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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
1,215 comments Add your comment
faninva
August 28th, 2012
5:31 pm
…on the lead lap…
faninva
August 28th, 2012
5:32 pm
winner!
TheOnlyBravesFan
August 28th, 2012
5:35 pm
Thanks DOB. Let’s go Braves. Keep Meds streak alive
nolie
August 28th, 2012
5:37 pm
Top SS runs saved
Top 30 SS per runs saved this year. 15-20 is always very good.
Ryan, Brendan 20
Escobar, Yunel 16
Hardy, J.J. 16
Simmons, Andrelton 14
Aviles, Mike 13
Barmes, Clint 12
Cozart, Zack 9
Ramirez, Alexei 9
Crawford, Brandon 8
Janish, Paul 8
Castro, Starlin 6
Andrus, Elvis 4
Espinosa, Danny 4
Parrino, Andy 3
Pennington, Cliff 3
Brignac, Reid 2
Ciriaco, Pedro 2
Florimon, Pedro 2
Galvis, Freddy 2
Greene, Tyler 2
McDonald, John 2
Peralta, Jhonny 2
Punto, Nick 2
Vizquel, Omar 2
nolie
August 28th, 2012
5:38 pm
Top Right Fielders runs saved
Heyward, Jason 16
Reddick, Josh 14
Suzuki, Ichiro 13
Stanton, Giancarlo 11
Hunter, Torii 10
Zobrist, Ben 9
Revere, Ben 8
Ethier, Andre 7
Rios, Alex 7
Cowgill, Collin 6
Denorfia, Chris 5
Parra, Gerardo 5
Beltran, Carlos 4
Blanco, Gregor 4
Bogusevic, Brian 4
Mastroianni, Darin 4
Mayberry, John 4
Sweeney, Ryan 4
Upton, Justin 4
Bixler, Brian 3
Aoki, Norichika 2
Bautista, Jose 2
Christian, Justin 2
Fuld, Sam 2
Amber Girl
August 28th, 2012
5:38 pm
Has Chipper gone surfing?
Heisenberg
August 28th, 2012
5:39 pm
Padres relief pitcher last night looks like the love child of Goose Gossage and Al Hrabosky.
nolie
August 28th, 2012
5:39 pm
Top CFers runs saved
Bourn, Michael 20
Trout, Mike 20
Span, Denard 16
Gentry, Craig 12
Harper, Bryce 12
Bourjos, Peter 8
Colvin, Tyler 7
Maxwell, Justin 7
Jay, Jon 6
Maybin, Cameron 6
Morgan, Nyjer 6
Young, Eric 6
Cain, Lorenzo 5
Crisp, Coco 4
Rasmus, Colby 4
Ruggiano, Justin 4
Barnes, Brandon 3
Gose, Anthony 3
Parra, Gerardo 3
Young, Chris 3
VaBravesFan
August 28th, 2012
5:42 pm
Lock Heyward up this offseason!
6 year deal 64 million
2013 4 million
2014 7 million
2015 11 million
2016 13 million
2017 14 million
2018 15 million
2019 Mutual Option 18 million
brian
August 28th, 2012
5:42 pm
I love watching Medlen pitch
Weaseal
August 28th, 2012
5:42 pm
No one cares who posted what we care about a- New Braves Win Streak Starts Tonight
Heisenberg
August 28th, 2012
5:42 pm
Uggla was supposed to be their right-handed power, but he’s hit .205…..
************************
At least his RH/LH splits are consistent.
brian
August 28th, 2012
5:43 pm
I have no problem with the Padres giving Chipper a surfboard. It more like a plaque honoring Chipper but San Diego style. For his trophy room.
Heisenberg
August 28th, 2012
5:45 pm
What else would have been an appropriate gift for CJ? A brick from the building in LF?
nolie
August 28th, 2012
5:49 pm
It more like a plaque honoring Chipper but San Diego style. For his trophy room….brian
yes, and humorous too IMO. very much a SoCal thing
nolie
August 28th, 2012
5:51 pm
22 runs saved between out two SS in just part of a season is almost amazing
Chris from the Rock
August 28th, 2012
5:53 pm
How about a day off for Freddie and Prado at 1st?
