, 2012
9:00 pm
Disgusted, I understand venting. I don’t understand predicting failure again and again.
CaptMudd
May 24th, 2012
9:00 pm
Grand Salami at this time is about the icing on the cake for this series—and, if we don’t get an attitude adjustment soon; the Nats will be all over us.
Kat
May 24th, 2012
9:00 pm
Well that’s…. umm…. not good.
nolie
May 24th, 2012
9:00 pm
lotsa grand slams lately. makes it kinda tough to win
Mixxo
May 24th, 2012
9:01 pm
Lucky effin tag.
Brava
May 24th, 2012
9:01 pm
Beautiful Martin and Uggs!!
McFann =Ô= =Ô=
May 24th, 2012
9:01 pm
Nice play, Marteeeen!!
CaptMudd
May 24th, 2012
9:01 pm
Great hurl Marteen….a good pro there.
TheOnlyBravesFan
May 24th, 2012
9:01 pm
Well, we got out of the inning, go get ‘em hitters… we really need to win, to shut up the fools/trolls
MFin04
May 24th, 2012
9:02 pm
Still only a 3-run game. It is winnable. Martin Prado is your NL All-Star in LF.
Bat Masterson
May 24th, 2012
9:02 pm
Nice play, Prado
nolie
May 24th, 2012
9:02 pm
three of the best starters can’t play, but that needs an attitude adjustment to change?
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
May 24th, 2012
9:02 pm
Ok I’m done for the night. Vent your little miserable hearts out. All yours …
tiger297
May 24th, 2012
9:02 pm
I thought we needed to win to keep pace with the phillies/nats?
but ur reason is better i think
Ralph
May 24th, 2012
9:02 pm
The Yankees will be coming to town to face the 4th place Braves, when the Yankees leave town the braves will be in last place.
Jake W.
May 24th, 2012
9:03 pm
A braves hitter would have just hooked it foul.
Nick
May 24th, 2012
9:03 pm
LMAO. I’m done. F*** this pathetic team. A bunch of losers again.
TNScott
May 24th, 2012
9:03 pm
Yet another fastball home run. Hey, Only, you were right.
nolie
May 24th, 2012
9:03 pm
the fact that they are batting Francisco behind Tyler must say something…
CaptMudd
May 24th, 2012
9:03 pm
There has to be one pitcher for the Reds that we can jump on?
cabravesfan
May 24th, 2012
9:04 pm
LMAO. I’m done. F*** this pathetic team. A bunch of losers again.
Oh, if only that were true…
Hugo Z Hackenbush
May 24th, 2012
9:04 pm
C’mon Nick, don’t make promises you can’t keep.
Mr. Wednesday
May 24th, 2012
9:04 pm
When life is tough, every day feels like a Monday. Please get well soon Chipper!!!
Roman Gal
May 24th, 2012
9:05 pm
The Yankees will be coming to town to face the 4th place Braves, when the Yankees leave town the braves will be in last place.
I’ve always wanted to meet a psychic. Do you do palm readings?
ncbravesfan90
May 24th, 2012
9:05 pm
That’s what we do with 90mph down the heart of the plate.
CaptMudd
May 24th, 2012
9:06 pm
@Nolie….I am aware we are shorthanded….but we have other guys that are capable…I will never believe we can’t win any game on our schedule–with or without the aforementioned injured few.
TheOnlyBravesFan
May 24th, 2012
9:06 pm
this is a 3 run game… still very winnable guys…. even if we do lose, it’s only a 4-game losing streak, plenty of time to start a winning streak, and we get the Nats @ Home, where they have hardly played…. I look for them to start winning soon. We just need to stop having guys getting hurt/sick,
JNick
May 24th, 2012
9:07 pm
MEH! Send Medlen where he belongs, back to AAA! We need Oswalt!
(Channeling my inner J-Man)
Roman Gal
May 24th, 2012
9:07 pm
Ya know, Great American Ballpark is a very nice stadium. A little too red for my taste, but much, much nicer than Tropicana Field.
Skeeterleg
May 24th, 2012
9:07 pm
Whats the over/under on how many people nolie calls stupid or idiots today? Implied or otherwise.
McFann =Ô= =Ô=
May 24th, 2012
9:08 pm
Yay!…
Jake W.
May 24th, 2012
9:08 pm
Rally Cisco
Brava
May 24th, 2012
9:08 pm
WTG, Juan!!!!!
TheOnlyBravesFan
May 24th, 2012
9:08 pm
Someone doesn’t sound too optimistic…
Matt Chernoff @RealMattlanta
How in the world is this lineup going to score 3 runs in the 7th & 8th? I won’t even bring up the 9th with that robot closer of theirs.
btw, our pitching is coming around at least… just wait for the offense to come around
WTG JUAN…. and he ran the bases faster
Jerry
May 24th, 2012
9:08 pm
You are still a complete waste Francisco.
BFChris27
May 24th, 2012
9:08 pm
FRANCISCO!!!!!!!!!!!!!
nolie
May 24th, 2012
9:08 pm
maybe they will lose another dozen in a row and really give y’all something worth whining about.
Some of y’all must be watching The Fan on Encore too often
cabravesfan
May 24th, 2012
9:08 pm
That looked much like the ball jason was supposed to jump for last night…but I guess Stubbs just has more fire, since he did jump…
TheOnlyBravesFan
May 24th, 2012
9:08 pm
wait, I thought Diaz was sick???
McFann =Ô= =Ô=
May 24th, 2012
9:08 pm
Aw, poor MattE…
JNick
May 24th, 2012
9:08 pm
2-run game now
Roman Gal
May 24th, 2012
9:09 pm
3 runs in 3 innings2 runs in 2 innings
ncbravesfan90
May 24th, 2012
9:09 pm
That homerun was more towering than the one last night. Thus, it reached the second row of seats at a higher peak than the one Heyward didn’t jump for.
nolie
May 24th, 2012
9:10 pm
not a fan, but good for Francisco. the kid has power if not much else.
would be nice if he could learn some plate discipline
Almedin
May 24th, 2012
9:10 pm
will Nick ever get banned?
McFann =Ô= =Ô=
May 24th, 2012
9:10 pm
Well this is just about the most pitiful thing ever…
“I think it’s a full-blown flu going now with his temperature and aching feelings,” Gonzalez said (of BMac). “The last three days he’s been curled up on a sofa or the training room.”
phil
May 24th, 2012
9:10 pm
Nice AB francisco….
Rest of em…sigh.
Venice Jim
May 24th, 2012
9:11 pm
First home run allowed by Medlen since July 24, 2010 (obviously he missed a game or two in the interim)…
TheOnlyBravesFan
May 24th, 2012
9:11 pm
Gonzalez rested Freeman in Thursday’s road-trip finale and said a pair of plastic, wrap-around sports glasses ordered a week ago should arrive before or during the homestand that starts Friday.
What, are they using the USPS???
Roman Gal
May 24th, 2012
9:11 pm
My hair was never as ruly as that little girl’s hair is.
TheOnlyBravesFan
May 24th, 2012
9:11 pm
Well there goes that run
Rick
May 24th, 2012
9:11 pm
Ugh
ncbravesfan90
May 24th, 2012
9:11 pm
Like I said earlier, this bullpen is in trouble.
nolie
May 24th, 2012
9:11 pm
still whining about something that made no difference at all in Heyward’s non-jump.
at least bawl about something meaningful….
O.J.
May 24th, 2012
9:12 pm
Can there be a bigger bunch of homers than the Reds announcers? I mean, Francisco hits one to the deepest part of the park and it barely made it over.
TheOnlyBravesFan
May 24th, 2012
9:12 pm
whose pitching now, forgot…
Whats the over/under on how many people nolie calls stupid or idiots today? Implied or otherwise.
12
njbraves
May 24th, 2012
9:12 pm
This team is just awful right now. Can’t pitch and can’t hit.
Ralph
May 24th, 2012
9:12 pm
always wanted to meet a psychic. Do you do palm readings?
Yes I do, I will read your now but you need to take your thumb out of your mouth first.
Brava
May 24th, 2012
9:12 pm
Oh well, Fredi played with fire and got burned.
VaBravesFan
May 24th, 2012
9:12 pm
haha, there not gonna let us come back in this game. Homerun Derby.
ncgary
May 24th, 2012
9:12 pm
glad i didnt bet my last 3 dollars
Venice Jim
May 24th, 2012
9:12 pm
That homerun was more towering than the one last night. Thus, it reached the second row of seats at a higher peak than the one Heyward didn’t jump for.
Would you please specify the angles if you are such an expert?
ncbravesfan90
May 24th, 2012
9:13 pm
“still whining about something that made no difference at all in Heyward’s non-jump.
at least bawl about something meaningful….”
Like the concern we should have for this bullpen
JNick
May 24th, 2012
9:13 pm
Well, at least it wasn’t Delgado that gave up the slam in this start (that’s what, the 3rd one given up in his starts? The one by Parra, and the one in the Rays series…).
Roman Gal
May 24th, 2012
9:13 pm
I think Everyday Jonny wants to get back on his everyday schedule.
phil
May 24th, 2012
9:13 pm
Well….
This hasn’t been one of our better series…
Now Venters is worse than Durbin?
JoeFan
May 24th, 2012
9:14 pm
The Braves pitching at this point except for Hudson and Beachy is average to poor and where is all that plate discipline gone that all the hitters were crowing about?
TheOnlyBravesFan
May 24th, 2012
9:14 pm
will Nick ever get banned?
not just him, but all the pessimists and trolls
“The last three days he’s been curled up on a sofa or the training room.”
Send him home, bring up Boscan… Mac is in no shape to play, and shouldn’t be near the team…
Great DP Rev and Uggs…. but then again, uggs sucks at the double play, right haters??
JC Brave
May 24th, 2012
9:14 pm
Nice work Bravos!
I don’t know what to say about this team right now.. so I’ll refrain from saying anything.
Trey
May 24th, 2012
9:14 pm
Let’s go Venters. Show ‘em what you’re made of.
kevkat
May 24th, 2012
9:15 pm
Would it be unprecedented to have 2 starters and reliever in AAA at the same time?
cabravesfan
May 24th, 2012
9:15 pm
Send him home, bring up Boscan… Mac is in no shape to play, and shouldn’t be near the team…
Not going to DL someone who will probably be ready to play well before 15 days are up…
Cap: Where's My Tip
May 24th, 2012
9:15 pm
I think for this game it would have been ok for Meds to go more than 2/3 of an inning
ncbravesfan90
May 24th, 2012
9:15 pm
“Would you please specify the angles if you are such an expert?”
Doesn’t take an expert to see if its a towering homerun or more of a linedrive homerun. I mean I’ve seen him climb the wall for a ball that landed 6 rows deep in the seats.
Roman Gal
May 24th, 2012
9:15 pm
I will read your now but you need to take your thumb out of your mouth first.
Nah, that’s ok. You could still see my whole palm. My thumb does this thing where it sticks out from my palm.
TheOnlyBravesFan
May 24th, 2012
9:15 pm
Matt Chernoff @RealMattlanta
Johnny Venters is a mess…that is a huge concern. This has been a arsh kicking of a series for the #Braves. They need to get out of Cincy..
Darth Obama
May 24th, 2012
9:16 pm
What is going on with this team?
nolie
May 24th, 2012
9:16 pm
doubt they send him home and lose him for two weeks, the flu will be over b4 then prolly
Trey
May 24th, 2012
9:16 pm
“will Nick ever get banned?
not just him, but all the pessimists and trolls”
For me, the pessimists shouldn’t be banned, but I agree with you and Almedin about the trolls, such as Nick.
brian
May 24th, 2012
9:16 pm
nice comeback by Venters but it just kills to give back the run we just got. Huge difference between being down 2 and being down 3
Jake W.
May 24th, 2012
9:16 pm
Reds hitters treating our pitchers like a knuckleballer, see it high let it fly. Keep the ball down in this park. This has got to be a record for homers given up in a series.
cabravesfan
May 24th, 2012
9:16 pm
Doesn’t take an expert to see if its a towering homerun or more of a linedrive homerun. I mean I’ve seen him climb the wall for a ball that landed 6 rows deep in the seats
Also doesn’t take an expert to see that he would not have caught the ball, no matter what
TheOnlyBravesFan
May 24th, 2012
9:17 pm
cab: they can’t retroactive him? besides, comng out of the flu, i’m sure they might want him to play a game in AAA to get back to speed…
nolie
May 24th, 2012
9:17 pm
got no interest in what ol Matt has to say about the Braves
ncbravesfan90
May 24th, 2012
9:18 pm
“Also doesn’t take an expert to see that he would not have caught the ball, no matter what”
Haha. Well what in this world is Wren going to do about the bullpen?
Roman Gal
May 24th, 2012
9:18 pm
I don’t think I can ever remember a series where such a high percentage of runs was scored off of homeruns.
Jerry
May 24th, 2012
9:18 pm
TheOnlyBravesFan
May 24th, 2012
9:11 pm
Gonzalez rested Freeman in Thursday’s road-trip finale and said a pair of plastic, wrap-around sports glasses ordered a week ago should arrive before or during the homestand that starts Friday.
What, are they using the USPS???
Liberty didn’t wanna pay to have them overnighted.
Venice Jim
May 24th, 2012
9:18 pm
Doesn’t take an expert to see if its a towering homerun or more of a linedrive homerun. I mean I’ve seen him climb the wall for a ball that landed 6 rows deep in the seats.
True, it takes someone who has no concept of the reality of catching a ball over the wall, apparently…
But enjoy the game since you clearly despise the Braves – at least you are happy…
tommykk
May 24th, 2012
9:18 pm
They are going through a bad streak now..happens to every team..sheesh
cabravesfan
May 24th, 2012
9:19 pm
TheOnlyBravesFan-
They can, but what if he can play tomorrow? Or Saturday? If you DL him, you still lose him for 10-11 games that he could have played in.
JC Brave
May 24th, 2012
9:19 pm
It seems as if every time Delgado pitches, there’s a grand slam by the other team…
CaptMudd
May 24th, 2012
9:19 pm
Well they have a real ss.
nolie
May 24th, 2012
9:20 pm
they can retro him to when he last appeared, still gonna be longer than it should take to get well
phil
May 24th, 2012
9:21 pm
Wayward is down to .237….
Normal has returned.
CaptMudd
May 24th, 2012
9:21 pm
Make some Hay…Heyward
TheOnlyBravesFan
May 24th, 2012
9:21 pm
Well that could possibly be true, but at least right now, he doesn’t seem to be in good shape to be playing…. If the Braves think he’ll be ready in a few days, then keep him up…. but then again, Chipper was estimated to be back by Tuesday/Wednesday, look at him now…. don’t want to see that happen with Mac
Dbo
May 24th, 2012
9:21 pm
DOB, is it just coincidence or cause for cOncern that the majority of the pitching staff is not doing great. The one thing they have in common is McDowell.
Maybe time to get rid of him?
