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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
2,128 comments Add your comment
nolie
June 19th, 2012
11:54 pm
exactly Nick, actually Atlanta has a very good rep among baseball players, despite what a bunch of disgruntled fan spout
NickB
June 19th, 2012
11:56 pm
lol, nolie, I just said the same thing
NickB
June 19th, 2012
11:56 pm
well, I thought I did, dang laptop, mustve done something wrong
Trey
June 19th, 2012
11:56 pm
nolie, we suck, we can’t win!!! Grrr.
Spoiled young kids!
The A Bomb
June 19th, 2012
11:57 pm
Under Cox agreed.
Who have we signed under Gonzalez? SIGNED. Not traded for.
DS1
June 19th, 2012
11:57 pm
I think a lot of the salary that is coming off the books, will end up going to sign/extend some of our up and comers. Prado and Hanson are the first to come to mind.
But an extension for guys like Heyward and Freeman wouldn’t be out of the question if they finish the season pretty strong.
nolie
June 19th, 2012
11:58 pm
who have they tried to sign? Nobody
The A Bomb
June 19th, 2012
11:58 pm
And the biggest we TRADED for was Uggla — Fredi’s golden godson.
David O'Brien
June 19th, 2012
11:59 pm
UPDATED GAME STORY with quotes
http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-braves-blog/2012/06/19/heyward-simmons-help-braves-snap-yankees-winning-streak/
DS1
June 20th, 2012
12:00 am
Heyward sure has been looking good as of late. Must be time to rest him again……….
The A Bomb
June 20th, 2012
12:00 am
And that’s what should be done — Prado, Heyward for sure. Hanson? eh……. Freeman…..maybe. Kimbrel? I would.
NickB
June 20th, 2012
12:02 am
Hanson will never sign an extension, he’s a boras client, Heyward should be locked up ASAP, Freeman…. I want to see if he can be a bit more patient at the plate over the rest of this season and 2013 first
The A Bomb
June 20th, 2012
12:02 am
Tonight’s the first game I saw the real McCovey flash I’ve been talking about for 2 years. Nearly blew off Tex’s leg.
David O'Brien
June 20th, 2012
12:03 am
Refreshing performance for the Bravos, who needed it, to say the least. Best game I’ve seen from Heyward in a while, and again he reminded us of how terrific he can be when he’s got it all going.
As for the kid Simmons … man, I was not expecting this. Not at the plate. He looks sound up there, just about every at-bat. He has a real good idea what he’s doing.
NickB
June 20th, 2012
12:03 am
A Bomb, you act like the Uggla signing was bad, he’s playing quite well this year, present slump excepted of course
nolie
June 20th, 2012
12:03 am
both his hits were explosive. such a toolsy kid, you just gotta hope he can put it together
NickB
June 20th, 2012
12:04 am
I’m still a little gunshy on Simmons’ bat, let’s wait until the scouting report on him gets around, if he’s still hitting well come August I will believe
nolie
June 20th, 2012
12:05 am
hasn’t been around the league once even so thinks might change a whole bunch, but he does look sound up there I agree
nolie
June 20th, 2012
12:07 am
and back this season to playing great defense since losing a few pounds.
NickB
June 20th, 2012
12:07 am
I worry about pure contact guys with low walk and K rates, sometimes they can be manipulated into becoming human ground outs, but he’s awfully young, heck name a team with 3 22 yr olds starting every day?
NickB
June 20th, 2012
12:08 am
this has been a nice blog tonight, nary a cry to call up Constanza or bench Heyward or anything else loony
nolie
June 20th, 2012
12:08 am
A Bomb might be a Lou Vales and Jerry disciple Nick, some folks hate Dan too :roll
nolie
June 20th, 2012
12:10 am
3rd youngest team in MLB Nick, which is definitely a big part of the inconsistency but bright for the future
Venice Jim
June 20th, 2012
12:11 am
I’ve managed to keep my loony self busy – and this post is my sole entry to the post-game activity…
The A Bomb
June 20th, 2012
12:12 am
NickB — Uggla to me is a hard-nosed guy. He is a good player. But I’m much more into the run-manfucaturing game — stringing hits together and moving the lineup. Maybe if he’d hit .270-.275 I’d warm into him a bit more.
