Braves’ slump has cut wide swath across team
It takes pretty much a complete team effort to put together a 22-9 surge like the one the Braves had earlier this season. And it takes a fairly complete team effort – with key injuries and illnesses added to the mix, in this case – for a talented team to lose seven in a row and get swept in consecutive series the way the Braves just did at Cincinnati and at home against the Nationals.
Bourn's triple was one of only two Braves hits Sunday, but even the standout leadoff man hasn't been getting on base much during Braves' slide. (Curtis Compton/AJC photo)
It’s gotten grim, folks. The Braves, with a sputtering offense, suddenly sloppy defense and erratic pitching, need a win in the worst way today against the Cardinals on Memorial Day at Turner Field.
Here’s two rays of hope for you on this holiday as you fire up the grill and kick back to see if your Bravos can get the ship righted: 1. Brian McCann is back in the lineup after missing six consecutive starts due to sickness, and 2. as much as the Braves have struggled this month, so have the Cardinals.
The Braves and Cardinals are each 12-14 in May, the Braves with 4.34 ERA that ranks 12th in NL, the Cardinals with a 4.57 ERA that’s 15th.
Oh, and it feels as if God and/or the baseball gods mercifully dropped the temperature 5-8 degrees and provided some cloud cover for McCann’s first start since the catcher came down with the flu or some sort of nasty virus Monday at Cincinnati (the Braves have avoided saying specifically what he has, for reasons that none of us is quite sure of).
Meanwhile, Freddie Freeman is still waiting for Oakley or Under Armour to complete and ship a pair of special sports glasses/goggles that he can hit in. He’s had both companies on the case for more than a week – he’s under contract with Under Armour and had to give them first dibs, but UA agreed to let Oakley also try to make a pair, given the urgent circumstances – but making such glasses is not easy.
You don’t just go to Lens Crafters and have them grind out a pair of glasses suitable for hitting in major league games, as Freeman found out when he got a pair done as a temporary solution on Friday upon returning to Atlanta, after his contacts and regular glasses both failed him for the purposes of hitting throughout the seven-game road trip.
The pair he got made on short notice in Atlanta? He tried hitting in them and couldn’t see well enough with his peripheral vision. That’s the problem – the lenses have to be wrap-around types to allow a hitter, particularly a hitter with a fairly closed stance like Freeman, to be able to see looking sideways at the pitcher, or they are worthless for the purpose of hitting 95 mph fastballs and seeing the spin on breaking pitches, etc.
And every time he’s tried to wear contacts since his eyes went crazy in the dry, windy conditions at Colorado earlier this month, they’ve dried out and his vision has become blurry, leading to incidents such as in Cincinnati, where Freeman said he saw two baseballs coming at him a couple of times on throws across the infield, and saw only a blurry baseball when he hit.
So they’ve said, enough with the contacts. Ditch ‘em for now, take the medicated drops for another day to get the eyes back healthy, then see the doctor once more tomorrow and discuss the situation as they continue waiting for the glasses to arrive, which could be any day.
Freeman said this morning that he’s gotten so desperate he’d even consider having Lasik done, something he had sworn off after McCann’s problems post-Lasik, including needing a second procedure only a year or so after the first (and he’s still had problems since).
Also, Freeman said the doctors have told him patients with dry-eye issues aren’t recommended as Lasik candidates. And Freeman definitely has some seriously dry eyes. So much so that the having his tear ducts plugged not long after the Colorado series still hasn’t produced tears, whereas most of us would be tearing up all the time if we had our tear ducts plugged.
Freeman is frustrated, to say the least. I mean, this is a guy who went from hottest hitter in the league for a while, a guy who won two NL Player of the Week awards in a three-week span, to hitting .150 (9-for-60) with one homer in 16 games since the Braves left Colorado, including 2-for-25 with no walks and nine strikeouts in his past six games.
BRAVES LINEUP
- Bourn CF
- Prado LF
- McCann C
- Uggla 2B
- Heyward RF
- Francisco 3B
- Hinske 1B
- Pastornicky SS
- Hanson P
• The slump: I mentioned it’s taken a near-complete team effort to sink the Braves to levels they’ve reached in the past couple of weeks. They’ve gone 4-10 with a 4.10 ERA, .229 batting average and 45 runs in their past 14 games (3.2 runs per game), and hit a startling .180 with a 5.31 ERA and 18 total runs during the seven-game skid, the longest losing streak for the Braves since a nine-game tailspin in April 2010.
So let’s list some of the more glaring examples of what I was referring to regarding a complete effort:
– Eric Hinske went 6-for-10 with a homer and three RBIs in three games May 2-4; since then he is 2-for-32 (.063) in 16 games with one RBI, 15 strikeouts and a .162 OBP and .063 slugging percentage.
– Jason Heyward has hit .189 (21-for-111) with 31 strikeouts, a .297 OBP and .351 slugging percentage (.648 OPS) in his past 33 games, with one multi-hit game in that stretch. In his past 16 games he has three doubles and one homer in 55 at-bats, with a .262 OBP and .291 slugging percentage.
– Michael Bourn, after producing at higher level than any other NL leadoff man for more than a month, has hit .167 with a .186 OBP in his past 10 games, and has as many home runs (3, all hit in Cincinnati’s small park) as his combined total of singles (2) and walks (1) in that period. Bourn has 12 strikeouts and two stolen bases in that 10-game stretch (team is 2-8).
-- Tyler Pastornicky is 2-for-17 with no walks and five strikeouts in his past six games, and has three errors in his past five to drop his fielding percentage to .944, lowest among major league shortstops.
– Dan Uggla is 5-for-32 (.156) in his past 11 games, albeit with two homers, 14 walks and a .413 OBP in that span. (It’s the opportunities with runners in scoring position that have been damaging during that period.)
– Among pitchers in May, Mike Minor is 0-2 with a 9.95 ERA in five starts and Jonny Venters is 0-2 with a 7.27 ERA in 11 relief appearances, with as many homers allowed in his past eight appearances (3) as he had allowed previously in his entire career.
Pastornicky laid down this nice bunt Sunday, but was also charged with two errors to give him the lowest fielding percentage among major league shortstops this season.
There are others, but we’re running out of time before first pitch.
By the way, the Braves are now 3-8 with a 5.44 ERA in their past 11 home games. And for those who may have forgotten, they are still looking for their first Monday win, home or road (0-7 before today).
• Today’s matchup: It’s Tommy Hanson against the Cardinals’ Lance Lynn in what should be a solid pitcher’s duel. (Famous last words, right?)
Lynn was 6-0 with a 1.40 ERA and .168 opp average (and also more than eight support runs per nine innings) in six starts before the Braves (and Hanson) beat him on May 13 in St. Louis. Beginning with that game, he’s 1-1 with a 5.00 ERA and .296 opp average in three starts. Lynn allowed four hits, three runs, three walks in six innings of that game
Like Hanson, Lynn has pitched better on the road, where he’s 4-0 with 1.93 ERA in five road starts. He’s 3-1 with a 2.08 ERA in four day games.
Hanson is 2-1 with a 2.25 ERA and .225 opp average in his past four starts, and worked at least six innings in each while allowing one or two runs. Hanson is 1-0 with a 2.25 ERA in two starts against the Cardinals, and got the win May 13 when he pitched five innings and allowed one run and five hits.
• Let’s close on this Memorial Day with a powerful tune, “Dress Blues,” from our bud (and huge Braves fan) Jason Isbell, which you can hear by clicking here. A heartfelt thank you to all enlisted folks past and present. We can never repay our debt of gratitude to you. Ever. But we could sure treat you a hell of a lot better than we do when you come home. R.I.P., Uncle Wayne.
“DRESS BLUES” by Jason Isbell
What can you see from your window?
I can’t see anythin’ from mine
Flags on the side of the highway
And scripture on grocery store signs
Maybe eighteen was too early
Maybe thirty or forty is too
Did you get your chance to make peace with the man
Before He sent down his angels for you?
Mamas and grand mamas love you
‘Cause that’s all they know how to do
You never planned on the bombs in the sand
Or sleepin’ in your dress blues
Your wife said this all would be funny
When you got back home in a week
Turn twenty two and we’d celebrate you
In a bar or a tent by the creek
Your baby would just about be here
And your very last tour would be up
But you won’t be back, they’re all dressin’ in black
( From: http://www.elyrics.net/read/j/jason-isbell-lyrics/dress-blues-lyrics.html )
Drinkin’ sweet tea in Styrofoam cups
Mamas and grand mamas love you
American boys hate to lose
You never planned on the bombs in the sand
Or sleepin’ in your dress blues
The high school gymnasium’s ready
Full of flowers and old Legionnaires
Nobody showed up to protest
Just sniffle and stare
There’s red, white and blue in the rafters
And there’s silent old men from the Corps
What did they say when they shipped you away
To fight somebody’s Hollywood war?
Nobody here could forget you
You showed us what we had to lose
You never planned on the bombs in the sand
Or sleepin’ in your dress blues
You never planned on the bombs in the sand
Or sleepin’ in your dress blues
– David O’Brien, Braves/MIB blog
1,454 comments Add your comment
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
May 28th, 2012
12:59 pm
ONE!
Venice Jim
May 28th, 2012
1:02 pm
Thanks, DOB!
Jimmy
May 28th, 2012
1:02 pm
Two
Jimmy
May 28th, 2012
1:03 pm
Another great Blog DOB.
We fans appreciate the Braves info we get here.
GO BARVES!!
VaBravesFan
May 28th, 2012
1:03 pm
Alot of the concerns about this team that I mentioned and listed in the offseason have came true to some extent. Cause we didn’t make any moves for insurance.
1. Chipper, How much will he play. Can he stay healthy?
2. Will Heyward rebound and figure it out?
3. Can Freeman escape the dreaded 2nd year slump?
4. Is Pastornicky really ready? Alot of confusion on this with Wren… Can he provide solid defense?
5. Will the pitching staff come close to match 2011’s success?
6. Will Jurrjens/Hanson/Hudson stay healthy and producitve?
7. Will Minor and other youngins step up?
8. Will our overworked bullpen be able to come close to repeating 2011’s performance?
9. Can Matt Diaz and Eric Hinske bounce back from horrible season’s off the bench?
Waffle House or Bust
May 28th, 2012
1:05 pm
Even the baseball God’s think McCann is soft (and fat).
Mister Frisky
May 28th, 2012
1:05 pm
ITS BOHICA TIME BRAVES FANS!
Just Pateeeee
May 28th, 2012
1:05 pm
What a powrfully sad song today.
Waffle House or Bust
May 28th, 2012
1:06 pm
8. Will our overworked bullpen be able to come close to repeating 2011’s performance?
Lets hope not. They sucked in September and headed that way again from being overused.
George
May 28th, 2012
1:07 pm
Repost from old blog.
**************************
George
May 28th, 2012
1:03 pm
cabravesfan
May 28th, 2012
12:50 pm
George-
A question- How is my criticism or praise of of a manager or player going to have any affect on if the team wins or loses?
*****************************
Hi cab
It dosen’t , but every time someone [not only me] points something out, you and VJ imedently point out they are wrong, EVERY TIME , Do you folks NOT EVER get upset with 7 lose’s in a row going on 10?
iTiSi
May 28th, 2012
1:09 pm
Meanwhile, this useless and poor excuse for a manager has done basically nothing to shake things up, like calling up Constanza who provided a “spark” last season. This “robot” is not qualified to be the manager at AAA, much less a major league team. The only AJC sportswriter who has called him out on anything is JS, and he nailed it yesterday.
David O'Brien
May 28th, 2012
1:10 pm
Blog updated with photos and lineup now. So re-read it!
cabravesfan
May 28th, 2012
1:10 pm
George-
I don’t point out people are wrong, unless their “facts” are incorrect.
And no, I don’t get upset over a baseball lose. (and I’m not going to assume, like you apparently are, that we are going to lose the next 3 games). Sure, winning is better. But why should I let a lose upset me? Has zero affect on my actual life.
iTiSi
May 28th, 2012
1:12 pm
“Jimmy”, what are Barves? Maybe the plural of “BARFS”? That would be appropriate.
cabravesfan
May 28th, 2012
1:12 pm
*loss
VaBravesFan
May 28th, 2012
1:12 pm
From 2006 to 2010 McCann averaged 139 games a season. But in 2011 only played 129 with his worst season since 2007 with the oblique injury, and now in 2012 he’s started 35 games out of 49 games, but hasn’t played a whole series since May 7th for the Cubs series.
iTiSi
May 28th, 2012
1:13 pm
DOB, no need to. One cannot “read” photos and we already know the lineup. Next?
Venice Jim
May 28th, 2012
1:13 pm
George – when I get frustrated I occasionally have fun with folks who go overboard moaning and groaning rather than take it out on the team I root for…also, not much reason to be the 20th person to complain when we do something stupid, though I do recognize when we do…
njbraves
May 28th, 2012
1:13 pm
DS1….when I called veer one of the biggest idiots on here, I was putting him in a group that included you.
reckingball
May 28th, 2012
1:14 pm
I have a good feeling that the Braves are going to win today.
go braves
count_schemula
May 28th, 2012
1:14 pm
first!
I had to make some coffee, oh, and how many are we down by?
njbraves
May 28th, 2012
1:16 pm
Fantastic start….pitching looks sharp as ever.
George
May 28th, 2012
1:16 pm
I want to buy FREDI 10 case’s of 5 HOUR ENERGY it MIGHT wake him up enough so we know he is at least alive.
iTiSi
May 28th, 2012
1:16 pm
In the back of my mind I hear that old country song “HEAR WE GO AGAIN” softly playing.
count_schemula
May 28th, 2012
1:17 pm
somebody wake nolie up…
Mister Frisky
May 28th, 2012
1:17 pm
Nice start.
Mister Frisky
May 28th, 2012
1:18 pm
Chip and Joe are awful.
brian
May 28th, 2012
1:19 pm
Tommy needs to keep an eye on Furcal – don’t let it be easy for Furcal to swipe 3rd
Darth Obama
May 28th, 2012
1:19 pm
No sense in posting players’ poor stats. Everyone on here is going to say it’s Fredi’s fault no matter what happens.
VaBravesFan
May 28th, 2012
1:20 pm
Dan Uggla is tied for 4th in all of Baseball in Walks. With a really nice 374. OBP
Pastornicky and Francisco both have more double’s than McCann.
Jack Wilson is still the only position player without a extra base hit, also 4 pitchers have a higher OPS.
Pastornicky is tied for 6th in all of baseball in Errors, BUT 5 other shortstops (Including 2 GREAT ones) have more!
Mike Minor is still tied for the most strikeouts on our ballclub with 51.
count_schemula
May 28th, 2012
1:20 pm
sweet
ncbravesfan90
May 28th, 2012
1:20 pm
Can’t say anyone should be surprised by this start…
George
May 28th, 2012
1:20 pm
BOBBY is what 23 years older than FREDI? With 10 times the energy.
brian
May 28th, 2012
1:20 pm
HOlliday took that one for the team – did not even attempt to move out of the way
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
May 28th, 2012
1:20 pm
Sucks to be a Braves fan. Bout to lose 8 in a row. Unreal.
njbraves
May 28th, 2012
1:20 pm
My god, could these guys suck any more??
phoenix
May 28th, 2012
1:21 pm
I feel so sorry for folks who have paid to see the Braves today. It sure would be nice to have a pitcher who can strike somebody out.
Minor Is A Major Loser
May 28th, 2012
1:21 pm
reckingball
May 28th, 2012
1:14 pm
I have a good feeling that the Braves are going to win today.
go braves
Bases loaded no out. Still have that good feeling..Go Braves. Lose # 8 in a row.
count_schemula
May 28th, 2012
1:21 pm
whoa, Uggla like at bat from Beltran there…
Mister Frisky
May 28th, 2012
1:21 pm
Almost time for the Game Ova post.
gotigers72
May 28th, 2012
1:21 pm
I hate to be one to throw everybody under the bus. However, SS is a premier defensive position, along with CF, 2B and Catcher. Tyler is not doing the job at SS defensively. IMO it’s time to bring up Simmons to play SS, just for his defense. It’s not like he’s playing poorly offensively either. Over .300 with double digit stolen bases. But mainly for his defense. It’s not just the errors that Tyler makes either. It’s positioning, arm strength, not being aware on the field as when he threw the ball to the runner at 2nd base because he didn’t realize that the runners were going on a 3-2 two out pitch.
From what I read into it during Spring Training, Fredi wanted to keep Simmons, but Wren wanted to go with Pastornicky. Looks like Fredi was right this time.
iTiSi
May 28th, 2012
1:22 pm
Here comes a triple steal like Vandy pulled on Florida the other day. Six steals in one inning, the 9th.
George
May 28th, 2012
1:22 pm
Outta here to take Peanut out, then the game, Lets have a good one.
Darth Obama
May 28th, 2012
1:22 pm
Bases are loaded. It must be Fredi’s fault!
VaBravesFan
May 28th, 2012
1:23 pm
Gameday is broken, guess it’s telling me I don’t wanna see what’s already happened?
Mister Frisky
May 28th, 2012
1:23 pm
Adams would look great in a Brave uni.God knows we could use another fatty.
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
May 28th, 2012
1:23 pm
Don’t give in Tommy. Stay on track here. No 2 out hits please.
count_schemula
May 28th, 2012
1:24 pm
get the rook Hanson
TBbravesfan
May 28th, 2012
1:24 pm
we still ain’t out of it the snake is fixin to BITE.
count_schemula
May 28th, 2012
1:24 pm
wait, gamecast is all mucked up
count_schemula
May 28th, 2012
1:25 pm
Yadier with the fat contract
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
May 28th, 2012
1:25 pm
Tough out here. Molina always puts up a big fight.
TBbravesfan
May 28th, 2012
1:26 pm
oh well
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
May 28th, 2012
1:27 pm
My Lord Tommy will be gassed by the 3rd.
count_schemula
May 28th, 2012
1:27 pm
out of the inning, good
30 pitch first on a steamy day, bad
cabravesfan
May 28th, 2012
1:27 pm
Well done, Tommy
ncbravesfan90
May 28th, 2012
1:27 pm
I did like seeing Tommy hitting 93mph with his fastball that inning. Very encouraging to see!
Venice Jim
May 28th, 2012
1:27 pm
In case anyone needs, the game is on ESPN Radio – Boog announcing:
http://espn.go.com/espnradio/play?s=mlb
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
May 28th, 2012
1:27 pm
We have a pulse.
njbraves
May 28th, 2012
1:28 pm
Great job by Tommy….30 pitches will hurt though.
D.A. Nuggla
May 28th, 2012
1:28 pm
I would say that’s a good sign, but not ready to do that right now. Hope all understand.
David O'Brien
May 28th, 2012
1:28 pm
Hanson works out of bases-loaded, no-out jam unscathed in #Cardinals 1st, strikes out Molina to end it. Impressive escape.
Kentavo
May 28th, 2012
1:28 pm
Five-inning Fredi will pull him after The Fifth.
Fols
May 28th, 2012
1:28 pm
Looks like we’ll see the bullpen today…is Kimbrel going to be ice cold or what?
VaBravesFan
May 28th, 2012
1:28 pm
Hanson showed amazing composure and battled out of that jam like a true Ace. Great sign, but yeah he’ll be lucky to get 5 innings today unless he gets some very quick innings.
cabravesfan
May 28th, 2012
1:30 pm
Fols-
Kimmie pitched Saturday.
VaBravesFan
May 28th, 2012
1:31 pm
The Indians announced that they designated right-hander Jairo Asencio for assignment. The Indians acquired Asencio from the Braves for cash at the end of March. The out of options reliever posted a 5.96 ERA with 7.4 K/9 and 2.8 BB/9 in 25 2/3 innings for the Indians this year. He led the International League in saves in 2009 and 2011 and posted a 1.81 ERA with 11.5 K/9 and 3.6 BB/9 in 54 2/3 innings at Triple-A last year.
Fastball
May 28th, 2012
1:31 pm
bottom of the first. about time for fredi to change pitchers
Fols
May 28th, 2012
1:32 pm
Did he pitch on Saturday? Jesus…thanks Cab….this losing streak has me in a daze! lol
Venice Jim
May 28th, 2012
1:33 pm
I played my entire career with regular glasses, even hit .800 one year – and don’t try to tell me there’s THAT much difference between slow pitch coed softball and MLB…
count_schemula
May 28th, 2012
1:33 pm
Prado.
bravesgrl4life
May 28th, 2012
1:33 pm
Hanson has to be wayyyy more efficient in the next few innings to make it past 5.
SoWeGa Fanatic
May 28th, 2012
1:33 pm
Huddy started out a few days ago throwing a million pitches in the first and went, what, 7? And TH didn’t give up the 4 runs in the first Huddy did. It’s a wonderful start!
D.A. Nuggla
May 28th, 2012
1:34 pm
I see that Terdo down at Gwinnett had two more errors last night at 3B and now has 22 for the year already. Is that why they are showing him as a first baseman now?
Venice Jim
May 28th, 2012
1:34 pm
Bring back JC!
TBbravesfan
May 28th, 2012
1:34 pm
McFann were you at?
count_schemula
May 28th, 2012
1:35 pm
I like Juan batting 6th.
I don’t think he’s the punk show-off hitter we saw in Cincinnati.
Mister Frisky
May 28th, 2012
1:35 pm
Usually when you have the flu for a week you drop a few lbs.I guess the Cracker Barrel delivers.
TBbravesfan
May 28th, 2012
1:36 pm
I think uggla wants it down the middle
Powder Blue
May 28th, 2012
1:36 pm
Schuerholz might want to have another letter in the can.
ncbravesfan90
May 28th, 2012
1:36 pm
Dadgum, Lynn’s fastballs are straight as they can be. Its like they’re on a string!
Venice Jim
May 28th, 2012
1:36 pm
Apparently Dan sizing him up for future reference…
count_schemula
May 28th, 2012
1:36 pm
“Usually when you have the flu for a week you drop a few lbs.I guess the Cracker Barrel delivers.”
This makes McFann cry.
JasonInFL
May 28th, 2012
1:37 pm
That’s not like Uggs…watched 3 straight fastballs go by.
SoWeGa Fanatic
May 28th, 2012
1:38 pm
3 called strike fastballs? In a row? Musta been some mean kind of fastballs.
count_schemula
May 28th, 2012
1:38 pm
Uggla getting ready for the big hit.
We won’t need the 1 run moon shot until we’re already down by 6.
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
May 28th, 2012
1:38 pm
Uggla forgot he had a bat in his hands.
D.A. Nuggla
May 28th, 2012
1:38 pm
I didn’t see them at all. Think I have FF’s disease. It is contagious you know.
count_schemula
May 28th, 2012
1:39 pm
“That’s not like Uggs…watched 3 straight fastballs go by.”
Yeah, usually he swings through them.
Venice Jim
May 28th, 2012
1:40 pm
Dive, Eric!!!
TBbravesfan
May 28th, 2012
1:41 pm
poor old braves.
count_schemula
May 28th, 2012
1:41 pm
Tyler Green is a beast.
Took out Mark Ellis and put him on the DL and now with the triple.
Venice Jim
May 28th, 2012
1:41 pm
A harder bounce off the wall might have helped there…
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
May 28th, 2012
1:41 pm
Pitcher gets a RBI I might blow a fuse
Ryan
May 28th, 2012
1:41 pm
Trade a .300 hitter for Uggla the worst defensive second baseman. Braves will get shoutout today.
D.A. Nuggla
May 28th, 2012
1:42 pm
I should have said, “it is contagious you know, unlike the flu, a virus, flu-like symptoms, a bug, whatever”. Dr. Gonzalez would have been proud of me.
Fols
May 28th, 2012
1:42 pm
We get a muligan on a Monday right…….we expect to lose because of the Monday results so nobody here should be complaining?
Charlie
May 28th, 2012
1:43 pm
Dan Uggla, quote after loss # 7 in a row, “We need some intensity…” His first at bat today, with a runner on, Dan goes down on 3 called strikes. Doesn’t even take the bat off his shoulder.
GREAT INTESITY, DAN (but typical for Dan, with runners on base.) What a clown.
Max Headroom
May 28th, 2012
1:43 pm
Thanks DOB. You will never see or hear the not-so-wonderful stats from the Braves radio or TV crews. I don’t know if they are afraid of losing their jobs or they just don’t feel we can take anything short of praise and optimism. But part of the fun of being a baseball fan is anaylzing the good AND the bad.
count_schemula
May 28th, 2012
1:43 pm
“Trade a .300 hitter for Uggla the worst defensive second baseman.”
And blow our FA budget for the next 20 years on a 30+ year old.
Arms are big though.
Powder Blue
May 28th, 2012
1:44 pm
Hanson should reach 100 pitches by the second inning at this rate.
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
May 28th, 2012
1:44 pm
Nothing is easy
Fols
May 28th, 2012
1:45 pm
Have we even gone to the pen in the 2nd inning soley on pitch count alone?
Venice Jim
May 28th, 2012
1:46 pm
Nicely done, Tommy!
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
May 28th, 2012
1:46 pm
2 seamer. Awesome pitch
bravesgrl4life
May 28th, 2012
1:46 pm
Well, that was good.
brian
May 28th, 2012
1:46 pm
not exactly efficient but a huge 2 innings for Hanson
Fols
May 28th, 2012
1:47 pm
That-a-boy Tommy! You show that Fols…..oh wait….
JasonInFL
May 28th, 2012
1:48 pm
J-Hey is getting a hit…a double…right here!
JasonInFL
May 28th, 2012
1:49 pm
Tommy at 46 pitches. Yikes. Hopefully he gets a couple of quickies here in the 3rd and 4th. Let’s make Lynn work some!
count_schemula
May 28th, 2012
1:50 pm
“Hopefully he gets a couple of quickies here”
we should all be so lucky…
Venice Jim
May 28th, 2012
1:50 pm
Good grief – Jordan Zimmerman homers for the Nats against the Fish…
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
May 28th, 2012
1:51 pm
Same old shi* from Heyward.
JasonInFL
May 28th, 2012
1:52 pm
Man, positive energy didn’t work. Heyward simply looks lost. Absolutely lost.
count_schemula
May 28th, 2012
1:53 pm
At least Juan saw 6 pitches. Ain’t much, but it’s something.
JasonInFL
May 28th, 2012
1:53 pm
Count, I knew someone would comment on that as soon as I hit “Submit Comment”…
Lil' Barry Bailout
May 28th, 2012
1:53 pm
Braves facing another apparent contender for Cy Young award. How can that happen nearly every day?
ncbravesfan90
May 28th, 2012
1:53 pm
My, what a potent offense.
count_schemula
May 28th, 2012
1:54 pm
Heyward has that tall lanky body. When he looks bad, he looks like Dale Murphy. At the end of Murph’s career. The .226 Murphy.
Nativebird
May 28th, 2012
1:54 pm
Okay Braves apoolgists, if your savior Heyward is still batting .235 with less than 12 homers and 45 RBI’s at the break, will you now admit this guy is the bust that he is?
phil
May 28th, 2012
1:54 pm
phil
May 28th, 2012
1:48 pm
Waffle House or Bust
May 28th, 2012
12:12 pm
That really sucks for Freeman. This is not just dry eye but chronic dry eye. I have it and sometimes it never goes away. I have plugs, do drops and wear glasses. It comes from wearing contacts too much (which is what I did and sounds like Freeman has also). I even went to see Macs doctor in Atlanta but no luck. I’m now a nerd for life in glasses. Good thing it’s in style right now.
*******
i wore contacts for a week and have worn glasses for 21 years now. I hated contacts and quickly realized/thought that the things could be bad for my eyes. In retrospect, glad I ditched em. And no way I’m having Lasik and the risk it entails. Not interested in being part of the small percentage for whom it ends up being a disaster.
I’ll just live with being dashingly handsome in my rimless spectacles!
JasonInFL
May 28th, 2012
1:54 pm
Actually, Lynn does have Cy Young numbers…and he has only lost once…to us.
Just Saying
May 28th, 2012
1:55 pm
Just ran across this girl wearing old school Braves gear on facebook. Cute but not crazy about the red hair.
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/24913_386101370758_40063_n.jpg
ncbravesfan
May 28th, 2012
1:55 pm
Offense looks good today
count_schemula
May 28th, 2012
1:55 pm
“Count, I knew someone would comment on that as soon as I hit “Submit Comment”…”
I am… that guy.
ncbravesfan90
May 28th, 2012
1:55 pm
“and he has only lost once…to us.”
Ahhhhh, that was back in the good ole days.
Charlie
May 28th, 2012
1:56 pm
Heyward & Fancisco strike out. Hinske poops to first. Eric the Terrible is now 1 for his last 22 ab’s. What a veteran presence!
count_schemula
May 28th, 2012
1:56 pm
“Braves facing another apparent contender for Cy Young award. How can that happen nearly every day?”
Because we elevate the 3-4-5 starters into honorary Cy contenders.
2K91
May 28th, 2012
1:56 pm
Heyward has a “hitch” in his swing – he will never be the player we want him to be until this is fixed.
At least Francisco is not afraid to “cut the bat lose”!
David the Shepherd
May 28th, 2012
1:57 pm
We have got to get a manager who is more hard-nosed and DEMANDS that his players are more disciplined. Overweight, outta shape, undisciplined swings…UNACCEPTABLE. Fredi will have a much more successful career as a 3rd base coach for someone else’s club. Fredi gotsta go.
Heyward still swinging for the fences on 2-strike pitches, trying to pull everything.
No adjustment by Francisco on inside pitches. Scouting report suggests that pitching inside will get him out.
njbraves
May 28th, 2012
1:57 pm
Heyward has been awful for over a year now, but you can’t be a “bust” at 23 years old.
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
May 28th, 2012
1:57 pm
Francisco looks like he’s so disgusted, like somebody drug him out on the field.
Having dropped 7 straight, Braves take on the Cards | Braves Wire
May 28th, 2012
1:57 pm
[...] In the first two months of the season, we have been treated to break out offense and sporadic pitching, the opposite of the 2011 Braves. Unfortunately, the last 7 games have looked a lot like the 2011 Braves and it can all be blamed on injuries, inconsistent pitching and a few untimely slumps. [...]
TBbravesfan
May 28th, 2012
1:58 pm
it is scarey how predictable the braves hitters are
phil
May 28th, 2012
1:59 pm
Next time he bats, watch just his hands. Moves em all over the place. How can he hit effectively that way?
Mister Frisky
May 28th, 2012
2:00 pm
@count,I would take 226 Murph over Heybust.
count_schemula
May 28th, 2012
2:00 pm
“At least Francisco is not afraid to “cut the bat lose”!”
And he usually fouls a few off.
As long as he sees 6 pitches like he did in that at bat… he’s gonna get his.
He’s a swinger, no doubt, but he’s better than pure flailing, I see him working with stuff inside, outside and off balance. I hope he gets to play most of Chipper’s DL stint.
TBbravesfan
May 28th, 2012
2:00 pm
just stay in trouble tommy. we are used to it.
JasonInFL
May 28th, 2012
2:01 pm
Playing with fire, Tommy. Let’s not try setting a record of number of base runners allowed with a run scoring. Let’s go ahead and get a couple of clean innings in. Of course, as long as they don’t score…
phil
May 28th, 2012
2:02 pm
Hanson is simply pirching on borrowed time….
Won’t be long now.
JasonInFL
May 28th, 2012
2:02 pm
This is where 95-96 MPH high cheese used to come into play…
ncbravesfan90
May 28th, 2012
2:02 pm
That happens when there is a 7 game losing streak.
brian
May 28th, 2012
2:02 pm
as Charles Barkely would say – turrible, just turrible
phil
May 28th, 2012
2:02 pm
Bad News Bears yet again…
njbraves
May 28th, 2012
2:03 pm
Three bumbling idiots trying to make a play at first.
JasonInFL
May 28th, 2012
2:03 pm
Not a single fastball in that sequence. Again, when he had his velo, he had another weapon…
brian
May 28th, 2012
2:03 pm
he is going to hit 100 pitches in the 4th inning
ncbravesfan
May 28th, 2012
2:03 pm
buffoons
David the Shepherd
May 28th, 2012
2:03 pm
Braves look unorganized & undisciplined. Did I mention we need a manager? There should be clown music playing in the background.
phil
May 28th, 2012
2:04 pm
Pirching…lol
Pitching…
And Mac whifs again…
brian
May 28th, 2012
2:04 pm
fundamental baseball. Where has it gone?
phil
May 28th, 2012
2:04 pm
Of course Hanson’s head isn’t at all in the game…..
Hungover probably….these guys have abandoned the fundamentals.
Lil' Barry Bailout
May 28th, 2012
2:04 pm
No problem, we’ve got our stand pat offense going for us. We can afford to flat out give away a few runs.
njbraves
May 28th, 2012
2:05 pm
Another cross up…unreal. I’ve said it before, Braves have some real dumb players.
erik
May 28th, 2012
2:05 pm
everyone has made such a big deal about JJ velocity dropping, how come no one ever said much about Hanson…when he came up he was 95-97, now his fastball maxes out at 92-93 on a good day
brian
May 28th, 2012
2:05 pm
that was a gift
count_schemula
May 28th, 2012
2:05 pm
Murphy just fell off too hard at 32, his .226 year.
Career .265 average dragged down hard by what he did in his 30’s.
Just a tough body type for prolonged excellence in baseball.
Murphy and Jason Bay couldn’t do it.
Winfield could.
Which player type will Heyward be?
brian
May 28th, 2012
2:06 pm
at least it is not 3-0
ncbravesfan90
May 28th, 2012
2:06 pm
If you cant hit and you cant pitch, please be able to field.
The A Bomb
May 28th, 2012
2:06 pm
Hanson deserved that.
ncbravesfan
May 28th, 2012
2:06 pm
LOL
njbraves
May 28th, 2012
2:06 pm
Mental midget Tommy Hanson just couldn’t get out of it allowing just one run.
count_schemula
May 28th, 2012
2:07 pm
JJ, Hanson and Venters are all off on velocity.
brian
May 28th, 2012
2:07 pm
erik – I believe Hanson was at 94-95 routinely with occasional 96.
I think he is still building back arm strength.
Either that or he has a tear in his labrum
phil
May 28th, 2012
2:07 pm
Ballgame!
Not kidding this time most likely…sigh.
erik
May 28th, 2012
2:07 pm
sadly Jason Heyward will never be anything more then an average player at best. Likely he will be a below average player. He’s no better this year then last when he and the Braves blamed it all on injuries. I think it’s high time to trade, release or send him down.
Mike Minor and Heyward to the cubs for Dempster, and maybe they throw in Soriano
JasonInFL
May 28th, 2012
2:07 pm
Remember when we had Maddux, Smoltz, AND Glavine? What I would do to have just one of them in their primes right now…
Kev 98
May 28th, 2012
2:07 pm
This is a simple game. You throw the ball. You hit the ball. You catch the ball.
Mister Frisky
May 28th, 2012
2:09 pm
GAME OVA!See you after the quotes.
JasonInFL
May 28th, 2012
2:09 pm
Man, someone has to get mad and end this streak. We need a stopper!
phil
May 28th, 2012
2:09 pm
Tommy is wilder than a rodeo bull….