VaBravesFan
May 24th, 2012
9:21 pm
Hard to be positive when your on the verge of getting swept in a 4 game series. Of course were missing Chipper and McCann and so on which makes it even worse. Fredi made a terrible call on not DHing Chipper in the last game of the Tampa series. Regardless if Chipper wants to play in the field or not the manager is in charge and should have made the right call. Chipper is already getting regular rest so making him the DH is just common sense. McCann’s missed 3 straight games cause of the flu, Freeman is having vision problems, Heyward is continuing to struggle. The pitching staff thinks there the pitchers for the homerun derby. Not looking good going forward.
nolie
May 24th, 2012
9:21 pm
keep celebrating the slide phil, really helps
TheOnlyBravesFan
May 24th, 2012
9:22 pm
well, he took a walk
ncbravesfan90
May 24th, 2012
9:22 pm
Venice Jim-
I dont despise the braves at all. I’ve been a huge fan ever since i was little. I do despise however the fact that Wren made absolutely zero signings or acquisitions of relevance this offseason. Even the best team in baseball made moves to improve their ballclub. It just sucks that it’s starting to become evident now that there was 0 upgrade to our offense and a reliable pen arm added.
Roman Gal
May 24th, 2012
9:22 pm
Baserunner!
CaptMudd
May 24th, 2012
9:22 pm
Dan using different bat?
cabravesfan
May 24th, 2012
9:23 pm
TheOnlyBravesFan-
Chipper’s injury is obviously harder to judge than Mac. Mac is sick- he will be better in a day or two, most likely, and if he’s not, a trip to the hospital might be in order…rarely has something like the flu lasted longer than a few days
nolie
May 24th, 2012
9:23 pm
I’m not sure it is Fredi’s acll alone to DL a player
brian
May 24th, 2012
9:25 pm
that about sums up this series right there – not quite enough
Roman Gal
May 24th, 2012
9:25 pm
Uggla forgot to grunt when he swung.
CaptMudd
May 24th, 2012
9:25 pm
Marshall just really lucked ourt
TheOnlyBravesFan
May 24th, 2012
9:25 pm
. It just sucks that it’s starting to become evident now that there was 0 upgrade to our offense and a reliable pen arm added.
Offensive upgrade: Pastornicky for AGon… got a guy who can hit about .270 to replace a .240 hitter
Bourn for a full year instead of McLouth/Schafer
Reliable pen arm: Medlen instead of Linebrink
Brava
May 24th, 2012
9:25 pm
Damn it. Couldn’t Dan have put a little more umph in it?
ncbravesfan90
May 24th, 2012
9:25 pm
Now that would be the story of this series, those balls are in the seats for Reds hitters and on the warning track for us. Oh well, lets get on that charter and hope this turns around in Atlanta.
tiger297
May 24th, 2012
9:26 pm
what does fredi’s acl have to do with DL’ing a player #confusedasusual
Disgusted
May 24th, 2012
9:26 pm
Well, so much for Medlen switching to the rotation.
He too is on my S list, complete BUMB performance tonight and he deserves to be Booed.
Venice Jim
May 24th, 2012
9:26 pm
Fredi made a terrible call on not DHing Chipper in the last game of the Tampa series.
Would we have won that game otherwise?…wait, we did…
phil
May 24th, 2012
9:27 pm
nolie
May 24th, 2012
9:21 pm
keep celebrating the slide phil, really helps
********
i’m not celebrating it….i’m tired of this from him.
Maybe it’s what he is. Often overmatched.
ncbravesfan90
May 24th, 2012
9:27 pm
Linebrink was very serviceable for the braves last year….3.64 ERA
McFann =Ô= =Ô=
May 24th, 2012
9:27 pm
cabravesfan and if he’s not, a trip to the hospital might be in order…
Dear lord in heaven, don’t say things like that!…
Venice Jim
May 24th, 2012
9:27 pm
It just sucks that it’s starting to become evident now that there was 0 upgrade to our offense and a reliable pen arm added.
So, where do you expect the Braves to finish the season?
TheOnlyBravesFan
May 24th, 2012
9:27 pm
cab: I hope it is, but he’s been sick, what 4 days now, and it seems to be worse today… i just thought that Fredi who doesn’t seem to like having only 1 usable catcher (almost never using Ross to PH), would consider it
Jake W.
May 24th, 2012
9:29 pm
that about sums up this series right there – not quite enough
That’s the way it goes sometimes, one thing is for sure, these boys are due. Hopefully, they’ll take it out on someone sooner rather than later. Hopefully we start with the Nats. They have some tough pitching but maybe just a change in scenery and a rare weekend series at home will be the tonic.
Darth Obama
May 24th, 2012
9:29 pm
Not DHing a player is not a call. Fredi did not say “I will now not DH Chipper!” Choosing to Dh him, however, is. If Chipper did not get hurt, which he usually does anyway, no one would say anything. Just another excuse to blame Fredi.
Venice Jim
May 24th, 2012
9:29 pm
McCann’s missed 3 straight games cause of the flu… Not looking good going forward.
Perhaps he’ll get better in 3 or 4 weeks…
phil
May 24th, 2012
9:29 pm
The flu can last a good week and take 3-4 to get totally over….
The 2 times i had it, years ago, it was no short picnic.
ncbravesfan90
May 24th, 2012
9:29 pm
“So, where do you expect the Braves to finish the season?”
My heart wants to say first and I really hope my heart is right, but being more realistic probably third. Unless Wren decides to a) upgrade the offense b) add a 5th starter and or an arm for the pen. Like I said, I really hope its first.
cabravesfan
May 24th, 2012
9:29 pm
TheOnlyBravesFan-
It’s a hard call on something like that, especially when it’s a catcher, but the risk of losing Mac for much longer than necessary is to great to DL him…I bet he will be back by Sunday at the latest
JC Brave
May 24th, 2012
9:29 pm
This is a good team, but they are playing like a bunch of pathetic losers right now…
Not because they are losing, but because they look as lost as I’ve ever seen them…
The pitching did an amazing job this series, keeping the Reds under 5 runs in every game except this one (considering this is GABP)… but the offense… they just… *sigh*
J-Man
May 24th, 2012
9:30 pm
Well no adjustments, a manager that sits on his hands. The Braves have turned back time to september 2011. No heart and no disire to win……….Its so frustrating. But dont let the people here see you criticize Fredi Gonzalez. Because Fredi is the greatest manager ever. Lets be honest we were winning IN SPITE of Fredi Gonzalez. Now all the work Walker and Fletcher have done now has gone away. But we aint gonna make any moves so we are about to go from 1st to 5th.unless something changes.
nolie
May 24th, 2012
9:30 pm
fredi is not the guy making the decision on DLs
TheOnlyBravesFan
May 24th, 2012
9:30 pm
Fredi made a terrible call on not DHing Chipper in the last game of the Tampa series.
Would we have won that game otherwise?…wait, we did…
VJ, i think he’s referencing the fact that Chipper got hurt fielding… had he DH’ed he wouldn’t have been out there.
J-Man
May 24th, 2012
9:31 pm
Maybe we should DL McCann and call up Gattis
phil
May 24th, 2012
9:31 pm
Wait.
You think maybe Mac’s had the flu since last August?
ncbravesfan90
May 24th, 2012
9:31 pm
There’s your 5th starter folks. Solved Heisey and Frazier, who none of the other Braves pitchers have been able to do.
TheOnlyBravesFan
May 24th, 2012
9:31 pm
need 3 runs in the 9th…. We got this. #Braves
Roman Gal
May 24th, 2012
9:31 pm
Well, I’m gonna be at the 3 games this homestand. They can’t lose.
Venice Jim
May 24th, 2012
9:31 pm
Obviously, Livan should have faced him last time…
Brava
May 24th, 2012
9:32 pm
If Meds was in the rotation, he wouldn’t have given up the slam because he wouldn’t have loaded the bases.
Ric Flair to Right
May 24th, 2012
9:32 pm
two questions….1. how long can you keep running HeyBust out there..down to 233..no power…2. what the fasination with medlen?
JNick
May 24th, 2012
9:32 pm
@Disgusted – no player is perfect – that’s Medlen’s only bad performance of the year, really. How are you just gonna throw rotten tomatoes at him now? He didn’t load the bases…probably nothing harder in baseball than coming in “cold” from the bullpen, inheriting a bases loaded, less than 2 outs situation – other than coming off the bench to pinch hit w/ 2 outs and the bases loaded, expected to do something.
cabravesfan
May 24th, 2012
9:32 pm
VJ, i think he’s referencing the fact that Chipper got hurt fielding… had he DH’ed he wouldn’t have been out there.
Which is just not a good way to think OR manage. Chipper could have just as easily gotten hurt batting or running the bases. It was a pretty fluke play that got him injured in the first place…
McFann =Ô= =Ô=
May 24th, 2012
9:33 pm
V. Jim McCann’s missed 3 straight games cause of the flu… Not looking good going forward. Perhaps he’ll get better in 3 or 4 weeks…
I’ll just assume you’re pulling my leg with that post…
cabravesfan
May 24th, 2012
9:33 pm
Maybe we should DL McCann and call up Gattis
Gattis is on the DL
TheOnlyBravesFan
May 24th, 2012
9:33 pm
I know DL’ing Mac isn’t Fredi’s decision, but I would think he and the training staff could at least recommend it to Wren…
Bat Masterson
May 24th, 2012
9:34 pm
You know most people don’t have the flu even when they think they do. The flu can kill your butt.
cabravesfan
May 24th, 2012
9:34 pm
And in Double A
Venice Jim
May 24th, 2012
9:34 pm
J-Man
May 24th, 2012
9:30 pm
But dont let the people here see you criticize Fredi Gonzalez. Because Fredi is the greatest manager ever
Please provide a list of the people here who have deemed Fredi the greatest manager ever…
JC Brave
May 24th, 2012
9:35 pm
McCann should get Tommy John Surgery to stop the flu..
Venice Jim
May 24th, 2012
9:35 pm
Not that you can, because you have to pretend you are superior to non-existent people…
phil
May 24th, 2012
9:35 pm
Mac will be feeling a tad better tomorrow is my guess…..
J-Man
May 24th, 2012
9:35 pm
Well then I guess were screwed can we put Fredi Gonzalez on the DL?
TheOnlyBravesFan
May 24th, 2012
9:35 pm
cab @ 9;32 making too much sense as usual
There’s a start Hinske
Brava
May 24th, 2012
9:35 pm
I once had a nasty flu that lasted two weeks. Thought I was dying, no kidding.
nolie
May 24th, 2012
9:35 pm
why would they recommend 15 days off for something that should take 7?
Rick
May 24th, 2012
9:35 pm
“I know DL’ing Mac isn’t Fredi’s decision, but I would think he and the training staff could at least recommend it to Wren…”
How do you know they didn’t?
McFann =Ô= =Ô=
May 24th, 2012
9:36 pm
BMac sighting…
J-Man
May 24th, 2012
9:36 pm
Fredi has a chronic case of the Brain Farts
TheOnlyBravesFan
May 24th, 2012
9:36 pm
Well, I’m gonna be at the 3 games this homestand. They can’t lose.
Sitting in the right place??? the cheap seats if I remember?
JNick
May 24th, 2012
9:36 pm
@Ric – who would you rather see in RF?
The thing with Medlen is, that until tonight, he’s been lights out all year. So now, he’s made one bad pitch all year – he wasn’t the one who loaded the bases….
J-Man
May 24th, 2012
9:36 pm
Can we sign Roy Hobbs?
Darth Obama
May 24th, 2012
9:37 pm
No one is saying that Fredi is the greatest manager,its just that he’s being scapegoated too much.
Venice Jim
May 24th, 2012
9:37 pm
I am so glad I have to go work because I can not even fathom how to respond to the insanity for DLing someone who got sick. If 3 days ago we were told McCann was being DLed because he had the flu the front office would have been called every imaginable epithet…
TheOnlyBravesFan
May 24th, 2012
9:37 pm
yikes rossy
phil
May 24th, 2012
9:37 pm
Depending on the strain, yep.
There’s a great book on the 1918 pandemic flu that raced around the world and killed millions. Can’t think of the name but it’s terrific…and terrifying.
J-Man
May 24th, 2012
9:38 pm
How about Christian Bethancourte
JNick
May 24th, 2012
9:38 pm
Dang, ol’ Rossy tried to hit that last pitch to Cleveland…
McFann =Ô= =Ô=
May 24th, 2012
9:38 pm
Poor David…
cabravesfan
May 24th, 2012
9:38 pm
TheOnlyBravesFan-
I’ve been trying to work on that, but can’t seem to bring myself to go the irrational, hair-trigger way of some folks
TheOnlyBravesFan
May 24th, 2012
9:38 pm
REVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV!!!!
Suck it haters
Roman Gal
May 24th, 2012
9:38 pm
Ha. “David Ross is literally down on strikes.”
Good one, Chip.
Brava
May 24th, 2012
9:38 pm
Poor Rossy. Nothing is going right for this team.
tiger297
May 24th, 2012
9:38 pm
well I’m going to miss the braves games this weekend and no blog..
Tbbravesfan
May 24th, 2012
9:38 pm
ok long one here
JC Brave
May 24th, 2012
9:38 pm
I really hope McCann gets better soon… I don’t want more than a handfull of games of David Ross behind the plate…
J-Man
May 24th, 2012
9:38 pm
Wouldnt it be something if Francisco hit a 3 run bomb on his old team
tiger297
May 24th, 2012
9:39 pm
just give chipper a chance to bat
Roman Gal
May 24th, 2012
9:39 pm
Dang, ol’ Rossy tried to hit that last pitch to Cleveland…
That would’ve been one long foul ball. (wink)
nolie
May 24th, 2012
9:39 pm
I’m sure that they all discussed what approach to take and what options are available. perhaps they did err, we won’t know till we see how he spends the 15 days I guess
tiger297
May 24th, 2012
9:39 pm
or not
TheOnlyBravesFan
May 24th, 2012
9:40 pm
Chipper on deck… never mind, we got swept… go get ‘em tomorrow boys
How about Christian Bethancourte
No. Not gonna mess with him
VaBravesFan
May 24th, 2012
9:40 pm
Regardless of the fluke injury to Chipper, DHing him that game made complete sense. Chipper is already getting regular rest to begin with, so we should be taking advantage of the DH with Chipper when we have the chance.
Just like saying you should pinch hit with your backup catcher if that improves your chances of success, you don’t manage a game on possible fluke injuries that may happen later. But guess what just about every team goes by the freak fluke injury plan.
brian
May 24th, 2012
9:40 pm
a chance to get Chipper up as the tying run but no, a double play by Francisco.
J-Man
May 24th, 2012
9:40 pm
Wouldnt it be nothing if Francisco hits into a DP…………This series is on Fredi
ncbravesfan90
May 24th, 2012
9:40 pm
And that’s where the lack of offensive upgrades comes back to bite ya….even if its a decent bat off the bench. Ahh well, on to beat the Nats!
JC Brave
May 24th, 2012
9:40 pm
Wouldnt it be something if Francisco hit a 3 run bomb on his old team
With runners on? Ha!
You’re going way too far there, buddy… Keep dreami
JoeyBagOBravos
May 24th, 2012
9:41 pm
Bravos got a good ‘ole fashioned butt whoopin’ in this series..
TheOnlyBravesFan
May 24th, 2012
9:41 pm
gahh I McFanned that one
Brava
May 24th, 2012
9:41 pm
What a fitting end to a very crappy series. Go home, boys. The nightmare is finally over…. I hope.
brian
May 24th, 2012
9:41 pm
in this series the Braves deserved to be swept – the Reds had better starting pitching, better relief pitching, and better hitting.
hopefully will serve as a nice wake up call for the Bravos
JC Brave
May 24th, 2012
9:41 pm
Dreaming*
J-Man
May 24th, 2012
9:42 pm
@VaBravesFan ……The only problem with that would be it makes total sense and is a good managerial move………2 things Fredi Gonzalez knows nothing about.
Jake W.
May 24th, 2012
9:42 pm
Francisco just had to swing, get back soon Chipper.