VaBravesFan
August 28th, 2012
5:54 pm
nolie
How many runs did Pastornicky cost us when he was starting?
Hugo Z Hackenbush
August 28th, 2012
5:56 pm
Hey, wait a minute…Castro is only 11th on your ss list? That’s got to be a misprint!
Venice Jim
August 28th, 2012
5:56 pm
Thanks, DOB! (approaching San Juan Capistrano)
Fredo
August 28th, 2012
5:56 pm
“Something’s gotta give, folks. It should be interesting.”
the “signs of collapse” side of me says that will be Medlen since he’s overdue, “remarkable team-record streak of 16 consecutive wins”, for a loss
Don
August 28th, 2012
5:57 pm
You know a slump is REALLY bad when a really big deal is made about a fly out to center field. I realize Uggla is great guy and all, but he I had to laugh when both the manager and beat writer find it necessary to celebrate an out.
nolie
August 28th, 2012
5:58 pm
why would Castro be a misprint? he was worse last season
Chop Chop
August 28th, 2012
5:58 pm
Medlen probably won’t lose tonight. He’s a Cali guy and wants to show out for the home folks. However, he is due to get plastered by someone. Let’s hope it’s an important game that costs us the season.
MFin04
August 28th, 2012
5:58 pm
Surely we aren’t just “accidentally” facing a lot of lefties? I think not. We struggle to win against lefties, therefore we face more than most. Not too hard to figure that one out.
Brava
August 28th, 2012
5:59 pm
Thank you, DOB.
Sounds like Reed Johnson should be playing more and Dan Uggla playing less.
I’ve been saying that for a couple of weeks now, but who am I to question Fredi Jesus?
Braveone
August 28th, 2012
5:59 pm
From the previous blog which had 1,344 comments, TheOnlyBravesFan led the way with 105 posts. There were 165 different poster names. Here are the Top 25:
Rank Poster Frequency
1 TheOnlyBravesFan 105
2 nolie 102
3 Efrim 41
4 Mark 39
5 Jeff R 38
6 phil 34
7 The A Bomb 31
8 Venice Jim 29
9 ACE 28
10 David O’Brien 28
11 Shaun 27
12 RC 26
13 Bat Masterson 25
14 MIBravesFan 25
15 richbrave 25
16 Brian from SC 24
17 Capt.Mudd 24
18 George 23
19 cricket 23
20 Citifield Jones 22
21 Animus 21
22 Brava 20
23 Trader Jack 20
24 IlliniBrave 18
25 Arkansas Transplant 17
nolie
August 28th, 2012
6:00 pm
Tyler = -16
TheOnlyBravesFan
August 28th, 2012
6:00 pm
You mean a line drive to center that got caught with a great catch… a ball that got drilled 398 feet… that one.
nimwit
Brava
August 28th, 2012
6:00 pm
nolie, where does Martin rank among LF (if you have that information available)?
VaBravesFan
August 28th, 2012
6:02 pm
2. Braves
Actual record: 73-56
WAR record: 71-58
Determination: Lots of good defense.
I was a columnist in Augusta when the Atlanta Braves went from worst to first in 1991 and went on one of the most extraordinary 15-year runs in baseball history. Everyone knows that the run was fueled by amazing starting pitching led by three men, Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine and John Smoltz, who will all end up in the Baseball Hall of Fame. Obviously there were some terrific hitters over that stretch — Chipper Jones, Andruw Jones, Gary Sheffield for a couple of years, J.D. Drew in 2004, David Justice, Ron Gant and so on — but that pitching was such an overwhelming part of the story that it’s hard not to think of the Braves as pitching first.
They are not. Brandon Beachy was unhittable for a while there, and Tim Hudson is still offering professional craftsmanship, but the guys who were supposed to lead one of the best staffs in baseball — Jair Jurrjens and Tommy Hanson in particular — have not.
