After shedding Sept. 2011 albatross, Braves celebration fitting
Glad I didn’t write anything about it beforehand, because I’ll admit I was like the afternoon radio hosts who drew the ire of Chipper Jones, after he heard them criticize the Braves for their celebration after clinching a spot in the wild-card game.
When we were in Philly last weekend I mentioned to Mark Bowman that didn’t know if the Braves should or would celebrate clinching a spot in the wild-card game, as opposed to clinching a spot in an actual postseason series. Then when I asked the Braves PR man, he told me he was pretty sure they would celebrate if they clinched a wild-card berth.
And so they did. They drenched each other – and later a lot of fans who stuck around till the Braves came back on the field – with dozens of bottles of champagne and cases of beer after Freddie Freeman’s dramatic two-run walk-off homer gave them a 4-3 win Tuesday that clinched a wild-card berth, even though the Braves said they were still aiming for a division title.
Braves young (Heyward) and old (Chipper) celebrate after clinching wild-card berth (Curtis Compton/AJC photo)
The next day, after Chipper heard the aforementioned radio guys criticizing them for celebrating just getting into the do-or-die Wild Card game, a game many of us have referred to as a postseason “play-in” game, Chipper blasted back and said you’re damn right they’re celebrated, because this team deserved it after what it went through, he said.
That included last year’s September collapse and the countless questions they faced in the ensuing months and, in fact, right up through the first week of this month when the Braves were in a brief slump and many were writing them off and saying “here we go again” with September Swoon, Pt. 2.
But they didn’t collapse. Far from it. And after hearing Chipper and a couple of other Braves talk about the celebration and what it meant to them and Fredi Gonzalez to shake off the albatross that was last season’s 10-20 finish and blown wild-card lead of 8-1/2 games in September, well, I changed my mind and came around to their way of thinking. If they felt like celebrating – and they did – then good for them for letting it all out and enjoying themselves. They earned it.
And for any skeptics who assumed that after celebrating like that, the Braves would come out flat or hung over or whatever the next day, and play poorly for a game or two and lose the momentum they had built up, well, they proved that assumption wrong by shutting out the Marlins on Wednesday.
Looking back on it, celebrating like they did, when they did, could help the Braves in the bigger picture. They got it out of their systems, made it official that last year’s collapse was behind them, celebrated the accomplishment of at least extending this thing beyond the regular season. And with that celebration coming more than a week before the end of the regular season and 10 days before their wild-card game, they will both have something to draw from – how good it felt to win, to rally from a run down in the ninth and win – and enough time between that game and their next hugely important game, the wild-card game, to get back to the business of hand and just playing baseball.
So I was wrong. No damage was done by celebrating. To the contrary. They partied for a night, celebrated being one of the 10 major league teams that will play beyond the regular season, and let off plenty of steam after finally, officially shedding the stigma of last year’s collapse, which they’d carried around for 12 months and which so many had predicted would linger and and ruin another season.
By the way, one other thing regarding this last week: Even if the Braves weren’t still mathematically alive in the NL East race, I’m one of those who believe they’d be dead wrong to rest uninjured guys for multiple days, to run out spring-training lineups for most of the last week as they prepared for the wild-card game and possible division series. I say this because I’ve seen it time and time again, teams that clinch early – like so many Braves teams that clinched division titles early – then go into rest-and-coast mode for the last week or two, aren’t able to flip the switch and get back to hitting on all cylinders again.
So those teams that played so well for so long to get to the postseason, come out sluggish or just out of sorts for a game or two and fall behind in the division series, while the team that had to play hard until the end just to get into the tournament, that team barely has time to catch its collective breath and then plays the same kind of ball in the division series that it played for the last month or so to get there.
And that’s why we’ve had an inordinate number of wild-card teams, or division-title teams with far lesser records than others in the same postseason field, go on to win the world series. And so many 95- and 100-win teams get beat in the first round and go home.
• RISP? Pfft: So the Braves are still dead last in the majors in hitting with runners in scoring postion, their .230 average actually lower than it was a few weeks ago when it seemed it could get no worse. The next worst RISP averages belong to the Cubs (.231), Padres (.232), Astros (.233) and Marlins (.234), Mariners (.236), Indians (.237) and Pirates (.240) .