Get durbin and medlen loose…
David the Shepherd
May 28th, 2012
2:09 pm
Braves have got to cut Fredi loose at All-Star break. I realize FG doesn’t actually play on the field, but the attitude this team has is a direct reflection of the nonchalant influence learned from Fredi.
Lil' Barry Bailout
May 28th, 2012
2:09 pm
Sad thing is, Heyward goes to another team and then miraculously turns into an All Star.
The A Bomb
May 28th, 2012
2:09 pm
This is a team not working very hard right now in any facet of the game.
If anything Wren should send people into the clubhouse to search for the bong(s).
phoenix
May 28th, 2012
2:09 pm
Today, our excuse is not the short fences of Cincinnati. Nor is it the snaky Turner Field outfield grass. No, today our excuse is the oppressive summer-like heat which is wearing down our pitcher and catcher.
Somehow, the Cards pitcher and catcher are immune to the desert-like conditions. At least we have an excuse, so all’s good.
count_schemula
May 28th, 2012
2:10 pm
I just read the blog. lol
You mean to tell me that a “contract” with a shoe or shirt company can determine what options are available to solve a medical condition?
wtf is that nonsense
Lil' Barry Bailout
May 28th, 2012
2:10 pm
Buh bye.
brian
May 28th, 2012
2:10 pm
good bye Fredi
The A Bomb
May 28th, 2012
2:10 pm
Hanson deserved that as well.
This is disgusting.
ncbravesfan90
May 28th, 2012
2:10 pm
This is getting so bad that even an optimistic blogger like cabravesfan, can’t even rationalize this out.
phoenix
May 28th, 2012
2:11 pm
Remember that prediction about Fredi getting canned, and Fregosi taking over by mid-June? Hogwash. It’ll be early June.
erik
May 28th, 2012
2:11 pm
Sadly, here again, another one of our top prospects, i.e. Hanson will not be the super star we envisioned in fact he too will be a run of the mill average joe. I predict a career 4.50 era
VaBravesFan
May 28th, 2012
2:11 pm
Ballgame, Wren should start to do some homework on the possibility of being sellers.
phil
May 28th, 2012
2:11 pm
Heyward never had much of a shoulder problem in my opinion. An excuse.
As I was saying a few posts back about Hanson….done.
count_schemula
May 28th, 2012
2:11 pm
ok, 4-0, we are in our comfort zone now…
njbraves
May 28th, 2012
2:11 pm
Shocker….Hanson wilts under adversity. This idiot has no one to blame but himself.
Disaffected Braves Fan
May 28th, 2012
2:11 pm
When is someone in this clubhouse going to rip into this team? An 8-game losing for a supposed contender is absurd.
Too much silence coming from the ballclub.
David the Shepherd
May 28th, 2012
2:11 pm
That’s sad…so much noise from the crowd on the 2-run homer…are we in St. Louis?
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
May 28th, 2012
2:11 pm
We can’t pitch anymore. Losing streak could go on for a while. This could be over in less than a month. Seriously.
Just one awful team.
Lil' Barry Bailout
May 28th, 2012
2:12 pm
Yeah, those snakey grass comments on ESPN last night cracked me up.
count_schemula
May 28th, 2012
2:12 pm
McFann couldn’t even get out of bed today…
George
May 28th, 2012
2:12 pm
It is OVER AGAIN.
Who on first
Who on Second.
Charlie
May 28th, 2012
2:13 pm
Hanson sucks up the Ted. Nice job, Tommie boy. Spit it out. Get it over with. Loss #8 in a row is in the books. Choke Choke Choke The Braves just keep on, keepin’ on…
scott brantley
May 28th, 2012
2:13 pm
Pathetic. Absolutely pathetic. It’s time to get rid of Wren and Freddi. Start over!
ramblinwreck80
May 28th, 2012
2:13 pm
watching Hanson pitch = FRUSTRATION!!!
monty
May 28th, 2012
2:13 pm
Tommy put us on his shoulders.
njbraves
May 28th, 2012
2:14 pm
You’re fooling yourself by thinking they will ever fire Fredi. Not going to happen.
ncbravesfan90
May 28th, 2012
2:14 pm
Wren is going to say that we have to be patient because we have so many of our starters hurt. I dont care if the whole starting 8 position players are hurt and on the bench, we can’t wait. Something HAS TO BE DONE NOW!
count_schemula
May 28th, 2012
2:14 pm
Usually, I would be against a streaker jumping onto the field, but, I’d be ok with that right about now…
David the Shepherd
May 28th, 2012
2:14 pm
C’mon, young Rev.
TBbravesfan
May 28th, 2012
2:14 pm
another game over before the 3rd inning.
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
May 28th, 2012
2:15 pm
Hinske should be DFA’d after this. He set this up and Hanson isn’t nearly tough enough to overcome that sort of adversity. Hinske a great clubhouse guy my ass. So silly and stupid. You play to win,not be comfortable PS3 buddies with teammates. Fat lard is a joke as is most of this team.
David O'Brien
May 28th, 2012
2:15 pm
Ugliness abounds.
Oh, and Hanson has thrown 76 pitches (50 strikes) in three innings
JasonInFL
May 28th, 2012
2:15 pm
Don’t even know what to say/type. This team looks worse than it did last September. No one is stepping up…they are feeding off of each other…in the wrong way. This is bad, folks. Maybe we just aren’t very good. Have to keep rooting anyway!
count_schemula
May 28th, 2012
2:15 pm
Fredi is our Larry Drew.
He makes the bean counters happy. The team is profitable and that’s all that is required.
Atlanta is a corporate town and the Braves are our corporate team.
monty
May 28th, 2012
2:15 pm
But on a positive note, we get to watch another Cy Young performance today by an opposing pitcher. What is the over and under on Braves getting at least 5 hits and 2 runs today?
sometimesiwonder
May 28th, 2012
2:16 pm
….. if it’s too early for September call ups???
erik
May 28th, 2012
2:16 pm
I completely agree Fredi G needs to be fired along with Frank Wren. We’re still paying for his his panic signing of Lowe.
Fredi is not a players manager, Braves didn’t even interview anyone else just handed him the job. You never ever heard Cox say negative things about his players ever…even if say a pitcher went out and got shelled for 10 runs in 3 innings, Cox would say ah well I thought he threw ok, just one or two pitches….
Fact is Fredi should have stepped down after last years collapse, much like Francona did…..but since fredi is not a mans man, he should have been fired.
The A Bomb
May 28th, 2012
2:16 pm
Again —
Other teams have injuries. Other teams are doing fine — Dodgers as an example.
This team has injuries and it has quit. Shut it down. No desire.
Damn joke.
JasonInFL
May 28th, 2012
2:16 pm
How can a team go from 22-9 to not being able to do ANYTHING right? I don’t get it?
Disaffected Braves Fan
May 28th, 2012
2:17 pm
Hanson, Heyward, Jurrjens, Venters and Minor were supposed to make up a huge part of this team’s core. Right now they’re all screwed up, to varying degrees.
Everything is going wrong.
ab initio
May 28th, 2012
2:17 pm
Look at all the suckers in the stands. Liberty is literally laughing all the way to the bank.
ncbravesfan
May 28th, 2012
2:17 pm
I know Joe is paid to be optimistic, but only a moron thinks we really have ANY shot at coming back today
bravesgrl4life
May 28th, 2012
2:17 pm
Good question, JasoninFL
Bill Goldberg
May 28th, 2012
2:17 pm
Will the Braves ever win again?
Kentavo
May 28th, 2012
2:17 pm
Ovah.
JasonInFL
May 28th, 2012
2:18 pm
Fredi isn’t a very good manager. No emotion. No fire. Throwing players under the bus…a rookie at that…when it wasn’t even the rookie’s fault, imo.
phil
May 28th, 2012
2:18 pm
We’re making Lynn work….
Lil' Barry Bailout
May 28th, 2012
2:18 pm
Nice quick inning for Cy Lin.
count_schemula
May 28th, 2012
2:19 pm
“Will the Braves ever win again?”
They will win another game.
Maybe even this year…
TBbravesfan
May 28th, 2012
2:19 pm
DOB. you are so right. Ugliness, Ugliness, Ugliness.
njbraves
May 28th, 2012
2:20 pm
You guys aren’t being fair. Don’t you know it’s hot out, the fences ate too close, someone has the sniffles, we have injuries, we need patience, and it’s early. Come on now, let’s be reasonable. An 8 game losing streak isn’t that bad.
Most Interesting Man in the World
May 28th, 2012
2:20 pm
It’s time for some Livan. Put on Livan!! I enjoy watching someone throw a 82 MPH fastball. It reminds me of my college career.
phil
May 28th, 2012
2:21 pm
We do have that elusive one hit!
Much like last night so far….we’re fine. It’s early.
D.A. Nuggla
May 28th, 2012
2:21 pm
Hope reckingball is still on here, or did he sneak away? reckingball@1:14PM “I have a good feeling that the Braves are going to win today”. OK we will be nice to you today, but you only have one chance to retract that silly statement. Otherwise we will harass you with it until the game is over.
count_schemula
May 28th, 2012
2:21 pm
To add insult to injury, the beer is like $8 at yé olde ballpark.
Lil' Barry Bailout
May 28th, 2012
2:21 pm
Nice catch Tommy
Kev 98
May 28th, 2012
2:21 pm
Well, guess I better get to the grass cutting…
N8
May 28th, 2012
2:21 pm
This team pretty much blows in every aspect of the game. All 25 of them. Save maybe Kimbrel and perhaps Prado right now. other than that, they all suck.
yeah. I’m including Chipper, Freeman and Mac in that group because being available is half the battle. Doesn’t matter if we have the NL all-star team. if they are all unavailable to play, it doesn’t do us much good.
Watching this team play baseball (if you want to call it that) is about as entertaining (perhaps less) than watching a turd spin around in the toilet before eventually disappearing for good.
Something this team will likely do very soon.
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
May 28th, 2012
2:22 pm
It’s so clear Fredi is the problem. How could anybody say with a straight face it’s not. A manager, or a good one, will guide his team through injuries, etc. This man has shown TWICE now in his year and a half as manager that he cannot guide his team through any sort of adversity.
He has to go.
njbraves
May 28th, 2012
2:22 pm
The problems start at the top….ownership doesn’t care about the team, therefore, no one is held accountable.
TBbravesfan
May 28th, 2012
2:22 pm
JasonInFL. You remember this is the braves. things like that happen to the losers.
Wow
May 28th, 2012
2:22 pm
One hit! Take that, Lance Lynn!
count_schemula
May 28th, 2012
2:22 pm
Sweet. Furcal found his power stroke.
ncbravesfan90
May 28th, 2012
2:22 pm
Hey, didnt we have that guy before?
Tweet
May 28th, 2012
2:23 pm
Another Hanson classic today,folks…75 pitches in three innings….Hinske is lost out there..Uggla is a complete bust…in the field and plate…Heyward is over hyped…This is one PATHETIC team that WREN has put together anf Fatboy Fredi is Teflon Fredi…he never takes any heat for his team…lazy bums just like himself
George
May 28th, 2012
2:23 pm
Just poped on to say ENOUGH ALREADY, I am changeing the channel to the CIN @ PIT game
count_schemula
May 28th, 2012
2:23 pm
About to pack up the cooler and head to the Jazz fest.
phil
May 28th, 2012
2:23 pm
Half the players in this game are overweight….
It really is sad…even Fat Furcal is overweight now, as he crushes a moonshot homer off ole Hefty Hanson….
Sigh.
JasonInFL
May 28th, 2012
2:23 pm
How in the hell can every pitcher forget how to pitch at the same time? I mean, these guys suck.
count_schemula
May 28th, 2012
2:24 pm
I have Mets-Phils on the iPad.
Braves are just on low audio.
ncbravesfan
May 28th, 2012
2:24 pm
Well, at least the Cards fans at the Ted are having a good time. That’s Southern Hospitality for you!
njbraves
May 28th, 2012
2:24 pm
Giving Chipper crap for being hurt is just dumb. The guy is 40 years old and took a 110mph line drive off the ankle…give the guy a break.
Most Interesting Man in the World
May 28th, 2012
2:24 pm
Tommy threw a great pitch down the middle. I guess Rafy just got lucky or the wind must have been blowing out..
ab initio
May 28th, 2012
2:24 pm
“The problems start at the top….ownership doesn’t care about the team, therefore, no one is held accountable.”
Exactly. But Braves fans are too stupid to take any action that makes owning the team a burden. Besides, no idiot in Atlanta would buy this team. That’s why we have Liberty now.
Tweet
May 28th, 2012
2:25 pm
Stop going to the games and boycott these losers
Jimmy
May 28th, 2012
2:25 pm
Nothing good to say about the Braves so far.
However, I am watching the best catcher in the NL..if not all of baseball.
Chad Durbin time.
Venice Jim
May 28th, 2012
2:25 pm
Hope you won’t be too disappointed that the Pirates are winning, George…
Lil' Barry Bailout
May 28th, 2012
2:25 pm
Fear not for we have our 2-3-4 hitters coming up in the bottom half.
ncbravesfan90
May 28th, 2012
2:25 pm
We need to sign a couple of starting pitchers just to put in the bullpen, I mean we go to the pen about the 4th inning these days.
N8
May 28th, 2012
2:25 pm
I’m actually now rooting for this losing streak to get to whatever number is the number it will take to get Fredi fired.
Because even if they turn it around, he’ll manage to find a way to screw it up when it matters.
Fredi’s gotta go. And it’s time to possibly grasp that all of our “untouchable” prospects should be VERY touchable if somebody wants them.
Fire sale anybody?
JasonInFL
May 28th, 2012
2:25 pm
#6 would get tossed about now…have to try something to get these guys fired up.
pete puma
May 28th, 2012
2:26 pm
so you guys want to tar and feather the manager. i like to see you guys put a winning team on the field with this roster. manager plays the hand he is dealt. fred did not sign durbin and hernandez at the end of spring training he sure in the hell did not sign wilson or make the trade with cincy for a guy who can not bend over to tie his spikes. this is a bad team plain and simple
phil
May 28th, 2012
2:26 pm
Watching this team play baseball (if you want to call it that) is about as entertaining (perhaps less) than watching a turd spin around in the toilet before eventually disappearing for good.
N8
*********
disgusting but funny. You have to make fun of and laugh at this debacle we’ve become of late.
I love my team but wow, this is weak at best, even with some of the guys out.
George
May 28th, 2012
2:26 pm
Without CHIPPER this team is NOTHING. 85wins this year 70 wins next year.
Most Interesting Man in the World
May 28th, 2012
2:26 pm
Let’s get Livan going.
Ted
May 28th, 2012
2:26 pm
The Braves are ahead of schedule. Hitting their September form in May.
The A Bomb
May 28th, 2012
2:26 pm
BOOOOOOOO!
0-8
May 28th, 2012
2:27 pm
Greetings 0-7, I can see you in my rearview mirror!
phil
May 28th, 2012
2:27 pm
Lol at another bad news braves moment with heavy hinske! This is better than any comedy show.
count_schemula
May 28th, 2012
2:27 pm
Hamels – 12 of 14 first pitch strikes.
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
May 28th, 2012
2:27 pm
I am embarrassed to own a Braves hat.
Tweet
May 28th, 2012
2:27 pm
What a waste Ugglas contract is…ruined this team,we are so handicapped we cant even make a move to help if we wanted
David the Shepherd
May 28th, 2012
2:27 pm
Undisciplined, unorganized…we need a manager.
ncbravesfan
May 28th, 2012
2:28 pm
How is this team winning 85 this year?
Jimmy
May 28th, 2012
2:28 pm
We could be in last by the end of the day. Wow!!
But I’m not going to lash out at the Braves. Too many targets and I haven’t the time.
See you good folks later…
N8
May 28th, 2012
2:28 pm
“Giving Chipper crap for being hurt is just dumb. The guy is 40 years old and took a 110mph line drive off the ankle…give the guy a break.”
Most of that is directed at Wren (for not finding an ample replacement for the 60 or so games most people knew he’s miss this year), and to Fredi for not insisting that your 40 year old guy with bad knees DH’s in the AL park.
Not Chipper’s fault he’s old (and if you’ve paid any attention, you would recognize that I’ve harped that Chipper is this team’s MVP so far. No ifs ands or buts about it.
19-5 when he starts. 7-18 when he doesn’t. Enough said.
I don’t give a rats ass what Bourn has done.
Chipper starts, this team wins. Period.
erik
May 28th, 2012
2:29 pm
get a clue pete puma….none of the guys you just mentioned have had nothing to do with this losing streak smart guy
ab initio
May 28th, 2012
2:29 pm
Good. Fans are jeering Fredi and booing Hanson.
JasonInFL
May 28th, 2012
2:29 pm
If this continues, I would trade anyone on the team excluding Kimbrel and FF. I guess being the worst team in your division is one way to get some good position prospects.
Venice Jim
May 28th, 2012
2:29 pm
You could see Hanson telling Fredi that he would have pitched much better today if Fredi was even a halfway decent manager and had provided the proper motivation…
count_schemula
May 28th, 2012
2:29 pm
The team gets swept and swept.
The fans boo, and for Atlanta fans, that’s really something.
It’s hot and steamy outside.
Nothing fazes this team when they go into September collapse mode.
David the Shepherd
May 28th, 2012
2:29 pm
Hey look, there’s a guy coming out of the dugout to change pitchers…I thought you had to be some sort of manager or coach to do that.
njbraves
May 28th, 2012
2:30 pm
Other than Kimbrel and maybe FF, no one on this team should be untouchable. It’s pretty obvious that this group doesn’t work well together.
phil
May 28th, 2012
2:30 pm
Tommy can go get drunk now….
I hope i’m kidding.
nolie
May 28th, 2012
2:30 pm
I can’t even imagine what the blog must be like right now, and I have no intention of hanging around to find out. Y’all have as good a holiday as you can.
The A Bomb
May 28th, 2012
2:30 pm
Losing is one thing — unprofessionalism is something TOTALLY different.
Brutal and it appears the choke culture has returned.
George
May 28th, 2012
2:31 pm
Hanson is a JOKE.
Hanson – Minor to
MINORS.
TBbravesfan
May 28th, 2012
2:31 pm
the score should be about 9 to zip.
George
May 28th, 2012
2:31 pm
In 5 to 10 years it could be like MIL in the 60s. The BRAVES could well be the CHARLOTTE BRAVES.
tommykk
May 28th, 2012
2:31 pm
Looks like FG is going back his September gameplan last year..which was so successful
D.A. Nuggla
May 28th, 2012
2:31 pm
njbraves, if you’re 40 and can’t handle a hot grounder anymore then just maybe you shouldn’t even be out there. Most great ballplayers (and he is) know when to give it up. He just waited one year too long.
count_schemula
May 28th, 2012
2:32 pm
No glass at Piedmont Park has me reduced to drinking Heineken in cans. wtf
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
May 28th, 2012
2:32 pm
These guys don’t care, ya’ll. They go and eat expensive food after the game while they get escorted around to do what they want. A luxurious life me and you would envy. Yeah, they might care for a minute, but not long I’m sure.
Hanson is a big baby. He has no guts at all.
Charlie
May 28th, 2012
2:32 pm
Over 90 pitches in 3 and 1/3 innings….Hanson is a joke (and a perfect fit for the 2012 Braves).
The Braves will spit out the next 2 games, to go to 10 losses in a row. The good news it that the Bozo Braves WILL NOT lose on Thursday. (THANK HEAVENS FOR AN OFF DAY…’course the Brave have been “off” for a couple weeks.)
JasonInFL
May 28th, 2012
2:32 pm
Good result, but bad 0-2 pitch by Meds.
George
May 28th, 2012
2:33 pm
I am not the George at 2:31 I used to be LTBF.
David the Shepherd
May 28th, 2012
2:33 pm
The only way we have a winning team this year is with a different “skipper”. Fire Fredi.
N8
May 28th, 2012
2:33 pm
“i like to see you guys put a winning team on the field with this roster. manager plays the hand he is dealt. fred did not sign durbin and hernandez at the end of spring training”
Last time I checked the manager makes out the lineup. If Chipper was DH in Tampa, he’s still in the lineup and somewhere along the line the Braves likely win a game or two because of him. Period. He also chose to PH Chipper and restart the DL clock.
As for Durbin and Livan? Fredi doesn’t have to pitch them when a game is close. Many other options.
Fredi could put Medlen in the rotation and put Minor in the pen. He could start Livan if he wanted.
Don’t act like Fredi is innocent in this mess. Because he’s not. .
Besides I’m still pissed for last year.
Most Interesting Man in the World
May 28th, 2012
2:33 pm
At least we are not on nationalized TV. I love hearing our guys sugar coat how bad we are. I don’t want to know the truth.
Stupid Suggestions
May 28th, 2012
2:33 pm
F-F-F Fire F-F-F Fredi G
JasonInFL
May 28th, 2012
2:33 pm
Venice, I get your point. I really do. Players still have to play. But, you don’t think leadership means anything? If not, why couldn’t anyone manage? In professional sports, it’s more about handling players, leading, and motivating than it is day to day strategy.
Drummerdad
May 28th, 2012
2:33 pm
Think of it this way…we’ve already passed the stage of getting the free egg roll, now we’re shooting for the “cheaper by the dozen” stage. They’ll pull out of it.
erik
May 28th, 2012
2:34 pm
What’s funny to me is when the Braves were going great and really swinging the bats what does Fredi G say oh well at the end of the year we will be known for our pitching….what kind of jerk says that????? To me, that’s a slap in the face to the hitters. Cox never would have sad something like that. Cox would have said we have some great hitters and our pitching is pretty darn good too.
Charlie
May 28th, 2012
2:34 pm
Melden stays in the “sucks” parade!
2K91
May 28th, 2012
2:34 pm
The starting pitching has not been good but the defense, hitting, and bullpen have been worse.
This streak reminds me of the 1980s – it is not major league quality baseball.
Hard to watch!
tommykk
May 28th, 2012
2:34 pm
Terry Francona?
count_schemula
May 28th, 2012
2:34 pm
“Besides I’m still pissed for last year.”
Roger that.
njbraves
May 28th, 2012
2:34 pm
The embarrassment continues….
ncbravesfan90
May 28th, 2012
2:34 pm
I wonder if Mark Cuban will buy the Braves now?
Most Interesting Man in the World
May 28th, 2012
2:34 pm
Don’t worry guys it’s only a 6 run deficit. We can get back those runs within the next couple of games.
TBbravesfan
May 28th, 2012
2:34 pm
beats the shift. you can do that?
Atlanta Actuaries for the Braves
May 28th, 2012
2:35 pm
Apparently the Braves cannot win if Chipper is on the DL. Even when he’s not playing, but he’s available, they win. At the beginning of the season they couldn’t find their footing until he came back, and it’s the same now!
phil
May 28th, 2012
2:35 pm
Nationalized TV?
Lol
Cap: Where's My Tip
May 28th, 2012
2:35 pm
well unfortunately the Cards slump didn’t include them not really scoring, and it’s showing
George
May 28th, 2012
2:35 pm
I did not say “HANSON a joke” This is one reason I do not post during games. To many name stealers
David O'Brien
May 28th, 2012
2:36 pm
Heyward hit .301/.421/.596 (1.017 OPS) 1st 46 games (156 ABs) of career; since then he’s hit .244/.346/.397 (.743 OPS) in 271 games (921 ABs), not counting today.
He’s hit .230 w/ .323 OBP and .399 slugging (.722 OPS) in 557 ABs since the beginning of last season.
Stupid Suggestions
May 28th, 2012
2:36 pm
Cubs >> Braves
ncbravesfan
May 28th, 2012
2:37 pm
DOB – after the game, will you have the cojones to ask Fredi if he feels that his job is in jeopardy?
Ted
May 28th, 2012
2:37 pm
Fredi was fired by the Marlins June 23. I hope we don’t have to wait that long. The guy I blame most? The idiot who hired him, Frank Wren.
count_schemula
May 28th, 2012
2:37 pm
“Nationalized TV?”
With the “competition” that exists in the cable market, it’s even worse than that.
Why nationalize when you can just protect monopolies. So much more efficient.
Juan
May 28th, 2012
2:37 pm
I think i go back to watch “Band of Brother” on Spike….goodbye
David O'Brien
May 28th, 2012
2:38 pm
Hanson rocked for 8 hits, 6 R, 3 BB w/ 6 K in 3-1/3 innings. Threw 92 pitches (56 strikes) to get 10 outs.
jimbob
May 28th, 2012
2:38 pm
phil
May 28th, 2012
2:35 pm
Nationalized TV?
Lol
Thank’s Phil – There went some good Chimay all over my keyboard.
Stupid Suggestions
May 28th, 2012
2:38 pm
This team, like the Hawks, needs a grenade rolled in to blow it up.
N8
May 28th, 2012
2:38 pm
Exactly. Cuban said he doesn’t want to buy the Braves because they don’t need fixing or are already a great organization.
DOB Get him back on the phone and see if he’s changed his tune. This team might just be embarrassing and crappy enough for him to respark some interest.
JasonInFL
May 28th, 2012
2:39 pm
Yikes. I knew Heyward had been bad, but I didn’t realize it was THAT bad.
count_schemula
May 28th, 2012
2:39 pm
“Thank’s Phil – There went some good Chimay all over my keyboard.”
Blue I trust?
George
May 28th, 2012
2:40 pm
ncbravesfan
May 28th, 2012
2:37 pm
DOB – after the game, will you have the cojones to ask Fredi if he feels that his job is in jeopardy?
***********************************
Of course not, DOB and FREDI are buddies.
*
The A Bomb
May 28th, 2012
2:40 pm
Why would we need Cuban to own the team? We already have a Cuban blowing the team up.
ATL_sports_teams_suck
May 28th, 2012
2:40 pm
There is a reason the Marlins got rid of Freddie in the middle of the season…………. The guy is a horrible manager. With that said, the Braves early season success was a mirage. The starting pitching is BAD, the bullpen is average and the lineup is uneven and not productive. Add that to the fact the Freddie is a below average manager and Wren is crazy for thinking Minor, Delgado, or Jurrjiens could be anything other than spot starters will drive this team to look like the 1980’s Braves, a horrible team with a half empty stadium and the Atl sports professional teams will all SUCK!
Minor Is A Major Loser
May 28th, 2012
2:40 pm
Another big pop up for these useless ba++ards. Fredi MUST go. I hate this team.
jimbob
May 28th, 2012
2:40 pm
The only kind
phil
May 28th, 2012
2:40 pm
There’s nothing backing up Chipper…
There’s essentially nothing backing up Mac…
There’s nothing backing up FF…
There’s nothing much at SS and nothing backing Rev up…
There’s nothing in RF but a big hole and nothing backing Wayward up…
There’s nothing in the 9 hole that can hit….
Not a recipe for success.
Fols
May 28th, 2012
2:40 pm
I left my computer for like 30 minutes…….0-0 turns into this? WHAT THE?
N8
May 28th, 2012
2:40 pm
Come on DOB , that’s not fair. Sure it took 92 pitches to record 10 outs.
But you’re missing the point and silver lining. It took 31 pitches to record the first out.
That means it ONLY took 61 pitches to get the next 9 outs. That’s not bad for this team. LOL
Powder Blue
May 28th, 2012
2:40 pm
Heyward’s just not that good, but he’s far from the biggest problem on this team.
Minor Is A Major Loser
May 28th, 2012
2:41 pm
Another blast by McFAT.
phil
May 28th, 2012
2:41 pm
Mac is gassed after that trot to first…
Ryan
May 28th, 2012
2:41 pm
Got tickets for tommorow night if I go. WE should all get up and leave after the third inning so they play to and empty stadium. Trade Bourn to Nats they need a CF . Come on Wren were going to be in last place FIRE TACO BELL. D.O.B please no postgame comments from the jerk .Cards win next two games 7 -1 8-0. At least Cox would of jerked Heyward out .GO BRAVES lay down.
jim
May 28th, 2012
2:41 pm
Hanson really looked like a guy that did not want to be out there after the DesCalso HR.
pete puma
May 28th, 2012
2:42 pm
lets see washington greatly improved their team the miami marlins did the same the braves brass sat on their ass and did nothing. said they liked their team so you can all blame this on freddie if you want the mighty casey could not win with this team
Stupid Suggestions
May 28th, 2012
2:42 pm
Mac = FAT
Pete*
May 28th, 2012
2:42 pm
DOB thanks for stats on JH; very telling indeed. Do you personally believe he still has hitch in his swing, or just not able to re-adjust to the pitcher’s adjustments, or?
N8
May 28th, 2012
2:43 pm
“Yikes. I knew Heyward had been bad, but I didn’t realize it was THAT bad.”
So you either haven’t been watching the games or don’t read the thousands of posts pointing out just how bad Heyward has been since the first month or so of his career?
I’m telling you. When all is said and done, we’ll wish we had kept Frenchy.
Minor Is A Major Loser
May 28th, 2012
2:43 pm
Bet this POS will strike out again. Any takers?
TBbravesfan
May 28th, 2012
2:43 pm
he could throw 24 and not worry about the braves little bats.
Stupid Suggestions
May 28th, 2012
2:43 pm
McCann is to the Braves what Joe Johnson is to the Hawks.
jerry
May 28th, 2012
2:43 pm
I have a vague memory of everyone being all ga ga over Fredi when he was hired. Also ga ga over Heyward, Uggla, Ventors, Hanson, Minor, and– did I leave anyone out?
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
May 28th, 2012
2:43 pm
ABomb
Very clever
Ted
May 28th, 2012
2:43 pm
Can’t tell you how enjoyable it is to listen to the game on the radio, and hope for a six run comeback every night. Talk about background noise. Can’t wait for football season.
Most Interesting Man in the World
May 28th, 2012
2:43 pm
Heyward misses a fastball down the middle. I’m suprised, NOT!!
erik
May 28th, 2012
2:43 pm
how could you not realize Heyward had been that bad, what team have you been watching….he is at best an average player at best meaning he’s a common player nothing special…..and he will have to work to become an average player, right now he should be in the minors…
Again, Minor and Heyward to the cubs for Dempster……move Prado to right and call up Gattis let’s see what he can do…I mean you can’t get much worse then Heyward
D.A. Nuggla
May 28th, 2012
2:44 pm
JS is the only one with the “C.O. Jones” to call out FG. He proved that yesterday. Although now he may never get another interview with the “robot”.
N8
May 28th, 2012
2:44 pm
“Hanson really looked like a guy that did not want to be out there after the DesCalso HR”
Not a guy on this team that looks like they want to be out there at all right now.
Would you?
Minor Is A Major Loser
May 28th, 2012
2:44 pm
Hardest hit by Heyward in awhile.
ab initio
May 28th, 2012
2:44 pm
Good at bat Heyward. Hope that ends his spell.
TBbravesfan
May 28th, 2012
2:44 pm
wow we are coming back.
Pete*
May 28th, 2012
2:44 pm
Speak of the devil….JH just blasts a double lol
tommykk
May 28th, 2012
2:44 pm
Heyward is too big to be a baseball player..imo
phil
May 28th, 2012
2:45 pm
Wayward’s numbers speak for themselves….
And he just lucked into a double, but we’ll take it.
I’ve said all along that the guy has disappointed from the start, but for a hot start TWO YEARS AGO NOW….
tommykk
May 28th, 2012
2:45 pm
He will still be at .200 by next month..watch
erik
May 28th, 2012
2:45 pm
I think N8 brings up a great point, Frenchy was far better and is far better then Heyward.
b
May 28th, 2012
2:45 pm
I honestly believe the cards could win if they threw nothing but 80 mph fastballs the rest of the game.
Bobby B
May 28th, 2012
2:45 pm
George why are you such an obnoxious tool?
count_schemula
May 28th, 2012
2:47 pm
Nice job Juan.
He needs to work the count and he did to 3-1.
Most Interesting Man in the World
May 28th, 2012
2:47 pm
JUAN!!
Minor Is A Major Loser
May 28th, 2012
2:47 pm
Two out lightening? More like a f*rt.
TBbravesfan
May 28th, 2012
2:47 pm
we are down by just a grand slam now
D.A. Nuggla
May 28th, 2012
2:47 pm
Joe Simpson: “Two out lightning”. More like two out thunder.
jj
May 28th, 2012
2:47 pm
Go to tip your cap to Francisco.
Fols
May 28th, 2012
2:48 pm
FACT: At least 2 other NL East teams will lose today!
Most Interesting Man in the World
May 28th, 2012
2:48 pm
Rally over. Oh no, we suck again!!
Ted
May 28th, 2012
2:48 pm
Jerry, very, very few were “gaga” over Fredi when he was hired. Most folks who follow the game thought it a mistake. Really, Bobby Cox, though wonderful guy was no one to emulate. Different for Heyward who lead off his career with a homerun. Not sure what happened there, which is one thing I have in common w Fredi.
David the Shepherd
May 28th, 2012
2:48 pm
Cardinals did us a favor by not pitching Francisco inside.
count_schemula
May 28th, 2012
2:48 pm
Of Lynn’s 62 pitches, Juan has seen 11 of them.
ab initio
May 28th, 2012
2:49 pm
Looks like lady luck is still crapping on this team. I personally, hate the bit*h.
njbraves
May 28th, 2012
2:49 pm
Glad to see fat Hinske thinks this is all so funny.
TimetoHangitup
May 28th, 2012
2:49 pm
Hate to say it, but I am so disgusted I can’t even watch them anymore. I quit watching this embarrassment of a team a few games ago. I get mad every time I see Freddie G on TV. Puhg, I can’t believe I am an Atlanta fan. I have been an Atlanta fan since the 70’s and what have I got, 1 World Series ring, 1 UGA National Championship, and a Bill Elliott championship. Wow, Loserville, USA!!!
phil
May 28th, 2012
2:49 pm
Heavy put wood on the ball….
erik
May 28th, 2012
2:49 pm
got to love Don on radio….Hinske hits that ball and Don says if not for the shift that would have been a double…..kind of like saying if not for him swinging and missing that would have been a home run
Tennisbrave
May 28th, 2012
2:49 pm
You would think the Cards were playing at home with all the cheering. I guess as a Braves fan and you have lost seven in a row going on eight, there isn’t much to cheer about.
RB
May 28th, 2012
2:50 pm
THIS TEAM STINKS! I JUST CUT THE GAME OFF. I CAN’T WATCH THEM ANYMORE!
IdahoBravesfan
May 28th, 2012
2:50 pm
Why isit we hear nothing from the village idiot that wears the GM title? It’s Memorial Day and the loser is looking for a foxhole.
count_schemula
May 28th, 2012
2:50 pm
“Glad to see fat Hinske thinks this is all so funny.”
He was yukking it up with Cabrera after they dunce capped a ball a couple of years ago.
$2M to be fat and strike out, hell, I’d do it for half that much.
jj
May 28th, 2012
2:51 pm
erik stop the love affair with frenchy…damn glad he is gone.
Most Interesting Man in the World
May 28th, 2012
2:51 pm
Really funny Hinske. Really funny. Glad that our losing streak amuses you.
iTiSi
May 28th, 2012
2:51 pm
Erik, FG did worse than that the other night. He threw almost the whole team under the bus. He said “all the bats(meaning CJ, BMac, and FF) were sitting on the bench with me”. Bet the other guys took note of that. BTW, someone has a “Fire Fredi Petition” going online. Saw a comment about it on one of the AJC blogs last night.
jerry
May 28th, 2012
2:51 pm
If I were David Ross, I would fake a groin injury in order to not be associated with these losers.
phil
May 28th, 2012
2:51 pm
Credit to Flabsisco for the two run single….