The Braves’ WAR suggests they are winning games with not only their hitting (second in the league in runs scored) but with some great defense — they are more than 7 ½ wins above replacement, which is a pretty astonishing number. WAR’s defensive numbers are contentious, but as Tom Tango points out: They are consistent. The standings say the Braves are 2 ½ games up on the Dodgers in the wild card race. WAR says the Braves — with great defensive play from Michael Bourn, rookie shortstop Andrelton Simmons (before he got hurt) and outfielder Jason Heyward among others — are six games better defensively. You don’t have to buy it, but it’s interesting.
Brava
August 28th, 2012
6:03 pm
nolie, that’s very impressive for Simmons, considering he hasn’t played the entire season. I imagine he’ll top the list next season.
J-MAN
August 28th, 2012
6:03 pm
I believe everything should be up to debate. I believe Fredi is a below average manager at best, I believe Uggla should be benched or sent to AAA, I believe McCann is hurt and shouldve been placed on the DL two weeks ago. I believe Hanson shouldnt be a starter anymore, Degado deserves another shot and has better stuff. I believe we need to get back to stealing more bases and working the count instead of swinging for the fences everytime. We need Fredi to show some fire and argue some bad calls. Also remember last season we had a better record and a much bigger WC lead so there is good reason to have doubts. Now thats how I feel if you want to debate me good because I love hearing the other side of the coin. But if your gonna drop insults and lame name calling then that cool too because you just lack the intelligence to properly debate me.
nolie
August 28th, 2012
6:05 pm
Top LFers
Gordon, Alex 14
Prado, Martin 10
Braun, Ryan 9
Jennings, Desmond 8
Animus
August 28th, 2012
6:06 pm
Janish with a day off and not Uggla against a LH pitcher? Hope it works out.
VaBravesFan
August 28th, 2012
6:07 pm
Our next 14 games are against teams under 500. and then we have a 3 game series vs the Nats. If there is any shot at catching the Nationals this is the time to do it!
Were only 5 games behind and the Nationals and they are on a 4 game losing streak.
Animus
August 28th, 2012
6:07 pm
Hey nolie – thanks for the info on the fielders. So the Braves have the #1 RF/CF and #2 LF in runs saved. Sounds like the pitching staff should be buying all the drinks for them!
Mikey
August 28th, 2012
6:08 pm
I think “hang ten” which is s surfing term for you land locked ATL’s & Chippers number 10 had something to do with the board. Either that or he uses it for target practice.
VaBravesFan
August 28th, 2012
6:09 pm
Safe to say that if we just rolled with Simmons from the get go we’d probably have a couple more wins.
CB
August 28th, 2012
6:09 pm
Uggla batting 8th. How the mighty have fallen.
Animus
August 28th, 2012
6:11 pm
Hmmm – looking at the starting lineup again – a Left and Right all the way down. A consequence is Uggla bats 8th!!! I just hope that’s a wakeup call for him.
VaBravesFan
August 28th, 2012
6:11 pm
I know some don’t like Denard Span as a possible trade target to replace Bourn cause of his home/road batting splits, but he’s a damn good fielder and fits the budget. Maintaining this great defense will be key. Tho I think our chances of keeping Bourn are under 10%
nolie
August 28th, 2012
6:11 pm
NL Team Runs Saved
Atlanta Braves………………56
St Louis Cardinals…………23
Arizona Diamondbacks…..22
Cincinnati Reds……………13
Los Angeles Dodgers…….10
Chicago Cubs……………….4
Pittsburgh Pirates………….3
Philadelphia Phillies………-4
Milwaukee Brewers……….-5
Washington Nationals….-13
San Francisco Giants….-18
San Diego Padres……….-20
New York Mets…………..-32
Miami Marlins…………….-39
Houston Astros…………..-52
Colorado Rockies………..-67
Hugo Z Hackenbush
August 28th, 2012
6:13 pm
Sorry, have to disagree. Our chances of keeping Bourn are 12.7%…
nolie
August 28th, 2012
6:14 pm
yeah Span is a good fielder, but his splits raise questions and if I have to look at another LHed hitter added to the team I am gonna hurl
Hugo Z Hackenbush
August 28th, 2012
6:16 pm
However, I think there’s a 100% chance that someone here will insult Dan Uggla before midnight…
VaBravesFan
August 28th, 2012
6:17 pm
nolie
True, but he’d be taking Bourn’s spot. We really do need a RH hitter besides Uggla who can bat 5th to break up JHey,FF,Mac. Cause at this point I don’t think we can depend on Uggla in the middle of the lineup. Thinking ahead Uggla would be batting 7th to start out 2013 with Simmons 8th.