And what do all of those other teams have in common? All have losing records, and all but the Pirates are last or next-to-last in their respective division standings. (The Pirates are fourth in the six-team NL Central, ahead of the Cubs and Astros.)
So why have the Braves been able to overcome that horrendous RISP average? Two things, the first one being obvious: Pitching.
The Braves went 4-10 with a .213 team batting average, 41 runs and a 4.02 ERA in 14 games through Sept. 1, but since then they are 16-6 with 80 runs and a 2.48 ERA in 22 games, including 9-2 with a 2.19 ERA (though only a .225 batting average) in their past 11 games.
The Braves have allowed one or no runs in five of their past 11 games.
Like the Tampa Bay Rays (.245), who are tied for the ninth-worst RISP average in the majors, the Braves offset it with pitching.
Since the All-Star break, the Rays lead baseball with a 2.64 ERA and the Braves are second at 2.98, while the next two behind them are more than one-third of a run back since the break – the Phillies (3.35) and Nationals (3.39). The Rays (.211) and Braves (.239) also have majors’ lowest opponents’ batting averages since the break.
The other thing the Braves have is harder to define. It is “it,” an umbrella term of sorts to describe any number of intangibles that certain teams and/or players have in spades. The Braves have shown “it” at varying times this season, like they did a few years ago when they kept pulling out late-innings comebacks. But that team didn’t have the pitching this team does.
Freeman's walk-off homer clinched a playoff berth and was another example of the "it" intangible that this Braves team possesses. We'll find out how far that and good pitching will take them. (Curtis Compton photo/AJC)
When Freddie Freeman hit that two-run homer, it was just the second game-ending homer that brought a team from behind to clinch a postseason berth. The other was the famed “Shot heard ‘round the world” by Bobby Thomson for the 1951 New York Giants. You’ve seen the footage, however old you are. “The Giants win the pennant! The Giants win the pennant!”
Freeman was also just the fourth player to clinch a playoff berth with his first career walk-off homer, joining Alfonso Soriano (’99); Hank Aaron (’57), and Thomson (‘51).
No, Freeman’s homer didn’t win a division series or league pennant – there were no division series back then, just the World Series – but it was dramatic, and it came off the bat of a kid who struggled at times this season with vision problems, a finger injury, and then RISP woes. But Freeman stepped up and delivered when it counted, and of course it was Chipper who’d begun the rally with a double and was standing at third, ready to raise his fist in triumph, as soon as Freeman blasted that ball over the center-field fence.
It. They have it. How much of it, we’re going to find out. Because between stellar pitching and some hitters with “it,” you can do a lot of damage if you mix those two things together at the right time.
• Dynamic trio: So I was going through sortable stats today, checking on pitchers and ERAs and such, since Medlen won’t have enough to qualify for the ERA title because of his unusual split-season between middle relief and starting.
Anyway, what I came up with was pretty startling: Among pitchers who’ve worked at least 50 innings this season, the Braves have three of the majors’ six lowest ERAs, led by Craig Kimbrel (1.04) in 60-1/3 innings, which is second-lowest behind Rays closer Fernando Rodney (0.63). Kris Medlen is sixth at 1.64 in 132 innings, and Eric O’Flaherty is seventh at 1.76 in 56-1/3 innings.
Among pitchers who’ve worked at least 75 innings, Medlen is the major league leader by a wide margin, and I’ll bet you can’t guess who is second on the list. Take a moment to think about it before you go to the next paragraph….
Did anyone say Brandon Beachy? Yes, he’s second with a 2.00 ERA in 81 innings. Among pitchers with at least 75 innings this season, third behind the two Braves is Seattle’s Tim Wilhelmsen with a 2.26 ERA in 75-2/3 relief innings, and no one else is as low as 2.40.
• O’Flaherty’s unsung season: Speaking of O’Flaherty, check out his ERAs for the first four months of the season: 4.91 in April, 3.18 in May, 1.86 in June, 0.90 in July. Sense a pattern?
His ERAs in August and September: 0.00 and 0.00.
In fact, he hasn’t allowed an earned run since giving up one in his first appearance after the All-Star break on July 13. In his past 27 appearances, O’Flaherty has given up 15 hits, one unearned run and seven walks with 19 strikeouts in 24 innings.