It’s something!
Disgusted
May 28th, 2012
2:51 pm
8 losses down, 4 more to go before this stops.
Disgusting and Disgraceful.
JasonInFL
May 28th, 2012
2:52 pm
Well, there’s a couple of positives…both Uggs and J-Hey going the other way.
Most Interesting Man in the World
May 28th, 2012
2:52 pm
erik-
got to love Don on radio….Hinske hits that ball and Don says if not for the shift that would have been a double…..kind of like saying if not for him swinging and missing that would have been a home run
Now that’s funny
Waffle House or Bust
May 28th, 2012
2:52 pm
Is Wren really going to pretend this is not happening again? He never made a move on Parrish last year when he could have. Now September has come early this year and he is going to let fat Fredi mess it up again. Don’t have Francona money? Fine! Get Willie Randolph. Do not let TP have a shot or its more of the same. Find someone not under Bobby Cox and play ball!!!
erik
May 28th, 2012
2:53 pm
don’t have a love affair with frenchy jj, just said N8 brings up a great point.
TBbravesfan
May 28th, 2012
2:53 pm
You know it looks like major league teams could get somebody called a batting coach to teach players how to beat a shift. Do they have those?
JasonInFL
May 28th, 2012
2:53 pm
Heyward still has a shot at the 3 hits I predicted…
phil
May 28th, 2012
2:53 pm
njbraves
May 28th, 2012
2:49 pm
Glad to see fat Hinske thinks this is all so funny.
********
hinske is fat? Prove it with facts and data…
Disgusted
May 28th, 2012
2:54 pm
Because of days like this is why Hanson is an average pitcher.
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
May 28th, 2012
2:54 pm
To add insult to injury we’re handed that imbecile Chip and Homer Joe as announcers. STFU Chip, it’s another collapse and we get a few hits in a game that’s out of reach it appears. Just shut it and quit screaming.
0-8
May 28th, 2012
2:54 pm
Welcome to the countdown.
buffering
May 28th, 2012
2:54 pm
Can we still make that trade for Adam Jones…geeez.
count_schemula
May 28th, 2012
2:54 pm
“hinske is fat? Prove it with facts and data…”
1. Nickname is “heavy, diesel and ox”
Most Interesting Man in the World
May 28th, 2012
2:55 pm
I got a feeling that we will win a game this week.
The A Bomb
May 28th, 2012
2:55 pm
Sutton also probably believes the ‘66 Dodgers were an offensive juggernaut.
erik
May 28th, 2012
2:56 pm
Anyone else think it’s time Medlin gets a shot at starting?
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
May 28th, 2012
2:56 pm
Frenchy is a arrogant spoiled brat who couldnt handle playing for his hometown team. He stunk here and apparantly, judging by the two team that also shipped his no coaching ass away, he still stinks.
Most Interesting Man in the World
May 28th, 2012
2:56 pm
Great Stuff. Love it.
iTiSi
May 28th, 2012
2:57 pm
Dang, don’t care if the Braves do lose. THAT is what’s important right there!
erik
May 28th, 2012
2:57 pm
Is Don crying on radio?
The A Bomb
May 28th, 2012
2:57 pm
Good to see someone on the field who actually tries.
jerry
May 28th, 2012
2:57 pm
JasonInFL
“Heyward still has a shot at the 3 hits I predicted”
For the series?
Supes
May 28th, 2012
2:58 pm
N8, you sir are on fire.
Completely agree…I’m also rooting for whatever it takes to get Fredo and McDowell fired…
I’m now also convinced that to “save his job”, Wren needs to have a productive “fire sale” when the time comes.
I’m thinking also deal McCann to the highest bidder in the AL would also be helpful, hopefully Bethancourt can develop into a version of “Molina”…great defensive catcher with good athletic ability who hits decently but plays and isn’t as likely to miss games as McCann (worried about the wear tear on McCann and aging as well).
Most of the team look like a bunch of zombies on the field and in the dugout…in contrast to the Cards who look lively and excited to be playing.
phil
May 28th, 2012
2:58 pm
Notice how Mac wouldn’t clap for the family reunion….
Sad.
Seriously, great moment!
Hmmmm
May 28th, 2012
2:58 pm
“1. Nickname is “heavy, diesel and ox”
that’s the facts. Here’s the data.
Hinske is 6-2 / 235, his BMI is 30.2 which is classified as “Obesity”
ncbravesfan90
May 28th, 2012
2:58 pm
Wow! Proud to be an American, that was really special!
jj
May 28th, 2012
2:59 pm
Great move by Braves..Thanks to all our Military everywhere..
Darth Obama
May 28th, 2012
2:59 pm
I hate how the media exploits families for a “good TV moment”.
Supes
May 28th, 2012
2:59 pm
The way the braves are playing right now…I feel sorry for the folks who took the time to pay and to see this “mess” in person. Fans deserve a darn refund…
jerry
May 28th, 2012
3:00 pm
Hinske’s tattoo’s weigh 35 lbs.
count_schemula
May 28th, 2012
3:00 pm
Don did get the sniffles on the radio. But he stayed in the game.
TBbravesfan
May 28th, 2012
3:00 pm
And just like that out 2. So quick. ooops i mean out three.
0-8
May 28th, 2012
3:01 pm
Chipper is gone after this season. Finished! Gone! Not around! Everyone acts like it’s of utmost importance that he returns fromm the DL ASAP!
Why?
When he returns, he will only play a few games a week unless he is injured again then he will play 0 games a week. He can’t be counted on to be a cog in the Braves playoff run simply because….. he CAN’T be counted on!
Let Chipper be the goodwill ambassador and do his farewell tour from the DL. You have to pay him but that doesn’t mean he has to eat up an active roster spot. Let him dress and wave to the fans but get him off the 25 man roster so someone else can get some PT and prepare for next season when Chipper will NEVER dress out again.
steelhorse777
May 28th, 2012
3:01 pm
OMG!!!! Somebody stop the bleeding! I think they’re dying!
erik
May 28th, 2012
3:02 pm
going to have to disagree with you CTB last year Frenchy hit .285, .329 OBP (37 BB in 656 PA, so he still doesn’t walk much so his OPS is low) 47 doubles, 20 HR, .476 SLG, 22 stolen bases I don’t think that’s too bad at all
count_schemula
May 28th, 2012
3:03 pm
I’m enjoying Chippers’s last season.
He’s the very last link to the good Braves.
phil
May 28th, 2012
3:03 pm
Fire FG!!
jj
May 28th, 2012
3:03 pm
One Nation– one moment.. sucks..its “one Nation Under God”
Larry
May 28th, 2012
3:04 pm
I think Fredi should tell the pitchers to stop giving up so many runs. Without Chipper in the lineup, we’re not going to be able to keep up. I wonder if he realizes this.
SNEAKY PETE
May 28th, 2012
3:05 pm
Will they ever win another game?
Lombardi
May 28th, 2012
3:06 pm
What the hell’s going on out there?
count_schemula
May 28th, 2012
3:06 pm
“Will they ever win another game?”
Yes. Maybe even this year if the stars align.
Darth Obama
May 28th, 2012
3:06 pm
So for all those who want Fredi G out, who do you want to manage the braves?
Ryan
May 28th, 2012
3:06 pm
D.O.B any vibes on maybe Simmons getting called up. Tired of Pastornicky going to right all the time.
David the Shepherd
May 28th, 2012
3:06 pm
“we are down by just a grand slam now”
Ok, hopefully they will ask to borrow Minor & we should be right back in this thing.
count_schemula
May 28th, 2012
3:06 pm
“What the hell’s going on out there?”
AAA baseball for MLB prices.
JasonInFL
May 28th, 2012
3:06 pm
Ray Lewis is 6-1 and weighs 250. Is he obese? BMI, when it comes to most athletes, is pretty meaningless. It is all about body fat.
TBbravesfan
May 28th, 2012
3:07 pm
It would be nice if we had furcal. Oh that’s right we did.
Ted
May 28th, 2012
3:07 pm
Trivia
Can you name the two rookies of the year who play for the Atl Braves?
count_schemula
May 28th, 2012
3:07 pm
“So for all those who want Fredi G out, who do you want to manage the braves?”
Steve Spurrier
Jimmy
May 28th, 2012
3:08 pm
Not very confusing, but Memorial Day is to honor the fallen.
Veterans Day is to honor those who have served or are serving. America, in general, seems to confuse the two.
Anyway, 6-2 now. First and third with no outs for Cards.
Alex Trebek has been representing Colonial Penn for over ten years.
tommykk
May 28th, 2012
3:08 pm
Terry Francona..best manager out there just needed a change of scenery
TBbravesfan
May 28th, 2012
3:08 pm
and as we do so many times we give those runs right back.
SNEAKY PETE
May 28th, 2012
3:08 pm
Medlen not looking so hot lately either
Supes
May 28th, 2012
3:08 pm
So for all those who want Fredi G out, who do you want to manage the braves?
*************************************************************************
I’d start by giving Eddie Perez a chance as an interim manager (if it were up to me)…he’s got more fire and desire in his little finger than Fredo does in his entire body.
count_schemula
May 28th, 2012
3:08 pm
“Ray Lewis is 6-1 and weighs 250. Is he obese? BMI, when it comes to most athletes, is pretty meaningless. It is all about body fat.”
And on body fat, Hinske is no Ray Lewis.
jj
May 28th, 2012
3:08 pm
fire mcdowell…………
Woody Woodward
May 28th, 2012
3:08 pm
Is Furcal on HOF track?
phil
May 28th, 2012
3:09 pm
Liberty will bill FF for his new glasses…
erik
May 28th, 2012
3:09 pm
eric hinske and kimbrel
Ted
May 28th, 2012
3:09 pm
Larry, I am sure your strategy – as absurd as it is – has been considered seriously by Fredi Gonzales.
jj
May 28th, 2012
3:09 pm
Old Joe has done it all..now giving details for eye wear.
Disaffected Braves Fan
May 28th, 2012
3:10 pm
Our pitching is just an abomination. McDowell will surely be gone after this year.
Supes
May 28th, 2012
3:10 pm
Medlen not looking so hot lately either
************************************************
McDowell at work again…Kris was doing just fine STARTING in ST…but someone decided to put him in the pen…he’s just not a dominant reliever)…but the team was 10-1 as a starter before his TJ surgery…
Jimmy Baron
May 28th, 2012
3:10 pm
Adam Jones signed with the O’s yesterday–no trade contract.
erik
May 28th, 2012
3:10 pm
if they let Fredi go, my guess is they would ask Cox to finish the year, then go from there if Cox said no, they would probably look to Jim Fergosi or TP
phil
May 28th, 2012
3:11 pm
Uh oh…
Beltran.
Woody Woodward
May 28th, 2012
3:11 pm
Jj–yeah, “back when I played in the kingdome…” there’s an endorsement for you.
Ted
May 28th, 2012
3:11 pm
Correct, eric, and you should not be texting during the game.
count_schemula
May 28th, 2012
3:11 pm
“Terry Francona..best manager out there just needed a change of scenery”
He has heart issues. Not saying he could manage some more and Atl is no pressure cooker, but… his ticker is on the sketch.
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
May 28th, 2012
3:11 pm
HA! You just know Furcal is loving life getting back at these Braves every chance he gets.
SNEAKY PETE
May 28th, 2012
3:11 pm
NO Furcal is not anywhere near a hall of fame player
jj
May 28th, 2012
3:12 pm
hire a manager out of Braves system..this crap has to stop..BC is gone and his hand picked mgr needs to follow.
erik
May 28th, 2012
3:12 pm
when was the last time Kimbrel pitched?
TBbravesfan
May 28th, 2012
3:12 pm
So FF saw 2 balls coming at him and could not hit neither one of them.
phil
May 28th, 2012
3:12 pm
Cox and wren do not get along….
0-8
May 28th, 2012
3:13 pm
I don’t know if Fredi should be fired. I don’t know who should go and who should be retained.
I DO KNOW this team exhibited competitive character flaws last September with their record breaking fold. They did nothing over the Winter to fix roster issues. They followed with a terrible Spring in Fla. They started the season being swept and loosing 4 in a row. They played over their heads for a month. Now they are on an 0-8 run. In essence there is something seriously flawed about this team and common sense would suggest that ignoring those flaws with a “we’ll get ‘em tomorrow” attitude isn’t going to fix it.
Jimmy
May 28th, 2012
3:13 pm
Come on Meds…no 2 out hits!
count_schemula
May 28th, 2012
3:13 pm
“Is Furcal on HOF track?”
No.
He has played in > 100 games once since he was 30.
2K91
May 28th, 2012
3:13 pm
Francisco has very good wrists (in his swings) – Heyward very poor wrists in his.
If both were given 500 ABs I believe Francisco would out produce Heyward – and it would not be that close.
phil
May 28th, 2012
3:14 pm
Heyward with another defensive mistake?
Never.
Darth Obama
May 28th, 2012
3:14 pm
I lean toward Terry Francona. I like the AL experience.
Jimmy
May 28th, 2012
3:14 pm
Thanks Meds. ‘preciate that.
erik
May 28th, 2012
3:14 pm
I sure am Glad I’m not drinking today, Radio smashed, tv thrown out the window, macbook pro destroyed
phil
May 28th, 2012
3:14 pm
Adams is grossly obese….
What has happened to the game?
iTiSi
May 28th, 2012
3:14 pm
Notice when the Braves got 2 runs the fans got all excited, the chop started, and it lasted all of 3 mins. That’s is the real definition of “a moment of joy”.
archie
May 28th, 2012
3:14 pm
“Heyward misses the cutoff man…” Just another day in the life of this great defensive right fielder.
count_schemula
May 28th, 2012
3:14 pm
HoF careers are made in your 30’s.
Just ask Dale Murphy.
The A Bomb
May 28th, 2012
3:15 pm
More 2-out embarrassment from an unfocused, unprofessional conglomerate right now.
Welcome back to the second division. It’s been awhile.
JasonInFL
May 28th, 2012
3:15 pm
Bobby can and has done FW’s job better than FW.
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
May 28th, 2012
3:15 pm
I just don’t even care anymore. Guys, it’s over. If you can’t pitch, you arent going to improve. This is 2006-2008 Braves. Terrible pitching all around except a few.
erik
May 28th, 2012
3:15 pm
funny thing is even with this skid braves still 2nd in league in runs
David the Shepherd
May 28th, 2012
3:15 pm
Dang, their fat guys can hit!
Jimmy
May 28th, 2012
3:15 pm
Hot chick with long hair keeps showing up under the Suntrust sign..behind the plate.
Nice.
2K91
May 28th, 2012
3:16 pm
Once again – not MLB quality defense.
Jimmy
May 28th, 2012
3:17 pm
A Bomb = Second division?
Last place if the Phils win their game.
archie
May 28th, 2012
3:17 pm
Are there any stats on how many runs McCann gives up with passed balls, missed tags at home plate, and his ridiculously low caught-stealing rate? Would love to know how that compares with his RBI total.
count_schemula
May 28th, 2012
3:17 pm
“Hot chick with long hair keeps showing up under the Suntrust sign..behind the plate. Nice.”
I miss Harray Caray and day games on WGN.
Those cameramen were FEARLESS!
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
May 28th, 2012
3:17 pm
Aww poor Medlen. He looks like a butch dyke.
TBbravesfan
May 28th, 2012
3:17 pm
Can we get Bobby back? Please.
Minor Is A Major Loser
May 28th, 2012
3:17 pm
Didnt you just know that when they were talking good about Medlin and how he got two straight outs with two men, that the next guy would get a hit?
erik
May 28th, 2012
3:17 pm
Just found myself wishing we still had Melky Cabrera
jj
May 28th, 2012
3:18 pm
2k91 agree..
We see the great Braves pitchers at there best..thanks to McDowell.
No better than some of these pitchers have been Wren should have trade when he could..now eat crow!
David O'Brien
May 28th, 2012
3:18 pm
Braves down 8-2 going to bottom of 6th, need large comeback to avoid pushing losing streak to 8 and going to 0-8 on Monday.
SNEAKY PETE
May 28th, 2012
3:18 pm
Fat is totally meaningless in baseball
Lil' Barry Bailout
May 28th, 2012
3:18 pm
I hope Frank Wren enjoyed that long winter break. He didn’t do a darn thing, and it shows.
Minor Is A Major Loser
May 28th, 2012
3:18 pm
This team is a flat disgrace.
jerry
May 28th, 2012
3:19 pm
When Beachy is on the mound they have a chance to break the losing streak. Seriously. It’s like lose, lose, lose, lose, Beachy, lose, lose, lose, lose, Beachy, lose,….you get the picture.
Disaffected Braves Fan
May 28th, 2012
3:19 pm
Firing Fredi would help, but I look at how bad this team is in every phase of the game and I just don’t see any manager guiding us to the playoffs. We can’t pitch and we’re atrocious defensively. You might be able to overcome that if you had the 1995 Cleveland Indians’ lineup, but we don’t.
Woody Woodward
May 28th, 2012
3:20 pm
Count, he’s 35. If he stays healthy, I know that’s a big if, I think you at at least have to talk about it. Other than jeter, who is a HOF ss of the 2000s?
Egr
May 28th, 2012
3:20 pm
T.P. for manager
SNEAKY PETE
May 28th, 2012
3:20 pm
do you people sit around all winter bitching about how fat the offensive linemen are?
jj
May 28th, 2012
3:20 pm
Don’t care for BC back glad he is gone.
LakeDawg
May 28th, 2012
3:20 pm
Baseball and Golf, the only two “sports” you can play professionally @ 40 pounds overweight.
Jimmy
May 28th, 2012
3:20 pm
DOB, not giving up yet, but it is a steep hill.
Especially when we can’t hold them where they are at..
count_schemula
May 28th, 2012
3:21 pm
Dumbest thing I ever did. Showing the woman the joy of salad dressing on pizza.
Half a pizza left and no Naturally Fresh Blue Cheese.
iTiSi
May 28th, 2012
3:21 pm
Jimmy, hate to tell you this, but think that’s a guy.
Minor Is A Major Loser
May 28th, 2012
3:21 pm
McFat has really picked us up today.
Charlie
May 28th, 2012
3:21 pm
Hinske thrown out on a base hit to right. Wow. Out on a base hit. How bad is that? Medlen has looked terrible in his last three.
We can’t hit.
We can’t pitch.
We can’t play defense.
WE ARE YOUR 2012 ATLANTA BRAVES.
0-8
May 28th, 2012
3:21 pm
Who will the Braves fire next time to appease the questioning media and fans? Ed Mangum? The clubhouse boy?
jj
May 28th, 2012
3:22 pm
The Monday blues has become the everyday blues..
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
May 28th, 2012
3:22 pm
I like the Cardinals now without LaRussa and arrogant Pujols. I really like that team. We are done, so I’ll pull for STL I reckon.
Disgusted
May 28th, 2012
3:22 pm
I do not think I can take anyone on the Braves broadcasting team (redio and TV) serously.
They are nothing but a bunch of corporate suck ups.
As for Fredi, it is not a matter of who would you want to hire, its that this thing has fallen in to such an abrupt collapse that you HAVE to make a move, after September we know he just cannot do the job.
Its not all Fredi’s fault so there has to be a housecleaning of the roster I don;t care how young they are.
Guys lile Hanson, Freeman, Heyward, etc did not become as good as they were supposed to be. Pastornicky is not the answer either.
Minor is a bust, Delgado is a work in progress and Hanson is a second rate average pitcher, maybe a 4th starter type. The way he pitched today that might be generous.
Hudson is done and Beachey is not winning either. Venters is done EOF sucks, Christhian Martinez sucks and the pen in in a mess too.
Chipper and Mc Cann can’t play anymore either so we are in quicksand.
The A Bomb
May 28th, 2012
3:22 pm
Wondering…
With Fredi as manager I wonder if Bobby’s ejection room has been remodeled into a meditation center, or maybe a habitat for humanity? Or maybe it’s now a rec room for the umpires?
Cap: Where's My Tip
May 28th, 2012
3:22 pm
Braves losing, Philly winning. Braves could go from playing for first on Saturday to tied for last on Monday
ncbravesfan
May 28th, 2012
3:23 pm
I wouldn’t hold my breath for that large comeback, DOB. This teams done and someone needs to be held accountable.
LakeDawg
May 28th, 2012
3:23 pm
What’s the over/under on Hinske/McCann? 260?
Darth Obama
May 28th, 2012
3:23 pm
Who wants Terry Francona??
Lil' Barry Bailout
May 28th, 2012
3:23 pm
Yes, fire Ed Mangan for that darn snakey grass.
SNEAKY PETE
May 28th, 2012
3:24 pm
You obviously have never seen many offensive linemen with their shirts off if you think that , Lake
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
May 28th, 2012
3:24 pm
I think I’d get Lynn out of the game. He’s been probably their best pitcher and don’t risk having him hurt himself.
Lil' Barry Bailout
May 28th, 2012
3:25 pm
Another easy inning for Lynn.
LakeDawg
May 28th, 2012
3:26 pm
Oh, I forgot sumo wrestling.
Disgusted
May 28th, 2012
3:26 pm
In three years there is not one guy on this roster that will be in MLB.
What a sad joke.
iTiSi
May 28th, 2012
3:26 pm
CTB, I switched at the end of last year. I noticed the same thing you did.
count_schemula
May 28th, 2012
3:26 pm
Furcal just has not gotten it done in his 30s.
http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/f/furcara02.shtml
No 200 hit seasons. Only 2 190+ hit seasons.
Just too injured. Look at the stats, just a HUGE fall off in production.
I’m no Yankee’s fan, but I do make an exception for Jeter and Mo.
Maybe Jeter is the only HoF SS of our era. Arod was a SS and has the ‘roid cloud.
Jimmy Rollins is the only other contender? His numbers are better than Furcal’s.
Disgusted
May 28th, 2012
3:26 pm
The Oakland AAA’s of the late 70’s are better than this bunch right now.
jerry
May 28th, 2012
3:26 pm
If it’s any consolation, even the Yankees don’t win the WS every year.
LakeDawg
May 28th, 2012
3:27 pm
Fat Fredi and his team are going to be on the next “Biggest Losers” season.
BRAVESFAN
May 28th, 2012
3:27 pm
I’m almost out of tears too!
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
May 28th, 2012
3:27 pm
We’ve actually talked about moving to STL,so I’ll have two teams to go for. One I know are huge disappointments, and I will not subject myself to anymore garbage. Cards are winners and do it the right way.
count_schemula
May 28th, 2012
3:28 pm
I like the Cardinals now without LaRussa and arrogant Pujols.
No LaRussa fan, but, arrogant Pujols?
He’s not Bonds or ARod in the ‘tude, and was arguably better.
iTiSi
May 28th, 2012
3:29 pm
Cardinals have the best home fans in baseball too. Philly, the absolute worst!
Most Interesting Man in the World
May 28th, 2012
3:29 pm
After today, I refuse to watch or listen to any Braves Game for at least a month. Hopefully when I tune back in we will have a new Mgr., Gm and traded for some other players. I just want some changes, I don’t care anymore.
Venice Jim
May 28th, 2012
3:29 pm
CTB – at least have the decency to follow through on moving on to your new team better than George has…
count_schemula
May 28th, 2012
3:29 pm
“We’ve actually talked about moving to STL”
Maybe the hottest steamiest place I’ve ever been.
Pure misery in the summers.
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
May 28th, 2012
3:32 pm
You lose:
LaRussa (HOF )manager
Pujols (best hitter in baseball)
Berkman
Carpenter
Freese is in and out of the lineup
What do you do? Stay on course and bare down. You win.
What does Fredi Fat Ass and the sorry Braves do? Hng their heads and quit. Thats what.
Lil' Barry Bailout
May 28th, 2012
3:32 pm
“For all of you railing about the passivity of Frank Wren, know this: This general manager’s disposition isn’t to sit still. It took personal restraint for him not to start making trades hand over fist, but this was one offseason when reason trumped temperament. Wren looked at his roster and reached this conclusion:
If the guys who didn’t hit in 2011 do hit in 2012, the Braves will be fine. If not, one or two of these prized young pitchers can be used to pursue the needed shortstop/corner outfielder/big bat. But that wasn’t a search that needed to be undertaken just yet. Better to see how April — and not March, which doesn’t count — plays out.
Nothing the 2012 Braves have or haven’t done in spring training changes my belief that Wren was wise to wait.”
http://blogs.ajc.com/mark-bradley-blog/2012/03/14/me-im-not-yet-worried-about-the-braves-except-for-chipper/
Mike Mangan
May 28th, 2012
3:32 pm
The bottom line is If you lose for an extended period you need to replace the manager,Pitching coach,Hutting coach or whoever,Is their anyone beside Terry Francona who could replace Fredi?Would Leo Mazzone want to give up his radio gig?Remember he had a pitching rotation with three hall of famers but could never develop a good closer,Anyone with a solution on who to bring up from the minors.Any unsigned or Independent league players we could bring up? I still think Julio Franco should be the hitting coach,Question is how long do you keep Fredi G as we fall into the NL east basement today…Questions,Questions,Questions….Anyone with an Answer ????
iTiSi
May 28th, 2012
3:32 pm
One other problem with STL too is the high crime rate, especially on one side of the river. Think it may be worse than ATL but not as bad as Detroit or Chicago.
Ralph
May 28th, 2012
3:33 pm
Durbin has become our best pitcher, not because he got better though.
Jimmy Baron
May 28th, 2012
3:33 pm
Didn’t Tommy Hanson drive his car into a ditch the first day of Spring Training? Didn’t Chipper ‘look’ out of shape in that picture the first day of ST? Didn’t Freddie Freeman have all winter to get prescription sports glasses ‘just in case’ his dry eyes became in issue during the season?
Is anyone awake down there at Hank Aaron Drive?
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
May 28th, 2012
3:33 pm
OH and Jay is out too. Wasn’t he having an awesome season, leading the world in BA? Yeah, bet they hung their poor wittle heads and cried. Mercy ATL is so soft and mushy.
erik
May 28th, 2012
3:33 pm
I really like Jim Powell on braves radio, but he needs to get over his love of timothy miller and the gay 7th inning god bless america…..give me a commercial instead of listening to this crap every sunday and holiday
SNEAKY PETE
May 28th, 2012
3:34 pm
In three years there is not one guy on this roster that will be in MLB @Disgusted
that’s about as stupid a comment as I have read here in a while. Good on you
Jimmy
May 28th, 2012
3:36 pm
iTiSi – Great. So you think that she is a he? I have no reason to watch the game now.
Going to go cut my toe nails.
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
May 28th, 2012
3:36 pm
I hope Gant rips a hole through these losers after this one. He looked ticked off before the game. What will 8 straight doto him.
Most Interesting Man in the World
May 28th, 2012
3:36 pm
I am so proud to wear the US Army patch over my heart and the US flag on my right arm.
Ralph
May 28th, 2012
3:36 pm
The only time I ever seen a team completely fall apart like this one was last september’s braves, wait a minute, this is the same team isn’t it.
Fols
May 28th, 2012
3:37 pm
This slump has really gotten me to appreciate the 2011 squad we had! Sure we couldn’t hit, but we could do the rest pretty well.
This slump is just very bad baseball head to toe. Hope for better results tomorrow and flip this around!
Another novice
May 28th, 2012
3:37 pm
I never really associated winning and losing with managing. My bad.
Most Interesting Man in the World
May 28th, 2012
3:38 pm
Hanson threw 86 pitches by the 3rd. Heyward swings and misses.
iTiSi
May 28th, 2012
3:38 pm
Jimmy, please don’t mention cutting anything, there are some people on here who are becoming suicidal already.
Jimmy
May 28th, 2012
3:39 pm
Also of interest, my Matt Adams Rookie card weighs 11 ounces.
count_schemula
May 28th, 2012
3:40 pm
Ok, I’m outta here.
It’s not East St. Louis, but I’m taking my .40 cal with me anyhow. Got the woman and camera equipment to protect. I live downtown, it’s not Detroit, Baltimore or East St. Louie bad, but it can happen anywhere anytime down here. Believe that.
Braves, thanks for nothing.
Troops, can’t say I was for the Iraq part of the war, but, I often think of the sacrifice you’ve made in the field and at home, with the stress on the families, the medical treatment, the multiple deployments, and I will be thinking of you while sitting under the stars watching Jazz in the park.
Thank you.
DiamondbackMac
May 28th, 2012
3:40 pm
In three years there is not one guy on this roster that will be in MLB @Disgusted
Congratulations! You have achieved a 50% success rate in your attempt at being a wit.
Loserville, USA
May 28th, 2012
3:41 pm
Braves holding up their end. Doing yeoman work.
Mr. Spock
May 28th, 2012
3:41 pm
It’s not Dave’s fault the Braves are losing but it is even more maddening to listen to the TV and radio people so soft and fuzzy. The pre-game and postgame shows are a joke and Chip and Joe have been around long enough to tell it like it us. I had no idea why Joe was raving about Medlen–he has been very hittable lately–and the next guy laced a two run double.
Mike Mangan
May 28th, 2012
3:41 pm
Curt Schilling needs a job what with his coporation problems.Why not bring him in as pitching coach,He has played hurt…Remember,,,Maybe he can instill some life back in our deadbeat Braves.You cannot blame Hanson as he knew he had to pich a shutout just to keep todays game tied.As a Braves fan going all the way back to the Don Blasingame,Denis Menke,Mack Jones era How Do You Spell Frustration??????????
LakeDawg
May 28th, 2012
3:42 pm
Is Chipper on the links today?
sizz
May 28th, 2012
3:42 pm
If Cox isn’t involved with the organization, I have no doubts that Wren would have fired Fredi by now.
Fredi’s a good guy though and is all about Braves fundamentals, so you know he’s a good manager. Right.
D.A. Nuggla
May 28th, 2012
3:43 pm
The Braves new theme song should be “Rainy Days and Mondays” by the Carpenters.
cabravesfan
May 28th, 2012
3:44 pm
LakeDawg
May 28th, 2012
3:42 pm
Is Chipper on the links today?
***********************************
He had a surgical procedure on his leg the other day (yesterday?). He’s probably at home
LakeDawg
May 28th, 2012
3:44 pm
Livan has to be pushing 275.
Lil' Barry Bailout
May 28th, 2012
3:45 pm
It’s almost June, Mr. Wren. Do you know where your offense is?
Jimmy
May 28th, 2012
3:45 pm
I honestly wouldn’t be suprised if FG was fired. After September, and now this fall, I could see it happening.
I’m not calling for it, just saying it has to be in the head of Wren.
Most Interesting Man in the World
May 28th, 2012
3:45 pm
Matt will swing at the first pitch
DiamondbackMac
May 28th, 2012
3:48 pm
Gameday says that Prado is on deck and in the hole.
Most Interesting Man in the World
May 28th, 2012
3:49 pm
Every major league team has injuries. The difference is that the Braves are a bad team.. It’s that simple. I accepted it. I have been a Braves fan since the 90’s.
TBbravesfan
May 28th, 2012
3:51 pm
Matt will swing at any pitch.
LakeDawg
May 28th, 2012
3:52 pm
He had a surgical procedure on his leg the other day (yesterday?). He’s probably at home
———————————————————————————————————————————-
I see. I didn’t know draining pus had become a surgical procedure. I guess if a sharp instrument is used its considered a surgical procedure. My bad.
ATL_sports_teams_suck
May 28th, 2012
3:52 pm
The announcers keep bring up the Braves injuries, but last i checked the pitchers are not injured! They are just pitching horribly right now. What about the guys who are hitting? They are not maxumizing their at bats. they look clueless! Has a major league team ever lost 10 to 20 games in a row? I think thats where this team is headed. Chipper wont be back anytime soon. Minor will continue to get his brains beat it becasue he has no confidence. Delgado will give you 4 good innings and then tank it. Huddy wont get any run support and Hanson had a bad day today but he is the Braves best pitcher. By the time they figure things out, the Braves will be at least 10 games out of first and the season will be over! Get ready for G bulldogs football people the braves are TOAST!
stizz
May 28th, 2012
3:52 pm
Fire Fredi and see what happens.
D.A. Nuggla
May 28th, 2012
3:53 pm
I would predict a major drop off in attendance tomorrow night but the Cards do have a lot of fans in the area, as evidenced by today’s crowd and noise.
The A Bomb
May 28th, 2012
3:54 pm
Those of you who think Fredi won’t be gone need their head examined.
When Wren fired Parrish over Gonzalez’s head after the “feed to the wolves” comment last year showed exactly the mindset of the GM. Gonzalez has been managing for his job all season and now that we have a 2nd round of proof (#1 being the 0-4 start) that this team shuts down for long spurts just like last season Gonzalez is on his last legs.
Whether it be Fregosi, Brundage or anyone else this team gets way too caught up in its successes and stops working. But Braves need someone to come in and be a dictator who’s not going to accept streaks of unprofessional losses.
LakeDawg
May 28th, 2012
3:54 pm
How tall is Fredi? I’m trying to gauge his weight.
Disgusted
May 28th, 2012
3:55 pm
“that’s about as stupid a comment as I have read here in a while. Good on you”
@Thank U Sneakey Pete—Keep on enjoying the losing streak.
8 down, 4 more 2 go. Hope you have made ur plans to buy your playoff tickets this yr, call the FO to see if they are on sale now.
Cap: Where's My Tip
May 28th, 2012
3:55 pm
Wigginton 3 run shot pretty much ices that game
LakeDawg
May 28th, 2012
3:56 pm
St Louis was everybodies’ team in the south before the Braves arrived. There are still a lot of holdovers down here, along with their children and grandchildren.
Disgusted
May 28th, 2012
3:57 pm
No one can turn this mess of AAA and AAAA players and pitchers around A-Bomb.
I am at the point where I just laugh at the games and really do not care.
On the good side, Venters had a decent game—finally. We waited long enough.
RIP Van Winkle has more energy than this collection of sleeping bumbs.
Disgusted
May 28th, 2012
3:59 pm
September of 2011 set the discourse of things to happen around here for a long long time.
There is NO hope.
sirluciouscp
May 28th, 2012
3:59 pm
Medlin just got rocked his past two outings, he’s not the answer buddy. Sorry. Try again.
Trey
May 28th, 2012
4:00 pm
Well, they could always be worse. Maybe we should let them play against a kids tee-ball team.
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
May 28th, 2012
4:01 pm
Even Bourn has quit.
ATL_sports_teams_suck
May 28th, 2012
4:02 pm
It was said on ESPN that Atlanta is one of the worse professional sports town because there is a lot going on in the city. Could it be because the teams SUCK big time? The Hawks are good enough to get to the playoffs and falter with a Max player who is basically a role player, The Falcons are good enough to get to the playoffs but has not won a playoff game since Dan Reeves, by the way he was ran out of town….. go figure! Now these Braves who choked away a playoff run last year and didnt make any moves, now their true colors are showing and it turns out that they are a terrible team! Blow the Braves up! Do not sign McCann to a max deal, trade Minor, Delgado, Heyward, and Pastornicky! Bring in the young guys and let them play their way into the majors. I would rather watch young guys play than to keep watching this crap!
Disgusted
May 28th, 2012
4:02 pm
Lance Lynn > than Tommy Hanson could ever hope to be.