VaBravesFan
August 28th, 2012
6:20 pm
Hopefully Uggla can just get back to mashing the ball with 3 years left on his deal that’s all we can do… Just play 150 games be able to hit around 250. with 30 dingers and i’ll be happy.
Peter R.
August 28th, 2012
6:20 pm
I guess there’s always next year. McCann back to normal with the surgery and Uggla not being as bad? Plus payroll being cleared. I’m banking on what next season will bring. I thought this year was going to be a complete wash for the team. Kind of surprised to this day as to what they’ve accomplished. Blame the players this time and not the general management. I’m kind of indifferent on whether we should spend the big bucks to keep Bourn. The first two of months of the year he was incredible and now he has just gone back to being the player he was with the Stros with less steals.
nolie
August 28th, 2012
6:20 pm
yes we do because Uggla hits like a damn lefty too. he is much better against righties and not so good against lefties no matter that he hits right. I want another RHed hitter. I am tired of leading the league in IP against lefties
J-MAN
August 28th, 2012
6:24 pm
Uggla hasnt hit anyone since June 10. Thats when his “Slump” began
nolie
August 28th, 2012
6:24 pm
I don’t hate Span, but if that is the best we can do I will be disappointed unless they pick up a great hitting LF/3B and I don’t see both happening
anti-negative guy
August 28th, 2012
6:25 pm
peter R blame the players for what?
VaBravesFan
August 28th, 2012
6:25 pm
With Uggla I don’t care about AVG and OBP.. We just need him to SLG. 30+ homers with a 460+ SLG and watch the RBI totals rack up. That’s what we paid him to do. He’s never been a good hitter, he’s your classic slugger.
eddie57
August 28th, 2012
6:28 pm
When Simmons comes back he should hit ahead of Ugglier not behind him. It’s pretty pathetic when the most positive thing Ugglier has done lately is fly out to deep centerfield.
Here Comes Honey Boo Boo
August 28th, 2012
6:29 pm
David O’Brien@ajcbraves
#Braves lineup: Bourn cf, Prado ss, Heyward rf, Jones 3b, Freeman 1b, Johnson lf, McCann c, Uggla 2b, Medlen p
J-MAN
August 28th, 2012
6:30 pm
@ VaBravesFan thats true to an extent but we expected at least .260 from Uggla and also Uggla hasnt hit the HRs like he usually does only 4 since June 10. In fact if you take Uggla 34 game hitting streak away Uggla is batting under .200 as a Brave. So the question for debate is has Uggla just lost it and is it really a slump or is this gonna be his normal play from here on.
VaBravesFan
August 28th, 2012
6:33 pm
nolie
Span only makes 4.75 million next season. We could trade for him and still have plenty of payroll flexibility to add a quality bat for LF/3B
nolie
August 28th, 2012
6:36 pm
With Uggla I don’t care about AVG and OBP.. We just need him to SLG. 30+ homers with a 460+ SLG and watch the RBI totals rack up
I certainly care about him not making outs, but he slugs less too against lefties,
and RBI are much dependent on where he bats not just how many homers he hits, or homers would have a higher correlation with runs scored than they do
eddie57
August 28th, 2012
6:37 pm
Hugo, no sense waiting till game time to bash Ugglier.