Time to come home boys, time to take it to the nats.
nolie
May 24th, 2012
9:42 pm
lil Tyler has been in the midst of a lot of scoring , not this time though ‘
richbrave
May 24th, 2012
9:42 pm
And continues to sizzle. [Prado's bat]
njbraves
May 24th, 2012
9:42 pm
Horrible showing these last few days. It’s one thing to slump, but these guys all go in the tank at the same time.
Cap: Where's My Tip
May 24th, 2012
9:42 pm
oh well, just one of those series where the other team .. pretty much does everything better than you, those happen. Just have to move on and hope everything gets back on track next series
McFann =Ô= =Ô=
May 24th, 2012
9:42 pm
Needless to say, that series did not live up to the way
weI was portraying it one Sunday…GET WELL SOON, BMAC!!
Hetch Hetchy
May 24th, 2012
9:43 pm
Jeez, I’m glad I didn’t watch that one.
Disgusted
May 24th, 2012
9:43 pm
Another stinking loss—-nothing left to say.
They cannot play in this ballpark, funny how they have had trouble in Cincy since 2006, when they stopped winning division titles.
Its not the ball park, its not being what you used to be.
@Nick–Yea, I was hard on Medlen, he has battled back from TJ surgery and hope that he comes back strong the next time out.
I did not see Venters pitch but we need the old Johnny Venters back.
This whole team has to be better from A to Z after what we saw this series
count_schemula
May 24th, 2012
9:43 pm
people call McCann fat, so he gets the flu and loses a few pounds, and now people complain about him having a flu…
just can’t win with this blog…
TheOnlyBravesFan
May 24th, 2012
9:43 pm
Our hitters are very streaky, and are scary when they’re all hitting together… when they slump, they slump together (Except Prado
and that’s when they look bad
nolie
May 24th, 2012
9:44 pm
why are you blaming it on Fredi? it is not his decision any more than it is his decision to send someone down
nolie
May 24th, 2012
9:44 pm
why are you blaming it on Fredi? it is not his decision any more than it is his decision to send someone down
Rick
May 24th, 2012
9:44 pm
“This series is on Fredi”
I must have missed where Fredi gave up ten home runs and didn’t do crap when in the batter’s box.
Tbbravesfan
May 24th, 2012
9:44 pm
I know the reds are sad that the braves are leaving town.
VaBravesFan
May 24th, 2012
9:44 pm
Chipper is 40 years old and he makes a impact with his bat when he’s in the lineup. But the most important thing with Chipper is keeping him rested so he can stay healthy to play as much as possible. So to have him in the lineup and getting the night off from playing 3rd seems like a win-win situation to me.
Pop Up
May 24th, 2012
9:44 pm
So if Walker gets the credit when the Braves hit…… does he get the blame when the bats die?
Can’t have it both ways.
nolie
May 24th, 2012
9:45 pm
three of the most productive player out or playing poorly due to injury and y’all are surprised that they lost the series?
Matt Chernoff
May 24th, 2012
9:45 pm
McCann missed his park and his team… he’s screwed for the rest of the year…. he’s gonna hit .250 with 15 homers and 70 RBI…. we should trade him and play Gattis
Disgusted
May 24th, 2012
9:45 pm
This series is on the players not being good enough.
What could Fredi really do?
Jake W.
May 24th, 2012
9:46 pm
I don’t follow the minors much. Anyone that can play third doing much down there. I know Juan hit two solo homers this series, still pretty unimpressive. Similar to Mather last year.
count_schemula
May 24th, 2012
9:46 pm
Gattis is too good for this team.
McCann’s price tag (and weight) are coming down.
cabravesfan
May 24th, 2012
9:47 pm
So to have him in the lineup and getting the night off from playing 3rd seems like a win-win situation to me.
Except that A. He doesn’t like DHing and B. DHing is not exactly a night off. Hitting and running the bases still takes a toll on your body, especially your knees.
Hugo Z Hackenbush
May 24th, 2012
9:47 pm
Stark sez Oswalt wants to go to Rangers, Cards or Braves. He also wants a boatload of money. Ha!
nolie
May 24th, 2012
9:47 pm
no. we have nobody at third who is not still a long way away, if ever
count_schemula
May 24th, 2012
9:48 pm
Terdo skilled AA and went to AAA. He’s struggling a bit at AAA.
So 3b for 2013 is a mystery.
I can see a Prado at 3b and sign a LF or something like that. We’ll just leave CF empty I guess.
Hetch Hetchy
May 24th, 2012
9:48 pm
I’ll have to change the channel again. Brain Jordan is speaking, and I can’t afford to lose anymore IQ points.
D.A. Nuggla
May 24th, 2012
9:48 pm
As the CAO I’m required to report these figures for all the Braves fans info: Membership in the ABEOC(Atlanta Braves Eternal Optimists Club) just decreased by 13, 234 and membership in the ABEPC(Atlanta Braves Eternal Pessimists Club) just increased by 13, 234. I know, strange, it’s the same identical number.
ncbravesfan90
May 24th, 2012
9:49 pm
“I don’t follow the minors much. Anyone that can play third doing much down there. I know Juan hit two solo homers this series, still pretty unimpressive. Similar to Mather last year.”
One guy that could play third, Drew Sutton, was traded earlier in the week and was batting cleanup for the Tampa Bay Rays a few days later. He was batting around .270 when traded. Now the guy manning third all to himself is Joey T, with a nice batting average of .188. So to answer your question, no there is no one down there that could come up and play a third base any better than Juan is right now since Drew Sutton was traded.
count_schemula
May 24th, 2012
9:49 pm
skipped*
nolie
May 24th, 2012
9:49 pm
yeah I been saying all along that he will want a lot of bucks for what he offers, which scouts seem to think will be a bottom of the order pitcher
Mr. Wednesday
May 24th, 2012
9:49 pm
Bad timing to run into a Red(s) hot team with a third of our lineup sick, blind, and limping. Let’s home some home cooking and sleeping in their own bed does the Braves some good.
TheOnlyBravesFan
May 24th, 2012
9:49 pm
nolie: Look Nats and Phils, they’re missing tons of players and they’re still hanging around…. the Nats are missing their RF, had 2 catchers (including their starting catcher) go down to injury, and I think Espinosa got hurt as well. Also, 2 of the back of the pen guys got hurt as well. Yet they’re still hanging around…
same with the phils, missing Utley and Howard, had their hitters start out real slow… and even Lee was hurt… yet they’re close to us…
Not saying that you’re wrong, but you can’t excuse everything away
ncbravesfan90
May 24th, 2012
9:50 pm
“Stark sez Oswalt wants to go to Rangers, Cards or Braves”
Please pretty please, let it be the last team listed!!! Early Christmas present!
nolie
May 24th, 2012
9:51 pm
yeah that Sutton trade made no sense to me considering all that has been going on. no way in hell would he be worse that Francisco at third except less power
nolie
May 24th, 2012
9:51 pm
, they’re missing tons of players and they’re still hanging around…
we are still hanging around too in case you haven’t noticed
ncbravesfan90
May 24th, 2012
9:52 pm
“yeah that Sutton trade made no sense to me considering all that has been going on. no way in hell would he be worse that Francisco at third except less power”
Your right, didn’t make any sense at all. Actually, he was one of the best hitters down at Gwinnett so far this season. And he had MLB experience to go along with that.
Robards
May 24th, 2012
9:53 pm
Braves will be fine. They recovered nicely after the first four of the season. Every team has 2 or 3 streaks like this. Perhaps another 26-12 run is on the way.
Felix
May 24th, 2012
9:53 pm
Ouch. Lost 5 out of the last 7. Braves are headed south in the standings. All of the Reds’ series, that was bad offense. Real bad. ‘Cisco as a back up for Chipper has turned into a nightmare (thanks Wren again for nothing). Uggla, again this season, is proving not to be worth his contract (Wren overpaid again). And Jason is lost at the plate again.
richbrave
May 24th, 2012
9:53 pm
Brava
May 24th, 2012
9:35 pm
“……I once had a nasty flu that lasted two weeks. Thought I was dying, no kidding…….”
Yeah, had that walking pneumonia crap coming out of BRAGG when I went to DIX for AIT. I went to ‘Fort Morgue’ which was the nickname we gave the hospital on the base at Ft. DIX. They gave me tetracycline. A couple days later, I had pin-head bumps all over wherever my underclothes touched my person, and every gland in my body was bloated.
Went back to the hospital. A doc says, “Gee, I wonder what this is. Let’s get a culture……..meanwhile, keep taking the meds,” failing to recognize my severe drug reaction to the tetracycline.
I threw the pills away, and nearly drowned every night from the conjestion in my head and lungs. About two weeks to recover.
CaptMudd
May 24th, 2012
9:54 pm
The whole team needs a bowl of homemade chicken soup….Brian gets his first.
nolie
May 24th, 2012
9:54 pm
ok that was a disappointing series without question. gotta hope they bounce back, but there was no way they were gonna keep up that offensive production on a long term basis.
Bat Masterson
May 24th, 2012
9:54 pm
Yeah, what nolie said @ 9:51
Roman Gal
May 24th, 2012
9:54 pm
Thank God for Bourne and Pardo.
count_schemula
May 24th, 2012
9:54 pm
I have Pagan on my roto team. His OBP is weak, but, he’s not bad looking otherwise, just not gonna be a leadoff hitter. His game picked up when SF took him out of the leadoff spot.
VaBravesFan
May 24th, 2012
9:54 pm
cab
very true. But still not having to stand at third all night and make throws he’s still getting a little rest, and with Chipper we should take what we can get when given the opportunity. Just like if we were blowing a team out, bring in a defensive sub and give Chipper rest of night off. We just got swept in a 4 game series. What we read most is “well we didn’t have Chipper or McCann”. This team is depending on a 40 year old ballplayer and a Catcher who isn’t gonna play 150+ games. (Of course no catcher is gonna player that much). But great teams should be able to overcome that and come out with a win in that series.
Rick
May 24th, 2012
9:55 pm
lol at people still blaming Uggla…
D.A. Nuggla
May 24th, 2012
9:56 pm
Just one very serious interesting question. How many of you guys and gals go to work when you have the flu and sit there and watch the other guys work? Don’t know who but somebody is lying about BMac. FG says he has the flu(guess he’s a doctor now) and Joe Simpson says he’s “under the weather”(whatever the heck that means). Why is he not back at the motel in the bed? On top of that FF hit a homer the other night with a regular pair of glasses. These guys get paid too much money to be pulling all this crap, and FG lets them get away with it. That’s OK though, these games won’t matter at the end of the year. This is the 3rd game I have marked down as a “giveaway”.
nolie
May 24th, 2012
9:57 pm
they are prolly not a “great” team
Mixxo
May 24th, 2012
9:57 pm
We just got our clocks cleaned folks!
Brava
May 24th, 2012
9:57 pm
Oy, rich, that sounds awful. Glad you pulled through. Don’t know what I’d do without those minors reports.
Jake W.
May 24th, 2012
9:58 pm
Going to have to look elsewhere for some depth at that position. Just like there will be losses in an mlb season Chipper will get hurt. We’ve always done pretty good in backing him up.
nolie
May 24th, 2012
9:58 pm
so is Nuggla an incarnation of Lou/Earl/etc?
J-Man
May 24th, 2012
9:59 pm
IMO we need Oswalt to take over for Minor.
We need another reliever to help out in the 7th and 8th innings.
We need another Omar Infante type player that can do it all.
VaBravesFan
May 24th, 2012
9:59 pm
I’ve only missed 2 days from work in 7 years, and those 2 days were after I had my wisdom teeth cut out. Other than that, no cold or flu keeps me from working. Hate missing work.
Rick
May 24th, 2012
10:00 pm
DA Nuggla, Freddie wore his contacts on that homer. I don’t think he wore his glasses at the plate for even one AB.
TheOnlyBravesFan
May 24th, 2012
10:00 pm
I know we are nolie, but i don’t think it’s right to say we lost this series because our players our hurt… it sounds like an excuse…. we just got our @**es handed to us, and we deserved it.
nolie
May 24th, 2012
10:00 pm
its not like we would have gotten any large amount of money back for Sutton. are things even worse than what I’ve been saying?
Pop Up
May 24th, 2012
10:00 pm
Geez… Fredi said it was good to see Venters back out there and that after the HR, he took care of business.
Let me get this straight. A guy comes in whose job it is to prevent ANY runs because of his role, and Fredi is happy he continues to stink?
Unbelievable!
Hugo Z Hackenbush
May 24th, 2012
10:00 pm
Wasn’t Lou obsessed with Uggla, or am I misremembering?
count_schemula
May 24th, 2012
10:01 pm
I hated when people came to work sick.
But they way they do it now, sick and vacation are the same thing, so people come to work sick and go to Disney on vacation time.
It’s BS.
McFann =Ô= =Ô=
May 24th, 2012
10:02 pm
Don’t know who but somebody is lying about BMac.
Why would anybody be lying about it, and what would they be lying about? Besides, Joe and Chip just like phrases like “under the weather”…
VaBravesFan
May 24th, 2012
10:02 pm
We probably got like 200k or something for Sutton. Usually really small amount for those kinds of deals.
J-Man
May 24th, 2012
10:02 pm
So what if Ross gets hurt in a game who will take over for him because McCann cant at the moment. I think its time they retroactive DL him call up Bethancourt.
I also think We need to play Chipper tommorrow or else retro DL him as well. We need bodies and right now were fatigued and have no energy.
TheOnlyBravesFan
May 24th, 2012
10:02 pm
DA…. he’s at the park because he’s the back-up catcher in case something happens to Ross… can’t be helping BMac, I mean when Prado had his “flu-like symptoms” he stayed at the hotel for a game, and was back to play in 2 days.
McFann =Ô= =Ô=
May 24th, 2012
10:03 pm
We just got our clocks cleaned folks!
Good—I hate dirty clocks…
J-Man
May 24th, 2012
10:03 pm
We need a move just to spark some excitement
Brava
May 24th, 2012
10:03 pm
nolie, I want to apologize for getting so testy the other night. I wasn’t having a good day and thought your comment was directed at me.
JNick
May 24th, 2012
10:03 pm
It’s hard to believe, but Gattis is probably even worse defensively than McCann – and as was stated earlier, Gattis is on the DL at this time…
nolie
May 24th, 2012
10:03 pm
IMO we need Oswalt to take over for Minor..J-man
you need to read the latest about what he wants and what scouts(you know, those guys who spend their lives actually watching ans evaluating players instead of spouting off from an easy chair) are saying about his probable level of performance
TheOnlyBravesFan
May 24th, 2012
10:04 pm
Buster Olney @Buster_ESPN
Reds on a nice roll: Six straight wins after sweeping the Braves. Their starting pitching has gotten better and better.
Geez… Fredi said it was good to see Venters back out there and that after the HR, he took care of business.
Let me get this straight. A guy comes in whose job it is to prevent ANY runs because of his role, and Fredi is happy he continues to stink?
Unbelievable!
Wow, really?? After giving up the homer, he buckled down and didn’t allow a thing… I’d applaud him for that
McFann =Ô= =Ô=
May 24th, 2012
10:04 pm
TheOnlyBravesFan I mean when Prado had his “flu-like symptoms” he stayed at the hotel for a game…
I guess that’s because they have a couple guys who could fill in for him…does kinda stink for BMac, though. Plane ride prolly won’t be much fun, either, but he’ll be happy to get home, that’s for sure…
keylargo
May 24th, 2012
10:05 pm
I’m as inept as the Braves are cause I posted this on the wrong blog earlier but Home Bailey, HOMER F> BAILEY beat us twice in 10 days with the Braves scoring three (3) runs against him in those two games.
nolie
May 24th, 2012
10:05 pm
I doubt we got 200k, and those guys get paid next to nothing
TheOnlyBravesFan
May 24th, 2012
10:05 pm
We just got our clocks cleaned folks!