I asked Fredi Gonzalez about O’Flaherty this afternoon, how he doesn’t get much attention because he’s not a closer.
“He’s under the radar. Baseball people know who he is, but he’s in that role where you’re not in the limelight,” Gonzalez said. “Unless someone is keeping up with holds… And you know what? Knowing his personality, he’s right there. He doesn’t care who gets the glory or the accolades, he just wants to do his job.”
Gonzalez paused a moment and added this: “He’s the most professional, prepared guy that I’ve been around.”
• KKKKKKKKimbrel: As for the Braves closer, in his past 49 appearances Kimbrel has a 0.55 ERA and .103 opponents’ average, allowing 17 hits and three runs (on three homers) with six walks and 92 strikeouts in 49-1/3 innings. His stats read like typos, don’t they. I mean, seriously. Six walks and 92 strikeouts in 49-1/3 innings.
• Battle Axe leading off: No surprise when Chipper hit a leadoff double in Monday’s climactic ninth inning. He’s led the NL for much of the season in OBP when leading off innings, and currently ranks fifth in the majors at .444 in that category (Reed Johnson is 10th in the NL at .407).
When leading off innings, Chipper has hit .353 (30-for-85) with four doubles, five homers, 14 walks, seven strikeouts and a .997 OPS. Not bad for a 40-year-old.
TONIGHT’S LINEUP
- Constanza cf
- Prado lf
- Heyward rf
- Chipper 3b
- Freeman 1b
- Uggla 2b
- Ross c
- Simmons cf
- Hanson p
• Etc.
Evan Gattis made Baseball America’s Double-A All-Star team despite having only 272 at-bats including 182 in Double-A. He was the only Braves minor leaguer to make any BA classification All-Star team….
The Braves are hot, and so is the team they are targeted to face in the wild-card game: St. Louis is 8-2 with a 2.09 ERA in its past 10 games. Meanwhile, Washington is 5-7 with a 3.36 ERA in its past 12, including 0-3 in one-run games…
Before today, the Brewers were 17-7 with 137 runs and 32 homers in September before today, but lost three of their past five games and allowed 10 and 12 runs in two of those losses.
• Let’s close this with a classic from the peerless Nina Simone, which you can hear by clicking here.
“I WANT A LITTLE SUGAR IN MY BOWL” performed by Nina Simone
I want a little sugar
in my bowl
I want a little sweetness
down in my soul
I could stand some lovin’
Oh so bad
feel so lonely and I feel so sad
I want a little steam
on my clothes
Maybe I can fix things up
so they’ll go
Whatsa matter Daddy
Come on, save my soul
Drop a little sugar in my bowl
I ain’t foolin’
Drop a little sugar in my bowl
Well I want a little sugar in my bowl
I want a little sweetness down in my soul
You been acting strangely
I’ve been told
Mooove me Daddy
I want some sugar in my bowl
I wanna loose steam
on my clothes
Maybe I can fix things up so they’ll go
Whatsa matter Daddy
Come on save my soul
Droppa little sugar in my bowl
I ain’t foolin’
Drop some sugaaar – yeah – in my bowl.
— David O’Brien, Braves/MIB blog
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767 comments Add your comment
Venice Jim
September 27th, 2012
6:46 pm
Thanks, DOB!!!
Venice Jim
September 27th, 2012
6:46 pm
Thanks, DOB!!!
cabravesfan
September 27th, 2012
6:47 pm
Thanks, DOB!!!
David from Athens, AL
September 27th, 2012
6:48 pm
Thanks DOB!!!
Mathematical Whiner
September 27th, 2012
6:49 pm
Thanks DOB!
David O'Brien
September 27th, 2012
6:51 pm
Thanks folks!!
Kat
September 27th, 2012
6:52 pm
“The Blogger Formerly Known as Billy” from the old blog.. if you go here and search for the game you can watch pre and post game interviews etc http://www.vipboxsports.eu/sports/baseball.html
Bat Masterson
September 27th, 2012
6:58 pm
Good stuff, DOB. Thanks
flange1
September 27th, 2012
6:58 pm
Thanks for the work DOB!
Sopheee
September 27th, 2012
6:59 pm
Gracias, DOB!
Kat
September 27th, 2012
6:59 pm
Thanks David! (I’ll be different haha)
GTI in Brooklyn
September 27th, 2012
7:03 pm
One more, Thanks DOB, from me!!!