Jimmy
May 28th, 2012
4:02 pm
Hard game ot watch.
Lets get three here and the other three in the bottom of the 9th.
Aubrey
May 28th, 2012
4:02 pm
Braves are a lay down. All of MLB wants a shot ‘em.
Ric Flair to Right
May 28th, 2012
4:02 pm
So were are all of the ”Medlen to Start” supporters now?…or this just part of “its part of his healing process”
LakeDawg
May 28th, 2012
4:02 pm
Well, they could always be worse. Maybe we should let them play against a kids tee-ball team.
——————————————————————————————————————————
Don’t they have height and WEIGHT limits for T-ball?
TarHeel 1
May 28th, 2012
4:03 pm
It’s not going to matter how well rested venters is when the braves are in last place late in the year!! Why would Gonzalez bring Hernandez in last night when the game was close and pitch venters today when it’s out of hand!! Stupid!!!!!
cowdogit
May 28th, 2012
4:03 pm
Without Leo Mazzone, no decent pitcher wants to sign with the braves. Atlanta has become famous for destroying good pitchers careers. I can’t figure out if Jeff, Mark and Carroll are employed by the Atlanta Journal or the braves public relations department.
Disgusted
May 28th, 2012
4:03 pm
@Atl Sports teams Suck;
Most of these guys are young guys, they just are not very good.
The A Bomb
May 28th, 2012
4:03 pm
DIsgusted — this is a talented group.
This has everything to do with expectations and execution. Hanson may have pitched poorly, but not covering 1B or home is inexcusable and while ys, there have been key injuries and illnesses the team ON THE FIELD should be EXPECTED to give MAXIMUM effort.
Team could have and should have won at least 2 of the 8 losses during this streak. But Gonzalez as a leader allows this team to fall into a mental abyss that is difficult for them to climb out of. This team is manic — high highs and low lows. And that is strange considering the guy leading it shows nearly zero emotion.
Team definitely needs a new skipper.
braver
May 28th, 2012
4:04 pm
Sure am glad Mac took his Midol and came to the rescue today.
Disgusted
May 28th, 2012
4:04 pm
Roger Mc Dowell has been here long enough and has not produced good enough results.
He needs to go too.
DavidO'Brienisahipster
May 28th, 2012
4:05 pm
The Braves should worry more about playing the game right rather than doing these stupid commercials I have to bear through.
Trey
May 28th, 2012
4:05 pm
LakeDawg, it’s almost a sure victory. Then again, the way the Braves are playing they would probably get blown out against them, too.
TGT
May 28th, 2012
4:06 pm
Haven’t listened/watched any of the Braves since about the 3rd game in Cincy. I follow the scores (get updates on my phone, etc.), but I refuse to listen/watch any of this mess. They better get things fixed soon. This feels too much like the end of last season. If they are still stinking by July, folks around here will already be in football mode and the Braves will be abandoned.
Both Braves and Hawks need real ownership (not some faceless conglomerate)! At least with the Falcons it feels like there is an owner/leadership behind the team that craves winning and will take serious steps in that direction. Not so with the Braves/Hawks.
Jimmy
May 28th, 2012
4:06 pm
Obviously, my 4:02 comment was concerning beers.
LakeDawg
May 28th, 2012
4:06 pm
The A Bomb
You are spot on. The Braves have talent. Its all between the ears.
tommykk
May 28th, 2012
4:07 pm
How much longer until Terry Francona gets a call?
erik
May 28th, 2012
4:07 pm
trade Minor, Delgado, Heyward, and Pastornicky! Bring in the young guys and let them play their way into the majors. I would rather watch young guys play than to keep watching this crap!—-ATL SPORTS TEAMS SUCK…..
UMMMMM all those guys you mentioned are young guys so you want to bring up some 14 year olds???? or what oldest one in that group is minor and he’s what 24?????
I am all for seeing what minor could bring in a trade but what you are saying in bogus
Is It OK To Boo Now, Mr. Moylan?
May 28th, 2012
4:09 pm
“The Braves should worry more about playing the game right rather than doing these stupid commercials I have to bear through.”
Actually, those commercials are the only entertaining thing about watching the Braves nowadays
tommykk
May 28th, 2012
4:09 pm
you couldn’t get a sack of baseballs for Minor or Pasotrnicky..come on
bigstack
May 28th, 2012
4:09 pm
Time to fire Fredi and Roger. This team is too good to run off an 8 game losing streak.
tommykk
May 28th, 2012
4:09 pm
Accountability? does it exist?
DavidO'Brienisahipster
May 28th, 2012
4:10 pm
America was founded by terrorists. They were the first ones to use bioterrorism in guise of providing warmth. GO AMERICA!
Disgusted
May 28th, 2012
4:10 pm
A-Bomb—
This is a group that had some glowing scouting reports as they were developing (Hanson, Heyward, Freeman, and others) but have not been as good as the projections made them out to be.
The development has been too slow.
I agree there is a leadership deficiency, but for the alleged talent thesse guys have, it is a disappointing result. You did make good points about the mistakes we keep seeing on the field.
As for Minor, all I can say is WOW, that flop was uncalled for.
I disagree about the talent level, the organization hyped up the prospects more than what they were and the team is paying for it in the standings.
There is nothing I can think of that could get me thinking optomistically about this team;s future except if someone like Mark Cuban would come in and free us from corporate ownership. It would be a start.
ATL_sports_teams_suck
May 28th, 2012
4:10 pm
May be bogus erik, but I am tired of watching the same crap from the same players. Its clear, they cant cut it in the majors! Bring in more young players to play for the ineffective young ones, if that makes more since to you! Anyway who cares?????? They Suck!
Jack
May 28th, 2012
4:11 pm
Don’t know if this prolonged slump is bothering the players, but Damed if I ain’t gettin’ depressed. Sigh………
The A Bomb
May 28th, 2012
4:11 pm
Oh, and by the way for those of you who thought Cox was a donkey —
No Braves team under Cox was ALLOWED to be UNPROFESSIONAL like this on the field. Ask Andruw Jones what happened.
Losing is one thing — not playing the game the right way is totally different.
Talented? Yes. Professional? No way.
Ryan
May 28th, 2012
4:12 pm
Cubs winning today maybe we can match that12 FIRE FREDDI. It isnt the injurys that so bad it are scrubs Hinkski Diaz Wilson Boscan. WE let Nats Flores look great last night today its Adams today.We brag about Livan last night ESPN said he could roll out of bed in Dec. and throw strike and go muti. innings but what they failed to say he would give up 4 or more runs. FIRE FREDDI I bet he will not be are manager when we ever win another playoff game.He never deserved a chance to manage a major team. I know I will not be going to many games this year. THis team is in trouble.
ATL_sports_teams_suck
May 28th, 2012
4:12 pm
the only players worth keeping right now is Freedie Freeman, Bourn, Prado, Huddy, Hanson and……………..medlin and……..maybe Venters and thats it!
Cap: Where's My Tip
May 28th, 2012
4:13 pm
Pirates 3 outs away from making it back to .500
The A Bomb
May 28th, 2012
4:13 pm
Remember Disgusted –
When is a player’s prime? All the guys you mentioned haven’t reached that age yet.
But it’s the EFFORT that I’m worried about and if the skipper keeps trotting these guys out there that’s a HUGE problem.
Done
May 28th, 2012
4:13 pm
I’d rather watch the HAWKS than the Braves! And I HATE NBA basketball!
Larry
May 28th, 2012
4:13 pm
I told you!
Meanwhile, a two time World Series manager, Terry Francona, is available today.
Chipper's Ex-Wife
May 28th, 2012
4:14 pm
Disgusted
May 28th, 2012
3:22 pm
…Freeman… did not become as good as they were supposed to be.
*********************
LOL! You’re an idiot. Freeman was hitting lights-out until his eye problem. I’d hardly say he hasn’t panned out.
tommykk
May 28th, 2012
4:15 pm
FG=Captain Queeg..folds under pressure
Mister Frisky
May 28th, 2012
4:15 pm
Best 0 and 8 team in baseball last 8 days.
Ric Flair to Right
May 28th, 2012
4:15 pm
The biggest compamlaint I have with FG…He has no clue on how to manufactor anything…he can never be counted on to manage this team to stop a streak…say what you want about Bobby Cox but he could and did just that!
Braves in last palce by the all star brake
May 28th, 2012
4:16 pm
Ive been tellin U 4 a log time the Braves sux and the bigest problem is the loosing managar.
Braves R starring at last palce.
Chipper's Ex-Wife
May 28th, 2012
4:16 pm
erik
May 28th, 2012
4:14 pm
so Braves finished the season with 5 losses to end 11, started ‘12 with 4 losses and now are headed for 8 losses in a row. 10-20 (I think) september in ‘11 to lose playoff spot….This has all been under Fredi’s watch?
*******************
And they lost 9 in-a-row in 2010 under Bobby Cox and still managed to win the Wildcard. So, what’s your point?
0-8
May 28th, 2012
4:16 pm
You can’t blame anyone for having half your offense out on the DL or sick. Actually you can. The Braves depending on a 40 year old with injury history to play enough games to make a difference at 3b without having a real backup plan can be blamed on Wren.
Of course with the pitching staff suffering from injuries, no wonder they are struggling. Wait a minute? Other than the minor league roster, there are no pitcher injuries. They just stink. Of course that isn’t Fredi’s fault is it?
tommykk
May 28th, 2012
4:17 pm
Francona has rings..His teams had heart most of the time..coming back multiple times in the playoffs..comparing him to FG is ludicrous
Trey
May 28th, 2012
4:17 pm
tommykk, Captain Queeg was somethin’ else.
archie
May 28th, 2012
4:17 pm
Atlanta Braves, meet Last Place. Last Place, meet Atlanta Braves. I hope you two are happy together.
Trader Jack
May 28th, 2012
4:17 pm
Phils win, Braves to lose, will be tied with Philly in the basement
DavidO'Brienisahipster
May 28th, 2012
4:18 pm
Hawks are the best sports team in Atlanta.
Chipper's Ex-Wife
May 28th, 2012
4:18 pm
also, it’s spelled BREAK you friggin mouthbreather
SMH
archie
May 28th, 2012
4:18 pm
Not sure why fans are mad at Fredi Gonzalez. He hasn’t done anything.
DavidO'Brienisahipster
May 28th, 2012
4:19 pm
Fredi Gonzalez is good at eating tacos.
tommykk
May 28th, 2012
4:20 pm
This team does not respond to Queeg when the chips are down.It’s so obvious
0-8
May 28th, 2012
4:20 pm
For everyone who said all Winter that the Braves would be “right there” with the Phils…… looks like you were right!
Ralph
May 28th, 2012
4:21 pm
I think this team has a mystery virus, only Prado hasn’t gotten it yet, I don’t know what it is but this is the sickest bunch I have ever seen. The entire team should be quarenteened before the whole world gets it.
Jimmy
May 28th, 2012
4:21 pm
Also, last place…not last palce.
This give a clue of this posters ability to think.
Let alone, baseball knowledge.
Larry
May 28th, 2012
4:21 pm
So, down six runs in the 9th, rather than take the first pitch, Uggla swings for the fence. This is an indictment of the utter disregard or respect for histeam and his team’s manager.
What more evidence of this team’s total lack of respect for their manager does one need?
.
Mike Mangan
May 28th, 2012
4:22 pm
braves are now looking up at rest of NL east,Welcome to the cellar..Question is How long do we live in the outhouse???
Jimmy
May 28th, 2012
4:22 pm
Ball game.
Ok, going to watch some murder show on Discovery ID.
DavidO'Brienisahipster
May 28th, 2012
4:22 pm
Wasn’t Frank Wren trying to trade Prado this off season? He is a great GM by the way. Anyone who gets canned at Baltimore clearly has what it takes.
The A Bomb
May 28th, 2012
4:22 pm
Point proven with Francisco striking out…..RUN!
That is exactly what I’m talking about.
No hustle. And it’s allowed by the coaching staff. Injuries be damned.
BALLGAME! CLUSTER!
Mister Frisky
May 28th, 2012
4:23 pm
This is the EXACT same group of sackless,heartless,fat ass unathletic choking bags from last year.Who among us really thought these losers and their stooge for a manager could turn the page from 9-11.The ONLY guy who looks pissed at a bad AB is Prado,that’s it.Prado and Kimbrel stay,Chipper and the other 22 can go pound sand.This season is OVER.Good Nite Now.
Ward
May 28th, 2012
4:23 pm
Hello everyone! Braves are sinking…….” Broken Arrow……..”
Disgusted
May 28th, 2012
4:23 pm
Rest assured this team is not getting out of last place for the rest of this season.
Cap: Where's My Tip
May 28th, 2012
4:23 pm
you got a good one over there Cards, Lynn is a keeper
0-8
May 28th, 2012
4:24 pm
“so Braves finished the season with 5 losses to end 11, started ‘12 with 4 losses and now are headed for 8 losses in a row. 10-20 (I think) september in ‘11 to lose playoff spot….This has all been under Fredi’s watch?
*******************
And they lost 9 in-a-row in 2010 under Bobby Cox and still managed to win the Wildcard. So, what’s your point?”
It takes a real idiot to even act like those two events are similar. Losing 9 in a row under Cox and the repeated flake outs by the Braves since last August under Fredi doesn’t even compare!
kevkat
May 28th, 2012
4:24 pm
Sutton is even upset..He said the Braves losing streak “drops” to 8…
tommykk
May 28th, 2012
4:24 pm
This team has nothing but second rate pitchers…but that’s no excuse for losing 8 in a row
stizz
May 28th, 2012
4:25 pm
Fredi would be better served getting back with Juan and the boys in the Home Depot parking lot.
Ward
May 28th, 2012
4:25 pm
Did anyone see Wren in pres box?
Larry
May 28th, 2012
4:25 pm
The Braves record, all inclusive, since September 1, 2011:
46-62
Digest that for a moment.
DavidO'Brienisahipster
May 28th, 2012
4:25 pm
Don Sutton said last night that there would be no sellers in the NL East…does that point hold true for the Braves or is he just a homer?
Mike Mangan
May 28th, 2012
4:25 pm
Anyone remember when the Fish fired Fredi and he wasnt even in last place.Maybe Wren needs to go and Schureholz take over the presient and GM role/
Ward
May 28th, 2012
4:26 pm
Might as well shoot for 10, because Braves have no life in dug out.
Cap: Where's My Tip
May 28th, 2012
4:26 pm
“This is the EXACT same group … from last year”
you say it trying to put a bad spin on it but that team was just 1 more September win away from going to the playoffs. If it’s the same team, then good things await them (and when that starts happening the band wagon will no doubt start filling back up)
stizz
May 28th, 2012
4:27 pm
At least Wren has cojones to backhand any dumb **** that comes out of Fredi’s mouth. If it were up to Fredi, JJ would still be in the rotation.
Ralph
May 28th, 2012
4:27 pm
Jimmy
That was about as stupid a remark as I have ever heard, You don’t have to be able to spell to have great common sense, something i’m sure you know nothing about.
Ward
May 28th, 2012
4:27 pm
This is a broken team, and I’m calling “Broken Arrow”………
SNEAKY PETE
May 28th, 2012
4:27 pm
Just because I’m upset about losing doesn’t mean that I have to talk like a fool, Disgusted.
seems to work that way with you though
SNEAKY PETE
May 28th, 2012
4:28 pm
Braves will not be sellers, they almost never are
Disgusted
May 28th, 2012
4:30 pm
Here is Chip playing the “injury” card again.
Excuses Excuses.
0-8
May 28th, 2012
4:31 pm
So Chip is saying in the postgame that this is what you are going to get when you don’t have Chipper, Mac and Freeman… don’t have any offense!
What an idiot he is! Last time I checked, the Braves gave up 8!
Disgusted
May 28th, 2012
4:31 pm
Just because I’m upset about losing doesn’t mean that I have to talk like a fool, Disgusted.
seems to work that way with you though
Well this the way I takl about losing snealy Pete for STFU and go KCUF urself and go step on a rusty nail.
TP
May 28th, 2012
4:31 pm
How many body bags for all the little angry people jumping off stone mountain
DavidO'Brienisahipster
May 28th, 2012
4:31 pm
Why are Chip Carey and Joe Simpson wearing the same shirt?
Ward
May 28th, 2012
4:31 pm
Braves have talent, just not happening, as of yet. Braves need to buy. $85 million team payroll isn’t going to help you win.
OldFan
May 28th, 2012
4:32 pm
I spent over $400 last week for Yankees series tickets, thinking I’d actually see some good major league baseball. What an idiot! Well, at least I won’t have to watch the Braves lose to a NL team.
Disgusted
May 28th, 2012
4:32 pm
When you are the worst team in baseballl you do things like losing 8 in a row and play fundamentally dumb defense.
BulldogBen
May 28th, 2012
4:33 pm
Awful. Agree with the sentiments here that losing streaks happen but these kinds have become all too common under Fredi.
I never thought I’d say this but I think I actually agree with whoever said the Hawks are the best team in Atlanta. BLECH.
DawgNole
May 28th, 2012
4:33 pm
Jerome J. says (in postgame), “This is not Braves baseball as we know it.”
Let’s see, how many championships has the team won since arriving in ATL back in the mid-60s?
ONE?!! Really?
Then I’d say it IS indeed “Braves baseball as we know it”–quite contrary to what the sycophant Jerome announces.
DavidO'Brienisahipster
May 28th, 2012
4:33 pm
Why would anyone pay money to support this team? If the players and manager don’t care why bother showing up?
Ward
May 28th, 2012
4:34 pm
Right now I see players with their heads down, and eveyone seems not to be focused. It’s a life-less club right now. Hard to say they will even snap out of it.
Disgusted
May 28th, 2012
4:34 pm
The Yankees will be worth watching Old Fan.
Its to the point I’d just assume root for the other team anyway, this team cannot win.
Hope you have a great time in that series. I will root for the Yankees in that series,
Ralph
May 28th, 2012
4:35 pm
SNEAKY PETE
May 28th, 2012
4:28 pm
Braves will not be sellers, they almost never are
They don’t have anything anyone would want to buy.
DawgNole
May 28th, 2012
4:35 pm
DavidO’Brienisahipster
May 28th, 2012
4:18 pm
Hawks are the best sports team in Atlanta.
______________________
Wow. That’s saying a lot.
tommykk
May 28th, 2012
4:35 pm
Let’s face it.when was the last time this team was in the World Series? The myth of the Braves being a “great organization” should be put to death immediately. How may times has this team made the playoffs lately? How many have St. Lous won? This is NOT a great organization..
Cuban this is a major reclamation project..come on dude..it’s not the 90s anymore
DavidO'Brienisahipster
May 28th, 2012
4:36 pm
The Braves should pay people to go to games.
Ward
May 28th, 2012
4:36 pm
Actually I’m pretty good, and looking for a nice day today despite the horrible loss. Not much you can do really. Braves are in trouble though.
brian
May 28th, 2012
4:37 pm
we are getting to June and the Braves self-assessment should not be too flattering to say the least. We need another bat, another starter, and another relief pitcher. We are playing well below our talent level. Why don’t the Braves continue to emulate the Marlins, fire Fredi, and hire Jack McKeon for the year?
The Braves have the talent to be a post-season contender but it is time to put up or shut up. If the BRaves fold, they will be sellers at the deadline. Expect Michael Bourn to be sold off to the highest bidder. Hanson and Jurrjens will also be available. David Ross would fetch a nice prospect in return for a contender that is catcher needy. Venters or EOF could bring back a significant return and Prado’s value is peaking right now. Minor and Delgado would have significant value. Then there is McCann…….
The Braves could rebuild in a hurry selling off some of their assets while keeping Freeman, Heyward (it would be selling low with JHey), Kimbrel, Beachy as a strong core. That would have to be a fun proposition for Mark Cuban.
Standing pat does not appear to be an option for these Braves especially after last season’s collapse
The A Bomb
May 28th, 2012
4:38 pm
When you have backup players at the major league level the EXPECTATION should be that they would EXECUTE a fundamental play just like a starter.
The bench players are also very good players supposedly, because they’re on a major league roster. But if Hinske can’t cut it at 1st, then put Prado over there. Jeezus. And if Pastornicky can’t make a split-second decision to go to first on a play in front of him then call a real shortstop up — arb clock be damned. I don’t know why it’s tolerated.
Braves are very unprofessional right now.
Bring back Cox for the rest of the season and then get someone who means something for ‘13. This is a team with way too much talent to be wallowing around like this.
DriveThem Away!
May 28th, 2012
4:39 pm
In recent years, there have been some teams that have come into Atlanta with a huge Southeastern following. Not unusual to see lots of Cards fans, Cubs fans and even Mets fans.
This Braves team may soon return to the Braves teams of the past when virtually EVERY home stand saw more fans there to see the opposition team rather than root for the Braves. That’s what happens when you start taking the fan base for granted.
LakeDawg
May 28th, 2012
4:39 pm
There have been some great rants today, but this is #1 so far:
“This is the EXACT same group of sackless,heartless,fat ass unathletic choking bags from last year.”
Disgusted
May 28th, 2012
4:39 pm
tommykk–Cuban cannot buy the Braves if Liberty Media won’t sell.
Of course we have no clue what their plans are and they will not tell us anything. That’s just business.
HAL
May 28th, 2012
4:40 pm
yea lets all blame uggla that clown in right field is above reproach speaking of the worst defensive players in baseball look just behind dan at that guy throwing the ball at the mound in cut off situations lmfao
The A Bomb
May 28th, 2012
4:42 pm
“You see our team playing hard.”
WHAAAAAAAAAAAATTTTTTTTTTTTT??????
FEAR
May 28th, 2012
4:42 pm
team is gutless. they have some adversity and they fold like lawn chairs.
Ralph
May 28th, 2012
4:43 pm
Mark Cuban once said he would like to buy a baseball team but one that was in trouble, he ruled out the braves because they were a well established franchise, perhaps he would reconsider now.
Ward
May 28th, 2012
4:45 pm
Trey – I don’t have a problem with letting young pitchers pitch, I even said earlier we might have to take one with the team this year? Getting swept by Reds, Nats, and it doesn’t look good with the Cards. The problem I have is Wrens arogance……..If he wants the team to contend, he needs to make a trade, and fix the problem? He shouldn’t miss – lead us. I still think the Braves need a veteran pitcher, and a bat. Heck why are some the bats still in triple AAA?
Braves in last palce by the all star brake
May 28th, 2012
4:45 pm
Say all U want abot me but Ive been rite all a long.
Disgusted
May 28th, 2012
4:45 pm
The Braves used to be a very good organization that fell short of greatness. They were on the precipice of greatness then came the 1996 WS that got away.
It set a future precedent of post season disappointments, but siince 2006, this is a mediocre orgainzation. All you have to do is look at the record.
Even in 2010 we came close to blowing the wild card.
SMOLTZ 29
May 28th, 2012
4:47 pm
FREE FALLING…… WITHOUT A PARACHUTE! MERCY
Ward
May 28th, 2012
4:49 pm
As long as, Wren keeps this team around $85million, we will see this every year.
QED
May 28th, 2012
4:49 pm
Ideas for a team-wide slump buster?
mcdavidastro
May 28th, 2012
4:50 pm
First to worst! Are they close to some sort of record?
DriveThem Away!
May 28th, 2012
4:51 pm
I appreciate the effort and hustle as Fredi talks about, but I appreciate more when major leaguers play like major leaguers on offense and defense. This team isn’t doing that.
It was really funny listening to Sutton and Powell on the radio when Venters entered the game. They were talking some silly crap when Venters went 3-0 on the leadoff hitter and neither even acted like it was a big deal. WTF? Venters lucked into a ground ball, gave up a walk and a hit and finally got out of the inning. When you make excuses for your kids bad behavior, they never learn responsibility or accountability. Same about a big league ball team. If you are always making excuses for their performance how can anyone expect them to hold themselves accountable?
FEAR
May 28th, 2012
4:51 pm
QED – beth kenner strip tease during 7th inning stretch tomorrow?
Double down
May 28th, 2012
4:51 pm
I’m guessing Wren has about $3m in reserve and will strike a deal to add a player. He has a history of that.
Ward
May 28th, 2012
4:52 pm
If this continues Fire Wren?
DawgNole
May 28th, 2012
4:53 pm
archie
May 28th, 2012
4:18 pm
Not sure why fans are mad at Fredi Gonzalez. He hasn’t done anything.
_______________________
That’s the problem: He hasn’t done ANYthing.
The A Bomb
May 28th, 2012
4:54 pm
Now we have Elizabeth Twitter as well?
Holy crap.
Buzz 2011
May 28th, 2012
4:54 pm
Look on te bright side, the GT Yellow Jackets tore through the ACC tournament and won!!
DriveThem Away!
May 28th, 2012
4:54 pm
Finally had to turn it off……. a social media reporter who knows nothing about baseball is EXACTLY what I want to see right now! Geez, even the broadcast is bush league!
Disgusted
May 28th, 2012
4:54 pm
“I’m guessing Wren has about $3m in reserve and will strike a deal to add a player. He has a history of that”
That is too little too late for this bunch. .
anonymous
May 28th, 2012
4:54 pm
Elizabeth is no comparison to Beth!
DriveThem Away!
May 28th, 2012
4:58 pm
“I’m guessing Wren has about $3m in reserve and will strike a deal to add a player. He has a history of that”
That has NEVER made any sense to me. Why save 3 million to add a player to help you come from 6 games back instead of contructing your roster from the start by spending that 3 mil so you won’t have to COME from 6 games back?
brian
May 28th, 2012
5:00 pm
yes Buzz – the Jackets did what the Cardinals did last year — make it into the post-season on the last day and then win it all.
SNEAKY PETE
May 28th, 2012
5:03 pm
Ward, Wren has nothing to do with how much money is allotted for him to spend
Venice Jim
May 28th, 2012
5:04 pm
stizz
May 28th, 2012
4:25 pm
Fredi would be better served getting back with Juan and the boys in the Home Depot parking lot.
Glad to see we can squeeze in a little old fashioned racism along with the other brilliant commentary today…
Trey
May 28th, 2012
5:04 pm
The Braves aren’t all that good, but what can ya do, but continue to support them? Fredi ain’t goin’ anywhere, Minor’s not going anywhere. Freddie Freeman all of a sudden is blind as a bat, Brian McCann is just recovering from the flu, Heyward looks lost out there, Chipper got banged up and he can’t play. The players that are not sick or hurt, that are still capable of playing, are playing like a bunch of four year old kids.
Ward
May 28th, 2012
5:06 pm
Wren does what Liberty Media allows him to do. Wrens is the one who is in charge, and calling the shots.
SNEAKY PETE
May 28th, 2012
5:09 pm
nolie if you are around, you asked last night if anyone had seen Continuum, I did and I thought it was pretty promising. Give it a shot.
SNEAKY PETE
May 28th, 2012
5:10 pm
but he is not the one who makes the budget up, how hard is that to understand?
sirluciouscp
May 28th, 2012
5:11 pm
It kills me when a white guy mentions racism. When has it ever affected u moron? Don’t worry….ill wait.
Ward
May 28th, 2012
5:14 pm
All, I’ll talk later tonight……Going to enjoy the rest of the day. Right now this team has a “Broken Arrow”, and it’s do to Wren…….Peace my friends, and “Go!!!!!Braves!!!!!”
Trey
May 28th, 2012
5:15 pm
Racism is racism, sirluciouscp. If you don’t like racism against you, then don’t bring racism against anyone else, child.
jimbob
May 28th, 2012
5:16 pm
irluciouscp
May 28th, 2012
5:11 pm
It kills me when a white guy mentions racism. When has it ever affected u moron? Don’t worry….ill wait.
I don’t think you understood his post….Try again.
SNEAKY PETE
May 28th, 2012
5:16 pm
some white guys lose jobs to affirmative action despite being more qualified. I’m sure that they as individuals feel they have been affected by racism, at least in a round about way.
DriveThem Away!
May 28th, 2012
5:17 pm
Having 3 million set aside makes no sense to me. Just because “everybody does it” doesn’t make it smart. Why spot the opposition an advantage from day one of the season that you will have to make up instead of trying to have your best team on the field on day one?
The last time I remember the Braves getting a real difference maker at the deadline was McGriff. I haven’t seen a deadline deal since then that has made a real difference for the Braves.
I would rather Wren and company send a message to the team that “this is what you have from day one, better use it!” instead of going back to McQuirk and saying, “we were sellers at the deadline Terrry and I saved you 3 million to boot!”
0-8
May 28th, 2012
5:20 pm
Yep, I’m really here!
David O'Brien
May 28th, 2012
5:22 pm
Braves are now 19-5 with Chipper in lineup, 7-19 without him in lineup
David O'Brien
May 28th, 2012
5:22 pm
McCann: “We’ve got to turn this thing around soon. We’ve got to swing the bats a little bit better, and play all phases of the games a little bit better.”
SNEAKY PETE
May 28th, 2012
5:23 pm
exactly when was the last time that the Braves were sellers at the deadline, DTA ?
David O'Brien
May 28th, 2012
5:24 pm
Hanson: “I don’t think anybody’s panicking right now. Obviously when we come to the field we want to win that game. But nobody’s panicking around here. We’re still above .500 right now, and as soon as we start playing good …. we know we were just in first place. We were just beating teams and sweeping teams and taking two out of three. So we know once we’re healthy and back playing well, we’re going to win games and we’re going to be there in the end….
“We need our guys to get healthy and to be out there, but there’s nothing we can do about it right now. We’ve got to work with what we’ve got. And we’ve got to compete. A lot of our loss today was my inability to go out there and compete and give us a chance to win. Giving up six runs in three innings when we’re not playing well isn’t going to get the job done. I took a lot of the blame today. We’ve got to do a better job of competing and trying to win these games.”
0-8
May 28th, 2012
5:24 pm
Actually Mac, you need to swing the bats and play all phases of the game a LOT better!
Joe
May 28th, 2012
5:26 pm
I remember when Yunel Escobar (SS) was heavily criticized for having “a bad attitude”..Je, je, je…Now the bad attitude is in many players of this team…Yunel, we miss you..
brian
May 28th, 2012
5:27 pm
Chipper has played very well when healthy but not huge enough to explain the stark difference in records. Chipper is still on the bench a lot. What are your thoughts DOB in the lack of results without Chipper?
brian
May 28th, 2012
5:28 pm
Joe – we do not miss Yunel at all – not on the field either. Check out his numbers
danny
May 28th, 2012
5:30 pm
I already have no confidence in Wren but if he re-signs McCann to a long term deal it will prove beyond the shadow of a doubt that he is a moron. He is falling apart at the worst position to fall apart at. It will only go down from here. How can you sit there and watch your team struggling like this and not even try to get out there??? Not to mention laughing and joking in the dugout. Signing him to another contract and not trading him will set this team back YEARS. When we absolutely need Mac the most he is not there…..last September and NOW! You are supposed to be the leader of this team!!!!!!! GET OUT THERE. It’s a shame, just a shame
Gotta Be .....
May 28th, 2012
5:31 pm
Enter your comments here
nolie
May 28th, 2012
5:33 pm
Well I laid my head on the railroad tracks
waiting for the Double “E”
But that train don’t run by here no more
Poor, poor pitiful me
Poor, poor pitiful me
Poor, poor pitiful me
Those loosin’ Braves won’t let me be
Lord have mercy on me
Woe is me
Gotta Be .....
May 28th, 2012
5:34 pm
Some of the biggest, stupidest DUMB ASSES posting here when the Braves lose.
Yall stupid son-of-a bitches grow up.
Act your f-in age.
Maria
May 28th, 2012
5:34 pm
Is anyone having as much a problem with Roger McDowell as our pitching coach as I am? Going back to that 9 game losing streak mentioned in the article, who was our pitching coach? McDowell.
I’m ready for the Braves to give him the heave ho. He’s just not cutting it. Most teams have a “go to guy” but we don’t. Hudson is suppose to be ours but since he’s gotten back, he’s either been really good or really bad. I do blame Fredi Gonzalez for his last loss though. He should have been taken out of that game and was left in there too long.
David O'Brien
May 28th, 2012
5:36 pm
QUOTAGE
http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-braves-blog/2012/05/28/braves-quotes-after-monday-loss-to-st-louis/
HUH
May 28th, 2012
5:37 pm
girls don’ say “give the heave ho”, quit pretending
nolie
May 28th, 2012
5:37 pm
Thank you DOB
Gotta Be .....
May 28th, 2012
5:38 pm
Read my 5:34
Read it again
don’t you agree,nolie?
Maria
May 28th, 2012
5:39 pm
Hey Danny, why don’t you get sick with the flu and see if you are able “to get out there” to your job and perform it? I guess you did not see the game he went into when Ross got hurt and sick as a dog, catching something like 7 innings. You probably don’t even keep up with this team regularly and someone told you he was sick and you just assumed it was a one day thing but he’s been so sick, he can barely function so think before you speak since you apparently don’t know the whole situation.
nolie
May 28th, 2012
5:40 pm
pretty much, Gotta Be
Maria
May 28th, 2012
5:40 pm
I say “heave ho” See, I said it there again.
Trey
May 28th, 2012
5:41 pm
Thank you for the post game quotes, DOB.
nolie
May 28th, 2012
5:41 pm
definitely a masculine phrase, HUH
JasonInFL
May 28th, 2012
5:43 pm
It is better to go on a streak like this early when there is time to recover. We need a front line pitcher to anchor this rotation, but we have no money to get one. You don’t go 22-9 without any talent. I can’t explain the 0-8, but we can go on a hot streak. Need to get healthy. If we get healthy and Wren can pull off a miracle for a front line starter, we have a good shot.
Ivan...
May 28th, 2012
5:45 pm
How ya doin nolie?
JasonInFL
May 28th, 2012
5:45 pm
Thanks for the quotes, DOB.
nolie
May 28th, 2012
5:46 pm
ok Ivan. How is your mom? I hope you both are holding up.
jimbob
May 28th, 2012
5:50 pm
Why do I get the feeling that nolie and ivan are the same person? Most likely a few others….
nolie
May 28th, 2012
5:52 pm
22 – 9 + 0 – 8 = 22 – 17 = .565 = 91 wins
nolie
May 28th, 2012
5:53 pm
probably because you are an utter idiot jimbob.
Trey
May 28th, 2012
5:55 pm
Ivan, I hope everything is going well with y’all.
jimbob
May 28th, 2012
5:56 pm
nolie
May 28th, 2012
5:53 pm
probably because you are an utter idiot jimbob.
Spoken like the true dolt that you are….
nolie
May 28th, 2012
5:57 pm
I’m not the jimbob, jimbob, you are. why do I think you were Maria?
Disgusted
May 28th, 2012
5:58 pm
The Houston Astros are better than the Braves are now.
Great accomplishment guys. Gotta go for number 9 tommorrow. Keep it going boys, your on the right track to ………………………………..
Steve
May 28th, 2012
5:58 pm
JS wrote a letter after last year’s collapse. Frank Wren did little this off-season to improve the team. Fredi is over his head. Our starting pitching is collapsing. Time to clean house. But, with the Braves way of doing things, nothing will be done.
nolie
May 28th, 2012
5:59 pm
if you are gonna lose 8 in a row you might as well go for the all-time record, right ?