I so read that wrong…. computer eyes
Pop Up
May 24th, 2012
10:06 pm
Philly leading the Cards. Before long the Braves will be looking up at the Phils in the standings….. just like usual.
richbrave
May 24th, 2012
10:06 pm
Brava
May 24th, 2012
9:57 pm
‘…..Oy, rich, that sounds awful. Glad you pulled through. Don’t know what I’d do without those minors reports……. ”
Glad I had the good sense to know what was up even if the adolescent who saw me didn’t. Otherwise……..I might be just another name on the wall in D.C.
Brava
May 24th, 2012
10:06 pm
Nice, McFann. Made me laugh.
cabravesfan
May 24th, 2012
10:06 pm
So what if Ross gets hurt in a game who will take over for him because McCann cant at the moment. I think its time they retroactive DL him call up Bethancourt.
I also think We need to play Chipper tommorrow or else retro DL him as well.
They would not be likely to call up Bethancourt. It would be Boscan. And both will more than likely to be ready well before 2 weeks (11 days in Mac’s case) so DLing either of them would not be wise.
D.A. Nuggla
May 24th, 2012
10:07 pm
The Reds didn’t just get the brooms out and do a 3 game sweep, they took out the vacuum cleaner and sucked the life right out of the Braves for 4(count em 1,2,3,4) games. That is not an easy thing to do this day and time. I think this is a true indicator of what the Braves will do all season long with the players currently on the team. Oh, and with this H/A manager who is actually the newest Japanese robot model.
TheOnlyBravesFan
May 24th, 2012
10:07 pm
Oswalt’s preference is to play for the Rangers, Cardinals, or Braves according to ESPN’s Jayson Stark, but there’s no indication either St. Louis or Atlanta has interest. Stark hears that money is the most important factor, but Oswalt also doesn’t not want to be a major media storyline wherever he goes. from MLBTradeRumors
Two friends of Roy Oswalt say they still believe his preference is to play in Texas, Atlanta or St. Louis. But since there’s no indication the Braves or Cardinals are interested, his challenge is likely to be trying to convince the Rangers to pay him the significant dollars he’s hoping for. from ESPN written by Jason Stark
Brava
May 24th, 2012
10:08 pm
The Army doesn’t get the cream of medical classes, rich. That’s for sure.
nolie
May 24th, 2012
10:09 pm
I just don’t think it should be any surprise that the lineups we had to run out there would be held to two or three runs for the most part. I think it would be pretty unrealistic to expect more. hope for more certainly, but expect more to the extent to get all bent out of shape about not getting it, not so liable to happen
richbrave
May 24th, 2012
10:09 pm
keylargo
May 24th, 2012
10:05 pm
“……I’m as inept as the Braves are cause I posted this on the wrong blog earlier but Home Bailey, HOMER F> BAILEY beat us twice in 10 days with the Braves scoring three (3) runs against him in those two games…..”
So you’re saying their hitting coach was better than our pitching coach? Or maybe all three of our assistant coaches [ 1 pitching, 2 hitting] ?
ncbravesfan90
May 24th, 2012
10:09 pm
I think, as reported earlier this week, that the Braves front office has not ruled out the possibility of signing Oswalt atleast provides some indication that the Braves are at least kicking the tires and are interested in Oswalt. I mean at this point, they just about have to explore every avenue possible to improve the pitching, including the possibility of signing Oswalt.
Pop Up
May 24th, 2012
10:09 pm
“Wow, really?? After giving up the homer, he buckled down and didn’t allow a thing… I’d applaud him for that”
Yeah, If I were the opposition I would be applauding Venters entering the game. He’s good for a run in a close or tied game it seems.
JNick
May 24th, 2012
10:10 pm
@J-Man, Matty Diaz is the #3 catcher…
VaBravesFan
May 24th, 2012
10:10 pm
nolie
I’m really not sure why we would trade Sutton, seems like someone who could have helped us at some point. If we continue to have injuries and offensive struggles, we might have to consider replacing Wilson because he provides absolutely zero value with the bat. Trading away a useful guy for a a few thousand bucks or something doesn’t make much sense at all.
count_schemula
May 24th, 2012
10:10 pm
Hansborough is just clumsy.
He tries, but he’s clumsy.
McFann =Ô= =Ô=
May 24th, 2012
10:10 pm
Ha, thanks, Brava!…
TheOnlyBravesFan
May 24th, 2012
10:10 pm
I guess that’s because they have a couple guys who could fill in for him…does kinda stink for BMac, though. Plane ride prolly won’t be much fun, either, but he’ll be happy to get home, that’s for sure…
Yeah, that’s why… just sucks for BMac, he can’t be comfy at all sitting on the bench or in the clubhouse in that state… get well BMac, we need ya… don’t want to see Diaz have to catch
J-Man
May 24th, 2012
10:10 pm
Well Nolie Jason Stark is mentioning Oswalt to the Braves this time not me. So he has more credibility than YOU
Panic
May 24th, 2012
10:10 pm
WTF? We have same # of wins as Nats in 1st and can be back on track this weekend. Long way to go and our regulars need to get healthy. I agree the bench had a bad series this time, but that Small Park is a freak show: the powerless hitters (incl. Bourn) hitting HR’s and 300ft grand slam. Just put it behind us and stop bailing before even game 50.
JNick
May 24th, 2012
10:11 pm
Also remember, we got swept to open the season – in a 4-gamer – and proceeded to go something like 24-12 after that.
richbrave
May 24th, 2012
10:11 pm
Brava
May 24th, 2012
10:08 pm
“…….The Army doesn’t get the cream of medical classes, rich. That’s for sure…..”
Heh! O.K., I’m a believer!.
nolie
May 24th, 2012
10:11 pm
no problemo Brava, I can see how it might have sounded that way to you
tiger297
May 24th, 2012
10:11 pm
ok I have to get serious about this damn music list…l8r folks
Keep
May 24th, 2012
10:12 pm
Calm and Carry On
JNick
May 24th, 2012
10:12 pm
C’mon J-Man, you know Jayson Stark has as much credibility with baseball as Mel Kiper Jr does with football…which is not much.
McFann =Ô= =Ô=
May 24th, 2012
10:12 pm
TheOnlyBravesFan he can’t be comfy at all sitting on the bench or in the clubhouse in that state
True that. He sure didn’t look comfy…
Rick
May 24th, 2012
10:12 pm
Cards and Phils tied now 7-7 in the 5th
cabravesfan
May 24th, 2012
10:13 pm
Jason Stark is mentioning Oswalt to the Braves this time not me. So he has more credibility than YOU
Actually, this is what Jayson Stark said:
Two friends of Roy Oswalt say they still believe his preference is to play in Texas, Atlanta or St. Louis. But since there’s no indication the Braves or Cardinals are interested, his challenge is likely to be trying to convince the Rangers to pay him the significant dollars he’s hoping for.
http://espn.go.com/mlb/blog/_/name/stark_jayson/id/7969119/examining-market-roy-oswalt?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter
DS1
May 24th, 2012
10:13 pm
Interesting that all the folks clamoring for Ross to catch more have disappeared. I love David Ross as a backup catcher, but when over exposed he is a good defensive and below average offensive catcher.
J-Man
May 24th, 2012
10:14 pm
We need a spark somewhere we need to start WANTING these games. Like we did against the Dodgers and Rays
nolie
May 24th, 2012
10:14 pm
Well Nolie Jason Stark is mentioning Oswalt to the Braves this time not me. J-man
I am starting to believe that you are severely limited in reading comprehension if that is what you got out of the Stark comments.
richbrave
May 24th, 2012
10:14 pm
Roman Gal
May 24th, 2012
9:54 pm
“…..Thank God for Bourne and Pardo…..”
JASON and DON, ROMAN GAL?
JNick
May 24th, 2012
10:14 pm
http://espn.go.com/mlb/blog/_/name/stark_jayson/id/7969119/examining-market-roy-oswalt
I think you’re mistaken, J-Man – righ there, Stark says “no indication the Braves are interested”
Stats
May 24th, 2012
10:14 pm
Can someone let me know Fredi G’s ERA and B/AVG? I can’t seem to find his stats.
JNick
May 24th, 2012
10:15 pm
Damn, cabravesfan beat me to it
DS1
May 24th, 2012
10:16 pm
Repeat after me, Roy Oswalt is NOT going to be a Brave this year…………..
Where are you folks coming up with this stuff? We have enough struggling pitching. We don’t need an older, more expensive questionable pitcher.
Let’s just stick with our youth movement.
Patience, grasshopper.
D.A. Nuggla
May 24th, 2012
10:17 pm
From what I’ve heard Matty Diaz is a pretty decent catcher. That’s what either Chip or Joe said the other night. What I’m getting at is if Dr. Gonzalez is right and BMac has the flu, HE DOESN’T NEED TO BE IN CONTACT WITH THE OTHER GUYS! What does the genius manager do if the entire team comes down with the flu at one time? Knowing him he would have an excuse for it, and when they lost would say, “Oh we lost because they all have the flu. Other than that, we are doing great”!
Rick, I still think I saw FF bat a time or two with regular glasses on, and thought one was a homer. May be wrong, but if so, what was wrong with those contacts?
nolie
May 24th, 2012
10:17 pm
whatever they are stats, they have to be turrible, just ask the blog…..
richbrave
May 24th, 2012
10:17 pm
RE: OSWALT
That old fox WREN is testing the market. When ROY is about to sign for some ridiculous amount of money, FW swoops in and steals the gifted hurler away with a blizzard of $100.00 bills as big as the monthly national deficit. Just watch.
ncbravesfan90
May 24th, 2012
10:18 pm
I believe it was DOB that tweeted this week that said Braves officials have not ruled out the possibility of signing Oswalt. While not likely, its definitely still on the table and possible.
nolie
May 24th, 2012
10:18 pm
Lou/Earl Nuggla returns…
keylargo
May 24th, 2012
10:19 pm
So you’re saying their hitting coach was better than our pitching coach? Or maybe all three of our assistant coaches [ 1 pitching, 2 hitting] ?
Rich, I don’t know cause I’m not there but it’s got to be in the approach. The Braves thinking must be something along these lines – “Bailey is pithcing tonight, I think I’ll probably hit 2 HR’s and a couple of doubles – 4 for 5 sounds about right”.
I sure miss the days when teams regularly put together two or three hits together and got a run or two instead of waiting for someone to hit a HR with no one on base – or strike out..
nolie
May 24th, 2012
10:20 pm
dream on y’all…..
richbrave
May 24th, 2012
10:20 pm
Oops, forgot to put the “gifted” in quotes. Heh!
richbrave
May 24th, 2012
10:22 pm
keylargo:
I was just funnin’ kl………maybe
JNick
May 24th, 2012
10:22 pm
LOL @ richbrave…
JNick
May 24th, 2012
10:22 pm
Posted this on the other forum:
Freddie Freeman should get some goggles, old school Chris Sabo style (I think Vance Worley rocks them too).
Rick
May 24th, 2012
10:23 pm
DA Nuggla, the only homer he’s had since the COL series (when he said the problem started) was with contacts. Look up the video. I think he only wore the glasses for one inning on defense in that game. His issue has been dry eyes, DOB has written about it several times.
TheOnlyBravesFan
May 24th, 2012
10:24 pm
Don’t poo-poo the idea, nolie… you never know what Frank can do
Last year, I thought no way we could get Bourn especially since they shot down our (better) offer for Pence… look what happened.
nolie
May 24th, 2012
10:25 pm
Brava
May 24th, 2012
10:26 pm
nolie, don’t you dare poo poo on this blog.
nolie
May 24th, 2012
10:27 pm
I think gonna keep poopooin’ it.
richbrave
May 24th, 2012
10:27 pm
Well, time to bed down the livestock. Back in a few with the goods from tonight’s games.
monty
May 24th, 2012
10:30 pm
Well thank goodness that’s over. Give themselves a good enema and put it behind them.
nolie
May 24th, 2012
10:32 pm
I think they already got their enema monty
Bat Masterson
May 24th, 2012
10:33 pm
Actually, this is what Jayson Stark said:
Two friends of Roy Oswalt say they still believe his preference is to play in Texas, Atlanta or St. Louis.
But since there’s no indicationthe Braves or Cardinals are interested,his challenge is likely to be trying to convince the Rangers to pay him the significant dollars he’s hoping for.larry parrish
May 24th, 2012
10:34 pm
miss me yet
monty
May 24th, 2012
10:35 pm
I thought FG was one batter too late in pulling RD. Minor squabble though.
Bat Masterson
May 24th, 2012
10:35 pm
McFanned it
nolie
May 24th, 2012
10:38 pm
thats how J-man seemed to read it Bat
TheOnlyBravesFan
May 24th, 2012
10:39 pm
nope, not at all, larry… how are you doing, btw?
DS1
May 24th, 2012
10:39 pm
Bat
Late reply. Saw the DNN/EFR.TO news. I’m going to play it out, as I think that once Japan starts bringing some of their plants back on line, things should start looking up.
Or at least that’s what I’m hoping……
DS1
May 24th, 2012
10:40 pm
Damned earthquake!
JNick
May 24th, 2012
10:41 pm
LOL @ Bat…
TheOnlyBravesFan
May 24th, 2012
10:43 pm
MLB @MLB
April showers bring May power? Albert Pujols is now the 4th-youngest player to reach 450 homers
Bat Masterson
May 24th, 2012
10:45 pm
Wayne_
I’ll be interested in seeing how that plays out. If I have the time tomorrow I’m gonna see what I can find out about the stock issue. I took them off my watch list when that deal came out but did see it dropped to the 1.30s and has bounced back.
Bat Masterson
May 24th, 2012
10:49 pm
Ha, thanks.
I meant to leave only “the Braves are interested”
Close enough for blog hi jinx, I guess.
phil
May 24th, 2012
10:50 pm
Oswalt…
Can he hit? So why do we want the old washed up bum?
richbrave
May 24th, 2012
10:51 pm
DOWN ON THE FARM
GWINNETT
3-1 loss to the RED WINGS.
Typing that reminds of the first time i ever heard the crowd calling a player’s name. It sounded like booing to an unsophisticated country boy’s ears……L-L-L-U-U-U-K-K-K-E as LUKE EASTER strode to the plate for the ROCHESTER club in August 1959. A mountain of a man who smote the ball out of the yard in my first ever visual of a pro baseball yard-shot.
LHSP YOHAN FLANDE [3.97 ERA] must have read his name being bandied about here as a potential addition to ATLANTA’s pitching staff because he awakens from his recent torpid state on the bump and hurls a gem of a game, 7.0 IP, 5 H, 1 R/ER, 1 BB, 3 SO.
RHRP ADAM RUSSELL [W 3-1, 3.15 ERA] 1.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R/ER, 1 BB, 1 SO. Blows the ball-game in middle releif.
RHRP JAYE CHAPMAN [2.53 ERA] 1.0 IP, 1 H, zeros, 2 SO, but the horse was already out of the stall.
#2 hitter CF LUIS DURANGO [.286 BA] 3-3, 1 SB [22], 1 CS [5], 1 Picked Off.