No matter what the era I’ve never been a fan of high strikeout guys. Just my style. I know all the metrics guys say what they say. But the high strikeout guys don’t do it for me. Never have. I like bunting and moving guys along.
nolie
June 20th, 2012
12:12 am
hey VJ. I still ♥ U
Bobby H
June 20th, 2012
12:12 am
I’ve been really impressed by the progress of, Kimbrel, over the last year+. The guy’s been throwing nothing but strikes! Even when he occasionally misses the strike zone… he barely misses.
Big difference from the scare tactics he used to employ for the Braves fans.
The A Bomb
June 20th, 2012
12:14 am
And nolie — I’m a disciple of no one.
Bobby H
June 20th, 2012
12:14 am
I’ve managed to keep my loony self busy – and this post is my sole entry to the post-game activity…
It was worth the wait for the rest of us, VJ…
nolie
June 20th, 2012
12:15 am
Maybe if he’d hit .270-.275 I’d warm into him a bit more…..ABomb
it is easier to score on a homer than to string three straight good productive at bats back to back. only teams with no power rely on small ball to produce most of their runs. and even so OBP is more important to that concept than BA is and his career OBP is better than Bourns is for instance
DS1
June 20th, 2012
12:15 am
But I sure do love a nice 3 run homer…………
And Uggla can do that better than anybody else we have right now.
nolie
June 20th, 2012
12:17 am
me too DS1, I’m a scoots disciple on rakin’
NickB
June 20th, 2012
12:18 am
small ball is a good tool to have, but it’s main value is in late/close scenarios when all you need is one run to tie or win (or against mammoth pitchers who are skinning your bats).
generally though, if you get guys on base and work the count, you will score more runs
DS1
June 20th, 2012
12:18 am
Personally, I wish every Braves could be the next Chipper Jones (walks more than K’s). But short of that, I love the fact that Uggla has a good eye at the plate. The high OBP guys are key.
This is one reason I like Headley of SD. Seems to have a good idea at the plate.
nolie
June 20th, 2012
12:21 am
sure it is a good tool as a tactic in certain situations, nice to be able to do it successfully, but even for an old f@rt like me who goes back to the 50s and early 60s when it was used a lot, I ‘d rather have em hit a homer. Play for one run, and mostly one run is what you will get if even that.
DS1
June 20th, 2012
12:24 am
Think about it folks. Small ball or bangers, we’ve got both: Bourn and Prado are not sluggers. Nowadays neither is Chipper. Simmons is an unknown but not a slugger.
Mac, Uggla and Freeman are sluggers (or potential sluggers).
Heyward is the Ace in the hole. Potential high OBP guy that could become a huge power threat.
I flat out love the fact that he hits the ball very hard when he is on.
We just need a bit of health and some more consistency.
NickB
June 20th, 2012
12:25 am
yep, I(after an extended argument on a Braves forum) went to the trouble of looking at 6 random years (on from each decade) from the 50’s through the 00’s and in EVERY case, the top 5 offenses were also the top 5 in OBP
The A Bomb
June 20th, 2012
12:25 am
Yeah but we have Freeman, Uggla and McCann all bombers that have been strung together. Like to see more doubles out of all of them.
Not bunting Ross last night 1st and 2nd no out sent me up the wall.
Still need to learn to play for 1-2 runs to be able to change personality when the bomber thing isn’t working.
Good skippers demand that of their players — that’s what produces consistent winners. Not that the 3 aforementioned should bunt — but they should try to go oppo when they’re slumping. Freeman does the best job of the three. Need to see more of that.
NickB
June 20th, 2012
12:26 am
I just wish someone had taught Heyward to switch hit, he’d scare 3rd baseman to death
NickB
June 20th, 2012
12:27 am
Freeman only has one flaw IMO, but it’s a big one. He swings at garbage too often, he swings on ball 3 too often and he swings at the first pitch too often. Basically, his flaw is he swings wayyy too much.
This was Frenchy’s flaw too, let’s hope that Freeman doesn’t face a similar fate.
nolie
June 20th, 2012
12:28 am
I would almost never consider bunting with first and second nobody out, you already have a guy in scoring position. I would especially not consider it with a power guy cause one swing can give you three, plus most of those type guys are damn poor bunters too
DS1
June 20th, 2012
12:28 am
A Bomb
It’s hard to change your stripes. Uggla and Mac have always been predominant pull hitters. Probably always will be.
I’m ok with that so long as the guy is hitting to his norms. Mac is getting better and Uggla is in one of his patented slumps. He’ll come out of it.