VaBravesFan
August 28th, 2012
6:38 pm
Uggla owned a nice slash line of 263/349/488/837 before coming to Atlanta. (5 seasons in FLA)
222/324/416/740 as a Brave
Very Alarming. You’d think that the whole pressure of a big contract would be gone, so it could very well be Uggla falling off a cliff at 31 years old.
phoenix
August 28th, 2012
6:38 pm
Why, why, why? Why has the Braves defense been depleted tonight, just to keep Uggla’s horrible bat in the lineup? Prado at SS, Uggla with a bat. Advantage: Padres.
Sylvester Bill
August 28th, 2012
6:39 pm
J-MAN
Hard to argue with you on that 6:03 post. I just wish Fredi would go out there and show his butt once in a while. Was waiting for him to take up with Marteen in the first inning last night, but a no show as usual.
Bama Braves
August 28th, 2012
6:39 pm
Span Does not Wont To Leave The Twins.
nolie
August 28th, 2012
6:40 pm
Obviously Washington bribed Fredi, phoenix…..
JD
August 28th, 2012
6:40 pm
Terrible lineup. Fredo just has to let his boy play no matter how much it hurts the team. Prado should be at 2B and Janish at SS. McCann, Uggla and the pitcher is a huge black hole at the back of the lineup.
Here Comes Honey Boo Boo
August 28th, 2012
6:40 pm
prado isnt a ss ! dont fredi get it ?! yessh !
nolie
August 28th, 2012
6:41 pm
Uggla is certainly not the first player to come here and struggla
Bravofan
August 28th, 2012
6:41 pm
Prado playing short and Uggla in the 8 hole interesting
Brava
August 28th, 2012
6:42 pm
Thanks, nolie. I figured Martin had to be in the top ten. He’s just so good at everything.
nolie
August 28th, 2012
6:42 pm
he may not want to Bama, but AFAIK he has no ability to stop a trade
Here Comes Honey Boo Boo
August 28th, 2012
6:42 pm
uggla next to the pitcher.
phoenix
August 28th, 2012
6:42 pm
Fredi: “We just need to pick Uggla’s spots.” I agree. I’m thinking Japan.
ACE
August 28th, 2012
6:43 pm
DOB says leave the tough questions to the columist. He should leave trade rumors like the Griffey debacle to them also. If you don’t believe me ask Hudson.
nolie
August 28th, 2012
6:43 pm
yeah Brava, but I gotta admit that I was a bit surprised by his being second
DiamondbackMac
August 28th, 2012
6:43 pm
Animus & Nolie
So the Braves have the #1 RF/CF and #2 LF in runs saved.
If you combine Simmons and Janish (22) we have the #1 SS in runs saved.
Lew
August 28th, 2012
6:44 pm
Why? Maybe it has something to do with Janish getting a day off rayher than keeping “Uggla’s horrible bat in the lineup”. You’d rather Pastornicky with little experience and a terrible fielder and weak hitter himself at second just because you hate Uggla?
Dude’s definitely been disappointing this year, but we’ve seen him break loose before and if he does now, we could well overtake the Nats. Since no one else we have guarantees us any offense, it would be beneficial to have him in the lineup in case he does break loose = not as if he’s holding someone better back from receiving playing time..
nolie
August 28th, 2012
6:44 pm
what exactly is it that you get out of attacking DOB, ACE?
Here Comes Honey Boo Boo
August 28th, 2012
6:44 pm
yeah, gary sheffield came here and only hit 38 hr in each year here…
Animus
August 28th, 2012
6:44 pm
Fredi doesn’t seem to have the desire to argue about calls he know won’t get changed. The play at first last night with Prado being a perfect example. BUT…the only one arguing was Prado, I didn’t see TP say anything either – he’s a coach, great position to see/hear the play…maybe Fredi was taking a cue from him?