1B ERNIE MEJIA [.3-4 BA] 1-4, 2 SO.
SS JOSH WILSON [.248 BA] 3-4, 1 R, 1 SO.
C J.C. BOSCAN [.196 BA] 1-4, 2 SO.
DS1
May 24th, 2012
10:52 pm
Thanks Bat. Gonna head off to bed early. It’s been a long couple of days.
Disgusted
May 24th, 2012
10:53 pm
Watching a Phillies Cardinals game, its too bad that both teams cannot lose but have to hope for STL due to Philly being a division rival.
I hate the Cards after last September. And hey, I still hate the Dodgers from the NL West days. Grudges run deep.
Never really loved the Reds, look how they kicked our tail in the old NL West. That is part of why this past series sucks so much.
Will we ever win another game????? Wait and see. I am not a confident or happy Braves fans right now, a series like this is like losing a hiundred in a row.
Winning is always better and we do not do that anymore.
Bat Masterson
May 24th, 2012
10:54 pm
See you, Wayne.
DS1
May 24th, 2012
10:54 pm
richbrave
Sounds like LLLUUUKKKEEE used the “force”……..
Disgusted
May 24th, 2012
10:56 pm
I really do not want to see the Cardinals in the post season, not for a long long time.
It would be cool to see Pittsburgh take the Central, they are not that far back and not the joke they were for a long time. Just want new blood in there if we cannot win, which I don’t think we can.
If we do not win, want the Nats to take the East. New blood needed. I don’t like the Marlins because of the 97 NLCS and Eric Gregg’s strike zone.
TheOnlyBravesFan
May 24th, 2012
10:56 pm
Good night, bloggers. Don’t go jumping off cliffs please. See ya’ll tomorrow.
DS1
May 24th, 2012
10:56 pm
Disgusted
Yeah, it really sucks that we lost 4 in a row to the Reds. Never mind the games missed by Chipper, Mac and Freeman. Our subs should have been better, I guess.
Outa here
Bo Graves
Disgusted
May 24th, 2012
10:57 pm
Are these eye issues going to be a permanent part of Freeman’s repitoire?
Disgusted
May 24th, 2012
10:58 pm
The Only Braves Fan–Hard to say good night after a loss, no night is a good night after a loss.
The sky is turning into blood and there are locusts crawling all over the universe.
phil
May 24th, 2012
10:59 pm
Someone sounds disgusted….
This too shall pass….we hope.
Nite all.
Disgusted
May 24th, 2012
10:59 pm
DS 1–If our subs were better maybe they pull off a win or two.
Not good enough, that is what the Braves were in this series.
Disgusted
May 24th, 2012
11:01 pm
Dam right I am disgusted Phil and have been since September.
I am mad as hell and I am venting on a sports blog. My Peaceful protest. I protest the way these BUMBS are playing and I protest thise losses.
I speak LOUD and ANGRY and of course Non-Violent. Just words and venting my upsetness over this weeks baseball disaster.
JNick
May 24th, 2012
11:09 pm
Funny, I vent on political blogs the same way Disgusted vents on baseball blogs. Guess everyone has their “things” that irk them.
richbrave
May 24th, 2012
11:12 pm
DOWN ON THE FARM
MISSISSIPPI
Bandits hauled up short by the WAHOOS 2-4.
Lead-off TODD CUNNINGHAM [.317 BA] 2-5, 1 SO.
SS AL SIMMONS [.301 BA] 1-5, 1 R, 1 2B [9], 1 SO.
RF CORY HARRILCHAK [.200 BA] 2-3, 1 2B [8], 1 SO.
3B JOE LEONARD [.263 BA] 2-3, 1 HR [2], 2 RBI [19], 1 BB.
C CHRISTIAN BETHANCOURT [.300 BA] 2-4. Starting to gain some traction at the plate.
1B IAN GAC [.235 BA] 1-3, 1 BB, 1 SO.
RHS/RP GARY MORAN [3.27 ERA] 5.1 IP, 5 H, 1 HR, 3 R/ER, 3 BB, 5 SO.
LHRP CHRIS JONES [3.78 ERA] 0.2 IP, blank, 1 SO.
RHRP BRETT CAMMONS [9.00 ERA] 1.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R/ER, 1 BB, 0 SO. Another blip on the road to ATLANTA.
RHRP ‘Aussie ANDY’ RUSSELL [2.21 ERA] 1.0 IP, 1 H, zeros, 1 SO. ANDY closes tonight and goes the job.
Moe Berg
May 24th, 2012
11:25 pm
Hard to say good night after a loss, no night is a good night after a loss.
The sky is turning into blood and there are locusts crawling all over the universe.
Even as a caricature of a fanatic, this is difficult to believe. Perhaps, one ought to rehearse one’s routine before sending it out.
Bat Masterson
May 24th, 2012
11:26 pm
I hope no one from the blog got an email from Curt Schilling today.
Veer
May 24th, 2012
11:27 pm
Our season is over.
Freeman can play with regular glasses. Lame excuse to sit him.
Mac is getting paid millions of bucks. he should play.
PISSED at this team.
Other than Bourn and Prado no one is doing anything.
Medlen is so valuable in the pen right? what did he do today?
Just let him start.
either way WE ARE FINISHED
Bat Masterson
May 24th, 2012
11:27 pm
Disgusted is Norma Dsemond
Bat Masterson
May 24th, 2012
11:28 pm
Or Desmond
Veer
May 24th, 2012
11:28 pm
There should be no excuse but for CHIPPER FREEMAN AND MAC TO PLAY TMR AGANIST THE 1ST PLACE NATIONALS.
SICK OF ROSS AND SICK OF FRANSISCO.
David O'Brien
May 24th, 2012
11:28 pm
QUOTAGE
http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-braves-blog/2012/05/24/braves-quotes-after-being-swept-in-4-at-cincy/
tiger297
May 24th, 2012
11:32 pm
when its sleepy time down south…
JNick
May 24th, 2012
11:34 pm
Personally, I like Ross catching – I think he handles the pitching staff better – and he’s not that much of a drop off offensively, to be honest.
richbrave
May 24th, 2012
11:34 pm
DOWN ON THE FARM
LYNCHBURG
Normally reliable AARON NORTHCRAFT is savaged tonight and the HILLCATS lose to the PELICANS 6-8. Good hitting performance too.
LF ADAM MILLIGAN [.250 BA] goes 3-4, 1 R, 2 2B [2], 1 RBI [5], 1 BB, 1 SO. ADAM has raised his BA 125 points in a week!!!!
1B CHRIS GARCIA [.336 BA] 3-5, 1 2B [11], 2 RBI [26], 1 SO. The PIONEER League has been good to the BRAVES.
LF MATT WEAVER [.228 BA] 1-4, 1 R, 1 RBI [8], 1 BB, 2 SO.
C CHAD COMER [.200 BA] 1-4, 1 RBI [1], 1 BB.
RF ROBBY HEFFLINGER [.218 BA] 0-2, 1 RBI [11], 2 BB, 1 SO.
2B TOMMY LaSTELLA [,299 BA] 1-5, 1 R, 2 SO.
SS NICK AHMED [.262 BA] 1-5, 2 R, 1 SO, 1 SB [15].
RHSP AARON NORTHCRAFT [L 4-3, 3.86 ERA] 4.1 IP, 10 H, 7 R/ER, 3 BB, 5 SO.
LHRP BLAINE SIMS [6.23 ERA] 1.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R/ER, 2 BB, 2 SO.
RHRP CALEB BREWER [4.05 ERA] 1.0 IP, no-hits, 1 BB, 0 SO.
LHRP RONAN ‘Ferdie’ PACHECO [6.85 ERA] 1.0 IP, 1 H, zeros, 1 BB, 1 SO.
David O'Brien
May 24th, 2012
11:36 pm
Braves hit .150 with 8 total runs (despite 6 HRs) in the 4-game series, and have hit .167 with 12 runs in their past 6 games including 5 losses.
Disgusted
May 24th, 2012
11:37 pm
Where is the top 25?
JNick
May 24th, 2012
11:41 pm
“…is savaged tonight…”
What does that even mean, Richbrave?
brian
May 24th, 2012
11:46 pm
awful display of hitting from the Braves. With Chipper, McCann and Freeman riding the bench there was no doubt we would struggle. Despite the 2 solo HRs, Francisco is not an adequate Chipper replacement. Our weak bench and lack of big league ready position players in the minors is hurting us currently.
brian
May 24th, 2012
11:49 pm
It will be interesting to see what the Braves do in the offseason. Their pitching is not as deep as they thought. Simmons, Bethancourt, and maybe gattis will be ready for the majors. I think the Braves would love for Gattis to come through strong and take the LF job with Prado going to 3B. Simmons can take over SS and Pastornicky becomes the super utility player – 2B/SS/CF. Bethancourt will present a dilemma if he keeps hitting. Does he become a backup catcher to McCann, start at AAA, or lead to the Braves trading McCann to the Yankees or Red Sox?
ramblinwreck80
May 24th, 2012
11:50 pm
love the Braves…but this team is frustrating…and showed in Cincinnati how they can be shut down and how it will be tough to win a playoff series, much less the World Series…seems like several bats go cold at the same time…sorry but with these hitters you shouldn’t lose 4 games in a row to any team!
brian
May 24th, 2012
11:51 pm
how would people here rate our top 10 prospects right now at this point in the season?
Teheran
Bethancourt
Simmons
Gilmartin
Gattis
?????
Russell Bell
May 24th, 2012
11:54 pm
Bunch of whining bitches on the blog after 4 straight losses, as expected. The sky aint falling and the Braves’ 2012 season still has 116 games left in it. The boys will play better in the weeks ahead. Sack up bloggerites.
uga-brave
May 24th, 2012
11:56 pm
this team has curb appeal. you just witnessed our offensive depth.
David O'Brien
May 24th, 2012
11:58 pm
UPDATED GAME STORY, lot of facts and quotes added
http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-braves-blog/2012/05/24/slumping-braves-get-slammed-and-swept-at-cincinnati/
jed
May 25th, 2012
12:01 am
and i’ll bet you there are a lot of people here on the blog who still think prado is best used in a super utility role.
uga-brave
May 25th, 2012
12:10 am
pretty obvious who are the players you want to keep are prado and bourn.
they should build this team around those two at 1 &2.
extend both heyward and freeman.
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
May 25th, 2012
12:19 am
uga, you ain’t kiddin. Hinske, Ross and Francisco are awful, awful, awful. EH and DR get exposed so fast it frightens you. Least Fatty Fran had a coupla bombs.
Also agree Bourn and Prado are ones you absolutely must keep around for a while. Bourn has been our MVP and Martin is showing why this one didn’t have the slightest worries aout hi coming into the season. Guy works his ass off and it shows.
Yunel's Frosted Tips
May 25th, 2012
12:22 am
Do not extend McCann………..would be a disaster………spend the money on Bourne
JNick
May 25th, 2012
12:22 am
Why would you “extend” two players that aren’t even arbitration eligible? The Rays seem to do it, but I’m not convinced it’s a wise thing to do – what if they get hurt, or end up flopping? I think Freeman is the real deal, but still not convinced about Heyward…he could still be another Francouer…
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
May 25th, 2012
12:23 am
DRoss wasn’t too guilty feelings about he and the other bench guys performance during this series. Kinda like “aww, we could’ve done better, but …”. Dude, YOU and Hinske were atrocious. Both of them had pitches to flat out destroy and either weakly popped out, grounded out, or struck out. Plus Ross’ throws have been waaay off the mark. Basically useless all series except helping us lose.
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
May 25th, 2012
12:28 am
Can’t blame Fredi, though it’s hard during losing streaks to not point a finger ot two at the manager. Just not going to here. What’s he supposed to do when three of his best hitters are out and the ones he has to choose from all go in a slump at the same time? Medlen is one I would’ve brought in after Delgado too. He’s usually aggressive and can get ground balls, regardless of what B. Jordan says.
Yunel's Frosted Tips
May 25th, 2012
12:28 am
Heyward is “the Black Franceour”…………been documented on here many times by me and others.
Yunel's Frosted Tips
May 25th, 2012
12:30 am
Ross not looking near as focused this year at the plate or in the field……multi-year deals will do that.
uga-brave
May 25th, 2012
12:30 am
money should be spent on those two guys at the top. that is a hard combination to find.
we have control of both heyward and freeman.
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
May 25th, 2012
12:31 am
Heyward is already slowly changing his hand position at the plate. He was more closed in at the start of the season and it seemed to be helping him. He could be a stubborn piece of work, like Frenchy was here.
uga-brave
May 25th, 2012
12:34 am
i have never and will not call out heyward yet.
he is tall and it takes time to work it out. a lot of holes in that mans swing. no doubt.
he does have a great batter’s eye. he walks.
uga-brave
May 25th, 2012
12:38 am
i would me more concerned with the fact that we did not earhole someone after all the dingers.
so all of the reds rh hitters continued to lean over the plate.
uga-brave
May 25th, 2012
12:39 am
knock someone down. or double decker BAS.
SNEAKY PETE
May 25th, 2012
12:39 am
and he’s not that much of a drop off offensively, to be honest.@JNick
some of the things you read here are about as unrealistic as it is possible to get.
uga-brave
May 25th, 2012
12:43 am
oh by the way pitch venters more. the guy thrives on it. his mechanics need regular work.
SNEAKY PETE
May 25th, 2012
12:43 am
yes, many tall men often have holes in their swings and do not hit for great averages.NOt all of them obviously, but it is fairly common
kenhotlanta
May 25th, 2012
12:45 am
Yunel’s Frosted Tips: Does that make Francisco the “Black” Yunel Escobar? What does race have to do with whatever the point you were trying to make? Stupid comparison.
SNEAKY PETE
May 25th, 2012
12:46 am
a couple of others have said that same thing Uga, nolie and Scoots for two I believe.
I think you fellows might be correct about using Venters more often.
SNEAKY PETE
May 25th, 2012
12:47 am
Yunel has always had some kind of race issue.
Yunel's Frosted Tips
May 25th, 2012
12:51 am
that does not make Yunel the Black Francisco……….Yunel was a shortstop……..Francisco masquerades as a third baseman………Heyward’s approach at the plate and his stubborness make him a given comparison to Franceour….I am pulling for the man but it ain’t happening to date….I love Braves of all creeds, races, and national origin…….but I am pointing out the obvious…..he was labeled that by many blog denizens over the past two years…..lighten up
uga-brave
May 25th, 2012
12:52 am
pretty much saw drew stubbs and cozart own us this series, and zero pitchers knocked either down.
neither bruce nor votto hurt us.
it was fraizer and mesoraco. then again that comes from the dugout.
uga-brave
May 25th, 2012
12:57 am
knock someone frickin down. even after the dinger venters gave up.
we dont play them again this season. light a fire fredo. earhole someone.
SNEAKY PETE
May 25th, 2012
1:07 am
Heyward’s approach at the plate and his stubborness make him a given comparison to Franceour…@Yunel
such total ignorance. Heyward’s approach at the plate could hardly be more different from Francoeur’s , the complete opposite.
uga-brave
May 25th, 2012
1:10 am
sneaky, that you are right on. i will take heyward’s approach every day.
uga-brave
May 25th, 2012
1:11 am
on top of that i will take heyward’s attitude everyday.
SNEAKY PETE
May 25th, 2012
1:14 am
I just do not understand how someone can come on here and say something that is so completely false. If they don’t know any more about baseball than that, why are they wasting their, and our, time on a blog?