JasonInFL
May 28th, 2012
6:00 pm
Wish we would have drafted Stanton…could have had him, Heyward, and Freddie.
Trey
May 28th, 2012
6:03 pm
jimbob, nolie doesn’t use other monikers.
richbrave, though. He’s a sly one.
nolie
May 28th, 2012
6:04 pm
but we wanted Jon Gilmore way more Jason…..
nolie
May 28th, 2012
6:04 pm
jimbob uses them though, Trey
jimbob
May 28th, 2012
6:05 pm
Nope…I rarely post on here.
JasonInFL
May 28th, 2012
6:05 pm
Thanks, Nolie. That was the name I was looking for! Didn’t we draft one other player between J-Hey and FF too? We had two picks where we could have taken Stanton, No?
nolie
May 28th, 2012
6:07 pm
yeah, sure
Ivan...
May 28th, 2012
6:09 pm
nolie, Trey- Thanks for asking. She has had good and bad days of late.. Took a chemo for first time week or so ago, kinda slowed her down. Appetite is not big but I encourage her to eat. Has another round in another week or so. Praying she can beat this thing.
Talk to yall next weekend, been on call this holiday weekend, had to run some no a/c calls last few days.. My luck being on call on a holiday…
Later.
nolie
May 28th, 2012
6:12 pm
yeah Josh Fields in the second round, but I had to look that one up, Jason
JasonInFL
May 28th, 2012
6:15 pm
There it is…Jon Gilmore and Josh Fields. Yikes. Would have rather drafted David Gilmour than Jon Gilmore…
JasonInFL
May 28th, 2012
6:16 pm
We need someone to come out and put up some 0s. Period. That’s how losing streaks are ended.
Supes
May 28th, 2012
6:21 pm
McCann should be traded, before he goes all “Jair Jurrgens” on us and tanks his value by having an injury plagued none productive season (all the warning signs are there folks, if you refuse to see them that’s fine with me but it doesn’t make it not true).
Woody Woodward
May 28th, 2012
6:24 pm
What other truths can you share with the flock, O wise Supersage?
David O'Brien
May 28th, 2012
6:24 pm
updated game story with quotes:
http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-braves-blog/2012/05/28/braves-losing-skid-reaches-8-and-monday-record-is-0-8/
nolie
May 28th, 2012
6:24 pm
just because you think you see them doesn’t make it true, either
The Archbishop of Canterbury
May 28th, 2012
6:36 pm
Well, I guess if Chipper means that much to this franchise he better find a way to reprise the Going Away Tour next year. By the way, whatever happened to that Earl Williams guy whon predicted Uggla would be a bust, said Halladay would soon break down from Jed Clampett’s overuse and also Nostradamused that Utley would never be the same. He also implied Fredo was the guitar player in Deliverance after a 42 year maturation period. I’m not giving himuch credit for the Fredo Gonzalez desription but the Halladay and Utley thing was pretty prescient.
Georgia 83
May 28th, 2012
6:40 pm
Why in the Hell would we need Heyward if we had Stanton? Stanton makes our guy look like a prepubescent newcomer to a prep school. Don’t mention the names in the same sentence.
Lew
May 28th, 2012
6:42 pm
Yeah, predicting that Utley with his chronic knee condition was going to miss time sure took supernatural skills.
DawgNole
May 28th, 2012
6:43 pm
Steve
May 28th, 2012
5:58 pm
Time to clean house. But, with the Braves way of doing things, nothing will be done.
____________________
Kinda reminds you of the Hawks, Falcons, Thrashers, Flames, etc.
Anyone see a common thread here?
Train Wreck Bystander
May 28th, 2012
6:46 pm
Freeman should try sitting in the stands for a few games. The tears would flow like water.
Lew
May 28th, 2012
6:46 pm
Common thread? Yeah, they’re all from Atlanta – after thaty? No.
Olive Oyl Thinks "popeye" Is a Wuss
May 28th, 2012
6:47 pm
You guys aren’t going to believe a faceless guy on a Blog so independently describe Freeman’s eye condition to an opthamologist you know and check out his or her’s prognosis for the Braves’ 1B. Let’s just hope this kid doesn’t rush back and end up getting killed when he sees 2 99MPH fastballs at the same time. Uggla really is a doofus. Too bad THAT era came to an end.some people really got impacted more than others.
The A Bomb
May 28th, 2012
6:50 pm
Braves 19-5 with Chipper — 7-19 without.
So he’s basically on pace to play in 80 games.
And none beyond that. We sell to get talent.
Bourn can bring a bounty much bigger than what we paid to get him.
REMEMBER: There are a lot of up and coming teams and that’s good, because it means they’ll be desperate for that ONE PLAYER to get them over the top. McCann as well for 1 1/2 years. Time for this team to retool. Start with the coaching staff and work down.
Trey
May 28th, 2012
6:51 pm
Ivan, I hope everything gets better for her.
nolie
May 28th, 2012
6:51 pm
what can you say but WOW!!
nolie
May 28th, 2012
6:52 pm
half a year of Bourn with a Boras agent is not gonna bring as much back as y’all keep saying. look over te last few years at 3 month rentals
Olive Oyl Thinks "popeye" Is a Wuss
May 28th, 2012
6:53 pm
Hey Lew, You were one of the Phi Beta Kappas quoting the Phillies who were saying “Everything will be fine. He just needs some time”, he needs time,I agree, about 32 years. Playing 2B isn’t like jogging around a trailer park in Deleware. Too bad about Doc. I’m being facetious. You know when you have a guy from the hills doing his best impersonation of a college coach ruining an arm in a super regional,well that usually has a bad ending. Also helps the big guy at first has the lower body of Bobby Cox
nolie
May 28th, 2012
6:56 pm
you are saying that LEW said something like that about Utley?
Ms Oyl, Lew is as anti-Phils as there is in the world, and he said often that Utley would be a big question mark.
cowdogit
May 28th, 2012
7:09 pm
Mazzone won fourteen division titles and never had one bad year. He had over fifty relief pitchers during his run and they all came into the game prepared. When Cox said McDowell was the best pitching coach that had ever worked for him I knew he had picked McDowell over winning division titles.
nolie
May 28th, 2012
7:13 pm
if Mazzone was all that “special” he wouldn’t be sitting in a radio booth making a lot less money than he could as a pitching coach. There is a reason that is happening. Guy rode his rep on the back of three HOFers and several other very good pitchers, on top of ruining Avery he was alienating every young pitcher on the team the last few years
Powder Blue
May 28th, 2012
7:13 pm
I suppose another Schuerholz letter will drop soon to appease the masses. Whatever.
nolie
May 28th, 2012
7:14 pm
I’m not so sure about that PB, I heard it was kinda controversial
danny
May 28th, 2012
7:21 pm
No MARIA, i keep up with this team everyday. Have for 21 years now. That’s why I have sense enough to recognize that they should trade McCann instead of being an excuse maker like you seem to be. The biggest collapse in baseball history and he was one of the main reasons. Dropped 7 in a row this week and he can’t get out there for his team. An aging, falling apart national league catcher. Try to wake up. Try to use a little logic. I’ve been to work multiple times with the flu thank you very much. This team has already been through a contract hamstring with Chipper Jones and you just want to exchange his contract for another bad one in McCann???? Why don’t you try following this team a little bit.
nolie
May 28th, 2012
7:21 pm
ok, the “ruining Avery” was hyperbole…..
Disgusted
May 28th, 2012
7:21 pm
As frustrating as this is we are better off not having Freeman around than him facing MLB pitching with his vision not up to hitting MLB pitching.
If it takes the whole bleeping year, so be it. If a guy cannot see, than he has no business being out there.
This is not the first time he has had eye issues, I think.
Hey, what do we have to really gain or lose at this point.
Powder Blue
May 28th, 2012
7:21 pm
nolie,
I don’t expect anything from Schuerholz or anyone else. They are who they are until we get another owner. Just gotta’ hope the injured players recover soon.
nolie
May 28th, 2012
7:22 pm
doesn’t seem to be even worth another job….
slumpy
May 28th, 2012
7:23 pm
The baby braves cannot handle being in first place. We are fine in second, but the minute we reach first we emplode. We need to get the shrink that cured Smoltz and have him start with McCann,
Freeman, Hayward, Minor and F Gonzalas.
nolie
May 28th, 2012
7:23 pm
you have to know that if baseball people actually believed anything near that, he would be working as a PC again somewhere
nolie
May 28th, 2012
7:24 pm
They are who they are until we get another owner. …PB
yeah pretty much
Disgusted
May 28th, 2012
7:26 pm
Nolie—Avery had chances with other teams and he was unable to get it back. Too bad he was done at 28 yrs old.
Perhaps he might have been overrated.
He was good for three years, was down in 94 and 95 and in 96 was off to a good start and in a game vs the Mets he got into a scuffle when he threw at a batter when he celebrated when he his a home run (Vizcaino was the guys;s name and I never got why he thrwe at him anyway) and after that game he lost 7 decisions in a row to finish 7-10 and he was pretty much finished after that.
I did not like Avery but that was because I expected more given the hype around him when he first came up.
He had two great yrs in 91 and 93 and little else.
cowdogit
May 28th, 2012
7:28 pm
Hey Nolie you need to read Erik’s blog, then you will understand why the braves can no longer contend.
jeffrey d
May 28th, 2012
7:28 pm
Erik’s got it figured out, eh?
nolie
May 28th, 2012
7:32 pm
I am very familiar with Leo’s history, and I’m not saying that there is nothing to it, BUT if any team in baseball believed he would make a difference to their staff, he would be working.
The rap on his handling of young pitching is just too strong, however much of it is true; he is out of baseball in a highly competitive market that would grab up any perceived advantage
nolie
May 28th, 2012
7:35 pm
Avery had a great 91,92,93, and then was hurt and his arm never recovered completely, different pitcher later, no fast ball at all
Powder Blue
May 28th, 2012
7:38 pm
“Avery had a great 91,92,93, and then was hurt and his arm never recovered completely, different pitcher later, no fast ball at all”
That’s my recollection as well.
nolie
May 28th, 2012
7:38 pm
whether true or not, many blamed his decline on being overused as a young starter, and he is often mentioned by advocates of pitch counts and inning limits
Woody Woodward
May 28th, 2012
7:40 pm
Has Magic lost some weight?
Charles
May 28th, 2012
7:41 pm
What did you expect? It’s basically the same unit that folded last year. 1. Biggest factor: Gonzalez can’t manage the team out of a skid. He proved that last September, living the “dream” that “tomorrow is another day”. Kick some ass, Fredi! Hayward should have been yanked mid-inning for his lack of effort — it was good enough for a proven Hall of Famer – Reggie Jackson – when he played for the Yankees. And they came from behind to win the pennant and the Series that year. A good “in your face” dog fight in the dugout would do wonders for this emotionless team. 2. The Braves management are idiots into deluding themselves about Pastornicky — he had 3x the number of errors as Alex Gonzalez in AA/AAA. It was only a matter of time before the law of averages caught up with his anemic defensive skills. And he was supposed to contribute at the plate, which he has not. Gonzo’s $1.5M one year deal he got from the Brewers looks pretty good now. 3. If Jurgens was really washed up, as the Braves clearly knew, that deal the Orioles offered (Jurgens, Prado and one of our now 7.00 ERA young pitchers for Adam Jones sure looks good now. The O’s are in first place and the Braves are now in last. 4. The team lives and breathes on Chipper and unfortunately he’s no longer an everyday player. 5. The rest of the team has no fire in their belly — Bourn is playing likes it’s a contract year most of the time, McCann thinks the Braves will pick up his option so he can start playing next year to posture for free agency, and most of the rest are just not good enough to pull themselves together and play like the Cardinals of last September. The NL East is much tougher this year. Unfortunately, the Braves are the same team that folded last September, with the exception of replacing a .250 hitting shortstop who only committed 12 errors all season with a guy who will commit 3x that much if he is allowed to go out there every day and hit for worse average. To win against the NL East on a consistent basis you can’t go out there with the lackadasical Fredi and the Dreamers and expect to compete.
Woody Woodward
May 28th, 2012
7:41 pm
Is fredi on wren’s radar in the midst of all this?
nolie
May 28th, 2012
7:43 pm
bears repeating that NOBODY has hired him, so their perception is obviously much different than yours
Woody Woodward
May 28th, 2012
7:44 pm
How can you tell, Erik? Have they confided in you? Any evidence other than your own dislike of fredi?
JeanE
May 28th, 2012
7:45 pm
I was at the game, it was truly ugly. Nice Memorial Day commemorations, though. Too many St. Louis fans who left the game thrilled. Hanson was awful, gave us no chance to win. I’ve never been a fan of his work, he just labors through everything, alot of sound and fury signifying nothing but losing. And then to hear the same old PC drivel after the game, I’m sick of it! At least Bourn owns up and says it like it is. The best things on the day were good innings by Durin and Martinez, how sad is that? Juan hit some runs in but man he also has some ugly AB’s. The defense is just bad, but Jason did manage to keep to his feet today. I ask myself, would we be any better off if we had kept Francoeur? I don’t think so. It’s hard not to wonder, though. And same for the Melk-Dud who is on fire. Our starting pitching is Huddy, Beachy and then a bunch of get the long guys ready to come in. Very sad and extremely frustrating. I miss Bobby Cox shouting encouragement from the dugout. Fredi is like a robot.
nolie
May 28th, 2012
7:46 pm
oh I’m not mad, just kinda poking fun at the way you worded that up thar, a bad habit i have at times…
Disgusted
May 28th, 2012
7:46 pm
Maybe Leo did not always click with the young pitchers but he did reclaim some guys who were at the skids of their careers like John Burkett and Jaret Wright as two examples.
Kevin Millwood did some good work here (a Braves farmhand development), John Thompson did well, and vets like Denny Naegle and Russ Ortiz who were in their prime also fared well.
Different time, different ownership and org philsophy when Leo was here, but the results between 1991 and 2005 were unarguable.
And that baby Braves team that had kid pitchers did eek out its last deiv title under Leo.
Since Roger has been around, the results are not as good as what we got used to for 15 yrs.
Now, would Leo fare well now with all the pitch counts and the way pitchers are more and more babied, that is a fair question.
nolie
May 28th, 2012
7:48 pm
alot of sound and fury signifying nothing but losing. JeanE
except that he has a winning career record and a better than average ERA
Woody Woodward
May 28th, 2012
7:48 pm
You are so much about the facts, my man. I just thought that kind of projection was out of keeping with your command of the game.
nolie
May 28th, 2012
7:49 pm
the ones whose opinions count, baseball gms, have ignored him completely Disgusted
Disgusted
May 28th, 2012
7:50 pm
“whether true or not, many blamed his decline on being overused as a young starter, and he is often mentioned by advocates of pitch counts and inning limits”
For all the hype on pitch counts–guys are still getting hurt and need TJ surgery or something else.
Look at Joba Chamberlain, even Strasburg, they were on pitch counts and in the end they needed surgery. Joba was on the strick Joba rule and what did that do for him?
There are other examples.
HIVPositive
May 28th, 2012
7:50 pm
What are the excuses today? Bad News Braves out there!
Woody Woodward
May 28th, 2012
7:51 pm
How’d Leo do in Baltimore?
nolie
May 28th, 2012
7:51 pm
of course they are, it is not a guarantee, just gives somewhat better odds of lasting longer, that does mean it is worthless
nolie
May 28th, 2012
7:52 pm
Strasburg is an inverted W and those guys are VERY likely to need surgery
Disgusted
May 28th, 2012
7:53 pm
“the ones whose opinions count, baseball gms, have ignored him completely Disgusted”
The philosphies and how the game is measured have changed so much even in the last 5 years, Nolie and you might be right.
There is a new generation of GM’s now, so the game as we know it now might have passed him by, but U cannot argue with the past successes.
Is he looking for a job now???/ Who really knows except for those on the inside. The Baltimore experience did not help.
JC Brave
May 28th, 2012
7:54 pm
This team is right where they belong.
Tied for last. And with GREAT chances of getting worse.
nolie
May 28th, 2012
7:54 pm
there are three main things that affect the arm:genetics,mechanics and work load. cutting pitches only affects one of the three so of course it is not totally successful
nolie
May 28th, 2012
7:56 pm
he would have to be a fool not to be looking for a job with more respect and a way bigger paycheck. and he has mentioned previously that he would like to coach again.
JC Brave
May 28th, 2012
7:56 pm
With Chipper in the DL, McCann’s issues, Freeman’s issues, Uggla being Uggla, etc… They might be 10-15 games out of 1st by the Break.
Disgusted
May 28th, 2012
7:59 pm
“of course they are, it is not a guarantee, just gives somewhat better odds of lasting longer, that does mean it is worthless”
On pitch counts??? I cannot answer that, but Mitch Williams of MLB Network does not have a high regard for it. And he is a guy who did play the game.
Good question—I liked the way the game was when guys went 9 and pitched 280-300 IP a yr, but that was the game I was raised with.
When you have a 13 game winner (and a heck of a pitcher in Felix Hernandez) win a CY Young award, that does not register with me. And I thought he pitched great that yr, but 13-12 winning a CY Young, what is next, an 8-14 guy taking it?
What in the $#%& is this game comming to. Hey, 14-15 wins is the new 20. Sounds like regressive specialization to me.
Not saying these guys are not talented, its just a different game.
keylargo
May 28th, 2012
7:59 pm
In his book The Baseball Economist, J.C. Bradbury titles a chapter, “How Good is Leo Mazzone?”
Did he write this before or after fahrenheit 451 Didn’t know he was a baseball analyst too.
nolie
May 28th, 2012
8:00 pm
I’m not arguing with what he was successful at,but there is question about how much of it was him and how much of it was HOF pitchers who would have been good under anybody.I have no answer to that, I just tend to disagree that he was God’s gift to pitchers when some folks claim he was
nolie
May 28th, 2012
8:01 pm
it is indeed a different game , and not necessarily a better one IMO either.
JeanE
May 28th, 2012
8:01 pm
Actually, according to the Braves guide at the game, I think it said Hinske is the same size as Livan, listed as 6′2″ and 245 lbs. I would be in favor of firing Roger, I didn’t want him back after his spazz out anyway. How about Tommy Glavine for pitching coach? I can dream. I think Terry Francona would be awesome, the Sox were so stupid to let him go. That will never happen. Why would he come here? There’s not alot of talent. I still long for Omar to come back and we can give Uggla back to them. Omar is cheaper and better, plus more versatile.
Powder Blue
May 28th, 2012
8:02 pm
So who’s our next RF?
keylargo
May 28th, 2012
8:02 pm
Woody – Tell me about this stand up Kayaking or poling, whatever you call it?
Jessie
May 28th, 2012
8:03 pm
We are seeing the real Braves now! It’s gonna be a Long Long year!!
nolie
May 28th, 2012
8:05 pm
Heyward
Woody Woodward
May 28th, 2012
8:06 pm
Longboard that’s a bit thicker than a regular board. Stand up and use a paddle to propel.
http://www.paddlesurfhawaii.com/
nolie
May 28th, 2012
8:07 pm
good chat guys, gotta go for awhile. take care
Woody Woodward
May 28th, 2012
8:08 pm
Nolie, you think wren’s looking at fredi right now?
njbraves
May 28th, 2012
8:09 pm
You guys know that W-L record is nearly meaningless when judging how well a guy has pitched, right?? A 10 game winner can easily outpitch an18 game winner.
Woody Woodward
May 28th, 2012
8:09 pm
Aloha, Nolie
richbrave
May 28th, 2012
8:12 pm
DOWN ON THE FARM
DOMINICAN SUMMER LEAGUE kicks off June 2, 2012.
ROME
R-BRAVES drop a 4-6 decision to KANNAPOLIS. Pin-the-tail on the relief pitching.
RHSP GREG ROSS pitches well enough to win. 6.0 IP, 10 H, 3 R/ER, 2 BB, 5 SO.
RHRP ERNESTO SILVA [BS 1, 6.47 ERA] 2.0 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 1 SO.
Lead-off SS ELMER REYES [.251 BA] 2-4.
2B SERGIO MIRANDA [.222 BA] 1-4, 2 RBI [4], 1 SO, 1 SAC.
LF ROBBY HEFFLINGER [.500 BA] 1-2, 1 R, 1 2B [1], 2 BB, 1 SO. ROBBY has been moved back to ROME once again. He’s struggling at the plate in high A.
3B BRANDON DRURY [.173 BA] 1-4, 2 R, 1 2B [9], 1 RBI [14], 1 SO, 1 E [3, throwing].
C CORY BROWNSTEN [.153 BA] 2-4, 1 RBI [8].
CF TONY MUELLER [.224 BA] 1-3, 1 R, 1 BB, 1 CS [2], 1 Put Out [1st base], 1 E [1, fielding].
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
May 28th, 2012
8:13 pm
erik, now we don’t know if those guys respect and like playing under Fredi. Even at my most frustrated I have never said that because there’s no possible way of knowing that. Unless somebody came forward or a few came and said to Dave or whoever that they’d rather play for somebody else, we will never know.
I do feel strongly that he’s in over his head when adversity hits. I mean, has this not been proven TWICE now in his year and a half as manager?
George
May 28th, 2012
8:14 pm
Repost because the wrong way triple sweep is getting much closer to happening.
*****************************************************
George
May 26th, 2012
1:18 pm
I know FREDI cannot be blamed for injuries and illness, only for PHing CHIPPER Wed night and meesing up the retro-active DL time, HOWEVER if the sweep continues today and tomorrow. Then STL comes in and sweeps us, That is 10 in a row and FREDI MUST GO, Lets not ruin the whole season, Promote BRUNDAGE As interim MGR We were 26-16 just a few days ago, lets salvage the season IF sweep by WAS and STL.
Woody Woodward
May 28th, 2012
8:18 pm
The proof is in the pudding. I’m not sure fredi managed the team into this mess, but I’ll be interested to see how (or if) he manages them out of it.
SMOLTZ 29
May 28th, 2012
8:21 pm
Here are 2 ominous stats for the Braves: 20 Quality starts in 50 games, next to last in league. 4-10 record vs NL EAST! OUCH
George
May 28th, 2012
8:27 pm
I don’t care how old he is, or if BRAVES have to put a wheelchair out by 3rd base for him. The BRAVES must offer CHIPPER a contact for next year. He is the bridge to the great years of the 90s and early 2000s. THIS CURRENT TEAM CANNOT WIN WITHOUT HIM. 19-5 when he started this year 7-19 without him. WITHOUT CHIPPER THE BRAVES ARE NOTHING.
phil
May 28th, 2012
8:34 pm
Reading through this blog is a frightening experience…
The panic is unreal. Try not to overlook that we’ve been briefly knocked out by illness and injury and dry eyes. If we get the guys back on the field, maybe we bounce back.
Webster
May 28th, 2012
8:35 pm
Is it time to place FF on the DL?
Frank from KS (now in CO)
May 28th, 2012
8:42 pm
How bout them Braves?
LOL
George
May 28th, 2012
8:43 pm
phil
May 28th, 2012
8:34 pm
phil, the problem is not just that the BRAVES are playing so badly, but that only a week ago we were 26-16 and looking good. The team goes in these slumps and FREDI has no clue how to bring them out of them.
Jeff
May 28th, 2012
8:43 pm
DOB — “Dress Blues” – as an Army vet and a Braves fan since the late 50s, thank you for this song. Everyone on here shuold just shut up and listen to the song on this special day and be thankful you can gripe about your team. Too many men and women can’t do that today.
Woody Woodward
May 28th, 2012
8:46 pm
Phil–your “maybe we bounce back” doesn’t exactly inspire confidence. You might not have quaffed the kool aid but seems you’re sipping it. I’m having some real doubts about fredi leading the team out of this crisis. Eight in a row is a problem, even with the injuries. We’re still above 500, but we’ve got weakness in the starting pitching that makes this a different situation than 2010. I hope fredi does something so that if and when they snap out of it, we can say that his managing had a positive effect. If the players get out of it on their own and we have a race down the stretch, we’ll be in a fix.
nolie
May 28th, 2012
8:51 pm
I think they would have to drop under 500, perhaps quite a bit under, before it is likely that Fredi will be fired. It is not the way the Braves do things, and it might violate their image of themselves as an organization if they are too quick on the gun. course that’s just a gut feeling, I have no proof
Kat
May 28th, 2012
8:53 pm
Thanks for the quotes David. Kinda glad I ended up enjoying my day off in the nice weather ( and a thank you to those that lost their lives while serving our country) and not stuck around a tv to watch another loss. But back in the saddle tomorrow will be watching Delgado on mlbtv.
Frank from KS (now in CO)
May 28th, 2012
8:54 pm
Nolie – Long time, no chat/see
Regarding Fredi……personally, I hope Fredi does get fired. If not now, hopefully….sometime soon after the All-Star break. This team, obviously needs a shakeup, and soon.
jeffrey d
May 28th, 2012
8:55 pm
Holy crap….8 in a row isn’t good
jeffrey d
May 28th, 2012
8:56 pm
I assume I’m bringing this news fresh to the blog. The Braves have lost 8 in a row. I know, hard to believe isn’t it?
CaptMudd
May 28th, 2012
8:57 pm
I witnessed the 30 pitch inning and the high fastball that Furcal parked in the right field seats….6-0 in the fourth, Tommy gone after a few defensive miscues–passed balls–the throw over that hit a Cardinal as Hinske searched in vain. Well it was nice to see the Memorial Day observance festivities and giving thanks to our armed services personnel–past and present. The game itself was a disappointment, not much enthusiasm barring the bottom fourth where flashes of hope until the shift on Hinske and the Cards’ Green robbed our guy of a sure hit…defender was 20-25 yards into RF–what a joke/not kosher to defend that way but it’s legal of course. Soon thereafter, it felt as though a black cloud was over the Ted and our Bravos went flat as a pancake–another painful loss this 8th straight, 9th–10th potential straight defeat will surely get the attention of owners Liberty Media and could lead to a call to Mr. Wren…in my view, ownership principals better get more involved since a drop in attendance is inevitable if consecutive losses become habitual.
Woody Woodward
May 28th, 2012
8:58 pm
Guys have to get back on the field before they think about firing fredi. They’d have to keep slumping in good health. Personally, I’d like to see TP get a shot.
The A Bomb
May 28th, 2012
8:59 pm
We’ll never know what the top brass is thinking RIGHT NOW…..but I’m sure a few of them feel exactly the way some of us do. Bottom line should always be the way the team presents itself on the ball field and this team as of RIGHT NOW looks exactly like it did last September. Injuries are big, no argument there — but the level of professionalism on the field is poor. Every cognizant Braves fan who paid their hard-earned dollars to see any of the last 4 games had to walk away saying, “this team is a mess.”
GIven that, there still has to be a level of ethics and a plan that activates a managerial change should it be decided.
With what happened last season, I wouldn’t be surprised if the trigger is pulled back RIGHT NOW.
GaryinBham
May 28th, 2012
9:01 pm
Somedays it’s better to major on minors. Until the ship rights itself, I’m curious about future prospects. Any word on Gattis? What’s going on with him? Also, great to see Jair shaping up. I don’t think he’s finished yet.
JC Brave
May 28th, 2012
9:02 pm
MLB Fake Rumors @MLBFakeRumors
#Cubs forfeit remainder of season. Epstein: “It’s the new market inefficiency.”
Go on, Braves. Follow them!
Woody Woodward
May 28th, 2012
9:02 pm
Hope you’re right on jurrgens, Gary. We need the help there.
Steve
May 28th, 2012
9:02 pm
I wonder about Fumbling Frank Wren as a talent evaluator. He has refused to trade pitching for players like Adam Jones and Hunter Pence. Looks like has has overvalued his product, and the organization is suffering. He needs to go.
phil
May 28th, 2012
9:08 pm
jimbob
May 28th, 2012
5:50 pm
Why do I get the feeling that nolie and ivan are the same person? Most likely a few others….
********
another one with rocks for his brains….
GaryinBham
May 28th, 2012
9:09 pm
Sunday’s game for JJ 8 IP, 0 ER, 3 hits, 0 walks, 5 K, his fastball around 90, as high as 93. That’s good news.
GaryinBham
May 28th, 2012
9:09 pm
Sunday’s game for JJ 8 IP, 0 ER, 3 hits, 0 walks, 5 K, his fastball around 90, as high as 93. That’s good news.
Woody Woodward
May 28th, 2012
9:09 pm
Philly and Miami both win. Nl east beating each other up.
Billy Walsh
May 28th, 2012
9:10 pm
Steve,
The braves were interested in Adam Jones
but the orioles did not want to trade him nor did they ask Wren for any specific pitching in return
cowdogit
May 28th, 2012
9:13 pm
I read about how bad a pitching coach Mazzone was with his fourteen division titles. I need to know the good things anyone can tell me about Roger and his 0&6 record.
phil
May 28th, 2012
9:14 pm
jimbob
May 28th, 2012
6:05 pm
Nope…I rarely post on here.
*******
and praise Marty Moose for that!
The A Bomb
May 28th, 2012
9:16 pm
phil — I’m not panicking. But for goodness sake this is a very talented team that is 16 games UNDER .500 since Sept. 1 of last year.
We have a potentially very good player (Heyward) who’s digressed under the manager’s leadership — from the day Gonzalez took over he has screwed with Heyward without defining his true role.
We have a manager who can’t figure out how to use his bullpen — overuse or underuse.
He is EVEN KEEL which in most cases is good — but for some reason the team is MANIC — high highs and low lows. And for some reason this team gets way too caught up in its successes and when it fails, it pouts.
In my opinion the young guys are looking for a galvanizing leader. Not there.
TOMY FOURNIER
May 28th, 2012
9:18 pm
WELL…WELL…CLAP,CLAP,CLAP YOUR HAND…TIP,TIP,TIP YOUR HAT, ATLANTAS TEAM IS A TRASH…YES..ENOUGH IS ENOUGH AND IS TIME TO FIRE “FREDY MONKEY DONKEY” AND MAKE SOME TRADEFOR A SS AND LEFT FIELD(MOVE PRADO TO THIRD BASE AND USE MR OLD MAN TO PINT HITTER) AND LONG RELIEVER (OSWALD WILL BE GOOD)…IS THE ONLY SOLUTION FOR THIS TEAM TO BE ON THEIR RAIL..IF NOT….CLOUDY MONTHS ARE COMMING AND VERY…VERY SOON..YES!!!!
Woody Woodward
May 28th, 2012
9:19 pm
Enter your comments here
Woody Woodward
May 28th, 2012
9:21 pm
Are you from Louisiana, Tomy?
TOMY FOURNIER
May 28th, 2012
9:25 pm
NOPEW…WHY…YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A DATE???? WOODY WOODPEAKER..SORRY WOODWARD…HELLO!!!!
Can You Read That "E"?????
May 28th, 2012
9:36 pm
Anyone thinking this is just an easily resolvable case of “dry eye” is probably not doing any eye surgery at Johns Hopkins. Anyone thinking a power hitter who was part of “The Era” is going to start getting better as he heads towards his mid 30’s is probaly a friend of Tony Larussa who believed Big Mac was clean. Anyone thinking any adult athlete over the age of 20 could be motivated by Fredi Gonzalez probably is a Ray Goff disciple and anyone who would not trade Heyward straight up for Mike Stanton(assuming the Marlins FO had gone insane) is probably still waiting for David Clyde to come around.
Powder Blue
May 28th, 2012
9:39 pm
This team is as bad as they’re playing at the moment, but they’re not as good as they played earlier in the season either. Somewhere in between, and nowhere near good enough to make serious noise in the playoffs.
Hetch Hetchy
May 28th, 2012
9:39 pm
I think is pretty obvious Mazone is not highly regarded in baseball, or he would be working in it.
Powder Blue
May 28th, 2012
9:40 pm
Meant “isn’t as bad.” Been a long day.
phil
May 28th, 2012
9:41 pm
Fire FW!!
The Atom Bomb
May 28th, 2012
9:41 pm
At least they wont have to wait till the end of the season to lose out on everything. they are one sorry team, top to bottom. why do people want to waste their money on watching them show their ineptitude…….
TheOnlyBravesFan
May 28th, 2012
9:42 pm
That was one UGGGGLY game…. hey at least, JUAN drove in some more runs, other than that, not much good news to report. Mac did good, but said he felt tired after the game. Maybe FF be ready tomorrow. The sky is trying to fall on us right now, but we will be BRAVES and survive
The A Bomb
May 28th, 2012
9:44 pm
The post under The Atom Bomb was not me.
I’m not that formal.
The A Bomb
May 28th, 2012
9:45 pm
And Mazzone was not liked by pitchers because of his abrasiveness.
Today’s young, spoiled, enabled athlete wouldn’t relate. That’s why he’s doing radio.
Hetch Hetchy
May 28th, 2012
9:47 pm
The oddest thing about this team, to me, is the eye problems with McCann and now Freeman. I’ve never heard of this on other teams.
DawgNole
May 28th, 2012
9:47 pm
phil
May 28th, 2012
8:34 pm
Reading through this blog is a frightening experience…
The panic is unreal. Try not to overlook that we’ve been briefly knocked out by illness and injury and dry eyes. If we get the guys back on the field, maybe we bounce back.
_______________________
That you, phil? Dang, what happened to my partner in negativity (i.e., reality)? I don’t believe the folks over on the Hawks or Facons blogs would recognize you from that post.
David O'Brien
May 28th, 2012
9:51 pm
Chipper has played very well when healthy but not huge enough to explain the stark difference in records. Chipper is still on the bench a lot. What are your thoughts DOB in the lack of results without Chipper? — brian
While he obviously makes them a better team, and does provide some stabilizing presence particularly with the young players and pitchers, a lot of the record disparity is simply a product of coincidence and timing — i.e., they were playing great when he was healthy for long stretch, but if he was in the lineup the past week they probably wouldn’t have won more than one or two of those eight games they lost, because they’ve played badly and his mere presence or a couple of hits wouldn’t have made that huge a difference.
But there’s no doubt they are a significantly better team with him in the lineup. Just as they are with Bourn playing well, or Fredi before his eye problems, etc.
David O'Brien
May 28th, 2012
9:52 pm
Jeff, you’re welcome. And thank you for the thoughtful comment (8:43 p.m.)
BravesKnowledge
May 28th, 2012
9:52 pm
I can understand the fans frustration with Hinske and Heyward’s performance. They seem lost at the plate. I don’t understand why fans are bashing Dan Uggla? He has been playing pretty solid this month. He has a 250 era for the month of May.
TheOnlyBravesFan
May 28th, 2012
9:53 pm
From MLBTR
Dodgers Have Made Offer To Roy Oswalt
The Braves have no chance of getting him now!!!! And that’s a good thing.
Can You Read That "E"?????
May 28th, 2012
9:55 pm
Freeman will NOT be ready tomorrow. Nobody knows for sure when Freeman will be ready to stand in there against someone throwing 99 and by “Nobody” I mean people who have gone to medical school and have board certification. Are you guys trying to get this kid killed?? Keep rushing him back and they can sort out the liability ramifications later. Where is the Blogmeister? Shouldn’t he be giving some insight from medical people. Obviously they won’t give info on someone who is not a patient,however, you can get hypothetical scenarios from many good sources. I understand we must research the next musical rendition but a little info would be a good thing.
Tom
May 28th, 2012
9:57 pm
What can Atlanta get for Hudson, Uggla, (yes, I will say it), Chipper? I think it is time we stop the daydream, and face reality. “You are what your record says it is”.