The Blogger Formerly Known as Billy
September 27th, 2012
7:04 pm
posted this in the last blog:
Hey anyone know of a live stream anywhere online for that C. Jones pre game stuff and is it Friday or Saturday?
Jay Dubu
September 27th, 2012
7:04 pm
Let’s see if the Cards can take 3 from the Nats and give the Braves a chance to close the gap on the division.
The Blogger Formerly Known as Billy
September 27th, 2012
7:04 pm
thanks Kat
Trader Jack
September 27th, 2012
7:05 pm
To the best beat writer in the biz, thanks DOB
Darryl Blackberry
September 27th, 2012
7:06 pm
I sure wish Evan Gattis had been among the September call-ups. Can’t wait to see this guy play…
Lane Kiffin
September 27th, 2012
7:10 pm
Okay
ASUBoozer
September 27th, 2012
7:10 pm
Awesome!! As Always, Thanks DOB!!! Nina Simone for the win! “Sun in the sky, you know how I feel…”
Mixxo
September 27th, 2012
7:12 pm
Lets go Tommy.
Give us at least 5 innings and we’ll call it a happy blog.
Trader Jack
September 27th, 2012
7:12 pm
Nats 1 Phils 0
Harper solo shot
Lane Kiffin
September 27th, 2012
7:12 pm
All the chipper pregame stuff will be on the radio if you can’t catch it on TV. You can catch the stream.
Sopheee
September 27th, 2012
7:13 pm
I already like socks up Tommy better than slouchy Tommy.
Cracker
September 27th, 2012
7:13 pm
Tommy’s 1st pitch looked exactly like one of Medlen’s. I’m pulling for him to do well. 1st two outs: no sweat.
Mixxo
September 27th, 2012
7:14 pm
Harper ‘wants’ it.
Lane Kiffin
September 27th, 2012
7:14 pm
To those coming without a pass be smarta take marta
Mixxo
September 27th, 2012
7:15 pm
What?
A 1-2-3?
Nice!
Venice Jim
September 27th, 2012
7:15 pm
Got in the double thanks as a tribute to Ace…
GTI in Brooklyn
September 27th, 2012
7:16 pm
Good 1st inning, and a few words of support to Tommy from Chipper as they head into the dugout.
GTI in Brooklyn
September 27th, 2012
7:21 pm
I’d love to see KIMBREL win the CY, but if it isn’t gonna be him, I’m rooting for Mr. DICKEY, and I’m happy to see he picked up his 20th win this afternoon.
Darryl Blackberry
September 27th, 2012
7:22 pm
GTI:
I second that. Dickey’s played on a lesser team than has Gio Gonzalez, and has still managed 20 wins with limited run support. Remarkable.
Jay Dubu
September 27th, 2012
7:23 pm
Looks like Mr. Hanson has his A-game tonight. Just looking at the box score, don’t have any other access to the game. Three outs on 10 pitches, with 8 of them being strikes.
Let’s go Hanson!!!
usnavyvolfaninva
September 27th, 2012
7:24 pm
kat,
thanks for the link…I tried it, but apparently it either got removed or is broken.
keyLargo
September 27th, 2012
7:26 pm
How could there be no MARTA station at Turner Field when the stadium was built for the Olympics? It makes no sense.
Mixxo
September 27th, 2012
7:26 pm
Get somebody up Fredi.
Trader Jack
September 27th, 2012
7:29 pm
Phils 3 Nats 1
ncbravesfan90
September 27th, 2012
7:31 pm
And Lee was out at first by the way…..
JC Brave
September 27th, 2012
7:31 pm
Scott Cousins, the Posey-killer.
Cracker
September 27th, 2012
7:32 pm
You have to pull for a guy like Dickey. The personal demons he’s overcome and the bumpy career path he’s had to follow would make putty of most of us. And the guy is a humanitarian, active in both aid to Latin America and the fight against human trafficking. Oh, and he’s had a dream season.
Looks like Hanson has been tutored on his pick-off move by his buddy Medlen: he had Lee at 1st.
JC Brave
September 27th, 2012
7:34 pm
Might be a good idea to have someone playing catch in the pen right from this moment…
Brava
September 27th, 2012
7:34 pm
Thank you, DOB.