That being said, there’s nothing wrong with a manager showing the umpires he’s not afraid to step onto the field and question a call – don’t have to go out and get tossed, just let them know you WILL show your players and the fans that you’re not afraid to show an ump he blew a call.
nolie
August 28th, 2012
6:45 pm
If you combine Simmons and Janish (22) we have the #1 SS in runs saved. Mac
true, but then you gotta include Tyler
Here Comes Honey Boo Boo
August 28th, 2012
6:46 pm
marquis grissom had at least 100 hits and 200 hits in his final year here…
VaBravesFan
August 28th, 2012
6:47 pm
nolie
I agree with that, but I’d take a 2011 Uggla from here on out with the current lineup around him. I just don’t see Uggla coming back to his Florida form. So if I had to pick something that he could maintain it would be slugging. Give us around 60 XBH
nolie
August 28th, 2012
6:47 pm
gary sheffield came here and only hit 38 hr in each year here
so what, I never said that none have succeeded, but we have seen a number that haven’t too, which is what I said BooBoo
Animus
August 28th, 2012
6:47 pm
Hey DiamondbackMac – getting wet? Raining hard here, lot’s of wind – looks like you’re still under tornado warning? Be safe man.
DiamondbackMac
August 28th, 2012
6:50 pm
nolie
true, but then you gotta include Tyler
Ouch!!
TheOnlyBravesFan
August 28th, 2012
6:54 pm
Blue Jays first round draft choice Marcus Stroman has been suspended for 50 games for violating the minor league drug prevention and treatment program, the team announced. Stroman…maintains that he “unknowingly ingested a banned stimulant that was in an over-the-counter supplement.”
He wasn’t the only former first rounder suspended today. Josh Sale, who was selected 17th overall by the Rays in 2010, also obtained a 50-game suspension, according to Roger Mooney of the Tampa Tribune (on Twitter).
Sigh…. these people keep killing their bodies… and baseball doesn’t do enough to discourage it. Look at Melky, A-Roid, and Balco Bonds…. need stronger punishments.
Max Sizemore
August 28th, 2012
7:01 pm
Hey, nolie, great stuff. Keep it coming.
DiamondbackMac
August 28th, 2012
7:02 pm
Animus
Nothing here yet.
McFann :Ô: :Ô: :ô:
August 28th, 2012
7:03 pm
Dang! BMac got bumped back down to #7 again? And why no Janish? Boo…
Ken Stallings
August 28th, 2012
7:17 pm
Well, truly it is another need to win situation for the Braves. They need to win this series versus the Padres and thereby salvage a .500 road trip. Kris Medlen needs to step up again and delivery a gem and hope the offense can solve the riddle and score some runs.
mpimentel
August 28th, 2012
7:19 pm
Uggla will rebound for sure…and it will be in sept when it counts…btw we wont gioing to find a CF like bourn, but we could find someone a defensive, healthier one (pierre?)…the biggest hole to fill in will be a LF, if prado came back to 3d… And assuming that prado will be at 3d the infield will lokk great ( prado, fransisco,pastor,simmons,janish,uggla,freeman)…well I think that pastor could be tradeed on winter!
TheOnlyBravesFan
August 28th, 2012
7:22 pm
Dan Uggla, hitting instructor: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UqiUQHnO3z4&feature=related
mpimentel
August 28th, 2012
7:23 pm
What in span’s off line this season…maybe we can make a deal for him (on winter)…geez I will love to have bourn back.
brian
August 28th, 2012
7:23 pm
Hopefully the braves can take this one tonight. Take 2 out of 3 in SD and have a .500 road trip
Arthur Redding, Jr.
August 28th, 2012
7:23 pm
Is this the Best Braves Line-up Right Now?
Bourn CF
Prado 2B
Heyward RF
Jones 3B
Freeman 1B
Johnson LF
Ross C
Janish SS
Hudson P
brian
August 28th, 2012
7:26 pm
McCann hitting 7th and Uggla hitting 8th works for me. Fredi went with a stronger hitting lineup with Prado at SS
brian
August 28th, 2012
7:27 pm
yes it is arthur
MFin04
August 28th, 2012
7:32 pm
Uggla hitting 8th. Gotta be the best 8th hitter in all of baseball, right? At least the most powerful.
This lineup is great. Defense probably isn’t as good, but defense can’t win games when we score 0 runs.
bravesgrl4life
August 28th, 2012
7:34 pm
Go Braves!!!