Skeeterleg
May 28th, 2012
9:57 pm
Trying to get him killed? You got the wrong sport. People don’t die in baseball.
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
May 28th, 2012
9:59 pm
DOB, yea I agree. I mean they ain’t pitching and we all saw what happend in those really bad years of ‘06-’08. You are hopeless without pitching.
I don’t know why Bourn is putting so much on his shoulders either. Dude, yoyr starters and pen are screwing up and aren’t shy to do it right when the offense starts to have some kind of pulse.
Hopeless.
Uggla--You Really Think It's a Coincidence??
May 28th, 2012
10:00 pm
I’ve been in Europe for 10 months and really didn’t have time for an AJC Braves Blog but it is surprising that I return to people still waiting on Uggla. Maybe Greece and Spain will solve their problems and everything will be fine. I guess everyone is a Pollyanna in his or her own specific sphere.
Gloom, Despair and Agony Oh Me
May 28th, 2012
10:01 pm
Gloom, despair and agony oh me!
Deep dark depression, excessive misery!
If it weren’t for bad luck the braves would have no luck at all
Gloom, despair and agony oh me!
Gloom, Despair and Agony Oh Me
May 28th, 2012
10:01 pm
How bout me for the next blog, DOB?
Powder Blue
May 28th, 2012
10:01 pm
I feel sorry for Bourn. He deserves better. Of course I’ll cease feeling sorry for him when he gets paid by a team that really wants to win during the offseason.
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
May 28th, 2012
10:02 pm
BravesKnowledge, does that mean Dan is costing the team an average of 250 runs a month with his glove and strikeouts?
Venice Jim
May 28th, 2012
10:02 pm
“You are what your record says it is”.
The 8th best team in the NL?
Dog 86
May 28th, 2012
10:02 pm
Hey Skeeter, Take a double visioned 95 mile fastball off of your temple and see if you can be killed or not.
TheOnlyBravesFan
May 28th, 2012
10:03 pm
Tom: Even if the Braves struggle the rest of the way Chipper ain’t going anywhere (he wouldn’t approve it), Uggla ain’t going anywhere, too costly and too valuable to our team. Hudon could possibly be traded but I don’t see him approving it except for a small handful of teams.
Sorry dude.
Venice Jim
May 28th, 2012
10:05 pm
“You are what your record says it is”
And 1 1/2 games from having the 4th best record?
cabravesfan
May 28th, 2012
10:05 pm
TheOnlyBravesFan-
Huddy is a 10/5 guy too- cant be traded without his permission
cabravesfan
May 28th, 2012
10:06 pm
Oy- missed the end of your post- sorry!
richbrave
May 28th, 2012
10:07 pm
DOWN ON THE FARM
LYNCHBURG
SALCY hits a dinger, and J.R. remains undefeated as the HILLCATS beat SALEM 5-3.
RHSP J.R. GRAHAM [W 6-0, 2.37 ERA] 6.2 IP, 3 H, 2 R/ER, 1 BB, 2 SO. Another first-rate start.
RHSP ANDREW WILSON [H 4, 3.06 ERA] 1.1 IP, 1 H, zeros.
RHRP JUAN JAIME [SV 9, 4.26 ERA] 1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R/ER.
Lead-off CF MATT LIPKA [.260 BA] 3-4, 2 RBI [12], 1 SB [11], 1 Picked Off [1st base].
SS NICK AHMED [.275 BA] 1-4, 1 R, 1 2B [13], 1 BB, 1 CS [5].
2B TOMMY LaSTELLA [.288 BA] 1-3, 1 BB, 1 SO.
DH ADAM MILLIGAN [.275 BA] 2-4, 1 R, 1 RBI [8].
3B ED SALCEDO [.251 BA] 1-4, 1 HR [6], 2 RBI [23], 1 SO.
1B CHRIS GARCIA [.344 BA] 2-4, 1 R, 1 SO, 1 E [5, pick-off].
RF DAVID ROHM [.304 BA] 2-3, 1 R, 1 2B [8], 1 BB.
C BRAEDEN SCHLEHUBER [.271 BA] 1-4.
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
May 28th, 2012
10:07 pm
I don’t feel sorry for none of those players or coaches. Feel sorry for me.I have to be at the hell hole at 6:45 in the morning and hear the BS all day at work and try and do my job at the same time. I make pocket change to the rich athletes.
The A Bomb
May 28th, 2012
10:09 pm
Ask The Lizard in Cincinnati how he felt without Chipper in the lineup last week.
Chipper scares the crap out of Baker.
brian
May 28th, 2012
10:16 pm
CTB – I would venture a guess that we all make pocket change compared to the rich professional athletes.
richbrave
May 28th, 2012
10:17 pm
DOWN ON THE FARM
MISSISSIPPI
Bandits up 2-0 through five. ZEKE SPRUILL thru 5.0 IP – three-hit, shutout. Boo-Yah!
GWINNETT
Oh, pig-iron. LEHIGH VALLEY whuppin’ up on the G-Men and JULIO TEHERAN 8-3. T-Man only lasts three, and gives up the house. Game in the bottom of the seventh.
TheOnlyBravesFan
May 28th, 2012
10:20 pm
it’s ok cab… anyways, I don’t think Hudson wants to leave, so I don’t see him going anywhere.
If it came down to us being sellers (and I don’t think this will happen), I think Bourn, Prado (unfortunately) and one Hanson/JJ/Hudson might get shopped, with Bourn being the most heavily shopped. However, we won’t need to worry about that, instead, we’ll be talking about what pitcher and bench piece we’ll be trading for.
ncbravesfan90
May 28th, 2012
10:20 pm
I wish the Braves would look in to acquiring Carlos Lee. He would be a welcome sight for this offense, due to the fact he has only struck out 9 times in 44 games. He can play the corner outfield and can also spell Freeman at first some, especially while he’s battling through the eye problems.
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
May 28th, 2012
10:31 pm
We need more cow bells. Thats what we need
MikeInFl
May 28th, 2012
10:31 pm
“You are what your record says it is”.
Kinda’ hard to put a lot of faith in that, given that just over a week ago our record said we were the 2nd best team in the NL.
By that logic I guess they really could call the season after the first week, and whoever’s on top wins.
keylargo
May 28th, 2012
10:39 pm
How about Tommy Glavine for pitching coach? I can dream. JeanE
JeanE. can you imagine TG in Spring Training with 20, 20 something year old prospects. “Today we are going to work on the outside black edge of the plate. Everyone pair up and throw 200 pitches as close to the corner without actually being over the corner. We want to see how far off the plate we can work the umpire. Again, nothing over the plate and preferably 3 to 4 inches off the black.”
Throw one over the plate and you’ll have to start over, so stay locked in.
MIBravesFan
May 28th, 2012
10:42 pm
Great song, DOB, thanks. And thank you to all the bloggers who serve and have served our country.
Venice Jim
May 28th, 2012
10:48 pm
Cow bells
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
May 28th, 2012
10:58 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zOuvVZg4Tw4&feature=related
nolie
May 28th, 2012
10:58 pm
aha, Lou is back, but too stupid to see that Uggla is having a good year. Hate,like smoke, gets in your eyes…
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
May 28th, 2012
11:02 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0uvVZg4TW4&feature=related
Venice Jim
May 28th, 2012
11:08 pm
nolie – there seem to be dozens more who think we should get rid of Uggla, being excellent judges of such things…
nolie
May 28th, 2012
11:09 pm
I’m not so sure that dozen actually = 12 different peeps
Bravo Nam
May 28th, 2012
11:09 pm
A little told you so from the Nam… I was roundly ridiculed in the off-season when I suggested that we needed to bring in a couple of consistent, work-horse starting pitchers. Why? Coz I thought it was folly asking a rotation made up of inexperienced and aging, injury riddled pitchers to get through a whole season. Coz I didn’t think they’d eat enough innings. Coz I was worried we’d burn our pen again. Those chickens are coming home to roost coz the Bravos just of late seem to overvalue pitchers who are not as good as the hype suggests… and maybe one or two hitters as well. If they don’t want Chipper’s season to end in tears, they need to get some trades happening with teams that will munch some cash.
Bravo Nam
May 28th, 2012
11:11 pm
Probably about time now for a closed doors, home truths kind of meeting. We’ve got no more injuries than anyone else… but we do need an attitude readjustment.
nolie
May 28th, 2012
11:11 pm
you saw that all the way from SE Asia? Pretty perceptive.
Bravo Nam
May 28th, 2012
11:13 pm
DOB
Two quick questions.
1). I asked previously about John Lannan. I know he’s been stinking it up in the minors, but he’s a guy with a lot of upside who I’d think would react well to being in a starting line-up. What are chances Braves try to get him if Nats can eat some of his salary?
2). Do you think with Braves having over 30 mill freed up at year’s end that they’d make a run at Hamilton or too many other needs to fill?
The A Bomb
May 28th, 2012
11:14 pm
Even A.J. Ellis striking out in L.A. looks more competitive than any Brave getting a hit. No one there makes excuses for not having the best player in baseball.
Mattingly is proving to be one helluva good hire.
unbelievable
May 28th, 2012
11:15 pm
Braves cant afford Hamilton.
nolie
May 28th, 2012
11:15 pm
NWIH does Hamilton become a Brave, They won’t even considerit. too much risk for what it would cost, only a very few will have a realistic shot at Hamilton.
Venice Jim
May 28th, 2012
11:17 pm
Didn’t we get rid of a quasi-work horse starting pitcher that “everyone” wanted gone?
JAFO
May 28th, 2012
11:22 pm
Wake me up when sept ends…no more idiots putting tito in the same co as the cap tipper. DIsgraceful.
MIBravesFan
May 28th, 2012
11:22 pm
Cleveland seems to be rather enjoying him, for $10 mil from the Braves . . . . To be fair and honest, I also thought at the time trading him was the right move.
MIBravesFan
May 28th, 2012
11:24 pm
Wake me up when September ends? It’s a long way from the end of May to the end of September!
nolie
May 28th, 2012
11:27 pm
Lowe has 61 IP with 75 hits and 18 Ks. I’m not so sure he is gonna keep up the pace all season, and of course there is no way to know if he would be having similar results here, especially given his history.
nolie
May 28th, 2012
11:28 pm
why would you want to wait til the end of Sept to wake up? Football starts way b4 then
Ward
May 28th, 2012
11:31 pm
Hello everyone! I think our best bet is Zack G. from the Brewers, or Dempster? Call up Flande, send Durbin back down. Use Livan as trade bait if you could get some one to go after him? Trade Diaz, and Jiack Wilson. Call up Todd Cunningham, or Parraz.Then call up Simmons for SS.
JAFO
May 28th, 2012
11:32 pm
A valid point. Joe M would agree.
Ward
May 28th, 2012
11:33 pm
Could always call up Salcedo from AAA to? At least he’s had 3rd base experience, and is comfortable there.
MIBravesFan
May 28th, 2012
11:34 pm
True, nolie. And I doubt he will. He’s been just as inconsistent the last few seasons as some of the Braves’ young pitchers are now. The difference is that they are young pitchers and that’s what young pitchers do.
Hopefully they figure it out and grow up to stick around long enough and be productive long enough to become old pitchers who become inconsistent at the end of their careers. 
Ward
May 28th, 2012
11:35 pm
Wren can at least stop the bleeding, but he’s still into his own mind set that every thing will be O.K.
Venice Jim
May 28th, 2012
11:36 pm
Going old school with the lyrics…
Oh, it’s a long long while from May to December
But the days grow short when you reach September
When the autumn weather turns the leaves to flame
And you ain’t got time for waiting game
Venice Jim
May 28th, 2012
11:36 pm
Ward – 4 days ago you said everything would be okay…
Ward
May 28th, 2012
11:38 pm
VJ – I don’t think so now……..
JAFO
May 28th, 2012
11:38 pm
Trade Diaz and Wilson? To whom? The Columbia Bombers? You could bundle all four (w/leeevus and fg) for…APTBNL
Ward
May 28th, 2012
11:41 pm
I’m very concerned, and don’t think things are right. I’m calm ,but don’t like the direction the Braves are going.
Ward
May 28th, 2012
11:42 pm
JAFO – It was a good pitch effort……..
Yunel's Frosted Tips
May 28th, 2012
11:42 pm
Bourbon guzzlin’ pitchers like Lowe and Hanson don’t hold up when the weather gets hot…….you can look it up………
Yunel's Frosted Tips
May 28th, 2012
11:45 pm
Jason Marquis cleared waivers…….i bet his 8 plus ERA could be had pretty cheap…….
MIBravesFan
May 28th, 2012
11:45 pm
VJ – It’s always Green Day for me when I hear references like JAFO’s.
Ward
May 28th, 2012
11:50 pm
Up Next for the Braves
Cards 2 games
Nats 3 games
Marlins 3 games
Blue Jays 3 games
Baltimore 3 games
going to be tough……
nolie
May 28th, 2012
11:50 pm
I looked it up. David Wells had a good career. Babe Ruth was a great pitcher. Grover Cleveland Alexander and Whitey Ford made the HOF.
Yunel's Frosted Tips
May 28th, 2012
11:52 pm
Yeah….but players are softer now……..can’t handle bourbon and broads like the old timers……
Bravo Nam
May 28th, 2012
11:52 pm
Hey Nolie, not bad from SE Asia heh
nolie
May 28th, 2012
11:53 pm
aha. I guess that could be true…..
nolie
May 28th, 2012
11:54 pm
nope, you had that telescope really workin’ well, BN
JAFO
May 28th, 2012
11:54 pm
Unfortunately, juuuuust a bit outside Ward but I understand.
Skeeterleg
May 28th, 2012
11:55 pm
Dog 86….How many people have died on the field in the history of the sport? You knew what I was saying. There was no argument there.
MIBravesFan
May 28th, 2012
11:59 pm
Ward – when Freddie finally gets glasses that work and we get him back, and BMac rebuilds his strength, they will be better. They won’t really be back until Chipper gets back and kicks everyone in the —. It’s been sort of “Bad News Bears” looking lately, but this team is a whole lot better than that!
Venice Jim
May 29th, 2012
12:00 am
MIBravesFan – That “September Song” was written in 1938 – a bit before “When September Comes”…
Skeeterleg
May 29th, 2012
12:00 am
and take a double-visioned fastball off the temple? I strongly frown upon hitting without a helmet. We are in agreement.
nolie
May 29th, 2012
12:00 am
one died in a game from a pitched ball.
. one died from injuries a week or two after the game
JAFO
May 29th, 2012
12:01 am
Ends…
Venice Jim
May 29th, 2012
12:02 am
send Durbin back down
Ward, do you watch the games? Durbin has been better than several I could name for the past month(ish)…
nolie
May 29th, 2012
12:02 am
Our research uncovered over 800 game-related fatalities of players, other personnel, and spectators from 1862 through 2007.
While only one major league player was ever killed by a beaning (Ray Chapman, Cleveland Indians, 1920), nine minor league batters met the same fate. The first was Herbert Whitney of the Burlington (IA) Pathfinders in 1906, the last was Ottis Johnson of the Dothan (AL) Browns in 1951.
The first fatal beaning occurred on August 21, 1887, when amateur player Otto Bronson, 18, was struck behind his left ear during a game in Hamilton, NY. Since that time, over 100 other batters were killed by beanings.
While beanings were the most frequent cause of player fatalities prior to the adoption of the batting helmet in the late 1950s, pitched and thrown balls striking other parts of the anatomy resulted in over 90 player deaths. In most cases, these non-beaning deaths were due to sudden cardiac arrest caused by the ball striking the chest area over the heart, a condition known medically as commotio cordis, or concussion of the heart.
Minor league player Pete Mann of the Macon (GA) Peaches was killed instantly by a pitch striking his chest while at bat during a game on July 13, 1927.
Dick Conway, first baseman for the minor league Twin Falls (ID) Cowboys, was struck on the chest by a ball thrown by the second baseman during infield practice before a game in Ogden, UT, on June 29, 1951. He died on the way to the hospital.
Ten baserunners were killed by thrown balls. The earliest was William Higgins, 20, who was struck on the temple by a ball while running from second to third in a game in Fontana, KS, on August 13, 1903. He died two hours later. The most recent death occurred on March 27, 2000, when Shawn Barnes, 15, was struck on the chest while running to second base during a high school practice game in Madison, IN.
Clifford Dirks, a high school pitcher from Wyoming, IA, fatally beaned Norman Latare, 16, during a game on September 21, 1948. During a May 3 game the following season, Dirks again killed a player when his pick-off throw struck baserunner Glen Rhoads, 17, on the base of the skull.
Fifteen pitchers, 17 catchers, 35 position players, and four baserunners were killed by batted balls. In addition, five batters were killed by foul tips off their own bats.
Blows from bats resulted in the deaths of 25 players.
Collisions with other players resulted in the deaths of four minor league players. The first was Louis Henke, first baseman for the Atlanta Atlantas, who was fatally injured when the baserunner’s head struck Henke’s side during a game in 1885. Most recently, Alfredo Edmead, outfielder for the Salem (VA) Pilots, died shortly after colliding with the team’s second baseman as both pursued a pop fly during a game in Rocky Mount, NC, in 1974.
Thirty other players at the amateur and semi-pro level also died from collisions. Among these was John Quigley, 19, catcher for the semi-pro Harlem (NY) Clippers. A collision with baserunner Dennis “Big Dan” Brouthers at home plate during a July 7, 1877, game in Wappingers Falls, NY, resulted in Quigley’s death a month later. Brouthers, who would go on to a distinguished 19-year major league career as a first baseman, was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1945.
Heart attacks and other health-related events resulted in the deaths of 48 players, including two major leaguers (Jim Creighton, Brooklyn Excelsiors, 1862, and Steve Bechler, Baltimore Orioles, 2003), five minor leaguers (Bob Osgood, Marion (OH) Cubs, 1948; Herb Gorman, San Diego Padres, 1953; Mac Smith, Hagerstown (MD) Packets, 1954; Dixie Howell, Indianapolis Indians, 1960; and Ronaldo Romero, Gastonia (NC) Rangers, 1990), two Negro Leaguers (John Garcia, Cuban Giants, 1904 and Clyde Nelson, Indianapolis Clowns, 1949), and 38 amateur players.
Orrie McWilliams, 15, was eating a piece of candy while catching during practice in Deep River, IA, on April 19, 1907. When the pitcher threw a fastball, McWilliams inhaled the candy, causing it to lodge in his throat. He was carried to a local doctor’s office, but died before the doctor could dislodge the candy.
Thirty players, including one minor leaguer (Andy Strong, Crowley (LA) Millers, 1951) died from lightning strikes. Allen Joyner, Jr., 23, Harry Moore, 24, and Joe Taylor, 20, were killed when lightning struck the backstop at the beginning of a game in Baker, FL, in 1949. The bolt traveled around the infield striking Joyner at third, Moore at short, and Taylor at second, killing Joyner and Moore instantly, Taylor the next day.
Violence (shootings, stabbings, blows from bats and other objects) ended the lives of 22 players. In 1935 game in Stantonville, TN, for example, batter Cal Wilson got into an argument with umpire Grady Walls over a decision Walls had made. During the course of the argument, Walls picked up a bat and struck Wilson over the head, fracturing his skull. Wilson died three days later. This murder resulted in a second death when brothers Gerry and Troy Scott from nearby Selmer, TN, got into a violent argument over who was the instigator of the Wilson-Walls fight. When Gerry threatened his brother with a shotgun, their father, Lon, attempted to separate his two sons. The gun went off, shooting Lon Scott in the heart, killing him instantly.
Cal Drummond was injured by a foul tip while umpiring a June 10, 1969 game at Baltimore’s Memorial Stadium. Surgery was required to remove a blood clot in his brain. The following spring he was attempting a comeback when he fell ill during a minor league game in Des Moines, IA, on May 2, 1970. He died the next day from a Acerebral infarct.
Fourteen umpires, batboys, scorekeepers, and other field personnel died in ball-related incidents. In addition, 13 died from heart attacks and other health-related events.
During a May 29, 1909, game in Millvale, PA, umpire John Donaldson was fatally injured when his brother, Frank, foul tipped a ball, which struck the umpire on the nose. John Donaldson died of a blood clot on his brain several days later.
Violence against field personnel, including umpires, resulted in eight deaths. The first umpire to be killed by a player was Sam Powell, 19, who was assaulted by Frank McCoy, 18, during a game in Lowndesboro, AL, on April 29, 1899. An argument over a disputed call led to McCoy striking Powell over the head with a bat, thus killing the unfortunate umpire instantly.
While Alan Fish, 14, was the only fan killed by a foul ball at a major league game (Los Angeles Dodgers, May 16, 1970), one fan at a minor league game and 49 fans at amateur games were fatally injured by foul balls. In addition, balls thrown into the stands killed one fan at a major league game (Clarence Stagemyer at Griffith Stadium, September 29, 1943), one at a minor league game, and 17 at amateur games. Bat blows killed eight fans, while collisions with players resulted in two deaths.
The most unusual foul ball fatality occurred on October 25, 1902, at an amateur game in Morristown, OH. Stanton Walker, 20, was seated between Frank Hyde, who was scoring the game, and Leroy Wilson, another fan. During the course of the game, Hyde asked Wilson for a knife so he could sharpen his pencil. Wilson opened the blade of his penknife and handed it to Walker to pass along to Hyde. Just as Walker took the knife, a foul ball struck him on the hand and drove the blade into his chest over his heart. Walker bled to death within moments.
Fans falling resulted in 15 fatalities at major league games and one at a minor league game.
Capt. E. P. Webb was killed on June 2, 1918, when the military biplane he was flying in crashed on the infield just before the start of a game between the Indianapolis ABCs and a team of Army aviators. Piloted by Maj. Guy Gearhart, the plane was flying 500 feet above the park when it suddenly went into an uncontrolled dive. It slammed into the ground nose-first between second and third, instantly killing Webb and severely injuring Gearhart.
Violence between fans, between fans and players, and between fans and umpires and other field personnel led to 35 deaths. Four of these were at major league games, four at minor league games, and 27 at amateur games. Five fans were killed by thrown objects, eight by bats, two by stabbings, and 20 by shootings.
Heart attacks or other health-related events resulted in 31 fan fatalities at major league games and 13 at amateur games.
Storms and lightning killed two fans at a major league game, six at minor league games, and 14 at amateur games.
Joseph Carter, 60, and Eleanor Price, 17, were trampled to death when a severe thunderstorm caused fans to panic and run for the only exit in the “Ruthville” (right field) section of Yankee Stadium on May 19, 1929. Over 60 others sustained injuries as well.
Baseball Commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis was present at a minor league game in Portsmouth, VA, on May 25, 1927, when a sudden hurricane-force windstorm tore the roof off the right field section of the grandstand. Debris crashed down on the huge crowd below, killing Richard McWilliams, 42, and William Barker, 67, and injuring over 30 others. Landis was not injured.
An umpire and four fans were killed instantly when lightning struck a crowd shortly after the conclusion of an amateur game near Mobile, AL, on May 27, 1906. Less than two months later, five fans were killed when lightning hit the grandstand of a baseball park in Manitowoc, MN.
The worse tragedy in baseball history occurred at the Baker Bowl, home of the Philadelphia Phillies, on August 8, 1903. In the fourth inning of a game against the Boston Beaneaters, the balcony overhang atop the left field stands collapsed, hurtling hundreds of fans 30 feet to the street below. Twelve fans were killed and over 300 were injured.
On May 14, 1927, the Baker Bowl was once again the scene of tragedy when three sections of the seating in the lower right field pavilion collapsed, killing Fred Haas, 50, and injuring over 50 other spectators. An autopsy revealed that Haas died of a heart attack brought on Aby excitement and terror of the crash.
Walter Johnson and Christy Mathewson were slated to face each other in an exhibition game in Tulsa, OK, on October 28, 1913. Just before the start of the contest, the right field bleachers collapsed, fatally crushing Chester Taylor, 20, as he walked beneath the stands.
Bobby H
May 29th, 2012
12:03 am
Hello everyone! I think our best bet is Zack G. from the Brewers, or Dempster? Call up Flande, send Durbin back down. Use Livan as trade bait if you could get some one to go after him? Trade Diaz, and Jiack Wilson. Call up Todd Cunningham, or Parraz.Then call up Simmons for SS. — Ward
I think the Braves should trade Mac, keep Boscan up and make him the everyday catcher. With the money they save for Mac, they can make a trade for Jo Jo Reyes – and be able to afford to pay him what he’s worth.
Reyes can take Venters place after the Braves DFA-him. Trade all the season ticket-holders in the RF seats to the Cards. Yeah, we’ll have to throw some money into that package to sweeten it up – but we need some fans that can make some noise.
MIBravesFan
May 29th, 2012
12:03 am
“Venice Jim
May 29th, 2012
12:00 am
MIBravesFan – That “September Song” was written in 1938 – a bit before “When September Comes”…’
Not discounting it, VJ.
Ward
May 29th, 2012
12:03 am
VJ – I know Durbin has been better, but how long will that last?
Venice Jim
May 29th, 2012
12:04 am
MIBravesFan – I haven’t had a chance to watch this yet, but here is Bruce from the last couple of days:
http://brucespringsteen.net/news/2012/spirit-in-the-night-from-pinkpop
Venice Jim
May 29th, 2012
12:06 am
Ward – I’d be more concerned with ongoing lack of performance
nolie
May 29th, 2012
12:08 am
some seriously good suggestions there, Bobby H
MIBravesFan
May 29th, 2012
12:09 am
“JAFO
May 29th, 2012
12:01 am
Ends…”
I know
Ward
May 29th, 2012
12:10 am
VJ – What bothers me is lack of performance for the Braves, the players heads hanging down after they lose. Not being mean, but it’s like there is no life in the team. Still trying to be hopeful, but it doesn’t look good as of now.
nolie
May 29th, 2012
12:12 am
bitch about them hanging their heads in a loss, or bitch about them not caring about losing. we can get em either way guys….
Ward
May 29th, 2012
12:14 am
Not bitching nolie, just what I saw. Hope for better tomorrow though.
The A Bomb
May 29th, 2012
12:14 am
Didn’t John McSherry die on the field?
Venice Jim
May 29th, 2012
12:15 am
They should all be beheaded – eliminate the confusion…
Venice Jim
May 29th, 2012
12:16 am
Big John was a big man…
Venice Jim
May 29th, 2012
12:16 am
The 6′-2″ (188 cm) McSherry was officially listed at 328 pounds (149 kg), but some sources place his true weight possibly close to 400 pounds (180 kg); it was generally accepted to have been a major factor in the massive, fatal heart attack he suffered on the field during the opening game of the 1996 major league season in Cincinnati, Ohio on April 1, 1996.
MIBravesFan
May 29th, 2012
12:17 am
Ropespierre is on the blog
Venice Jim
May 29th, 2012
12:18 am
Every morning at the mine you could see him arrive…
Ward
May 29th, 2012
12:18 am
Vietnam HD Is on History Channel 2. Some real interesting stuff.
nolie
May 29th, 2012
12:18 am
yeah he had a heart attack on opening day in Cincy just a few pitches into the game. I was listening to that game when he went down
Venice Jim
May 29th, 2012
12:20 am
He stood 6 foot 6 and weighed 285…
The A Bomb
May 29th, 2012
12:20 am
So I assume VJ that he collapsed on the field and died off the field?
Venice Jim
May 29th, 2012
12:20 am
Kind of broad at the shoulders and narrow at the hips…
nolie
May 29th, 2012
12:21 am
man, he was almost as big as nolie
Ward
May 29th, 2012
12:22 am
All, have a good one! Hope for a win tomorrow…….Going down with the good, and the Bad……Peace my friends, and “Go!!!!!Braves!!!!!”
The A Bomb
May 29th, 2012
12:22 am
If I also remember Big John had to leave Game 7 of the ‘92 NLCS…..cost him a place on the Sid Bream bobblehead.
Venice Jim
May 29th, 2012
12:23 am
Seven pitches into the game, McSherry called a time-out, spoke briefly to Reds catcher Eddie Taubensee, and walked slowly towards the Reds’ dugout. Moments after signaling for the second base umpire to come in and replace him, McSherry stumbled and collapsed. Despite all efforts to resuscitate McSherry, he was pronounced dead, at age 51, at University of Cincinnati Hospital within the hour.
It was later revealed that McSherry had actually been scheduled for a medical examination the following day.[2] As the Reds’ Opening Day in Cincinnati is seen as a special occasion, McSherry likely didn’t want to risk missing out on an assignment he felt was an honor. Third-base umpire Tom Hallion followed the ambulance to the UC medical center, leaving umpires Steve Rippley and Jerry Crawford to decide how to proceed regarding the game. Shaken and tearful players on both teams consoled the grieving umpires, and ultimately it was decided that it would be best to postpone the game.
nolie
May 29th, 2012
12:24 am
I didn’t remember that ABomb
MIBravesFan
May 29th, 2012
12:24 am
It should have been spelled with a p, or perhaps a g. Thugs come in all shapes and sizes in history, don’t they?
Venice Jim
May 29th, 2012
12:26 am
And everybody knew you didn’t give no lip to Big John…
MIBravesFan
May 29th, 2012
12:28 am
I’m talking about Robespierre and you’re talking about something that mattered … I screwed up . . . .
The A Bomb
May 29th, 2012
12:28 am
Thanks VJ.
I think of all things McSherry had chest pains and had to leave and that’s when Marsh came in.
nolie
May 29th, 2012
12:28 am
HUGE hit back in my HS days for Jimmy Dean written by the Acuffs.
Venice Jim
May 29th, 2012
12:30 am
Just finished the season finale of Person of Interest – Michael Emerson is really good, even when he’s not Ben Linus…
nolie
May 29th, 2012
12:31 am
yeah good show, and unlike a lot of them that I like it is actually coming back I think
MIBravesFan
May 29th, 2012
12:32 am
nolie
May 29th, 2012
12:28 am
HUGE hit back in my HS days for Jimmy Dean written by the Acuffs.”
I didn’t know who wrote it but I knew who sang it!
Venice Jim
May 29th, 2012
12:32 am
It is indeed…
Venice Jim
May 29th, 2012
12:33 am
Jimmy Dean became a big presence in Richmond after he married Donna Meade – took the river cruise past his house before it burned down…
Venice Jim
May 29th, 2012
12:34 am
MIBravesFan – watching the Spirit in the Night video I just linked – very good…
http://brucespringsteen.net/news/2012/spirit-in-the-night-from-pinkpop
nolie
May 29th, 2012
12:34 am
Did Big Bad John get so strong from eating Jimmy Dean sausage?
MIBravesFan
May 29th, 2012
12:35 am
What is the deal with the houses burning down? Johnny and June’s did, too.
MIBravesFan
May 29th, 2012
12:36 am
“nolie
May 29th, 2012
12:34 am
Did Big Bad John get so strong from eating Jimmy Dean sausage?”
Venice Jim
May 29th, 2012
12:41 am
Good night, good people of the blog – it has been enjoyable for the past hour, for a change…
Yunel's Frosted Tips
May 29th, 2012
12:42 am
“Galveston” by Glen Campbell was a cool song from the old days…..my mom was in love with him when I was a child……she had all his old vinyls…….Wichita Lineman, etc.
Venice Jim
May 29th, 2012
12:44 am
Galveston is an excellent song – not unusual for Jimmy Webb…
Yunel's Frosted Tips
May 29th, 2012
12:44 am
Larry Bowa came over behind the plate during batting practice during the mid 70’s when he was with the Phillies at old Fulton County Stadium and started “hittin” on my momma……guess she was hot then…..
Venice Jim
May 29th, 2012
12:45 am
I have always been a big admirer of Good Time Glen…
Trey
May 29th, 2012
12:48 am
“Trying to get him killed? You got the wrong sport. People don’t die in baseball.” – Skeeterlag
Ray Chapman did.
The A Bomb
May 29th, 2012
12:51 am
Angels 7 in a row…..wins that is. Must feel good.
MIBravesFan
May 29th, 2012
12:54 am
“Venice Jim
May 29th, 2012
12:45 am
I have always been a big admirer of Good Time Glen…”
Really?
MIBravesFan
May 29th, 2012
12:57 am
“Yunel’s Frosted Tips
May 29th, 2012
12:42 am
“Galveston” by Glen Campbell was a cool song from the old days…..my mom was in love with him when I was a child……she had all his old vinyls…….Wichita Lineman, etc.”
My Mom was a fan of his, too.
MIBravesFan
May 29th, 2012
1:02 am
“Apparently umpire Doug Eddings is refereeing this Celtics-Heat game. #WorstCallsImaginable”
I love what Jim Leyland did yesterday – total blown call by the umpire, calling on the media to say so, to write it – “you all saw it, say something, write it”! If a batter swings at a pitch in the dirt and it’s caught by the catcher, it’s an out – those are the rules!! But not in Boston?!
MIBravesFan
May 29th, 2012
1:04 am
I misspoke – it was low but not in the dirt, and the pug swung at it!
MIBravesFan
May 29th, 2012
1:17 am
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QutLsCCY2yw
MIBravesFan
May 29th, 2012
1:22 am
For gosh sake, someone else say something!
MIBravesFan
May 29th, 2012
1:28 am
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=va1t6a0zCkQ&feature=youtu.be
Braveone
May 29th, 2012
1:32 am
From the previous blog which had 1,589 comments, TheOnlyBravesFan and nolie led the way with 96 posts. There were 181 different poster names. Here are the Top 25:
Rank Poster Frequency
1 TheOnlyBravesFan 96
2 nolie 96
3 phil 95
4 count_schemula 89
5 VaBravesFan 77
6 Disgusted 60
7 Trey 46
8 jeffrey d 45
9 The A Bomb 38
10 Ward 37
11 ChattTownBrian (CTB) 36
12 J-Man 35
13 Lew 33
14 brian 32
15 TnBrian 28
16 Waffle House or Bust 26
17 jj 26
18 CaptMudd 24
19 D.A. Nuggla 24
20 Venice Jim 22
21 Woody Woodward 22
22 TBbravesfan 21
23 George 18
24 JasonInFL 18
25 uga-brave 18
Bobby H
May 29th, 2012
1:33 am
Larry Bowa came over behind the plate during batting practice during the mid 70’s when he was with the Phillies at old Fulton County Stadium and started “hittin” on my momma……guess she was hot then….. — Yunel’s Frosted Tips
Larry Bowa – a former MLB shortstop
Yunel’s Frosted Tips – a moniker for a current MLB shortstop
Coincidence? Hmmmm…
nolie
May 29th, 2012
1:35 am
Obviously I an a big Kipling fan
If
If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too:
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or, being lied about, don’t deal in lies,
Or being hated don’t give way to hating,
And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise;
If you can dream—and not make dreams your master;
If you can think—and not make thoughts your aim,
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same:.
If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build’em up with worn-out tools;
If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings,
And never breathe a word about your loss:
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: “Hold on!”
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with Kings—nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much:
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it,
And—which is more—you’ll be a Man, my son!
Rudyard Kipling
Bobby H
May 29th, 2012
1:38 am
Braveone-
I don’t know why you put these stats on the end of a dead blog. Why go through the trouble if only a few are going to see it?