Ward
May 25th, 2012
1:18 am
Hello everyone! Another sad sorry game………Glad the Reds are done with, and good riddens……. Time to move on……
Ward
May 25th, 2012
1:19 am
Even though it was a sad game. I still have time to enjoy the game itself.
SNEAKY PETE
May 25th, 2012
1:20 am
I am glad we are done with then too Ward
uga-brave
May 25th, 2012
1:21 am
gotta say this though, the reds have a power bullpen. they remind me of us last season.
Ward
May 25th, 2012
1:23 am
Baseball should just do away with 4 game series……little humor…..
uga-brave
May 25th, 2012
1:24 am
anyone else quiver when the ball gets hit ss? his footwork blows and his arm is worse.
he does try. he reminds of the coaches kid in little league.
uga-brave
May 25th, 2012
1:28 am
gotta say Tater has now earned the right of the single funniest blogger on here.
congrats tater. they are few but well done.
SNEAKY PETE
May 25th, 2012
1:28 am
Maybe because he is the coach’s kid. He has not lived up to the scouting reports on defense.
They were mostly pretty good except on his arm, but he is weaker than we are used to
BravesFAN
May 25th, 2012
1:29 am
Jason Heyward for the month of April – .197 average, .321 OBP, .403 SLG%.
Over his last 15 games Jason Heyward has 20 K’s vs only 4 walks….
This is the Jason Heyward we should expect the Jason Heyward of 2010 was a complete outlier. Heyward has proven that he isn’t an on base machine and that he’s not a hitter for average, he’s a below average hitter that every so often can laser a double in there but usually it’s a K, pop out, or weak grounder to 1st. It’s a shame he had such high expectations because it looks as if he’s going to be a bust.
For everybody that will say “oh he’s so young give him a break”, after more than 1,000 at bats at the major league level you’re not some young rookie that just needs time to adjust to the pitching. He’s had plenty of time to prove what type of player he is and sadly it’s nowhere near what anybody had hoped for….
JNick
May 25th, 2012
1:29 am
@Yunel’s Frosted Tips, Ross is in the final year of a 2 year deal he signed in 2010. Your comment about his focus is invalid.
@Sneaky Pete – look at the stats. McCann hasn’t hit well since before last July. Even before then, he wasn’t that much of an offensive force – just that compared to any other catcher in baseball, his stats look awesome.
Ward
May 25th, 2012
1:29 am
uga – The “Rev” will be fine. As hard as this is, we just have to let the players play, and keep riding the wave. When the Braves lose, we just Smile, and Wave……..
SNEAKY PETE
May 25th, 2012
1:30 am
yes, Tater is very funny, usually in a dry way. There are other very funny guys too though I think.
SNEAKY PETE
May 25th, 2012
1:33 am
anybody who would compare McCann’s offense to Ross’s and say there is little difference is IMO an idiot. Ross has never started and had a good season, and every time he has had to step in for the Braves and play a week or longer his stats sink.
Even he has said that he is not a starter and has hit poorly when he did.
Veer
May 25th, 2012
1:33 am
Mac is the reason we got swept. If he had played these 4 games then i have a reason to think that he could have made a difference. This is pathetic. I mean what is this Grade 1? where you miss games due to flu? This is beyond pathetic. Mac contributed a large part in us getting swept.
Ward
May 25th, 2012
1:33 am
See we,ve been through this before last year, so we will go through it again too. We will just have ot be calm, and keep rooting for our team.
SNEAKY PETE
May 25th, 2012
1:36 am
Do you realize that the flu has killed millions of people and that even now it sometimes does? I have to think you are being facetious because surely nobody could actually believe what you just posted.
JNick
May 25th, 2012
1:37 am
If you translate Ross’ at bats to McCann’s for 2011, you get 18 HR and 69 RBI for Ross, compared to 24 HR and 71 RBI for McCann. .263 average, .761 OPS for Ross, .270 average, .817 OPS for McCann. As I said, not much of a drop off.
And for this year, Ross has a higher average and OPS. Tell me again how I’m wrong, Sneaky Pete.
Veer
May 25th, 2012
1:37 am
A stupid move to trade Sutton away for nothing. I mean he is better than Fransisco. Why make that trade? A non logical trade. He could play 3B. What if Chipper goes to DL who comes up from the minors? What was Wren thinking when he traded Sutton?
Veer
May 25th, 2012
1:39 am
JNick. You can’t translate at bats like that. A player who plays 1 game hits 1 HR. Does that translate to 162 homeruns? Ross is not even in the same league as Mac. You have seen what Ross can do when given a chance to play everyday like these past 4 games.
Ross is nothing but a back up
JNick
May 25th, 2012
1:39 am
Ross has never been a starter, he’s never been given the chance. He’s never started more than 112 games in a season (you MIGHT be able to call that “starting” but he split time with 2 other catchers in Cincy). Regardless, the stats don’t lie.
JNick
May 25th, 2012
1:41 am
Veer, it’s not like I translated 20 at bats or even 50. Ross played in 52 games and had 152 at bats last year – he didn’t do that bad of a job. McCann is overrated, if you ask me. His stats look awesome because, what other catcher puts up numbers even close to him? Molina? Napoli?
SNEAKY PETE
May 25th, 2012
1:41 am
you can’t translate like that, Ross has hit 230 or less every time he has had a lot of at bats except in 2006. In fact just saying what you did is a certain tip off that you too are ignorant as hell about baseball.
He does a great job when he has limited plate appearances, but if he is smart enough to say he can’t start, perhaps you should listen.
JNick
May 25th, 2012
1:42 am
And since 2008, McCann’s numbers have steadily been going down.
Ward
May 25th, 2012
1:44 am
Patience is the game of baseball, Wren will keep this team rolling……..
JNick
May 25th, 2012
1:44 am
What is it with people on this forum and cutting other people down? Can’t you have a discussion without calling someone an idiot/moron/ignorant? I can translate stats like that because it’s a large enough pool. McCann is going downhill – the stats don’t lie…I’m sorry if anyone thinks that 18HR and 70 RBI, along with a .260 average is worth 13 million a year, especially for a catcher with shoddy defense.
SNEAKY PETE
May 25th, 2012
1:46 am
Mac’s OPS+ has been the same the last three years, not gone down. They have been quoted here often enough lately.
Ward
May 25th, 2012
1:47 am
Todd Cunningham is playing pretty good ball, along with Simmons. There could be call ups, or Wren could still make a trade. Only time will tell with the Young pitching staff too. Yes, another tough, and sad loss, but we get up, and dust the dirt off, and keep going.
SNEAKY PETE
May 25th, 2012
1:48 am
it is not a large enough sample size. hitters have sample sizes three times that big in years that are totally unlike the rest of their careers. You are simply proving your ignorance by your assertions.
SNEAKY PETE
May 25th, 2012
1:50 am
another Mac hater. I see I am wasting my time trying to have a reasonable unbiased talk. Have a good night.
kenhotlanta
May 25th, 2012
1:52 am
veer, for once I agree with you…we didn’t even give Sutton a chance. Maybe it was something else, like attitude or something. He would have been some insurance for Chipper, as Francisco does not look like he is going to be the answer, either.
Veer
May 25th, 2012
1:53 am
Ward , The Braves managment and fans should start to have a New York mentality. Patience isn’t the answer. You and the Braves management and other braves fans might belive in patience but patience was our downfall last year. Ward join me in having a New York/Boston type attitude and pass it on to others that way maybe we can get a good vibe going where managment will actually do something rather than sit and do nothing because the fans ARE PATIENT
JNick
May 25th, 2012
1:53 am
Blah blah blah I’m ignorant…
McCann OPS: .896, .835, .828, .756 (2008-2012)
McCann Ks: 64, 83, 98, 89 (would have been more without time missed in 2011)
McCann doubles: 42, 35, 25, 19
Tell me again how I’m ignorant.
JNick
May 25th, 2012
1:55 am
Yeah, wasting your time arguing with statistical facts. I’m not hating, just pointing out the OBVIOUS FACTS that anyone can look at on mlb.com or the back of any Brian McCann baseball card.
JNick
May 25th, 2012
1:57 am
Whoops, I forgot McCann’s .817 OPS for 2011. but yeah…817 is the same as .896. You’re right.
Ward
May 25th, 2012
1:57 am
Patience is the answer, and we just have to be calm……..Can’t jump ship every time you lose……..Got to grind it out with the good, and the bad.
braver
May 25th, 2012
1:58 am
If McCann played for the Bulls and got the flu, the Jazz would’ve won lots of championships.
Twitter Beth: “And he used hash tag #suckitupfatass! That means it was a no-hitter, right?”
Veer
May 25th, 2012
1:59 am
i am surprised that Wren didn’t get a better insurance for Jones then Fransisco a guy whom we got last minute because he was going to be waived. What a waste of trade. Hoover could have been a decent bullpen arm which could have allowed Medlen to move into rotation. Fransisco will hit you homeruns but will hit 170 in the process. Not worth it and the management knew what kind of a player he was. In the offseason I am sure we had many options such as minor leaguers who could have done a better job then Fransisco. Now trading Sutton makes no sense. Why didn’t the Braves trade him directly to the Rays? why through Pirates?
A lot of questionable moves by the management.
SNEAKY PETE
May 25th, 2012
2:00 am
McCann OPS: .896, .835, .828, .756 (2008-2012)
McCann’s OPS+ 135,119,124,123,108
so yes you are ignorant. nobody is arguing that he is not having a relatively poor year so far this this season, but it is way too early to have any idea how it will turn out. In 2008 he had one of two seasons that were way above his usual years. in the other three years you quoted his OPS+ is as close to being the same as is possible and were certainly not going down.
You are twisting the stats and basing them on tow outlier seasons in an attempt to make it look the way you want it to, . if you average in those career years as is done in stat use you see that his oPS_ have averaged in the 120s the entire career
JNick
May 25th, 2012
2:01 am
@Veer, this one will get you even more – why did they sell Sutton, and turn around and sign this guy:
•The Braves signed infielder Lance Zawadzki to a minor league contract, according to the transactions page at CBSSports.com. The 26-year-old switch-hitter has big league experience with the 2010 Padres and had spent the early part of the 2012 season with the Dodgers’ Triple-A affiliate. Zawadzki owns a .259/.332/.394 batting line in parts of six minor league seasons.
Ward
May 25th, 2012
2:01 am
Veer – Did you ever try a chill pill…….Little humor…..
SNEAKY PETE
May 25th, 2012
2:02 am
you are obviously a hater and you are ignoring stats that prove you are wrong, either because you are biased or too statistically unsophisticated to appreciate what they say.
Veer
May 25th, 2012
2:03 am
Ward, After what happend to us last year. The worst collapse in baseball history.
After seeing What Minor and Jurrjens are doing this season and seeing Mac and Freeman missing games to non injuries…. It’s time to make some moves. Last year we stuck on to Lowe for too long.
It’s isn’t like Medlen has Kimbrel type stuff that he is needed in the bullpen. Medlen isn’t a shutout type reliver. He is over valued as a bullpen guy.
The reason we are not winning without Chipper is because inn the offseason the management didn’t do anything about getting a suitable backup knowing full well that Chipper will miss 81 games.
JNick
May 25th, 2012
2:03 am
Oh jeez, you’re breaking out an overrated stat like OPS+ to try and prove your point? Why don’t we start looking at his WAR if we’re going to compare useless stats…
Ward
May 25th, 2012
2:04 am
All, have fun exploding over 2 hours of Mac, and maybe all day tomorrow? Then take a time out to check your blood presure? Baseball is a game of fun. Have fun, and enjoy baseball. Peace my friends, and talk tomorrow.
Veer
May 25th, 2012
2:06 am
Whats with this prolonged Mac vs Ross comparison? If Ross was that good then he would been starting for an MLB team. You can come up with stats and vary it to fit your argument. Just like you see X player has most homeruns since 2008. They won’t say 2007 because that X player wont have most homeruns. Stats can be manuplated to fit a predetermined conclusion
JNick
May 25th, 2012
2:06 am
I gave you examples in 3 key stat categories – but to add, his average, hits, and runs are all going down since 2008 as well.
Again, try to have a discussion without the insults and cut downs – all it does is make you look less intelligent and sophisticated.
JNick
May 25th, 2012
2:09 am
I’m not exploding, but I’m having an awesome amount of fun making Sneaky Pete’s blood boil over this….regardless of whether or not I’m just messing with him for fun (out of sheer boredom) – it’s laughable the way some people get so bent out of shape on a little discussion forum talking about baseball stats. Gives me a break from debating important topics on other forums. Yeah, I’m trolling a little….but at least I’m not on here calling for Fredi to be fired, or Minor to be sent to AAA….lol.
JNick
May 25th, 2012
2:10 am
Sometimes, it’s fun to play Devil’s Advocate just to watch people get pissed. Try not to take yourself so seriously next time, Pete.
JNick
May 25th, 2012
2:11 am
@Veer, this one will get you even more – why did they sell Sutton, and turn around and sign this guy:
•The Braves signed infielder Lance Zawadzki to a minor league contract, according to the transactions page at CBSSports.com. The 26-year-old switch-hitter has big league experience with the 2010 Padres and had spent the early part of the 2012 season with the Dodgers’ Triple-A affiliate. Zawadzki owns a .259/.332/.394 batting line in parts of six minor league seasons.
uga-brave
May 25th, 2012
2:12 am
damn, sneaky you are quick.
SNEAKY PETE
May 25th, 2012
2:12 am
there is nothing overrated about OPS+, it is simply OPS normalized to the park and the rest of the league. Anybody who believes in OPS should certainly believe in OPS+. nothing esoteric about it. In this case it simply sjows that although Mac’s raw OPS number have gone down some, the rest of the league has experienced the same thing across the board, at approximately the same rate.If you can’t understand that you should not be arguing stats especially since you also think that 150 at bats is an ample sample size to be reliable. You should probably stich to BA/HR/RBI like on the back of those gum cards you were mentioning. Seems more your speed
SNEAKY PETE
May 25th, 2012
2:14 am
ok so we know have a very good idea who JNick is, since he always ends up saying the same thing.
uga-brave
May 25th, 2012
2:17 am
well i know when i am beat.
SNEAKY PETE
May 25th, 2012
2:19 am
little question about who looked less intelligent about the facts being discussed JNicky, and it was not me.
And the fact that I answer in a decisive tone does not mean that I am mad, but whatever allows you to feel better about yourself.
JNick
May 25th, 2012
2:19 am
@Veer, I’m doing exactly what you said…I just got the inkling that “someone” on here was a McFann so I decided to screw with him a bit.
Anyway, as far as the Braves doing more in the off-season, they were a little hamstrung with salary, and I think they really had their hopes up for the two SS prospects – plus, by the time Chipper tore up his knee stretching and needed that extra surgery, wasn’t much left as far as available players. Not sure anyone could have seen that injury coming. I think they were counting on him playing 140 games…but yes, after that last meniscus tear, I think 81 games is a better possibility. I was hoping they’d sign Jamey Carroll – although, now, with him having a crap season (abeit, with a crap team), not sure that would have been smart. He’s hitting about 50 points below his career average. Would have been interesting to see if Wren could have really pulled off that supposed Adam Jones trade – but apparently, the Orioles were asking for Hanson, one of the crew including Minor/Teheran/Delgado and another prospect.
uga-brave
May 25th, 2012
2:20 am
sneaky pete is educated,
JNick
May 25th, 2012
2:22 am
And the fact that I was just messing with you, and you answered in your “decisive tones” and resorted to put-downs, does show what kind of person you are
I feel just fine about me. Without me, it’s just aweso.