Tomahawk Mafia
September 27th, 2012
7:35 pm
Hanson looks pretty weak thus far.
Mixxo
September 27th, 2012
7:37 pm
He’s all over the place and will fall in love with his curveball….and get burnt.
kerryb
September 27th, 2012
7:37 pm
Tommy Hanson is the Derrick Lowe of 2012.
Tomahawk Mafia
September 27th, 2012
7:37 pm
Poor Hanson, just is unable to get out of his own way.
Cracker
September 27th, 2012
7:37 pm
Tough inning. But maybe getting out of it will boost Hanson’s confidence.
Mixxo
September 27th, 2012
7:37 pm
Thank. You. Jacob.
Brava
September 27th, 2012
7:38 pm
Whew! Hanson makes me so nervous.
Rick C
September 27th, 2012
7:38 pm
Damn he had to throw a lot of extra pitches because of that missed call.
Fredo
September 27th, 2012
7:38 pm
10 pitch first, 29 pitch second
Fredo
September 27th, 2012
7:39 pm
homerus are killing the Phillies in these last 2 games
Chipper's Southern Bell
September 27th, 2012
7:40 pm
Thanks DOB. I took picture of Jason and Chipper from blog to keep. Thanks
David O'Brien
September 27th, 2012
7:41 pm
It’s getting louder each time Chipper comes to bat. Standing O in his first at-bat tonight, before the pitch. Tips helmet to crowd.
Here Comes Honey Boo Boo
September 27th, 2012
7:41 pm
he is just like his father…..
jeffrey d
September 27th, 2012
7:41 pm
Is that the longest “Crazy Train” has played for Chipper?
Capt.Mudd
September 27th, 2012
7:42 pm
Chippers final days at the Ted…..standing ovations, supportive fans. Great atmosphere tonight.
Capt.Mudd
September 27th, 2012
7:44 pm
@Honey Boo Boo
Having any luck controling those repetiive bouts of sneezing?
Mixxo
September 27th, 2012
7:47 pm
Turner looks good.
Real good.
Here Comes Honey Boo Boo
September 27th, 2012
7:49 pm
no…
George_George
September 27th, 2012
7:49 pm
Thanks David.
Mixxo
September 27th, 2012
7:50 pm
Good start Big Red!
Capt.Mudd
September 27th, 2012
7:50 pm
@DOB……… Thanks, great work from our favorite journalism professional.
kerryb
September 27th, 2012
7:51 pm
Tommy Hanson should be the last possible pitcher to start a playoff game. He’s only good for 5 innings if he gets that far.
Tomahawk Mafia
September 27th, 2012
7:51 pm
Watching Hanson is no fun at all.
Here Comes Honey Boo Boo
September 27th, 2012
7:51 pm
and dont get me confused with some back of the woods hicks…….
Mixxo
September 27th, 2012
7:55 pm
Whew, almost cost us a Freddie F. right there.
kerryb
September 27th, 2012
7:55 pm
Tommy Hanson is a danger to his own team mates.
Bat Masterson
September 27th, 2012
7:55 pm
Enter your comments here
Kat
September 27th, 2012
7:56 pm
usnavyvolfaninva @ 7:24 pm
http://www.vipboxsports.eu/watch/78741/1/atlanta-bravesvs-miami-marlins-live-stream-online.html
Works for me.
Mixxo
September 27th, 2012
7:57 pm
Lovely
ncbravesfan90
September 27th, 2012
7:57 pm
That was a great 1-2 pitch, an ole hanging cement mixer…..
TBbravesfan
September 27th, 2012
7:58 pm
I wish tommy could get with the program.
kerryb
September 27th, 2012
7:58 pm
Tommy Hanson is garbage. Medlin gets an 0-2 count on a hitter and he’s just as good as out. Hanson goes 0-2 on a hitter and the hitter has him right where he wants him.
The A Bomb
September 27th, 2012
7:58 pm
Killjoy Hanson strikes again.
Capt.Mudd
September 27th, 2012
7:58 pm
Tee off on Tommy after getting a nice straight pitch….really considered ‘a gift’ on this level.
Tomahawk Mafia
September 27th, 2012
7:59 pm
Yet again, Hanson is unable to put a hitter away after jumping ahead of him 0-2. That is the story of his career.