From the blog before the previous – “It’s Beachy vs. Gonzalez in ESPN Sunday night game” – which had 1,334 comments, nolie led the way with 119 posts. There were 130 different poster names. Here are the Top 25:
Rank Poster Frequency
1 nolie 119
2 count_schemula 102
3 VaBravesFan 72
4 Disgusted 66
5 Jerry 65
6 Bobby H 48
7 J-Man 39
8 TnBrian 39
9 Lew 36
10 Ward 35
11 ncbravesfan90 34
12 phil 34
13 The A Bomb 32
14 cabravesfan 32
15 CaptMudd 29
16 JasonInFL 25
17 McFann =Ô= =Ô= 23
18 Trey 23
19 George 21
20 TheOnlyBravesFan 20
21 uga-brave 19
22 David O’Brien 18
23 TBbravesfan 17
24 ncbravesfan 16
25 Jeff R 15
MIBravesFan
May 29th, 2012
1:47 am
“nolie
May 29th, 2012
1:35 am
Obviously I an a big Kipling fan
If
If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too:
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or, being lied about, don’t deal in lies,
Or being hated don’t give way to hating,
And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise;
If you can dream—and not make dreams your master;
If you can think—and not make thoughts your aim,
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same:.
If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build’em up with worn-out tools;
If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings,
And never breathe a word about your loss:
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: “Hold on!”
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with Kings—nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much:
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it,
And—which is more—you’ll be a Man, my son!
Rudyard Kipling”
“My Boy Jack”
MIBravesFan
May 29th, 2012
1:54 am
“The Lost Battlion”
nolie
May 29th, 2012
1:56 am
I have that movie. Tragic
MIBravesFan
May 29th, 2012
1:58 am
“nolie
May 29th, 2012
1:56 am
I have that movie. Tragic”
Yes it was
nolie
May 29th, 2012
2:15 am
nite y’all.
MIBravesFan
May 29th, 2012
2:16 am
I really need to learn when to shut up. It’s not the same thing as being stiffeled. It’s a question of timing and degree.
MIBravesFan
May 29th, 2012
2:17 am
Goodnight, nolie. Take care.
MIBravesFan
May 29th, 2012
2:20 am
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EZTbJSmOWWc&feature=youtu.be
MIBravesFan
May 29th, 2012
3:06 am
Well given the last word – I give this –
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_wD3bZc-24g
cowdogit
May 29th, 2012
3:15 am
Well if no one can think of anything good to say about McDowell, I’am going to bed.
David O'Brien
May 29th, 2012
5:32 am
Brewers, on pace to win only about 70 games, still could become smallest market to draw 3 million fans in a season (Milwaukee metro area is about one-third the size of Atlanta’s)
http://www.jsonline.com/sports/brewers/3-million-reasons-why-the-brewers-need-to-win-kv5iqm2-154888125.html
Jeff R
May 29th, 2012
6:45 am
Painful, just too painful. 8-in-a-row in the wrong direction.
richbrave
May 29th, 2012
7:12 am
DOWN ON THE FARM
DOMINICAN SUMMER LEAGUE
Start date, June 2, 2012
ROME
page 9, 8:12 p.m.
LYNCHBURG
page 10, 10:07 p.m.
MISSISSIPPI
Bandits slash and burn 6-0 while consuming BISCUITS for dinner. ZEKE SPRUILL has one of his best outings ever.
RHSP ZEKE SPRUILL [W 5-4, 3.50 ERA] 6.0 IP, 3 H, shutout, 1 BB, 4 SO. Consistancy, and Mr. SPRUILL moves on up the line.
LHRP CHRIS JONES [H 1, 3.20 ERA] 2.0 IP, no-hits, 1 BB, 1 SO.
RHRP BILLY BULLOCK [4.38 ERA] 1.0 IP, no-hits, 1 BB, 1 SO.
Lead-off CF TODD CUNNINGHAM [.298 BA] 1-5, 1 SO.
SS AL SIMMONS [.299 BA] 0-3, 1 R, 1 BB, 1 SB [10].
2B PHILLIP GOSSELIN [.260 BA] 2-4, 1 RBI [19], 1 SO, 1 SB [7].
LF ALDEN CARRITHERS [.324 BA] 1-4, 2 R, 1 SB [3].
3B JOE LEONARD [.270 BA] 2-2, 1 R, 1 RBI [21], 2 BB, 1 SB [5].
RF CORY HARRILCHAK [.206 BA] 0-2, 1 R, 2 RBI [12], 1 BB, 1 SF.
C BARRET KLEINKNECHT [.196 BA] 1-4, 1 2B [8], 2 RBI [10], 1 SO, 2 E [3, fielding].
GWINNETT
G-Men endure to win 9-8 over LEHIGH VALLEY
RHSP JULIO TEHERAN [3.57 ERA] however has another forgettable start. 3.0 IP, 7 H,1 HR, 6 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 5 SO, 1 E [1, throwing]. Struggling. No other way to put it.
RHRP BUDDY CARLISLE [1.80 ERA] 2.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R/ER, 1 BB, 0 SO.
LHRP DUSTY HUGHES [3.15 ERA] 1.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R/ER.
RHRP ADAM RUSSELL [2.86 ERA] 2.0 IP, no-hits, 1 SO.
RHRP JAYE CHAPMAN [W 2-2, 2.42 ERA] 1.0 IP, 3 H, zeros, 2 SO.
Bats just won’t quit in a great come-back win. Relief pitching finally shuts down the IRON PIGS.
CF LUIS DURANGO [.286 BA] 1-2, 1 SO.
PH/LF CHRIS MARRERO [.243 BA] 1-2, 2 R, 1 HR [3], 1 RBI [17], 1 BB.
RF STEF GARTRELL [.257 BA] 1-4, 1 R, 1 2B [9], 1 SO.
1B ERNESTO MEJIA [.314 BA] 3-5, 2 R, 1 2B [13], 1 RBI [37], 1 SO, 1 SB [4].
3B JOE TERDOSLAVICH [.193 BA] 2-4, 2 R, 1 RBI [19], 1 BB.
C JOSE YEPEZ [.289 BA] 2-5, 1 RBI [10], 1 SO.
2B LANCE ZAWADZKI [.286 BA] 3-5, 1 R, 1 HR [1], 5 RBI [6], 1 SO.
PH/CF FELIX PIE [.222 BA] 1-4, 1 SO.
Whew! Deep in the order, newbie ZAWADZKI surprises the BISCUITS with a walk-off three-run yard-shot in the bottom of the ninth. That’s what you want from the # 8 hitter.
richbrave
May 29th, 2012
7:16 am
Oops, IRON PIGS, sorry!
Braves Fan in Maine
May 29th, 2012
7:19 am
I am very disappointed in this team. They play great for a while then play like a little league team…. uggla stinks trade him, fire fredi and hire francona, dump mcdowell (never have liked him), and just try to make some good moves…. we need hitting period
Tomahawkin
May 29th, 2012
7:22 am
8 in a Row…???
Anyone want to talk Playoffs?
But seriously its imperative Ugg or J-Hey get it going to ride this Sinking ship into July…
Another disturbing trend we are all starting to see again during this crap streak is that with 1 exception Braves Starters are not making it past the 6th inning
Tomahawkin
May 29th, 2012
7:24 am
Seriously we can’t Bash McDowell…
Matt Chernoff said it best when describing the Guys off the Bench (SKE, Juan-Fran, and Matty-D). They are only good in Sample sizes. They get exposed when they get normal playing time
I seriously find it hard to believe that The Melk-Dud has Out Hit J-Hey since the start of 2010
J-Hey might become Loaf II if he keeps that lackluster defense up…
richbrave
May 29th, 2012
7:27 am
RBI leaders/Runner up
GWINNETT
1B ERNIE MEJIA – 37
RF STEF GARTRELL – 30
MISSISSIPPI
1B IAN GAC – 22
SS AL SIMMONS – 21
3B JOE LEONARD – 21
LYNCHBURG
2B TOMMY LaSTELLA – 31
1B CHRIS GARCIA – 30
ROME
3B KYLE KUBITZA – 23
1B WILLIAM BECKWITH – 17
Coach (2012 Fredi's Beisbol Fandango)
May 29th, 2012
7:33 am
Abandon hope all ye who enter here…….
richbrave
May 29th, 2012
7:38 am
TOMAHAWKIN’:
I hear the frustration in your words…..ones I unfortunately agree with.
The ‘dud’ evidently didn’t get along with BOBBY C., and we know how that goes. I have always thought he ‘dogged’ it to get out of here.
With the exception of HUDSON, we have no real experience in the starting corps. BEACHY, MINOR, DELGADO, are all inexperienced. And inconsistancy unfortunately comes with the territory.
I noted HANSON with that same hesitation before he throws, exposing the ball to the hitters. Not at all like the beginning of the season. Old habits are hard to break, I guess.
Jeff R
May 29th, 2012
7:40 am
Tomahawkin, the Braves losing streak is the perfect storm: generally poor pitching and cold bats.
Tomahawkin
May 29th, 2012
7:43 am
@richbrave
Did Big Red Throw a Single Pitch over 91 mph yesterday?
I wouldn’t know because I Turned It off after he gave up the Homer to Descalso. I decided to spend my afternoon doing yardwork
And I called It a month a Ago, That Vennie-Macc is Injured, You heard it here first
Tomahawkin
May 29th, 2012
7:44 am
Jeff R
“Tomahawkin, the Braves losing streak is the perfect storm: generally poor pitching and cold bats.”
I understand especially with the Injuries but we need someone to step it up
The 2004 Braves had half the hitters and a Litany of injuries (Chipper #1) and were still able to Right the ship when the team resembled a Mash Unit…This team is so lifeless right now
Carl Farvman
May 29th, 2012
7:47 am
“Thanks DOB. You will never see or hear the not-so-wonderful stats from the Braves radio or TV crews. I don’t know if they are afraid of losing their jobs or they just don’t feel we can take anything short of praise and optimism. But part of the fun of being a baseball fan is anaylzing the good AND the bad.”
Been in ATL for six years and this is the first season I’ve paid close attention to the TV/radio/newspaper coverage of the Braves. The TV radio crews are all painful to listen to. It sounds like a love fest with constant mindless banter….all avoiding any direct negative comments about what is happening on the field as it relates to the Braves. Not sure if all these folks just simply have no real knowledge of the sport or don’t understand what a good broadcast consists of. EX: Heyward mishandles a ball and instead of just acknowledging that he should have had it if focused they were impressed that he indicated that it was HIS BAD. Sounds like something a 13 year old would say. They ALL question pitch balls/strikes when it could effect the Braves negatively, but routinely ignore bad calls against the opponents; no attempt at fair-minded analysis. Yestereday’s game showed a called ‘ball’ with a Hanson curve ball and it was well outside the infamous BOX [not to mention it was an obvious ball in real time], but they still criticized the call… It is horrible coverage…the worst I’ve heard while living in 4 major markets. And then you throw in the print folks and most of them joined in with the small park parade and used this as an excuse until consecutive loss #6. They all backed up and punted when they finally realized the decent start was smoke and mirrors. I’m not caught up with the Braves’ losing streak [it happens to average teams] but what strikes me the most during this time is just how badly the press covers this team from a fan standpoint. No real game analysis that the average fan might appreciate and learn something and no tough challenges from the press when Braves officials come off with all these canned answers. It appears they all want to be comfortable when they mix it up in the hotel bars during road trips. I don’t know, but it’s painful to watch and listen to.
Jeff R
May 29th, 2012
7:47 am
Beachy’s largely been solid. But when Hanson, Hudson, and Beachy are off their games, the back end of the rotation – Delgado and Minor – aren’t compensating.
Hitting, well, Chipper’s out. Freeman has that odd eye problem. McCann had the flu. Bourn’s gone cold. Heyward… just not living up to billing.
Tough time, right now. But I’m not like some of these guys who assume that the Braves are in a dive that’s going to last the rest of the season. Right now, I think this is a nasty slump that the Braves can recover from.
Time will tell.
phil
May 29th, 2012
7:49 am
DawgNole
May 28th, 2012
9:47 pm
phil
May 28th, 2012
8:34 pm
Reading through this blog is a frightening experience…
The panic is unreal. Try not to overlook that we’ve been briefly knocked out by illness and injury and dry eyes. If we get the guys back on the field, maybe we bounce back.
_______________________
That you, phil? Dang, what happened to my partner in negativity (i.e., reality)? I don’t believe the folks over on the Hawks or Facons blogs would recognize you from that post.
********
i lost my way there briefly…..sorry.
Fire FG!!
Jeff R
May 29th, 2012
7:51 am
Tomahawkin, funny you should say the Braves are lifeless. Basically, that’s what some observers were saying about the Braves in the stretch last season and in 2010, the stretch then (when they almost fumbled away the post-season).
I don’t know, despite the talent, maybe this club just has bad chemistry. But I’m hoping not. I hope the Braves are getting the losing out of their systems early and finish strongly. This team is far from being out of contention.
JRW
May 29th, 2012
7:52 am
The Braves sit today tied for last with the Phillies. Both teams using make shift line-ups to get through injuries. That said the Phillies have just won 6 of 7 and the Braves as we know are 0 for their last 8. The Phillies beat up on this St. Louis team in Baseball Heaven, and if it wasn’t for Halladay getting hurt may have swept them. Now they get the Mets for the next two nights. Sole possession of last place isn’t far away. NL East records for May
Miami 19-8
Washington 15-11
Philadelphia 15-12
NY Mets 14-12
Braves 12-15
Ease
May 29th, 2012
7:54 am
Hanson was consistently 91-93mph yesterday.
JRW
May 29th, 2012
7:56 am
Carl Farvman – “Thanks DOB. You will never see or hear the not-so-wonderful stats from the Braves radio or TV crews.
————————————–
Keep in mind that the TV/Radio crews are hired and are employees of the Braves. DOB is an employee of the ACJ. Therefore he should be more objective, and is. The others fear for their broadcasting jobs.
phil
May 29th, 2012
8:07 am
The A Bomb
May 29th, 2012
12:20 am
So I assume VJ that he collapsed on the field and died off the field.
********
he turned and walked a step or two behind the plate and fell dead to the field. They may say he officially died at the hospital, but he dropped dead on the field. It was awful.
ukuga
May 29th, 2012
8:09 am
Two weeks ago, I thought this was the best Braves team since Sheffield left town.
Now, it’s just sad.
ukuga
May 29th, 2012
8:11 am
After attending the game on Friday night, and shaking my head as no one came to relieve Huddy with Zimmerman coming up with the bases loaded; I may have begun to come around to the line of thinking of that it might make sense to not always save your closer for the end of the game.
Carl Farvman
May 29th, 2012
8:11 am
“Matt Chernoff said it best when describing the Guys off the Bench (SKE, Juan-Fran, and Matty-D). They are only good in Sample sizes. They get exposed when they get normal playing time”
Yeah, Matt Turnoff says a lot of things…one of the least talented radio nitwits I’ve ever heard. 5 games into this losing streak he was still mocking small park in Cincy without any reference to how this could possibly be a disadvantage fo a team that at the time was leading the NL in scoring…and nobody challenged the ignorant perspective. Back to the bench players…most are bench players for a reason..capable of helping with decent pinch hit BA and providing some fill in work for the regular position players; some move on to be starters, many do not. SO, what exactly did Turnoff say that had even a fraction of insight included? He is the worst nitwit on atl radio…totally useless.
Jeff R
May 29th, 2012
8:14 am
Now, it’s just sad.
There’s a tendency to take a moment and make it a trend. No way of knowing right now if the Braves are experiencing a nasty slump or are going to flounder the rest of the season.
The Cards had a pretty poor start last season, if you recall.
Carl Farvman
May 29th, 2012
8:15 am
“Keep in mind that the TV/Radio crews are hired and are employees of the Braves. DOB is an employee of the ACJ. Therefore he should be more objective, and is. The others fear for their broadcasting jobs.”
No doubt, this is probably what makes them so horrible. Otherwise, I assume that there might be some talent hidden there somewhere.
jt
May 29th, 2012
8:24 am
Oh it feels so like 2011, doesn’t it?
ncscoots
May 29th, 2012
8:25 am
Two weeks ago, I thought this was the best Braves team since Sheffield left town. Now, it’s just sad.
So, they play great for a month and badly for a week. I’ll take that all season long.
Some of you guys (not the quoted poster, necessarily) have probably been on tenterhooks, just waiting for an opportunity to vent a little. OK, vent a lot, since that appears to be the source of your jollies. So, this losing streak is actually a good thing: gives a reason for living to many of our contributors.
Enjoy. Only 100 or so left to turn this around, so milk the losing streak for all the bile you can muster, and bank some of that b!tching to keep you warm at night. Once the team gets going again, that might be the only hate you can count on.
What a bunch of girly maroons we got here. Geez louise.
jt
May 29th, 2012
8:26 am
When you off season management does not go and get not one good player, and depends on their AAA club to furnish positions, ie; Shortstop, third base, and right field, what in the hell should we expect? It is like reliving 2011 all over again. LOSERS!!!
jeffrey d
May 29th, 2012
8:29 am
That was prophetic, scoots
Jeff R
May 29th, 2012
8:33 am
Some of you guys (not the quoted poster, necessarily) have probably been on tenterhooks, just waiting for an opportunity to vent a little. OK, vent a lot, since that appears to be the source of your jollies. So, this losing streak is actually a good thing: gives a reason for living to many of our contributors.
Note that if the Braves bounce back, some of the guys who’ve jumped on the blog recently to rip the team for just about everything will melt away quicker than ice in the Mohave.
ncscoots
May 29th, 2012
8:36 am
jeffrey, I don’t think one has to be the reincarnation of Nostradamus to make that particular call.
I skimmed through this current blog, and just laughed and laughed and laughed. N8 was ridin’ and rippin’ (unsurprisingly), and he was the sanest of the bunch, LOL. The level of pure baseball ignorance displayed…well, it was pretty funny. ‘Course, as I said, I just skimmed, so I might have missed the most obtuse of the bunch.
I look forward to seeing if today’s crew can top it. I wanna see ‘em go for the record.
JasonInFL
May 29th, 2012
8:47 am
Big Red also consistently hit 88-89
JasonInFL
May 29th, 2012
8:51 am
Scoots, making sense as usual. But, 0-7 doesn’t constitute a bad week; that’s pretty much, well horrible since it doesn’t get any worse. A bad week is 3-4, 2-5.
Arkansas Transplant
May 29th, 2012
8:58 am
Look at the bright side of things.. at least they are removing all drama by falling apart early rather than waiting til September to break everyone’s heart.
ncscoots
May 29th, 2012
9:01 am
A bad week is 3-4, 2-5.
Bad, really bad, terrible, whatever. Suckage is suckage, just a matter of degree, don’t you think?
What matters is whether the suckage is fundamental or whether it’s simply the vagaries of the long-season rollercoaster. If one thinks the former, then we get the trade-everybody-blow-it-up-we’re-doomed posts. If the latter, then we get the I’m-so-mad-I-could-spit-but-I-don’t-think-I’ll-slit-my-wrists-just-yet posts. Room for both, I reckon. I mean, as long as folks don’t mind appearing the fool in public, I certainly have no problem with it.
Arkansas Transplant
May 29th, 2012
9:05 am
Personally, if we’re out of this thing come late July. I hope we move quite a few people. It could be a rather long list, I’d like to see us at that point build our depth in the minors.
Arkansas Transplant
May 29th, 2012
9:07 am
Just when you thought Heyward couldn’t be any worse than he was last year…. he’s gone and begun to top himself.
Arkansas Transplant
May 29th, 2012
9:09 am
I think Jason could definitely use about another year in the minors, let everything slow down for him so that he can begin to build some confidence and momentum.
Duke
May 29th, 2012
9:12 am
This losing streak maybe a blessing. I would rather it come early in the season so we can reassess and figure out where to go instead of it happening in August and the trade deadline is over. Obviously we need some help in the rotation and it’s early enough to make the proper adjustments. This team will be okay. Just need to get one of these games today or tomorrow.
Also, JJ’s last outing is a very good sign. If he is hitting 93 and constantly around 90-91 then he may be trusting the leg again. Give him one more down there and maybe he is ready to come back.
Fair Weather Fan
May 29th, 2012
9:16 am
Whoa! I thought collapse 2012 was going to be at the end of the season.
Fols
May 29th, 2012
9:21 am
I am calling it the closer curse.
Early in the streak, 8th inning, tie game vs the Reds. They throw in Chapman to close us out knowing they’d get one run, knowing we wouldn’t use Kimbrel. What did we use…Martinez….we’re doomed now for not going man to man with the best. No we save him……and save him….and save him…..until eventually we had to give the kid work on Saturday which was too little too late.
I will do my best voodoo magic to end the curse. By that I mean sitting at a desk all day waiting for the game to start. Long season, but I wish this squad would find a way to stop the bleeding. It truly is last years team, but it should never get to this. 8 games for a team with playoff hopes is really quite uncalled for.
I’m not one to call out coaching but at some point if he can’t figure out how to light that fire, something has to be done and I doubt it’s coming in the form of a trade.
ncscoots
May 29th, 2012
9:28 am
8 games for a team with playoff hopes is really quite uncalled for.
Phillies won 102 last year, and had an 8-game losing streak. I could probably find you dozens of similar seasons, had I but the inclination.
Homer the Brave
May 29th, 2012
9:30 am
Anyone else notice that the losing streak began after Fox Sports fired Beth Keener? I’m convinced that Beth put a curse on the team. Might want to think about hiring her back.
0-8
May 29th, 2012
9:33 am
“What matters is whether the suckage is fundamental or whether it’s simply the vagaries of the long-season rollercoaster.”
My money is on “suckage is fundamental.” Last September, this spring, early regular season and now 0-8. All of these factors indicate that something is awry in the organization. Is it Wren and Fredi? Is it McDowell? Are the Braves a product of their own hype machine and the fact is that the roster is not filled with personnel that can make a real playoff run?
I can’t pretend to have insight into what button/buttons need to be pushed, I can only go on what I see.
I see a team that has holes in the roster. That belongs to Wren, McQuirk and Liberty Media.
I see a team that plays uninspired. Fredi, Roger and the coaching staff own that.
I see players not playing to their potential. Either that, or their potential was hyped in the first place and they are in reality, mediocre players with mediocre ceiling.
I see a starting staff that has two guys who are going to be dependable and three guys who are a crap shoot. When your two dependable guys happen to throw in a stinker, don’t count on your crap shoot guys to bail the team out in their starts. (ie 0-8)
There is no need to blow this team up. Just dismantle it slowly.
Chipper’s retirement next year can start the process with a countdown like “This team is 12-20 without Chipper in the lineup.” And at the end of the season they can say something like “this team is 81-81 when Chipper isn’t in the lineup.”
This team is mediocre at best, but was that not what they were supposed to be after the Winter of standing pat?
Fish Bisch
May 29th, 2012
9:41 am
Fire Terry Pendleton.
TennesseePaul
May 29th, 2012
9:42 am
Phillies won 102 last year, and had an 8-game losing streak.
And then there’s also you favorite old adage…
TennesseePaul
May 29th, 2012
9:43 am
Braves have no shot at a winning month in May. But, they could still pull out 14 wins in the month.
Lew
May 29th, 2012
9:46 am
Who owned the 26-12 record between the 0-4 start and the 0 – 8 losing streak?
Jeff R
May 29th, 2012
9:46 am
8 games for a team with playoff hopes is really quite uncalled for.
Phillies won 102 last year, and had an 8-game losing streak. I could probably find you dozens of similar seasons, had I but the inclination.
Right. And the Cards struggled most of the season and the Brewers had a very slow start.
It’s fair to ask questions or make points about the Braves’ play. It’s also fair to wonder if injuries or under-performing players are going to cost the team longer term.
But still a lot of baseball left, and the Braves aren’t out of the running.
Fols
May 29th, 2012
9:46 am
Come on Scoots! “Phillies won 102 last year, and had an 8-game losing streak.”
Phillies didn’t win jack last year, Cards did…..they did not have an 8 game losing streak
(okay they might have had a 7 but shhhh!)
ncscoots
May 29th, 2012
9:47 am
And then there’s also you favorite old adage…
Yeah, but somehow I think that a repetition of it would be wasted breath, considering the panic currently loosed on the forum.
Fols
May 29th, 2012
9:49 am
No, we are not out of anything…we need some healthy bodies and a few guys to step up. Last year Uggla went on a summer tear, we’ll need someong behind Bourn and Prado to step up and drive these guys home.
Lets just hope the bleeding stops soon.
ncscoots
May 29th, 2012
9:50 am
It’s fair to ask questions or make points about the Braves’ play. It’s also fair to wonder if injuries or under-performing players are going to cost the team longer term.
Oh, sure. In fact, that would be valid commentary at any time. Just let’s not confuse that with most of the stuff being posted here right now, shall we?
Fols
May 29th, 2012
9:51 am
I only want a report of 8 game losing streaks by Champions cause that’s all that matters in the end.
If we lose today i’ll need scoots to head back to the lab for 9 games! haha
Okay Scoots, lets not waste your time!
Lew
May 29th, 2012
9:51 am
From last night by “Olive Oyl Thinks” -
“Hey Lew, You were one of the Phi Beta Kappas quoting the Phillies’ who were saying “Everything will be fine. He (Utley) just needs some time”.
Yet another Drive By Poster. Obvious they never read the blog.
Carl Farvman
May 29th, 2012
9:52 am
“Phillies won 102 last year, and had an 8-game losing streak. I could probably find you dozens of similar seasons, had I but the inclination.”
Mr Genius, you forgot to mention that this happened in later September when the Phillies had long ago locked up the division….or did you miss this?
Lew
May 29th, 2012
9:54 am
Of course eight game losing streaks don’t count when you’ve already clinched the division. What are y’all thinking? Or are you?
Fols
May 29th, 2012
9:58 am
For anyone over the age of 12, one thing is certain….8 game losing streak means you just avoid the in-game blog. Lots of baseball left.
ncscoots
May 29th, 2012
9:58 am
Mr Genius, you forgot to mention that this happened in later September when the Phillies had long ago locked up the division….or did you miss this?
Why, no, I didn’t. I imagine you’re the sort that says “they all count”, though, correct? Lose one or two in April, it’s the same as September, like that? No?
Do you really want me to look up a few more high-win teams that had losing streaks of 8 or more in a season? If so, could you give me the parameters of when said losing streak is permitted to occur? I just want to be sure I’m providing facts that are relevant to you.
McFann :Ô: :Ô:
May 29th, 2012
10:00 am
Fols 8 game losing streak means you just avoid the in-game blog.
True that…
Arkansas Transplant
May 29th, 2012
10:01 am
I wish we had another OF option besides Diaz or Hinske.
Jeff R
May 29th, 2012
10:01 am
ncscoots, your 9:50 post – correct!
Lew
May 29th, 2012
10:01 am
Avoidance of the in game blog when they’re winning makes just as much sense.
McFann :Ô: :Ô:
May 29th, 2012
10:05 am
Lew—
Ha! Yeah, that’s true, too…
Tomahawkin
May 29th, 2012
10:06 am
Carl Farvman
May 29th, 2012
8:11 am
“Matt Chernoff said it best when describing the Guys off the Bench (SKE, Juan-Fran, and Matty-D). They are only good in Sample sizes. They get exposed when they get normal playing time”
Yeah, Matt Turnoff says a lot of things…one of the least talented radio nitwits I’ve ever heard. 5 games into this losing streak he was still mocking small park in Cincy without any reference to how this could possibly be a disadvantage fo a team that at the time was leading the NL in scoring…and nobody challenged the ignorant perspective. Back to the bench players…most are bench players for a reason..capable of helping with decent pinch hit BA and providing some fill in work for the regular position players; some move on to be starters, many do not. SO, what exactly did Turnoff say that had even a fraction of insight included? He is the worst nitwit on atl radio…totally useless.
Ouch! And I thought his BeachClub Promo he did to get people to go to Sundays game was Wack…
I wonder how many attended?
Fols
May 29th, 2012
10:06 am
Okay here we go…scoots you need a project!
8 game losing streaks:
1) Must be a team finishing in the top 4 in the league
2) Must not include April cause that month is just bunk.
3) Must not include any September streak numbers if the team has clinched before Sept 20th (that would represent a fairly massive lead so they most likely hit cruise control)
4) Must not include any stretch where your number 3 or 4 hitter is away for all 8 games.
5) Must not include any stretch of 4 loses within the 8 loses if the 3 & 4 hitter miss at least 4 of those games on the same game (HUH???)
6) Must not include any streak that has more than 4 games with anything but sunny weather as rain can really skew results.
7) Must not include the pre-post All-Star games……cause a break kinda ruins a streak.
That is all.
I need these results by noon today for full marks and the assignment will be re-assigned tomorrow using a 9 game streak if things continue.
Your the best, thanks for doing all this!
Tomahawkin
May 29th, 2012
10:09 am
Its odd but I’m not in Panic mode yet but Vennie Macc is Injured And…
Like I said earlier, its Time for J-Hey or Ugg to step it up…our June Schedule is Brutal! The Team can’t rely on B-Macc and Chipper to carry the team when its a given that both will be limited to around the 120-130 game mark…
It also would be nice to see one of our young starters Stop the Bleeding
ncscoots
May 29th, 2012
10:09 am
Fols, I think we might Brian on that project, my friend. Probably beyond my capabilities.
I’m just a dinosaur, an ignorant BBWAA geezer, utterly devoid of higher analytic skills. Thus, I must reluctantly say “no” to your project.
coach joe
May 29th, 2012
10:10 am
You might as well use your closer early to try and save a game when a team is playing this bad. Things can’t get any worse… We need to sign Oswalt and bring Tehran up and pitch..
Fols
May 29th, 2012
10:11 am
I would think less of you if you accepted!
Ah, the lighter side of losing streaks.
Duke
May 29th, 2012
10:12 am
I think it’s time we send Medlen down to Gwinnett to get stretched out….
Carl Farvman
May 29th, 2012
10:13 am
ncscoots, your Philly example was not relevant. Of course you can find other examples that might be consisant with the point you were trying to make. If I had already wrapped up a division and met other goals…such as home field, etc., etc……an 8-game losing streak in this example is apples and oranges, by comparison. And, yes, I never have agreed with the nimrod mindset of baseball folks and fans who somehow think early season stumbles somehow are not as important as later season stumbles. Too many divisions have been lost/won by 1-2 games. Where is there a rule that early season losses [too many] somehow have no imapact on W/L records at the end? This makes as much sense as booing every time an opposing pitcher attempts a pick off at first base.
Lew
May 29th, 2012
10:15 am
Yes!!!! Because if we stretch Medlen out all our problems will be solved and we won’t get two hit again anytime soon.
raleighbravefan
May 29th, 2012
10:16 am
I said Friday it was time for a hiatus…I ignored the blog all weekend (4 days)…This morning things seem calmer than I would have expected. That said, I’m out for a while…whiner fatigue, you know.
I get the frustration…even anger to some extent. All fans are frustrated, by the way. I also get differences in personalities, and outlooks…people “grieve” in different ways…and I never judge that.
What I don’t like is the level of vitiol…almost hatred, that pours forth here, especially when we are losing. I know most of it comes from trolls and agitators…but I just don’t care to read it. A lot of ignorance, mixed with some plain old anger.
So I’m out for a while. I just don’t need it. I love the Braves, but my universe doesn’t revolve around their play, and certainly doesn’t revolve around the negativity (which will kill you, BTW).
Go, Braves. I love you, no matter what.
ncscoots
May 29th, 2012
10:17 am
Ah, the lighter side of losing streaks.
Baseball is about redemption, after all. Massive amounts of failure followed by sprinklings of success. Nature of the game. If one doesn’t quite get that, I understand that curling has a great fanbase and is always looking for new members.
Lew
May 29th, 2012
10:17 am
Well, if games don’t count after you clinch the division, I guess that series loss to the Phillies late last September didn’t count either and we made the playoffs after all.
Tomahawkin
May 29th, 2012
10:18 am
TnBrian
May 27th, 2012
9:45 pm
“Remember how ESPN was JHey crazy? Barely a mention of him all game and they were talking about basketbal during his at bat and didn’t even mention his strikeout. Thats insane how quickly they turned on him.”
BSPN Cursed him, I knew It would happen
Murph
May 29th, 2012
10:21 am
I really don’t get the “I’m leaving!” proclamations.
The blog is what you make you of it. I haven’t been on since Friday and, really, don’t feel like I missed anything. I don’t feel the need to go back over the last few days and read all the pout-pout fish posts. Why bother? Do you really expect to glean some useful information from all the yahoos who come here when the team is losing?
If the negative stuff bothers you, scroll on by. I’ve gotten to the point where, at a quick glance, I know exactly what posts on a given page I’m going to read. I skip the 5-paragraph rants, I skip the posts by people who I either don’t know or know to be whiners, and the blog is just fine.
There’s no rule that says you aren’t a real fan if you skip 90% of the posts on the blog.
Fols
May 29th, 2012
10:21 am
If you cut out the in-game blog portion, maybe an hour before and after each game you eliminate a lot of that hatred.
You have to refer to the Walking Dead. People transform during a loss. The opposition can score one run in an inning and bloggers quickly turn into the Dead. Mouth foams, eyes glaze, skin turns patchy red and you need to spew hatred at the Braves.
It can all go away with a win…but if we’re losing…..have mercy! Just read the in-game…Cab tries her best to battle these Dead. Most ignore them or hide. I personally tip my hat to Cab!
McFann :Ô: :Ô:
May 29th, 2012
10:22 am
Lew I guess that series loss to the Phillies late last September didn’t count either and we made the playoffs after all.
Hooray!! The Icees are on me!!
Duke
May 29th, 2012
10:24 am
Lew, so we have been getting held to two hits every game during this losing streak? I wasn’t aware. I thought that giving up an average of 6 runs a game may have something to do with it…
Arkansas Transplant
May 29th, 2012
10:24 am
Anyone waiting on Heyward to start carrying this team, I believe your just kicking a dead horse. It’s not going to happen or at least any time soon.
Fols
May 29th, 2012
10:24 am
Knowing we made the playoffs and the Cards got bumped……should we be celebrating? I want to buy some Championship merch!
Lew
May 29th, 2012
10:25 am
Duke -And Medlen will cure that, too? What’s his ERA been in recent outings?
McFann :Ô: :Ô:
May 29th, 2012
10:27 am
Murph—
I agree.…Only reason I looked at it yesterday was for updates from DOB…
Of course, folks have a “right” to leave for a while if they want to…still a free country and all that…
McFann :Ô: :Ô:
May 29th, 2012
10:28 am
Lew Because if we stretch Medlen out all our problems will be solved and we won’t get two hit again anytime soon.
He does have a hit this year…Maybe we’ll get 3-hit!!…
ncscoots
May 29th, 2012
10:29 am
Cab tries her best to battle these Dead…I personally tip my hat to Cab!
I think cab feels a little maternal towards many of the mouth-foamers, and tries to get them back on a righteous path. Moms the world over try to save their children from being useless fools, after all, regardless of the hopelessness of the task.
RHR
May 29th, 2012
10:30 am
The Braves/David Sims Memorial Day story was on the national news this morning. Pretty cool. And no mention on the losing streak. Well done, Braves.
Russell Bell
May 29th, 2012
10:30 am
In game blogs are damaging to my mental well-being. I can’t read that much feces throwing nonsense.