Bobby H
June 20th, 2012
12:28 am
Think about it folks. Small ball or bangers, we’ve got both: Bourn and Prado are not sluggers. Nowadays neither is Chipper. Simmons is an unknown but not a slugger. — DS1
What we need is some players that can hit with a RISP. Whether it be with a HR or a bunt… ANYTHING!! It was the Braves downfall last year, and is a big problem this year.
NickB
June 20th, 2012
12:29 am
nolie
I would consider it against Halladay or Cain or similar , but only if there was a bunt guy hitting, or of course if it was the bottom of the 8th/ top of the 9th and we needed ONE RUN
nolie
June 20th, 2012
12:30 am
Is Freddie’s K rate up over last year?
and yes OBP correlates very highly with runs scored
DS1
June 20th, 2012
12:30 am
The bunt (except for the pitcher) is normally a bad idea. Like Earl Weaver used to say, “When the other team wants to give you a free out, you take it!”
Waffle House or Bust
June 20th, 2012
12:31 am
Phillies are 32-37 but still only 5 games out of wild card. The entire NL pretty much sucks this year.
nolie
June 20th, 2012
12:31 am
right, a one run situation, but even there you are more likely to have a slugger fail at it than succeed
brian
June 20th, 2012
12:31 am
great post DOB again (not that we should be surprised) – Heyward really came through big tonight and looked very strong. Simmons just seems a natural at SS and at bat.
The A Bomb
June 20th, 2012
12:32 am
Ross is an excellent bunter — haven’t you guys seen him lay some down on his own? Bourn on deck? No brainer.
NickB
June 20th, 2012
12:32 am
Freeman 2011 BB% 8.3% K% 22.4%
2012 BB% 6.4% K% 24.9 %
so yep walks are down K’s are up
The A Bomb
June 20th, 2012
12:33 am
And my point is when the offense struggles, change the cadence. Manufacture. Be a real field commander who demands execution from his team.
brian
June 20th, 2012
12:33 am
disagree that the bunt is usually a bad play – usually a great play to get a runner into scoring position.
on the other side, weaver is exactly right – other team wants to give you an out you take it. Walking someone trying to bunt drives me crazy
nolie
June 20th, 2012
12:34 am
wasn’t that aware of his bunting ability, but still would rather give him a chance at one or more ribbies. we just like different approaches AB
NickB
June 20th, 2012
12:36 am
well the odds of scoring from 1st with no outs and 2nd with one out are about the same, scoring from 2nd with no outs and 3rd with one out are about the same too….. giving up outs rarely is a good plan for scoring runs, unless one run is all you need
nolie
June 20th, 2012
12:37 am
that’s not exactly what Earl meant, just about walking a bunter
again it depends on the need, but the odds of scoring from second with one out are less than the odds of scoring from first with one out.
Outs are precious
nolie
June 20th, 2012
12:39 am
@ first with no outs @
The A Bomb
June 20th, 2012
12:39 am
Agree to disagree nolie — but IMO little ball can help pull a team up mentally when down. And lord knows this bunch of MANICS needs everything it can get right now.
nolie
June 20th, 2012
12:40 am
cya guys. heres hoping for another W later today
NickB
June 20th, 2012
12:40 am
here’s the breakdown:
(all listed as a percentage odds of run scoring)
runner on first no outs- .820
runner on 2nd one out-.650
runner on 2nd no outs-1.054
runner on 3rd one out-.907
runners 1st and 2nd no outs-1.402
runners 2nd and 3rd one out-1.320
see, bunting isn’t really a good plan for run scoring,
NickB
June 20th, 2012
12:41 am
source: http://baseballanalysts.com/archives/2006/07/empirical_analy_1.php
DS1
June 20th, 2012
12:42 am
Bobby
They were hitting pretty good with RISP from April 10th thru May 20th and then again from May 29th thru June 9th.
We’ve struggled a bit in between those dates, but what we need is more consistency.
NickB
June 20th, 2012
12:44 am
the problem with a young team IS consistency though….. that’s how young players are
Bobby H
June 20th, 2012
12:45 am
I’ll go along with that, DS1.
The A Bomb
June 20th, 2012
12:47 am
runners 1st and 2nd no outs-1.402
runners 2nd and 3rd one out-1.320
Fine — if I have a team that’s been blanked 2 straight games maybe manufacturing is the way to go.
Know why I liked Cox — LaRussa — Leyland — Lasorda — Anderson? They all managed by the feel of the game and the situation their teams were in. Best managers run the game by the seat of their pants not by some preconceived schedule.