Capt.Mudd
September 27th, 2012
7:59 pm
Why was Freddy running at full speed there?
T-Dawg
September 27th, 2012
7:59 pm
Batting Practice engaged
George_George
September 27th, 2012
8:00 pm
Here we go, wish someone would make HANSON get rid if that hitch in his delivery
TNScott
September 27th, 2012
8:00 pm
Why pitch to someone that owns rental property on your arm with first base open?
Fredo
September 27th, 2012
8:00 pm
Tommy on track for his usual 5 innings pitched
Braves for Life
September 27th, 2012
8:01 pm
Hanson really sucks. It’s that simple. NO confidence in throwing a 89 MPH fastball. All you have to do is sit back and wait for a curve ball. I am curious what his curveball to fastball ratio is.
Bob
September 27th, 2012
8:01 pm
When Tommy “Full Count” returns to Tommy “Throw Strikes”, you’ll see him winning games again. Somebody needs to quit messin’ with his head. Just my opinion.
One Big Dummy
September 27th, 2012
8:01 pm
Hanson better not be back with this team in 2013. We don’t need him.
Bat Masterson
September 27th, 2012
8:01 pm
Come on, Tommy. Get this guy out before I fall asleep.
T-Dawg
September 27th, 2012
8:01 pm
The good news is that Hanson is throwing a lot of pitches.
Chipper's Southern Bell
September 27th, 2012
8:01 pm
I hope fredi pulls him if he gets in trouble
bitman
September 27th, 2012
8:03 pm
Tommy sux, as usual.
Cracker
September 27th, 2012
8:03 pm
Hanson fell in love with his curveball in that inning. Five or more of them were big league hooks, but you can’t triple up on a pitch to a hitter like Lee.
bitman
September 27th, 2012
8:03 pm
Tommy sux, as usual.
George_George
September 27th, 2012
8:04 pm
Outta here to watch game. have a good one. Nite all.
kerryb
September 27th, 2012
8:05 pm
I hope this is the last start we see from Tommy Hanson this year. IF we were tied with the Nats on Tuesday when his next start came up would anyone start him?
Capt.Mudd
September 27th, 2012
8:05 pm
He’s a player…..glad to have him with us.
Bat Masterson
September 27th, 2012
8:08 pm
Come on, Marteen
Mixxo
September 27th, 2012
8:08 pm
C’mon Teen!
Park another one!
Bat Masterson
September 27th, 2012
8:10 pm
Oh well, come on, Jason
Sopheee
September 27th, 2012
8:10 pm
Almost
T-Dawg
September 27th, 2012
8:10 pm
Love Prado but he’s trying that inside out swing in almost every at bat. That pitch was way inside….great pitch to pull.
ncbravesfan90
September 27th, 2012
8:10 pm
Ouch offense….
Mixxo
September 27th, 2012
8:11 pm
Jason’s fighting it.
JC Brave
September 27th, 2012
8:12 pm
Great effort.
Efrim
September 27th, 2012
8:13 pm
Yikes. Not a good time for Jason to be struggling as bad as he is. It’s been a bad 25+ games.
Ghost of Chipper Jones
September 27th, 2012
8:15 pm
So TOMMY will not be excellent again as a BRAVE?
Tomahawk Mafia
September 27th, 2012
8:15 pm
Definitely need to see more patience and pitch recognition from Heyward in 2013. Heyward making fewer outs is better for the entire team.
ncbravesfan90
September 27th, 2012
8:17 pm
88 MPH gets hit in MLB. Period.
njbraves
September 27th, 2012
8:18 pm
Hanson is horrible.
T-Dawg
September 27th, 2012
8:18 pm
Please….please….pull him.
bitman
September 27th, 2012
8:18 pm
Attaboy, Tommy! Just keep throwing over there until you throw it away. What a POS.
Sopheee
September 27th, 2012
8:18 pm
Guess the socks aren’t working.
Tomahawk Mafia
September 27th, 2012
8:18 pm
Really? Another errant pick off throw? That is about 3 or 4 in the past two weeks in addition to some throwing errors on comebackers to the mound.
Mixxo
September 27th, 2012
8:19 pm
Somebody stretch that leash?
Go get him Fredi !!!!!
David O'Brien
September 27th, 2012
8:22 pm
That run was unearned. But, as we know, it counts all the same.