Lew
May 29th, 2012
10:31 am
Stretch Medlen out – OK, let’s see about that.
Has NOT pitched 3 IP since April 27.
Has given up 9 ER in his last 15.1 IP
Has given up 5 ER in his last 4.1 IP
Just came off of missing an entire year from surgery which included a rehab with numerous setbacks.
Yeah, Medlen getting stretched out is going to turn the team 6 ERA around really fast. Most definitely the missing link of our success.
Tomahawkin
May 29th, 2012
10:31 am
Arkansas Transplant
“Anyone waiting on Heyward to start carrying this team, I believe your just kicking a dead horse. It’s not going to happen or at least any time soon.”
I’m still waiting because without a solid Heyward, We Don’t Make the playoffs, you can take that prediction to the Bank
The Last 10 games or so, he is seriously starting to remind me of the Professional hitter known as “Loaf” out there in RF
Lew
May 29th, 2012
10:32 am
Good point, McFann. We need his bat in there.
Powder Blue
May 29th, 2012
10:33 am
I think the Braves will finish somewhere between second and fourth in the NL East. They’re neither the best nor the worst team in the division. As presently constituted, however, this team is going nowhere.
Tomahawkin
May 29th, 2012
10:33 am
Wow, after reading the blogs from over the weekend, The Ingame Bloggers are off the Chain and I’m still on the Disabled List…
I’m expected to come off the Disabled list to join the In-Game Blog lineup…
Duke
May 29th, 2012
10:34 am
Lew, maybe Medlen is better suited for the rotation than for the bullpen… It’s not like I’m the only one that agrees.
McFann :Ô: :Ô:
May 29th, 2012
10:34 am
Lew—
Of course!…
Although it wouldn’t hurt my feelings if the guys we have in there already started hitting again—poor Prado’s all alone. BMac was starting to heat up, but then hit a serious wall…
Bat Masterson
May 29th, 2012
10:35 am
Heyward hit .301/.421/.596 (1.017 OPS) 1st 46 games (156 ABs) of career; since then he’s hit .244/.346/.397 (.743 OPS) in 271 games (921 ABs), not counting today. _ DOB
And he just lucked into a double, but we’ll take it.
I’ve said all along that the guy has disappointed from the start, but for a hot start TWO YEARS AGO NOW…. _ phil
It’s time to pull the plug on Heyward, an obvious flash in the pan, a 46 games in 2010 wonder.
In his last 71 games in 2010 his slash line was only: .301/ .419/ .457/ .876
In September/ Oct. when the Braves needed him to make the playoffs he put up his third lowest batting average of the year. .275 only behind March/April and June when he was using the injury excuse.
He only played 30 games in Sept/ Oct and had the most monthly PAs of his season, 135. A lousy 30 hits in 30 games. with 4 doubles, 1 triple and 2 homeruns, and 24 walks.
In March/April he had 3 dbls and 6 homeruns
In August he only had 6 dbls, 1 triple and 5 homeruns not even close to May when he had 7 dbls, 3 triples and 4 homeruns.
You know I’ve heard that the mental aspect on the travel wears on rookies at the end of a season. I’ll bet Heyward never bought in to that bs. More on that later.
Powder Blue
May 29th, 2012
10:35 am
Too bad the Braves can’t afford to insert Medlen back into the rotation because most of the starters can’t get past the fifth inning.
MikeInFl
May 29th, 2012
10:36 am
Heyward’s hit RHP much better this year; .852 OPS against righties in 121 PA – not too far off from his rookie year. He’s lost against lhp, though. It’s progress, I guess.
CrαZy
May 29th, 2012
10:36 am
Seems like every time I turn the game on lately it’s already 4-0. Didn’t we lose 9 in a row in 2010??
Mixxo
May 29th, 2012
10:37 am
I don’t in-game anymore….too much hate. lol
72-90
Bat Masterson
May 29th, 2012
10:38 am
And travel*
Murph
May 29th, 2012
10:38 am
Of course, folks have a “right” to leave for a while if they want to…still a free country and all that…
Obviously… never said anything to the contrary. I just don’t get the whole thing of coming here and reading what a bunch of idiots have to say, letting it get to you, and then telling everyone that you’ve had enough and are now leaving.
That’s just another victory, a +1 on the idiots’ scorecard. They are now that much closer to world domination.
Duke
May 29th, 2012
10:38 am
So pitching every one or two innings every two or three days is better on your arm that pitching 6-8 innings on a schedule? I highly doubt that…
Tomahawkin
May 29th, 2012
10:39 am
92-70 Mixxo
Mark It Down!
Venice Jim
May 29th, 2012
10:39 am
I think cab feels a little maternal towards many of the mouth-foamers, and tries to get them back on a righteous path.
Or, more likely, she’s bored since I’m usually working until well into the games (at least for another couple of weeks until the schools out here finally get to summer vacation)…
Lew
May 29th, 2012
10:39 am
Duke – Just because a few haven’t really assessed the situation in realistic terms doesn’t make your assertion right.
Medlen has started the same percentage of games compared to relief appearances in the majors as in the minors. He never was intended as a starting pitcher full time.
He hasn’t been as good as a starter as oppos to a reliever statistically either. And after not having started since 2010 with a TJ surgery and tough rehab in between, you want hi to pitch MORE innings?
Yeah, makes sense. Let’s sit back and watch it not happen.
RHR
May 29th, 2012
10:40 am
I seem to remember a 13 game losing streak? When was that?
CrαZy
May 29th, 2012
10:40 am
As presently constituted, however, this team is going nowhere.
I don’t disagree with you, but this team capable of winning 9 in a row just as much as losing 8 or 9 in a row.
Fols
May 29th, 2012
10:41 am
I’ve taken Heyward predictions to the bank…they told me i’d see a greater return from a piggy bank?
Jeff R
May 29th, 2012
10:41 am
I don’t know. This is Heyward’s third season as a major leaguer. Yeah, he had injuries last year. But this year?
The kid seems to have talent and certainly athleticism, but I’m honestly not seeing much more from the guy. I hope he catches fire. Hate to see all those high expectations dashed.
Lew
May 29th, 2012
10:41 am
And which of the pitchers who have had a six ERA the past week and a half or more would he replace to solve all of our problems? Minor? Delgado? Hanson? Hudson?
Reality check. Meds is a good Dude and a good asset to have. He ain’t our saving grace.
David O'Brien
May 29th, 2012
10:41 am
DOB
I asked previously about John Lannan. I know he’s been stinking it up in the minors, but he’s a guy with a lot of upside who I’d think would react well to being in a starting line-up. What are chances Braves try to get him if Nats can eat some of his salary? — Bravo Nam
Nam, with all due respect, I’m not seeing the attraction you do there. He’s 3-5 with a 6.12 ERA in nine Triple-A starts, with a 1.700 WHIP (66 hits, 8 HRs, 19 walks in 50 innings). It would appear that something has gone very wrong in his career, and he’s in his eighth year of pro ball at age 27, including four full seasons in the majors.
You think he has a lot of upside and/or could help the Braves at the major league level?
ukuga
May 29th, 2012
10:42 am
Homer the Brave:
Didn’t Beth Keener play a vampire on a now-retired TV show?
(BTW, I had no idea she was gone until I read your post).
McFann :Ô: :Ô:
May 29th, 2012
10:42 am
Murph That’s just another victory, a +1 on the idiots’ scorecard. They are now that much closer to world domination.
Ah, yeah, that’s a good point. I always hate that, too, when I take a breather—does that mean I’m letting them win, even if I never said I was leaving to them? Or am I just acting like a brat?…
MikeInFl
May 29th, 2012
10:43 am
RHR, not sure ’bout that. But I know they lost 17 straight in ‘77. Now that’s a losing streak!
McFann :Ô: :Ô:
May 29th, 2012
10:43 am
RHR—
Hi! How goeth it?
I seem to remember a 13 game losing streak? When was that?
I think that was before my time…
CDOG
May 29th, 2012
10:43 am
THIS IS UNEXCUSABLE. HOW LONG WILL THEY CONTINUE TO TOLERATE FREDDIE GONZALEZ?.HE DOESN’T CARE.HE TRYING TO KEEP PLAYERS HAPPY INSTEAD OF PLAYING THE WINNING PLAYERS.I CAN’T STOMACH HIM ANY LONGER. HE’S TERRIBLE AND JUST SITS IN DUGOUT GRINNING AND COULD CARE LESS
Mixxo
May 29th, 2012
10:44 am
Tomahawkin -
Hope you’re right!
I wonder if we can recover from this though.
Lew
May 29th, 2012
10:44 am
Andf if they’re planning on stretching Medlen out, then why has he not pitched three innings in an appearance since late April and is – in fact – pitching less innings?
McFann :Ô: :Ô:
May 29th, 2012
10:45 am
Wait…wasn’t that a 13-game winning streak??…
Lew
May 29th, 2012
10:45 am
I thought they only came out at night?
Fols
May 29th, 2012
10:46 am
I have a feeling there’s going to be a Mac attack tonight…….i’m calling it……Homerun for Mac tonight. You heard it. You can all throw stones at my face if it doesn’t happen.
MFin04
May 29th, 2012
10:46 am
Sad day when there just isn’t anything worth saying on a blog. So depressing, what can you say?
DAP
May 29th, 2012
10:46 am
one week ago we were being described by on lookers as a powerhouse team. one week. thats all it took, and now we are at the bottom of the barrel in the NL east. in another week it could change back. i think we are going to be fine, but this hurts pretty bad. it is true that everything seemed to happen at the same exact time, with chipper, mccann, and freeman.
also, its way past time for jason heyward to begin pulling his weight. he is not part of the solution right now.
Mixxo
May 29th, 2012
10:47 am
We had a 13 game winning streak in ‘82 (?)…….made it to the post-season only to get swept by the Cards in quick fashion. We looked horrible in that series.
Russell Bell
May 29th, 2012
10:48 am
I don’t disagree with you, but this team capable of winning 9 in a row just as much as losing 8 or 9 in a row.
I’m not so sure they are capable for a long winning streak. For that to occur, the pitching (both starters and relievers) would have to show some consistency, which they have not demonstrated much at all this season.
Either that or all the sticks get healthy, start mashing at the same time again, and hide the obvious pitching deficiencies. Given the quality of pitching in the NL East this year, getting more consistent pitching from the rotation is probably more important than maintaining ‘big strike’ potential from the lineup.
monty
May 29th, 2012
10:49 am
The Braves are (or at least seem to be) a team that thrives on synergy. Take CHipper out of the lineup and for whatever reason they are a .333 team. Probably more stats could be provided, ex. -when Bourn get’s a hit and scores a run maybe we win .600 of the time(just guessing) same thing perhaps with FF and BMAC. Other teams seem to be able to lose a cog or two and keep right on winning. Not so for the BRaves. When everybody is healthy we can compete with anybody, but when one or two main guys go down we can’t even seem to tread water till they get back. The good teams do. The Phillies have been without their main 2 hitters all year and Braves are looking up at them. Nats the same way. Perhaps what is exposed is our lack of depth. Diaz, Hinske and Juan for more than just a couple of games = a .333 team at best.
Pitching has been disappointing. No one able to give us a shutdown game. Too much falling behind early and putting un-needed pressure on the awfense. Defense-if that’s what you want to call it.Hum! FG seems unable to (by his leadership) turn long periods of disastrous play around. Hard to watch his interviews after the games, he looks like he looking at Martians whom he can’t understand when reporters ask the hard questions.
Lew
May 29th, 2012
10:49 am
Mixxo – Actually, with Phil Niekro pitching, we might have won the first game of the series if not for a rain postponement part way through the game.
MFin04
May 29th, 2012
10:49 am
Jurrjens threw a 8-inning, 3-hit shutout and no one called or texted me? Shame!
Sorry, apparently, I’m the only one left in the Jair Jurrjens fan club. Of course, I’m not sure anyone can be left in the Atlanta Braves fan club right now.
McFann :Ô: :Ô:
May 29th, 2012
10:50 am
Fols I have a feeling there’s going to be a Mac attack tonight…….i’m calling it……Homerun for Mac tonight.
Sounds good. And yeah, I’ll be ready for you if it doesn’t happen!…
MikeInFl
May 29th, 2012
10:50 am
Well they already won 10 out of 11 once, so I guess a 9-game win streak is not a completely irrational idea.
Duke
May 29th, 2012
10:51 am
Never did I say he was our saving grace. All I said was he would help our starting rotation. As far as who he would replace; that’s up to the front office. Either Minor or Delgado. Do you really have to ask that?
ukuga
May 29th, 2012
10:51 am
The infamous Phil Niekro rainout. That was, in many regards, the beginning of a nearly decade long tailspin for the Braves.
That, and the Len Barker trade.
RHR
May 29th, 2012
10:52 am
Hey McFann – doing good, and you?
The advertisment pop up thingie down here on the bottom of the screen make it a struggle to comment. I can’t see what I’m typing. I predict a W tonight! Hopefully by the Braves name. :-/
MikeInFl
May 29th, 2012
10:53 am
Sorry, apparently, I’m the only one left in the Jair Jurrjens fan club.
I’m in, MFin. First off, just a good guy. Second, peripherals be damned, I just don’t think a guy throws to a 2.60 ERA in 215 innings one year, and a 2.96 ERA in 152 innings another year, unless he knows how to pitch. Just needs to get healthy and his mechanics right.
Murph
May 29th, 2012
10:53 am
One thing that really sticks out to me are the number of grand slams the team has given up this season. I don’t remember any last season… I’m sure there was at least one, but I don’t remember it. I know of at least 3, maybe 4 already this season. That’s ridiculous.
I’m not even that upset about the actual grand slam as I am that the pitchers are getting into that situation in the first place. Way too many walks, not enough guys with a good “out pitch” to get them out of jams.
Fols
May 29th, 2012
10:54 am
McFann…as long as you know the rocks are provided by me…and they come from my aquarium so they will not hurt!
One of the reasons I stay away from the in-game….the Mac comments. There is a bizarre obsession with that mans weight that gives me the creeps. I’m glad we weren’t in the running for Prince cause I couldn’t imagine what it would be like in here. I’m not all that confident we’ll see much of Chipper this season but we really need the Uggla-Mac-Freeman group to pull it together.
ncscoots
May 29th, 2012
10:54 am
also, its way past time for jason heyward to begin pulling his weight. he is not part of the solution right now.
I hate to repeat myself, but it’s unreasonable to expect that rebuilding a swing as messed up as Heyward’s had become can be done in a month of ST and 50 games. It’s likely to take longer than that.
Jimmy
May 29th, 2012
10:54 am
I did a little in-game yesterday.
I went in knowing there was nothing but idiots on there.
I just slung a few observations (like that hottie in the SunTrust area) and stated I wasn’t going to slam the Braves…. because there are too many areas to address.
I find the worst post are the hours following a loss. Everyone has the answer it has starts with “Fire (______)”.
Lemke’s Knuckler
May 29th, 2012
10:54 am
RHR…”I seem to remember a 13 game losing streak? When was that?”
Don’t know, but I remember 2006 when the Braves were second place at 27-23, then lost 17 of the next 20 (including separate 5 and 10-game losing streaks). This is the worst stretch of baseball that I can remember since that year.
Murph
May 29th, 2012
10:58 am
Gotta believe that if Minor struggles through another couple of starts while JJ puts together another couple of good starts that a change is coming sometime in June.
Minor has given up something like 28 ER in 25 IP this month. How do you keep sending a guy out there who shows no signs of being a competitive, MLB pitcher? I know he’s had some good starts in his career… but that was a different pitcher than the guy going out and giving up 4, 5, 6, 7 ER per game that we see now.
Lemke’s Knuckler
May 29th, 2012
10:58 am
19 of the 32 clubs are at or above .500, and the Tigers are 23-25. I wonder if there has ever been this many teams around .500 or above by the end of May.
Duke
May 29th, 2012
10:58 am
MFin, I’m also still aboard the JJ fan club. Still think the dude is good. That push off leg just wasn’t right. He just needs to regain confidence in it again and it looks like he may have started…
MFin04
May 29th, 2012
10:58 am
“Well they already won 10 out of 11 once, so I guess a 9-game win streak is not a completely irrational idea.”
Exactly what I am thinking. Although, I don’t think they have enough solid pitching to win that many in a row, they could have a nice run with a loss or two thrown in.
The thing that makes me most upset, is that the Braves had no back-up plan for Chipper being hurt, either a solid backup at 3rd, or a LF/RF starter that could mash (Carlos Beltran.) This whole losing streak could have been avoided if the front office would have made that one big move they never made.
Bat Masterson
May 29th, 2012
10:58 am
Maybe the reappearance of McFann’s vicious turtle will help.
Tomahawkin
May 29th, 2012
10:59 am
Murph
May 29th, 2012
10:53 am
“One thing that really sticks out to me are the number of grand slams the team has given up this season. I don’t remember any last season… I’m sure there was at least one, but I don’t remember it. I know of at least 3, maybe 4 already this season. That’s ridiculous.”
Yeah thats Ludacris and we are giving them up to Garbage hitters, not Guys like Kemp or Pujols
Fish Bisch
May 29th, 2012
10:59 am
Fire Eddie Perez.
Russell Bell
May 29th, 2012
10:59 am
also, its way past time for jason heyward to begin pulling his weight. he is not part of the solution right now.
I stated many times in the offseason (as did others) that for the Braves to be successful this season, they needed a healthy Jason Heyward to ascend closer to his ceiling. He has been a fairly solid member of the team so far, but certainly not a linchpin to offensive success.
They need him to take those steps and become a quality 3-hole hitter, especially once Chipper retires. Its looking like that won’t happen this year, and perhaps not for a few years (we’ll see). IMO, until he figures out how to make more timely adjustments to his swing during the season, he is not going to be a consistent threat with the stick.
That being said, he is still a solid (and cheap) RFer with speed and monster power. Hopefully he can become more than a ~.250/.355./.425 type player. I guess we’ll see.
monty
May 29th, 2012
11:02 am
DAP-”in another week it could change back”
Yeh, but realistically without Chipper and FF and with BMAc struggling, it’s not changing. Only wishful thinking, I’m not opposed to wishful thinking, heck in my mind we should have won at least 3-4 more WS. Best we could hope to do(realistically) is break even, but another week like the last and we could for all practical purposes be out of the race. Problem is, Washington has had our number last couple of years and seems to this year and so do the Phillies(even without their best 2 players). The good thing is we play those guys alot(if Braves can somehow get past the mental block), but it’s also the worst thing too(if they can’t). Could be out of the race by pretty quick.
Jimmy
May 29th, 2012
11:02 am
If I remember correctly, although JJ pitched well his last start, in his previous two starts, he got his socks knocked off him.
Where’s the Down on the Farm report on JJ?
Lew
May 29th, 2012
11:03 am
Duke – Rhetorical question.
Look, I understand that people love Medlen based on the starts he made in 2010 – but if you go and actually look up his numbers from that stretch, he was basically a number five starter at best and his appeal was not thaty he pitched that great, but the Braves won most of his games.
In order to get him ready, he would have to go to the minors (meaning we no longer had him in the pen while we really need him), would STILL have MInor making starts while he was down there – and considering he hasn’t pitched more than he did last night for over a month, it would likely take three to five starts to stretch him out – maybe more if his current struggles are indicative of another problem.
He pitched almost no innings last year or late in 2010 and had surgery in between. He may not have the stamina to be stretched out right now.
They have several others in line before Medlen would even be considered. Jurrjens will get a shot if he continues like in his last start. Teheran is turning around his early season struggles and is pitching well – he would be next in line. Redmond is alreadystretched out and pitching well at Gwinnett and they may have to give him shot soon.
Like I said – I fully understand the love for Meds. I’ve met him – a really good Dude and he IS valuable to the Braves – just not in the role so many seem to believe should be his. It likely would not be good for his health and their are other options that would get the first shot at starting.
Carl Farvman
May 29th, 2012
11:04 am
About Matt Turnoff: “Ouch! And I thought his BeachClub Promo he did to get people to go to Sundays game was Wack… I wonder how many attended?”
My guess is too many……I listen in a few times a week for a segment just to reaffirm to myself that, yes, they are really bad, yet it never fails that someone will call in and begin by saying “long time listener, love the show…………” and I can’t stop from spitting coffee all over the windshield. Oliver and Turnoff spout one elementary school-level quip after another and somewhere in the listening area there’s an old high school buddy of theirs who laughs. Sad stuff.
Lew
May 29th, 2012
11:06 am
I would prefer that instead of pulling his weight, Heyward hit it to the opposite field.
TennesseePaul
May 29th, 2012
11:07 am
…Heyward’s had become can be done in a month of ST and 50 games. It’s likely to take longer than that.
Should be ready by the time he is 26 or 27.
MikeInFl
May 29th, 2012
11:08 am
Jimmy, the Game Report from the Gwinnett Daily gives a pretty good scouting report on what’s going on with JJ.
JoeFan
May 29th, 2012
11:08 am
Wren is responsible for the construction on this team and should be the first out the door. The new GM should be able to decide who to can and how best to reconstruct this team. Wren has had his chances, now its past time for a change. In the meantime, sports reporters in Atlanta need to take some responsibility, starting by asking tough questions, call team management on the carpet and quit worrying about being buddy-buddy. If this was NY or Boston do you believe the media would have let this group get a free pass?
Jimmy
May 29th, 2012
11:10 am
MikeInFL – I’m on it. Thanks.
TennesseePaul
May 29th, 2012
11:10 am
Yeah, but somehow I think that a repetition of it would be wasted breath, considering the panic currently loosed on the forum.
One could sum it up with “Not as good as first place, not as bad as last place.”
Powder Blue
May 29th, 2012
11:14 am
Anyone know anything about Luis Avilan, a left-handed reliever at Mississippi? Saw him pitch a couple of weeks ago. He struck out five of the six batters he faced and seemed to have impressive offspeed stuff. Guy froze several batters with his curveball.
ncscoots
May 29th, 2012
11:15 am
Yeh, but realistically without Chipper and FF and with BMAc struggling, it’s not changing.
It’s the combination of those three absent and Uggla/Heyward struggling at the same time that forms the perfect storm. Were the two remaining middle bats hitting even a little bit, the offense would still be scoring runs. I don’t know how much difference that might have made, considering how completely horse-manure the pitching has been.
In any event, I don’t think that both Uggla and Heyward will continue to struggle as mightily, and I expect that the MIA will actually return, and hit, at some point. I know it’s hard for folks to see beyond the moment, though.
Jeff R
May 29th, 2012
11:16 am
CDOG, caps hurt my eyes – and it’s Fredi, not Freddie. You must be thinking of “Nightmare on Elm Street.”
ncscoots
May 29th, 2012
11:16 am
Should be ready by the time he is 26 or 27.
I lean towards a little earlier, like the All-Star break.
DAP
May 29th, 2012
11:16 am
scoots it’s unreasonable to expect that rebuilding a swing as messed up as Heyward’s had become can be done in a month of ST and 50 games
but i dont think its unreasonable to expect it to be a little better than it is. and one of his biggest problems isnt his swing, but his pitch selection. he is letting some fat pitches go by. then he is already behind in the count when the best pitch of the AB has come and gone. thats mental.
Duke
May 29th, 2012
11:17 am
Lew, excellent points.
McFann :Ô: :Ô:
May 29th, 2012
11:18 am
RHR—
That’s good. Doing pretty god, thanks—trying to shake a cold…nothing like what BMac had, though…
I think the Braves win tonight, too! Heck, it’s gotta end sometime—might as well be tonight!…
I used to have a popup thing on the bottom, too—but it gave me the option of killing it, so I did…HATE those things…
Fols—
Sounds fair…
One of the reasons I stay away from the in-game….the Mac comments. There is a bizarre obsession with that mans weight that gives me the creeps.
That’s exactly right, thank you! With you all the way…And nothing he does is good enough, but everything he does is bad enough. They pounce on the tiniest thing, call him a baby for not playing with a temperature over 100/chill/aches/shakes…If he broke his leg, they’d say he needs to man up and get out there. But at the same time, he’s washed up and Ross should be our starter…
People…
(ITS) Can’t live with ‘em, can’t live without ‘em…
Bat M.—
Maybe…he made an appearance sometime recently, but I can’t remember when/why…I think it was right before all this started…
MikeInFl
May 29th, 2012
11:18 am
’scoots, just for the record, Uggla’s OPS during the losing streak is 1.003. But his batting average (which we all know is meaningless) is just .217 so it just seems like he’s slumping.
Jeff R
May 29th, 2012
11:19 am
Medlen is more of an asset in the bullpen. As Lew said, the Braves have options for the rotation. There’s still a lot of season left, and Medlen matters a lot in keeping the pen fresh and effective.
Murph
May 29th, 2012
11:19 am
I get that Heyward’s swing was completely broken last year due to injuries… I get that. What i don’t get is how it’s doing him a whole lot of good to try and fix that broken swing against MLB pitching.
Now hear me out for a second on this… I’m not a Heyward hater. I want the guy to be a productive player as much as anyone on here. I just don’t see how .230 in the majors is helping the guy, or the team.
If his swing is still broken, then send him down to AAA where he can concentrate 100% on fixing things in an environment where the results don’t matter. Yes, he won’t be facing MLB pitching, but he’ll be facing pitching that’s good enough to be able to say that positive results have some meaning.
I’d bet that, if sent down to AAA right now, Heyward would still hit under .250, despite the “lesser” AAA pitchers he’d be facing. I don’t think it’s as automatic as some of you do that he’d go down and immediately be at .400 with every other ball hit landing 2 zipcodes away.
If the priority is to help Heyward achieve his career potential, then send him down and let him work through his issues. It seems to me that the team is being very short-sighted right now, running him out there night after night with basically no chance at success. Gotta set him up to succeed or he never will.
MFin04
May 29th, 2012
11:19 am
“I know it’s hard for folks to see beyond the moment, though.”
Pitching has been terrible. That is the bottom-line. I mean this offense has been bad, but it never was going to score 7,8,9 runs as currently constructed and win games.
I’m not sure Heyward is going to get better, I’ve seen more bad than good from him lately. Chipper is always one step away from being completely done for his career. B-Mac…it is always something with him, and with his incessant crushing the ball into the shift, I don’t know that he would be that much of an impact. Freddie Freeman, we do miss him in the lineup that is for sure.
Carl Farvman
May 29th, 2012
11:21 am
“The infamous Phil Niekro rainout.”
I assume you’re referring to the St Louis playoff game…82? I lived there and was at that game. We were very relieved since that roster could not hit Niekro if their lives depended on it. Hernandez and others faked sick during the regular season when they had to face him. Later, they admitted as much and said he screwed up their swings for weeks afterwards. Funny stuff.
DAP
May 29th, 2012
11:21 am
monty ”in another week it could change back”
Yeh, but realistically without Chipper and FF and with BMAc struggling, it’s not changing
it could change back. the braves still have enough to win games, bourn, prado, and uggla can get it done, and mccann is back now.
Lew
May 29th, 2012
11:21 am
Duke – It’s hard to make the points why it’s NOT that great idea to stretch Meds out, because he is a valuable player and COULD make starts if needed. I just think that under the circumstances that it won’t happen – at least not until the other options have been utilized.
Bat Masterson
May 29th, 2012
11:22 am
he is letting some fat pitches go by. then he is already behind in the count when the best pitch of the AB has come and gone. thats mental. _ DAP
I wrote the same thing a week or so ago and Brian in SC showed me I was wrong. Confirmation bias I guess.
The guy was just missing so many hittable pitches it was crazy. Mechanical/timing it seems to me
Fish Bisch
May 29th, 2012
11:23 am
Fire Glen Hubbard.
Bernie
May 29th, 2012
11:23 am
Chipper is leaving, the chance of the team giving McCann a long term contract to keep him is SLIM to none and with Freeman out and no depth on the bench i’m afraid the Braves are in trouble. Mr. Wrenn sat on his duffs and did nothing in the off season and now it shows.The pitching is lousy at best, the defense is pitiful and whole team has that deer in the head lights look and can’t do anything about it because they can’t hit that’s the bottom line.
DiamondbackMac
May 29th, 2012
11:25 am
Lew
I thought they only came out at night?
Must be talking about some of Edgar’s friends.
Jeff R
May 29th, 2012
11:25 am
Murph, you make a fair point about Heyward.
I’d just say, if Heyward’s swing is “broken,” what did he do in the off-season to fix it, and why is it still broken this far along into the season? And if his swing is giving him trouble, I would agree to that he needs to be at Gwinnett to work it out.
I like Heyward. I think he’s a smart and mature kid. He’s shown talent. But, frankly, he’s not producing as expected.
DAP
May 29th, 2012
11:25 am
i was at the game yesterday to see the Sims’ family reunite. it was awesome.
the Braves org. did alot for memorial day yesterday. it was really great, props to them.
Jimmy
May 29th, 2012
11:26 am
Murph – “It seems to me that the team is being very short-sighted right now, running him out there night after night with basically no chance at success. Gotta set him up to succeed or he never will.”
You lost me there. Are we talking about Heyward or Mike Minor?
Jeff R
May 29th, 2012
11:29 am
Bernie, it’s “Wren” not “Wrenn,” and Frank has more than one duff? If Frank loses his Braves’ gig, he can always work the freak show in a carnival.
MFin04
May 29th, 2012
11:30 am
“Mr. Wrenn (sic) sat on his duffs and did nothing in the off season and now it shows”
Well he did need to sign another outfielder for the Braves and didn’t, that is for sure. And if there wasn’t any money for him to do so, then this team was doomed to fail from the beginning. Things pretty much would’ve had to gone perfectly without any injuries for the Braves to win the division as currently constructed. It doesn’t seem anyone has really bounced back like the Braves needed them to.
Heyward has been bad, McCann has been bad and injured. Chipper has been pretty good but injured. Freeman has been good but injured. Jurrjens, Minor, and Hanson have been back. Hudson hasn’t bounced back yet. One good pitcher, a decent bullpen, and half a lineup doesn’t win games very often in the toughest division in baseball.
Murph
May 29th, 2012
11:30 am
Jimmy, you could pretty much do a find/replace on “Heyward” with “Minor” in my last post and it would still apply.
The only difference, in my own personal opinion, is that Heyward is the guy that you could build a team around while Minor is a guy who is fortunate to have a roster spot. Both have issues, but one isn’t likely to be in the team’s long-term plans (Minor, in case there was still confusion).
Arkansas Transplant
May 29th, 2012
11:30 am
I’m still wishing we would have traded Prado and Bourn to the Tigers for Jackson and Castellanos. That’s not to say that I don’t like Prado or Bourn for that matter but that would have allowed us some financial flexibility and given us some guys that would be around for a while before we had to pony up the big contracts to keep them.
Ebenezer Snerdberg
May 29th, 2012
11:31 am
Fire Havana Fats!
Duke
May 29th, 2012
11:32 am
Lew, I think you’re right. Just may not be worth losing Medlen for a month to let him start for three months. I would hope they revisit it during the offseason though.
I think JJ may be close to being recalled, although I like him working down in Gwinnett a little while longer in a low stress environment. Seems he is getting the confidence he needs in his leg.
Russell Bell
May 29th, 2012
11:34 am
’scoots, just for the record, Uggla’s OPS during the losing streak is 1.003. But his batting average (which we all know is meaningless) is just .217 so it just seems like he’s slumping.
I haven’t seen all of Uggla’s ABs the past week or so, but I kinda assumed his OBP would go up with Chipper, Mac, and Freddie out – why throw him hittable pitches? I suppose his slugging % is up during that time span too, which is a bit harder to explain. His low avg the past week or so might be because he is tired of being pitched around and has expanded his zone a bit.
raleighbravefan
May 29th, 2012
11:35 am
Murph (and McFann) – Thank you, my friends, your comments. I agree that instead of leaving the old forum, I should just ignor the most outrageous, and hang in there as a fan…certainly not let the whiners “win”. Also, I need to lend support to the rational faction here, including you two (or at least sometimes rational by Murph) Lew, scoots richbrave, nolie, VJ (I love your optimism), most of the ladies, and more who I have failed to name, mostly because I am old and forgetful.
Bat Masterson
May 29th, 2012
11:35 am
I’d just say, if Heyward’s swing is “broken,” what did he do in the off-season to fix it, and why is it still broken this far along into the season?
He worked with his former swing coach and the Braves coaches to rebuild it. To get him back to his rookie swing but with a tweak. The knock on Heyward coming up, if you want to call it that, was he hit to many ground balls. So the improvement is to get him to hit the ball in the air more and with backspin. He has done that somewhat and he has been really close, at times, so far this year.
MFin04
May 29th, 2012
11:36 am
Uggla has been walked at an incredible rate lately. Gotta be due to the fact that no one else in the lineup presents much of a threat.
ncbravesfan90
May 29th, 2012
11:36 am
Mark Bowman of MLB.com writes that the Braves plan to discuss whether to move Kris Medlen into the starting rotation.
It’s one of many scenarios being discussed by the Braves, who have lost eight straight games. In order to move Medlen to the rotation, the Braves would likely have to send him down to Triple-A Gwinnett for a couple weeks in order to get him properly stretched out. The 26-year-old right-hander has a 3.49 ERA and and 17/7 K/BB ratio over 28 1/3 innings out of the Braves’ bullpen this season, but he showed plenty of potential as a starter prior to undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2010. The Braves have not made a firm decision on his future, but Mike Minor and Randall Delgado are most vulnerable to lose their rotation spots.
ncscoots
May 29th, 2012
11:37 am
just for the record, Uggla’s OPS during the losing streak is 1.003.
Lotsa walks, I know. I’m all for that when there are other bats in the lineup able to do damage. When the middle of the order is missing three guys, the on-base isn’t quite as effective in producing runs. But I have no problem with Uggla and his approach.
Yes, he won’t be facing MLB pitching, but he’ll be facing pitching that’s good enough to be able to say that positive results have some meaning.
Unlikely. Lefties are still eating him up, and he is unlikely to fix that against minor league pitching. He has 20 Ks in only 62 ABs against lefties, and that’s a matter of recognition and timing.
Lew
May 29th, 2012
11:38 am
Transplant – Yep, had we traded Bourn and Pra we might have gotten a pair of .300 hitters that were among the League Leaders in hitting, right?
Jeff R
May 29th, 2012
11:38 am
Bat Masterson, that’s encouraging. I hope Heyward turns the corner soon.
Murph
May 29th, 2012
11:39 am
That’s what I’m here for, raleigh… the blog voice of reason.
Capt.Mudd
May 29th, 2012
11:39 am
Attending the game yesterday was in fact a pleasant experience…that is, if you could look past ‘the streak,’ our Bravos find themselves in. As expected, the Memorial Day events surrounding the game were great….following an order of tradition too often overlooked in this day and age–MLB does tradition well, and tellingly, when those kids and their mom reunited with {military} dad–there was a sense of sincere admiration and glee flowing through The Ted.
For a brief time the game took a backseat to a larger timeless lesson…the freedom we enjoy has a price–mind you this soldier didn’t come to the stadium with his family, but was reunited with them in front of thousands in attendance; he emerged from the dugout safe and sound after serving overseas in duty to America.
This scenario, as touching a moment as you’ll ever see, helped me deal with the fact that an 8 game skid was certainly iminent. Don’t get me wrong, I didn’