Our guy lets the game come to him way too often — why we get caught sometimes. EXAMPLE: Not hitting McCann the other day, saying he had something else planned? Huh? Way too robotic.
Bobby H
June 20th, 2012
12:48 am
They seem to do it (their inconsistency) in extremes, though. Either they’re leading the majors in runs scored, or they go several days without scoring much at all. Yo-yo offense…
NickB
June 20th, 2012
12:50 am
no don’t get me wrong, Fredi is an idiot. but it’s because he does dumb things and DOESN’T go by the odds , he doesn’t know what he’s doing
Larussa was the beneficiary of some great teams, I think he’ an overrated mgr who somtimes managed to showoff more than what was best for the team, leyland I like though
NickB
June 20th, 2012
12:51 am
Bobby was hardly a great in game strategist, he got out managed during games a lot, his strength was he could make Brooks Conrad think he was Babe Ruth, perhaps the best motivational mgr of all time
The A Bomb
June 20th, 2012
12:54 am
Fredi can’t manage by feel of the game.
If we squeeze, it’s because he’s been thinking about it for a couple of days probably — not on the spur of the moment.
Yesterday, with a struggling team, he hit Ross 1st and 2nd no outs — double play. Bunt would have sent guys to 2nd and 3rd (maybe) — Bourn might have plated 2. Know what that does to the psyche of a club?
Fredi is not an idiot — in fact, he seems like a pretty nice guy. He’s just not an accomplished manager and we have a very good team being held back by his style. These guys need someone who’s going to value winning every game — not the “it’s a long season” concept. At some point, you push the button and go to war.
STH
June 20th, 2012
12:54 am
If youve played THE game a day in your life…shutcan the idiot. It’s just that obvious.
NickB
June 20th, 2012
12:56 am
you don’t bunt Ross there though, it’s a bad play even if that one time the result works out, if Ross bunts it and they could get a double play anyway, or a popup bunt or he could strikeout trying to bunt…. it “seems” like a smart play cuz runners 2nd and 3rd seem better, but runners 1st and 2nd no outs IS better
The A Bomb
June 20th, 2012
12:56 am
Yeah but Cox would make very good double switches — commit to platoons and get these guys legitimate at-bats.
Gonzalez runs the team like a retail manager — scheduling days off ahead of time. Yeesh.
The A Bomb
June 20th, 2012
12:58 am
Remember — Ross was in the 9-hole with Bourn and Prado. Heyward AND Simmons on base. Ross has bunted on his own many times successfully. He (and you) likes Earl Weaver strategy and I don’t.
NickB
June 20th, 2012
12:59 am
double switches? yer just grasping now, the truth of the matter is this team is young and will be inconsistent in their approach and results, not much you can do about it but hope the pitching holds up
The A Bomb
June 20th, 2012
1:00 am
You gotta guy in Gonzalez who starts Ross and brings in McCann late in the game. Gimme a break.
NickB
June 20th, 2012
1:00 am
Earl Weaver was right, the proof is that teams that get on base and hit extra base hits score the most runs and have since the deadball era ended, bunting and fancy hit and runs look good, but they waste outs, and outs are the currency of baseball
NickB
June 20th, 2012
1:01 am
I’m not defendin fredi, I think he’s a boob, but to act like Bobby was some great field mgr is grasping, he wasn’t, he fell in love with certain relievers and managed by “gut feelings” wayyy too often, numbers don’t lie , using them makes the team better, look at the Red Sox, they switched t this mentality and finally won a WS (and won 2 of em)
The A Bomb
June 20th, 2012
1:02 am
That’s fine NickB — but when the team has dropped 6 straight and gets blanked twice in a row shake it up a bit — get out of your comfort zone and try something new.
Quit shooting 3-pointers and settle for some twos.
NickB
June 20th, 2012
1:02 am
well Im gone for a bit later on fellers
NickB
June 20th, 2012
1:02 am
you want them to just win on free throws though
The A Bomb
June 20th, 2012
1:03 am
And Cox is a guy who sent the same predictable lineup out there night after night. Just like Gonzalez should. But he doesn’t.
Our problems start every game when Gonzalez starts pushing buttons.
The A Bomb
June 20th, 2012
1:04 am
No just hit 50 percent on twos and you win a lot of games.
Waffle House or Bust
June 20th, 2012
1:06 am
The picture of Chipper laughing at Jeter is pretty country. Look at his face and tell me you have not seen that smile on a fat person in walmart.