Tommy down 2-0 in another spotty performance.
The A Bomb
September 27th, 2012
8:22 pm
Hanson has no fastball.
T-Dawg
September 27th, 2012
8:22 pm
God I wish his pitch count was higher.
tina
September 27th, 2012
8:23 pm
Hanson sucks trade his ass this winter big soft tossing ass.
Nowhere man
September 27th, 2012
8:23 pm
What kind of parting gifts did Chipper get from Hooters, The tilted kilt and Twin peaks.
Bat Masterson
September 27th, 2012
8:23 pm
One hit
:sigh:
Come on, Chipper. Get it going
Nowhere man
September 27th, 2012
8:24 pm
Like our old friend Skip Carey would say when they showed a pretty girl. Two out.
Kris
September 27th, 2012
8:24 pm
The Braves are trying to do something here and Tommy just keeps holding us back. Hanson is flat out terrible – he’s got no confidence and his stuff had deteriorated to the point where he is practically a junk ball pitcher. Dumping him in the offseason should be one of Wren’s top priorities.
JC Brave
September 27th, 2012
8:25 pm
Jacob Turner, such a tough pitcher…
SCBravesFan
September 27th, 2012
8:25 pm
Ghost – no, Tommy will never be great as a Brave ever again.
Nowhere man
September 27th, 2012
8:25 pm
I would like to see Sheets take Tommy’s next start but it won’t matter by then.
T-Dawg
September 27th, 2012
8:26 pm
For those of you that thought it was pressure causing this team to struggle at the plate against bad pitching, think again.
Bat Masterson
September 27th, 2012
8:26 pm
Atta boy, Freddie
Come on now, Dan
bitman
September 27th, 2012
8:26 pm
“Tommy down 2-0 in another spotty performance.”
“Spotty” is not the word I would have used…
Hopefully, Freddi won’t let him bat..
Nowhere man
September 27th, 2012
8:27 pm
Chipper got a pair of orange shorts from Hooters.
SCBravesFan
September 27th, 2012
8:27 pm
DOB “spotty”??? I was thinking of a word that starts with s but it wasn’t spotty…
Bat Masterson
September 27th, 2012
8:28 pm
Atta boy, Danno
BFChris27
September 27th, 2012
8:28 pm
Uggla!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Venice Jim
September 27th, 2012
8:28 pm
Good job, Dan…
Brava
September 27th, 2012
8:28 pm
Yay! UGGS!!!!!
The A Bomb
September 27th, 2012
8:28 pm
Those of you who thought Cox was brutal — look at the ‘10 pitching staff and see how we made the playoffs with this rotation….
Hudson
Lowe
Hanson
Jurrjens
Kawakami
You gotta be kidding me.
BFChris27
September 27th, 2012
8:29 pm
Rossy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Brava
September 27th, 2012
8:29 pm
Nice bunt, Rossy!!!
cabravesfan
September 27th, 2012
8:29 pm
Danny may be coming around at the exact right time
ROSSY!
T-Dawg
September 27th, 2012
8:29 pm
75RBIs for UGGLA. Good for him.
Cracker
September 27th, 2012
8:29 pm
Oh, I absolutely love what Ross just did!
JC Brave
September 27th, 2012
8:29 pm
They finally decide to hit…
Bat Masterson
September 27th, 2012
8:29 pm
That’ll work. Come on, Kid
David O'Brien
September 27th, 2012
8:29 pm
How ’bout that surprise perfect bunt by Ross.
Mldtown
September 27th, 2012
8:30 pm
DRoss pulling a Constanza!
ugafan13
September 27th, 2012
8:30 pm
DOB…spotty performance? It is the same as has been since the AS break! He has no clue how to pitch or hold a runner on. He needs to work on arm strength and get the fastball back up in the low 90’s. Then he needs to challenge hitters. He is just being trotted out and doing nothing different other than sucking!
Brava
September 27th, 2012
8:30 pm
SIMMONS!!!!!!!!!
BFChris27
September 27th, 2012
8:30 pm
Simmons!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Nowhere man
September 27th, 2012
8:30 pm
Been a while. Is the bunt debate still raging.
Venice Jim
September 27th, 2012
8:31 pm
SIMBA!!!
cabravesfan
September 27th, 2012
8:31 pm
SIMBA!