Oh and the Adam Jones trade…another rumor was Hanson, Prado + prospect. Kinda glad we didn’t pull the trigger on that one…Prado is having a nice year so far.
JNick
May 25th, 2012
2:24 am
By the way, a very good idea about “who I am”? Not sure what you meant by that, but whatever. On to better things.
uga-brave
May 25th, 2012
2:25 am
bas, decipher that.
JNick
May 25th, 2012
2:25 am
Yeah, he’s as educated as someone who uses the word “ignorant” to describe another person can be….
uga-brave
May 25th, 2012
2:27 am
try that day guys.
JNick
May 25th, 2012
2:27 am
But he did use “esoteric” so…maybe he has that “word of the day” toilet paper in his bathroom. At least he’s trying.
SNEAKY PETE
May 25th, 2012
2:28 am
speaking the truth is always an educated act JNick,
and you know exactly what I meant. You must think others are a lot more stupid than they usually are if you think you are not recognizable
SNEAKY PETE
May 25th, 2012
2:29 am
you have even used the word of the day toilet paper line before.
JNick
May 25th, 2012
2:29 am
I’m not sure who you think I am – I always post as the same name on here – unless someone else has been posting as me. It’s really not that hard to do…
uga-brave
May 25th, 2012
2:30 am
scoots, might be a new sheriif in town.
SNEAKY PETE
May 25th, 2012
2:30 am
See, even I can post as anyone I want to on here…(JNick)
SNEAKY PETE
May 25th, 2012
2:31 am
I DO use word of the day TP….it’s my favorite.
As you can see, Sneaky Pete, AJC doesn’t exactly have the most fool-proof ID system on their forum.
SNEAKY PETE
May 25th, 2012
2:33 am
you know, using another’s name is a banning offense, right?
But I already know you are an expert at using many many different aliases.
SNEAKY PETE
May 25th, 2012
2:34 am
ok, that is twice. I think I’ll report it now, and make you come up with another way in.
B_F 52
May 25th, 2012
2:35 am
I see there is an obfuscatoric melee on the old blog tonight
JNick
May 25th, 2012
2:35 am
That makes me sad. What on earth would I do with my life then? With no more AJC blogs to post on…I’d just have to invent a new name and email address…lol.
In all seriousness Pete, whatever conspiracy theory you think you have about me, trust me, you’re as mistaken as any Christian is about the origin of their religious beliefs.
(Not intended to offend any Christians or to start a religious debate – but it makes an excellent analogy)
SNEAKY PETE
May 25th, 2012
2:36 am
you sir are an outright liar
JNick
May 25th, 2012
2:36 am
Well, golly gosh Pete, you really got me now….lol. Really man, you’re too much. Thanks for the laughs tonight though
probably my favorite night ever on the blogs.
JNick
May 25th, 2012
2:38 am
If you say so Pete….like I said before, not hard to post as someone else’s name – and not that word of the day TP is that uncommon. I’m sure that more people than just you have used it. By the way, if you like conspiracy theories, there’s a new Ancient Aliens show on H2 tomorrow night. You should check it out…
…they’re watching you right now. oooooooooooooooooo…..
SNEAKY PETE
May 25th, 2012
2:38 am
sure Paul whatever you say . glad to make an idiot’s night, I know you must have little in your life to have to come on here and use a million aliases. Sad little man, I hope I helped some
JNick
May 25th, 2012
2:38 am
Hurry and put your tinfoil hat on!
uga-brave
May 25th, 2012
2:39 am
see this is what happens when ward drinks. he goes all sybill.
SNEAKY PETE
May 25th, 2012
2:40 am
silly fool, you keep using the same old lines. Liars need good memories and yours obviously isn’t up to the job.
uga-brave
May 25th, 2012
2:40 am
trick are for kids.
JNick
May 25th, 2012
2:41 am
Around and around we go…who’s messing with who now? The battle of wits continues!
Ward
May 25th, 2012
2:42 am
back for one post, Uga is Sneaky Pete, JNick. LOL Peace Out!
SNEAKY PETE
May 25th, 2012
2:43 am
too one-sided to be really interesting for me though. You have a real nice night,JNick.
Come back when you get a better handle on stats.
JNick
May 25th, 2012
2:43 am
I feel like this is the scene in “The Princess Bride” where they’re having the battle of wits over the poisoned glasses of wine…with me being Wesley, of course.
JNick
May 25th, 2012
2:44 am
Who is Paul? I knew a Paul once, when I lived in Guam…
uga-brave
May 25th, 2012
2:45 am
way too smart for me. later.
JNick
May 25th, 2012
2:48 am
My handle on stats is just fine, especially when my purpose was to get a McFann all spun up. Worked perfectly. It’s kind of like when they pull those “all time” stats up, team vs team…like saying “The Braves are 112-63 against the Rockies, all time” – well what the hell does that mean? It’s different players every year. It’s not like they played head to head 175 times in a row to make it a stat that even matters.
JNick
May 25th, 2012
2:49 am
Who is “Sneaky Pete”? Who is “JNick”? Who is “uga-brave”? Are any of them really “Ward”? Tonight…on UNSOLVED MYSTERIES!
J-Man
May 25th, 2012
3:01 am
My question is why does pete need to be sneaky. Is he on his smartphone up in a tree branch waitin with a pair of binoculars peepin around. Or is he on a covert opperation in Central America involving Nicaraguan drugdealers………..Why do you feel the need to be sneaky what and who are you hiding from?
JNick
May 25th, 2012
3:09 am
An excellent question, J-Man. Maybe he’s one of them “illegal alien” types…
JNick
May 25th, 2012
3:12 am
Well, now I’m bored….
J-Man
May 25th, 2012
3:57 am
Yes painful sleep time. 4 game sweep
TheOnlyBravesFan
May 25th, 2012
6:02 am
Good morning, all . Don’t worry about the last 4 games, it’s a long season, and we’re still right in the thick of the division, no need for panic… it’s not like we’ve put ourselves 8 games out of first… Calm down everyone, it’s gonna be okay.
nolie
May 25th, 2012
6:03 am
nolie
May 25th, 2012
6:06 am
No matter how we handle it, I’m sure we are all disappointed about the last week or so.
Here’s hoping some guys get well and the bats bounce back enough yo win us a few games.
David O'Brien
May 25th, 2012
6:25 am
We let Stan Kastan ran away too. He built the Nationals into the team they are this year…now he’s moved on to LA and will probably turn the Dodgers into a real franchise. Dayton Moore was a great baseball mind too…would have much rather had him running the show as opposed to Wren. He’s done a decent job in KC already, drafted a lot of good players over the last few years. Just too bad they play in such a crappy stadium, in a crappy city, with no revenue. — JNick
JNick: Do the Royals ever have to actually, you know, contend for a playoff berth or even have a winning season? Or does the GM just get a pass from you because they “drafted a lot of good players over the last few years?”
He’s been there six years. The Royals have never finished higher than fourth in that period, and have lost more than 90 games in five of the past six seasons including the last three in a row. They’re on pace to lose about 98 this year.
And “crappy stadium”? What are you talking about? That renovated stadium has received universal praise from everyone I’ve talked to who’s played there or been to games there since it was renovated, including my brother, who lives there and attends a lot of games.
Oh, one more thing: The Braves “let Kasten run away”? Again, what are you talking about?
Jeff R
May 25th, 2012
6:59 am
No pitching and no hitting means another Braves loss to Cincy last night. Yes, our Bravos are slumping.
nolie
May 25th, 2012
7:04 am
That pot shot at religion sure made me think that JNick was the Dentz one.
Jeff R
May 25th, 2012
7:04 am
No matter how we handle it, I’m sure we are all disappointed about the last week or so [of the Braves' play].
Yes, Nolie, but slumps or bad patches happen. Remember the Braves were swept by the Mets in the season’s opening series and then went on a tear. That could well happen again soon.
nolie
May 25th, 2012
7:14 am
sure it could, likely will. we aren’t as good as when everybody was hot, and we aren’t as bad as the last week when everybody has been cold or sick.
Jeff R
May 25th, 2012
7:20 am
Let’s not forget the Braves are on a long stretch without days off. Not an excuse, but, hey, it’s got to wear players down a bit.
Jeff R
May 25th, 2012
7:25 am
Speaking of Stan Kasten, I think he’s going build a solid foundation for the Dodgers. I hate to say that because I never liked the Dud-gers.
Ease
May 25th, 2012
7:26 am
Last time the Braves lost 4 in a row, they won 26 of their next 38…Plus…
There is a tropical disturbance in the Tropics just south and east of FLA…
Could it be our bats? Hmmm, something to think about…
Jeff R
May 25th, 2012
7:27 am
Random, you’re kidding, aren’t you? This matters? Something to do with aerodynamics?
richbrave
May 25th, 2012
7:30 am
DOWN ON THE FARM
GWINNETT
page 10, 10:51 P.M.
MISSISSIPPI
page 11, 11:12 p.m.
LYNCHBURG
page 11, 11:34 p.m.
ROME
RAFA BRICENO gives up the house and the R-BRAVES fall 4-6 despite a nice hitting display.
Lead-off CF TONY MUELLER [.219 BA] 1-3, 1 BB.
2B SERGIO MIRANDA [.250 BA] 2-4., 1 E [3, fielding].
DH KYLE KUBITZA [.262 BA] 0-2, 1 R, 1 RBI [21], 1 BB, 1 SF.
LF WIL SKINNER [.256 BA] 1-3, 1 R, 1 2B [4], 1 RBI [12], 1 SO.
1B ‘Billy BECK’ BECKWITH [.288 BA] 1-4, 1 R, 1 2B [5], 1 RBI [12].
3B BRANDON DRURY [.167 BA] 1-3, 1 RBI [12], 1 SO.
RF ABNER ABREU [.333 BA] 2-3. ABREU is a former WHITE SOX player the BRAVES picked up over winter who has been in extended ST.
C CORY BROWNSTEN [.123 BA] 1-3, 1 2B [3], 1 SO.
SS ELMER REYES [.242 BA] 1-2, 1 R, 1 SAC.
RHSP RAFAEL BRICENO [L 2-5, 6.86 ERA] 5.1 IP, 8 H, 6 R/ER, 0 BB, 4 SO. Ugh!
RHRP BRYAM GARCIA [3.18 ERA] 1.2 IP, 1 H, zeros.
nolie
May 25th, 2012
7:34 am
tropical storms off the coast of Fla are not really something to kid about if you have ever survived a hurricane
Ease
May 25th, 2012
7:42 am
A tropical disturbance is not the same as a tropical storm…otherwise I wouldn’t kid…
nolie
May 25th, 2012
7:49 am
it can always develop into one and right now it looks like it will this weekend, believe me I am well aware of all the different permutations and none of them are guaranteed harmless
Couch Tater
May 25th, 2012
7:56 am
I looked at Chipper’s games in Cincy. His most memorable moment probably is the base in the glass case. I’m sure was ready to light the fuse at Riverfront Stadium, after “the Big Red Machine played here” nostalgia wore off. His Great American numbers were better, but the best game I found was ‘07, 1 HR and 1 Double in 12 in a loss.
“Yes, this is the Wickman party of 2 I’ll be a little late. Hold on, this is the call I’ve been expecting….Thanks.”
“Yep. Give me about 15 minutes.”
jeffrey d
May 25th, 2012
7:58 am
nPr = n!/(n-r)!
richbrave
May 25th, 2012
7:59 am
Looking over last year’s DSL stats before the beginning of this season, three pitchers jump out, but there were no bats I considered exceptional.
I like these three pitching prospects. CAICEDO is PANAMANIAN who has a brother with the same first name and differing middle initial. That’ll be confusing if they both develop through the BRAVES org.
LHP ELVIN GARCIA [6-3, 2.37 ERA, 0.91 WHIP] 14 G, 8 GS, 1 SV, 64.2 IP, 56 H, 3 BB, 44 SO.
LHP ORIEL L. CAICEDO [3-2, 2.10 ERA, 0.97 WHIP] 16 G, 9 GS, 60.0 IP, 43 H, 15 BB, 48 SO.
RHP ABE ESPINOSA [2-4, 2.15 ERA, 1.06 WHIP] 14 G, 8 GS, 58.2 IP, 52 H, 10 BB, 45 SO.
The best hitter was
SS JOSE PERAZA [.281 BA, .346 OBP, .340 SLG, .686 OPS] 235 AB, 15 BB, 27 SO, 28 SB, 7 CS, 66 G, 16 E.
As you can quickly see, he has some potential speed, and may develop a decent average bat, but has no power, and a horrendous glove.
jeffrey d
May 25th, 2012
8:00 am
“Yes, this is the Wickman party of 2 I’ll be a little late. Hold on, this is the call I’ve been expecting….Thanks.”
When Dunn launched that homerun to Michigan and Wickman was axed the next day?
Disgusted
May 25th, 2012
8:00 am
Veer—-The reason why they got a bumb like Francisco is because he was cheap, just like thier ownership wants.
Agree with you about Sutton, could he be any worse than Francisco.
Lew
May 25th, 2012
8:00 am
JNick – But ignorant is such a relevant term.
jeffrey d
May 25th, 2012
8:03 am
If only ownership would give us more money, then we could’ve signed that awesome expensive 3B that was waiting around! Ugh, Liberty!!!!
Ease
May 25th, 2012
8:06 am
You know that I had no intent to be offensive…
jeffrey d
May 25th, 2012
8:06 am
I was offended
GaryinBham
May 25th, 2012
8:08 am
I just stopped watching this series. You sort of knew we were in one of those modes, and big bats out. Reds were up like we were a few weeks ago. We’re in the pit. Perfect time to be coming home for a game that matters with Huddy on the mound. C’mon, guys. Forget that series. Nothing to take away from it worth remembering, just move on. That we’re only one game out is the best news of all.
Rob from SC
May 25th, 2012
8:11 am
How bad is Jason Heyward?
Fish Bisch
May 25th, 2012
8:12 am
Tough loss, but we will rebound.
The Cincinnati Reds have the most victories againts clubs with over a .500 record in the MLB.
They are legit.
Ease
May 25th, 2012
8:12 am
Ah, the intended target…
jeffrey d
May 25th, 2012
8:15 am
How bad is Jason Heyward?
He’s so bad that when he talked to Jeff Francoeur, Francoeur told him to blank.
jeffrey d
May 25th, 2012
8:16 am
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LPG_VDGwj6k
Rob from SC
May 25th, 2012
8:17 am
What the hell happened to Heyward…He can’t hit a fastball anymore, so he is cheating and way ahead of breaking balls. Guess it wasn’t the injurues after all.
Pitchers thriw hard in then soft away. It is painful to watch.
Ease
May 25th, 2012
8:19 am
Good ole Gene Rayburn…
Ease
May 25th, 2012
8:21 am
It is painful to watch.
Might want to see a doctor about that then…
Lew
May 25th, 2012
8:28 am
Painful to watch? Maybe you need one of those chairs with the adjustable lumbar support.
jeffrey d
May 25th, 2012
8:38 am
Or maybe one of those battery powered massage things that you place under your back
TheOnlyBravesFan
May 25th, 2012
8:49 am
the series, though disappointing, wasn’t painful to watch… it was a hard-fought series that we ended up on the wrong side of… there were some encouraging signs that came out of this series
Jeff R
May 25th, 2012
8:55 am
Heyward hasn’t exactly set the world on fire. What is he hitting, .180 or something in the last ten games?