CaptMudd
June 20th, 2012
1:07 am
Could there possibly be a least valuable NBA playoffs coach than Spoelstra? These Super Stars seem to listen to little if anything he has to say in the T/O huddle?
Waffle House or Bust
June 20th, 2012
1:08 am
Braves win and everyone still hates Fredi. I love it! You guys are coming over to my side.
(Insert lightning and evil laugh.)
Bobby H
June 20th, 2012
1:09 am
Just when I was getting worried that this blog would explode because no one made an idiotic post in a while…. then, along comes Waffle House or Bust…
CaptMudd
June 20th, 2012
1:16 am
On the other hand….Waffle House or Bust has complete command of the ‘heat’ off that greasy grill of his.
Ward
June 20th, 2012
1:55 am
Hello everyone! Finally a win……I will take it! Just glad to see a much needed win, and just maybe this could turn things around?
Ward
June 20th, 2012
1:57 am
Waffle – Has too much weed in his waffles……..He’s soft. little humor.
Ward
June 20th, 2012
2:42 am
Still hope the Braves can pull out a trade for a solid pitcher for the run. Worried that the Braves don’t have enough pitching? Also, hope the Braves can get a LF Bat some where? This win was huge, and could turn things around tomorrow? Nice win, but taking it game by game.
ATL Fan Forever
June 20th, 2012
2:53 am
Ward, Braves have Prado who has been allstar caliber in LF. They do need a pitcher though and I think Matt Garza is a good target so we’ll see.
Ward
June 20th, 2012
3:30 am
Wasn’t saying get rid of Prado at all, just need a LF Bat for for this year, and next year when Chipper leaves. A back up when Chipper goes down. Prado will be playing 3rd next year.
Ward
June 20th, 2012
3:31 am
Agree that Garza is better than Dempster. Would trade for Garza, because he is more healthier.
thegreatsowhat
June 20th, 2012
3:41 am
Great win Braves! J-Hey looking good all around. Absolutely blistering the ball- literally hitting heat-seeking missiles tonight. Great to see and hope it helps him build some some confidence, starting him on a tear. That would be amazing for the team. Great throw as well from him. Any naysayers and those who have written him off be sure: The Yankees would be more than happy to take him off our hands and watch him develop into a superstar in pinstripes- especially with that short porch in right. Just as exciting, can’t be effusive enough about the kid Andrelton at short. His defense is nothing short of mind scrambling and his at-bats always seem to have a good approach with patience and nice, smooth swings.
A lot of potential with this team. Beachy injury devastating for sure, but we have some pretty good arms to fall back on. Not at all referring to Jurrjens either. He has no business toeing it up on a big league mound in a Braves uniform again… at least unless he had a huge turn around in Gwinnett. That, however, he has not done. Management is definitely insulting us by giving him a start on Friday. It was absolutely necessary that we get rid of him earlier in the year, and miracle of all miracles, we did. He proceeded to go and crap his pants repeatedly in the minors. Yet somehow, The Braves and even AJC are somehow touting JJ as a potential savior. Umm, can’t polish a turd and call it a diamond people. Never look back…
Well, I hope the Bravos take this win and start another sorely needed good run with it. Get a couple of players going here and we can. We’re gonna have to outplay our Manager’s mind though… definitely the weakest point of the ballclub. So maybe we need several players to get hot. Alright team, let’s Go Braves!
thegreatsowhat
June 20th, 2012
3:47 am
Also, I imagine Teixeira is gonna have a few nightmares starring Jason tonight…
thegreatsowhat
June 20th, 2012
3:55 am
Teixeira said “That was maybe the hardest ball I’ve ever had hit at me” regarding J-Hey’s rocket off his foot.
Ward
June 20th, 2012
4:07 am
Heyward is awsome, and I’ve been backing him all year. It was a great win, and now Braves need to close the deal, before Boston. All I’m very happy about the win. Still not pleased with Wren, but happy with win. Talk tomorrow,and Peace my friends…..Good win, and very much needed one. “Go!!!!!Braves!!!!!”
Braves Fan in Maine
June 20th, 2012
6:53 am
Simmons is my favorite player right now…. kids plays a great game of baseball!!!!!
Ease
June 20th, 2012
7:10 am
He giveth…He taketh away.
Has the Prodigal Son returned?
Kat
June 20th, 2012
7:11 am
Somehow it’s going to be warmer at today’s Yankee game than at any of the Orioles games I was at this past weekend. 96.. but feels like 101. Gonna be a hot one.