Lew
May 25th, 2012
9:00 am
Heyward hasn’t really even started a grass fire on the side of the road, much less set the world on fire. I realize he’s young and has suffered injury early in his career, but I’d expected to see a bit more improvement than there has been so far.
McFann =Ô= =Ô=
May 25th, 2012
9:00 am
Veer Mac is the reason we got swept.
For the love of all that is holy—the poor guy gets blamed for losses even when he doesn’t play!…
(ITS)
Lew
May 25th, 2012
9:04 am
McFann – But if he had played they would have won. Unless he had a passed ball, made an out during his at bats, stopped mid game for a snack, etc.
Jeff R
May 25th, 2012
9:05 am
I realize he’s [Heyward's] young and has suffered injury early in his career, but I’d expected to see a bit more improvement than there has been so far.
I would agree. Right now, Wren can’t be happy. I still think of what Wren said about Heyward last post-season: time to step up and perform.
Ease
May 25th, 2012
9:05 am
Its the damn turtles.
McFann =Ô= =Ô=
May 25th, 2012
9:07 am
Lew—
Ah, so true…so true…
Ha, and if he HAD played with the flu, and gone 0-fer or whatever, the same people would be screaming at him, saying he should never set foot on the field, Ross shoulda played all the games, blah blah blah…
McFann =Ô= =Ô=
May 25th, 2012
9:08 am
Ease—
You wanna start with them??…
=Ô=
Lew
May 25th, 2012
9:10 am
McFann – By the way he looked sitting in the dugout last night, I’d imagine he hasn’t had a snack for several days – or much of anything else. Dude looked a a tad bit under the weather. But he might lose weight, right?.
TheOnlyBravesFan
May 25th, 2012
9:12 am
McFann: why do you even honor veer with an answer? the guy is an fu**ing tard
Heyward hasn’t exactly set the world on fire. What is he hitting, .180 or something in the last ten games?
.189/.250/.243/.493 with 2 walks vs 9 strikeouts… 2 doubles and, 4RBI, and 1 run scored in his last 10 games
For May, Heyward is hitting: .200/.318/.387/.705 11 walks vs 22 strikeouts.. 3 doubles (2 of which came in last 10 games, meaning he hit 1 double in previous 15) 13 RBI and 9 runs scored…
Basically, he’s been struggling lately.
TheOnlyBravesFan
May 25th, 2012
9:13 am
that was one ugly turtle, mcfann
Ease
May 25th, 2012
9:13 am
McFann, why not? They don’t seem to be doing much anyway, ‘cept sticking their heads in the sand.
Maybe if they got ready to play, then the team (and BMac follows)? Show some excitement maybe?
Do they even want to be here?
McFann =Ô= =Ô=
May 25th, 2012
9:18 am
Lew—
Wouldn’t be surprised…anxiously awaiting the next update. Although it wouldn’t shock me if Ross plays tonight even if BMac is improving—Fredi seems to be going through one of those “Timmy and Ross Forever” phases…
Dude looked a a tad bit under the weather.
Yeah…and I’d say that’s an understatement…
TheOnlyBravesFan—
Yeah, I know—sometimes I just have to say things…it’s like a release, I guess…Besides, I only got like, 4.5 hours of sleep last night, so forgive me if I’m extra testy…
TheOnlyBravesFan
May 25th, 2012
9:19 am
Unless Heyward picks up his play, he’s on track for a 3.5 WAR (if he plays 140 games)… it’s good I guess, but nowhere near his rookie year WAR which was 6.3
McFann =Ô= =Ô=
May 25th, 2012
9:20 am
TheOnlyBravesFan—
And he’s always on alert…
Ease—
Oh, they’re ready—and their heads aren’t in the sand, look! Completely out…they’re just a little on edge right now…
Do they even want to be here?
Always…
Ease
May 25th, 2012
9:26 am
They need to show some life…a spark…something…
Arkansas Transplant
May 25th, 2012
9:27 am
This is one pitiful excuse of a ball club right now.
Arkansas Transplant
May 25th, 2012
9:29 am
Got to love those Mendoza line averages.
TheOnlyBravesFan
May 25th, 2012
9:34 am
Adam Jones getting locked up…
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2012/05/orioles-adam-jones-nearing-extension.html
Jones completed his physical yesterday and the sides are in the process of completing the final details of the contract. The Orioles are making a commitment “well north” of Miguel Tejada’s six-year, $72MM contract and Nick Markakis’ six-year, $66MM extension, Rosenthal and Morosi report. This means the CAA Sports client will sign the largest contract in Orioles history.
Arkansas Transplant
May 25th, 2012
9:37 am
I wonder how much longer they will continue to throw Heyward out there and watch the guy struggle night in and night out. Oh yeah, I forget.. We’ve got no one on our bench worth replacing him with.
McFann =Ô= =Ô=
May 25th, 2012
9:39 am
Ease—
How’s this?…
TheOnlyBravesFan
May 25th, 2012
9:39 am
This is one pitiful excuse of a ball club right now.
Oh really? Let me take a look at the standings…. hmmm, I see us 1.0 game out of first place, 7th in # of wins in the MLB, and 3rd in the NL… besides, it seems that we have played the most games of any other team in baseball… oh, we’re such a pitiful club… let me follow the undefeated team in baseball… oh wait, there isn’t one… damn it, i’m screwed now… can’t follow baseball anymore
Fols
May 25th, 2012
9:41 am
I agree we need a spark…i’m going to cross my fingers that the spark is finally going to come in the form of a big divisional series and a return home!
I personally felt a little sunk in that game, tied late, the Reds bring in Chapman to close us off and we counter with Martinez instead of our own stud. That was the chance, a win just a run away and possibly flip the series. They played their card, we played road team safe and folded. Moments like that, sure it’s not a save situation, but at some point bringing in Kimbrel might just show a pulse when things are low. When we look at our bullpen, Kimbrel is the pulse, he’s the most exciting player that’s going to enter the game and match high 90 mph fastballs with Chapman. A chance for a buzz. Instead we end up in a fairly close series without once using our best reliever. Not to mention the complaining that happens when he’s rusty after one appearance in a week.
I know we over used him last year, god forbid we ever had enough runs to win without a save last year! But not using him for 4-5 day stretches might have a worse effect.
Juan
May 25th, 2012
9:42 am
“Hard to believe these Bums,,,,,,,,,,,ah Braves swept the World Champ Cardinals in St.Louis a short time ago………………..Whats up with this losing 4 of 4 to the Reds??”
Saw this post in the “Game Story”…..My Response: “THIS IS BASEBALL”
That is this game is so interestingand awasome….
Juan
May 25th, 2012
9:43 am
sorry computer problem….
richbrave
May 25th, 2012
9:44 am
AT:
I know the operative words were “…….right now.”
And more wild-life pix. Those turkeys were beautiful. Some ferel hogs maybe.vheard there’s a rea problem with them in ARKANSAS.
Ease
May 25th, 2012
9:44 am
Why don’t we move Prado to RF and Heyward to LF…
That way we can continue to search for a thumping LF’er…
Arkansas Transplant
May 25th, 2012
9:45 am
TheOnlyBravesFan, I don’t guess you can read or understand huh? The simple phrase “right now” covers a short time span. You think we’ll continue to stay one of the best club’s according to standings and wins playing as we are now? If so, just continue to wear those rose colored glass and stick your head in the sand…. all is fine in Braves country.
Ease
May 25th, 2012
9:46 am
McFann, I guess it a place to start…
TennesseePaul
May 25th, 2012
9:46 am
Heyward by games into the season…
______G__PA__H__AVG__OBP__SLG__OPS
2011 44 162 30 .214 .317 .407 .724
2012 44 174 36 .237 .329 .414 .744
Heyward by plate appearances into the season…
______G__PA__H__AVG__OBP__SLG__OPS
2011 48 174 33 .220 .324 .407 .730
2012 44 174 36 .237 .329 .414 .744
Arkansas Transplant
May 25th, 2012
9:47 am
richbrave, sorry no pix. As far as the state of the hogs, all I can say is… PITIFUL “right now”
richbrave
May 25th, 2012
9:49 am
Arkansas Trans:
VIRGINIA is just beginning to have pockets of wild hogs, mostly south and west within trhe state. I say we root them out and have a real old-fashioned BBQ by digging the pit where they’ve been rootin’. Bring on the vinegar and let’s get a cookin’. Heh!
Arkansas Transplant
May 25th, 2012
9:49 am
What’s the latest on JJ, has he made another start since he was badly beat up?
Arkansas Transplant
May 25th, 2012
9:50 am
richbrave, count me in on a good ol’ BBQ party.. just don’t forget the baked beans and slaw.
richbrave
May 25th, 2012
9:50 am
AT:
Them’s RAZORBACKS, right?
TheOnlyBravesFan
May 25th, 2012
9:50 am
Well, maybe right now they’re slumping, but they seem to be a hit or 2 away from scoring right now… they’re pretty darn close…
Frankie Wren
May 25th, 2012
9:50 am
If Kimbrel is used that game and we lose in extra innings(God forbid Kimbrel gives up a run if scored is tied) everybody does a 360 and asking how could Kimbrel not close out that game? I’ll take a well rested Kimbrel in September where hopefully games will still matter. 1 game out on May 25th, Kimbrel has only made 16 appearances, I will take it. You are likely to see a lot of Kimbrel the next 3 days hopefully.
TennesseePaul
May 25th, 2012
9:51 am
Just too bad [the Royals] play in such a crappy stadium, in a crappy city, with no revenue
KC is a fresh town and that stadium is very nice. I’ve enjoyed seeing games there. And that was per-renovation. Looking forward to checking out the stuff they’ve done to it.
Lew
May 25th, 2012
9:51 am
Transplant – Don’t jump Dude. Maybe we just had a four game losing streak against a streaking team when we were at less than full strength at the end of yet another road trip.
Arkansas Transplant
May 25th, 2012
9:51 am
Has anyone done the batting practice experience this year? I’ve got tickets to one of the games and was wondering if it’s worth doing.
Arkansas Transplant
May 25th, 2012
9:52 am
Razorbacks.. yes.
richbrave
May 25th, 2012
9:54 am
AT:
He’s due up the 26th.
Arkansas Transplant
May 25th, 2012
9:54 am
Lew, not ready to jump… just would like to see a little more production, not only with the bat but always in the win column. Plus, I just haven’t figured Heyward out yet. It woudl be nice to see some improvement but he seems to be regressing after showing flashes of his former self.
DiamondbackMac
May 25th, 2012
9:56 am
McFann
Maybe like this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FyHNX91SZmA
TennesseePaul
May 25th, 2012
9:56 am
Giancarlo Stanton
____Age_Hr__AVG__OBP__SLG__OPS
2010 20 22 .259 .326 .507 .833
2011 21 32 .262 .356 .537 .893
2012 22~34 .284 .348 .537 .885
~ is on pace for
Lew
May 25th, 2012
9:56 am
Transplant – I didn’t do that particular BP Experience, but did get to watch batting practice at the cage before- Definitely do it if you get the chance.
Arkansas Transplant
May 25th, 2012
9:57 am
The wife was at the Cardinals game last night, said it was a pretty good game. They were lucky enough to bump into a gentleman that gave them some tickets just 3 rows up from the dugout. They said a streaker jump onto the field butt-naked and it took a while for them run him down.
Frankie Wren
May 25th, 2012
9:57 am
Spotty bullpen work, hitting .150 in the series. While a short term concern not the biggest issue. Back of rotation will be achilles heel of this team if unable to advance far this season. Bullpen will be fine and the hitting will be strong enough. With Hanson pitching the way he has, Delgado might be good enough to get you to postseason but that would be it. Dempster would be huge. Not sure if FW can pull a rabbit out of a hat this year, but sure he will try.
Arkansas Transplant
May 25th, 2012
9:58 am
Lew, yeah that cage experience is what I was weighing out, looked to be a pretty good deal. I may have to give it try.. thanks for the endorsement.
Frankie Wren
May 25th, 2012
9:59 am
Those numbers are a little alarming regarding Heywood. Some big hits this season, but need more. Hard to believe he’s gone a month without a multi hit game.
Lew
May 25th, 2012
9:59 am
Transplant – Heyward will be what he will be. But I’d say that playing 29 of your first 46 games on the road is probably making a bit of difference right now. Almost certainly, Mac’s illness and Chipper’s injury has had a profound effect.
Nothing wrong with Prado and Bourn’s production, though and Uggla has been much better than last year, even if he hasn’t gotten hot yet.
Not so sure resting O’Ventbrel is working out like planned. There was overnight discussion about maybe Venters in particular might benefit from more work – I tend to agree that we have not found a happy balance yet.
HometownFan
May 25th, 2012
10:00 am
Transplant – I did the BP experience on the 16th. I had a good time. I recommend it
Frankie Wren
May 25th, 2012
10:00 am
I take it back. Those numbers on Heyward are very alarming. Wow.
McFann =Ô= =Ô=
May 25th, 2012
10:01 am
DBackMac—
That’ll work!…
Ease
May 25th, 2012
10:01 am
As far as the state of the hogs, all I can say is… PITIFUL “right now”
At least the slimy snake population has improved, in a good way.
Arkansas Transplant
May 25th, 2012
10:02 am
HometownFan, were you able to talk much with the players?
Arkansas Transplant
May 25th, 2012
10:03 am
Ease, did you see where they were auctioning off the gas tank his motorcycle he was riding when he crashed?
computer problem
May 25th, 2012
10:03 am
sorry computer problem….
I forgive you, Juan.
Lew
May 25th, 2012
10:04 am
Transplant – Talk to the players? You gonna send them a message?
Ease
May 25th, 2012
10:04 am
BP experience is worth every penny…especially if you have a pretty wife and/or kids.
I got Constanza’s autograph last year…hehe…amongst others.
Ease
May 25th, 2012
10:06 am
No AT, but that is funny. Even funnier, I think he had just recently sold his house…in ATL…
Fols
May 25th, 2012
10:06 am
I understand the what if we don’t have Kimbrel to close the game….but if we’re worried about that, it means we have a lead in a game and need 3 outs for a win. I’d take that while slumping.
DAP
May 25th, 2012
10:07 am
frustrating series, right there. welp, cant do anything about those. big series against the nats here, and it very important to turn it around.
Arkansas Transplant
May 25th, 2012
10:08 am
Lew, that will depend on the standing by then.
Ease, in the write up about it, they made it sound as if you couldn’t really use that time to get autographs but I kinda figured a few of them would. How many people are usually on the field with you? crowded?
Arkansas Transplant
May 25th, 2012
10:09 am
Ease, he’s had his house on the market here for the past 2 years I believe. Doesn’t seeme to be much demand for a 2 mil home in nw arkansas.
Frankie Wren
May 25th, 2012
10:09 am
Heyward will be what he will be? I guess that’s the million dollar question right now. All the talk about how ideal he would be hitting second or third because of his .OBP is silly. He needs to stay down in the order(7) until he merits a reason to be moved up. Not talking 2 week period of good hitting either. With his track record the last 2 seasons, he will need 2 months of solid hitting to be considered elevation in the batting order.
HometownFan
May 25th, 2012
10:10 am
Transplant – The players were pretty social. The ones that talked to us the most were Uggla, Prado, Pastornicky, and Chipper breifly. Actually Prado and Uggla both came over and posed for pictures with some of the people in our group. I think my favorite thing about the experience is getting to observe up close how the players interact with each other.
HometownFan