Venice Jim
September 27th, 2012
8:31 pm
Beat ya…
JC Brave
September 27th, 2012
8:31 pm
SIM!!!!
Mldtown
September 27th, 2012
8:31 pm
Great clutch hit!!!!
T-Dawg
September 27th, 2012
8:32 pm
WHY IS TOMMY IN THERE?
cabravesfan
September 27th, 2012
8:32 pm
I was looking for NFL Network on a channel other than 1355 (and in HD
)
cabravesfan
September 27th, 2012
8:32 pm
And I was drinking wine
Tomahawk Mafia
September 27th, 2012
8:32 pm
I wish they were pinch hiting for Hanson.
Brava
September 27th, 2012
8:32 pm
Boo!!!!!
cabravesfan
September 27th, 2012
8:32 pm
And petting the dog
bitman
September 27th, 2012
8:33 pm
How stupid can you be, Freddi? Hanson batting? with ducks on the pond? How much do you want to lose this game?
Damn!
Bat Masterson
September 27th, 2012
8:33 pm
Okay, Biff, get ‘em in.
Fredo
September 27th, 2012
8:33 pm
“WHY IS TOMMY IN THERE?”
i just hope he’s not in a giving mood in the top of the fifth
T-Dawg
September 27th, 2012
8:33 pm
FG is to blame there. No reason to have Tommy hitting there.
Ghost of Chipper Jones
September 27th, 2012
8:34 pm
HANSON needs to hurt something to help the team.
Venice Jim
September 27th, 2012
8:34 pm
Good eye, Georgie!
Ghost of Chipper Jones
September 27th, 2012
8:35 pm
Is TREY still ‘digging’ his job? Heh!
Bat Masterson
September 27th, 2012
8:35 pm
Okay, Marteen, make him pay.
T-Dawg
September 27th, 2012
8:36 pm
4-3 Nats
BFChris27
September 27th, 2012
8:37 pm
Marteeeeeen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ncbravesfan90
September 27th, 2012
8:37 pm
Dang, what a break…..
Cracker
September 27th, 2012
8:37 pm
We’ll take it!
Ghost of Chipper Jones
September 27th, 2012
8:37 pm
IVAN:
Oyster season is officially open.
Venice Jim
September 27th, 2012
8:37 pm
MARTEEENNN!!!
Animus
September 27th, 2012
8:37 pm
Interesting defense
Brava
September 27th, 2012
8:37 pm
MARTEEEEEEEEEEEN!!!!!!!!!
Chipper's Southern Bell
September 27th, 2012
8:37 pm
I hope the Ones digging chipper need forgiveness and mercy and there is none. Then leave here with despair
Bat Masterson
September 27th, 2012
8:37 pm
We’ll take it.
Come on, Jason, you are over due
Capt.Mudd
September 27th, 2012
8:38 pm
The pop….popped out and played keep away
Kat
September 27th, 2012
8:38 pm
I’ll take that!
Mldtown
September 27th, 2012
8:38 pm
Not sure if I have seen anything like that before. The guy was watching the ball all the way, too.
Tomahawk Mafia
September 27th, 2012
8:39 pm
Hanson better make this lead stand.
ncbravesfan90
September 27th, 2012
8:39 pm
Heyward needs to be aware of the count, twice tonight he’s swung 2-0 on a pitch that was at best a boarder line strike…
JC Brave
September 27th, 2012
8:39 pm
Crushed!
Bay Area Steve
September 27th, 2012
8:39 pm
“Is TREY still ‘digging’ his job?”
I don’t know, rich. I feel like once was funny, but now, it feels… not.
I mean, we’re not talking guys dyin’ of old-age here. We’re talkin’ kids. Doin’ work I want no part of. Just my opinion.
Cracker
September 27th, 2012
8:40 pm
Hold on, Tommy! Phillies v. Nats still 3-3, bottom of the 5th. Nats have only three hits.
The A Bomb
September 27th, 2012
8:40 pm
The magical Derek Lowe/Tommy Hanson 5 2/3 is JUST two-thirds of an inning away. Stay tuned.
Tomahawk Mafia
September 27th, 2012
8:40 pm
What was Jason Heyward doing swinging at slop on a 2-0 count? No need to overaggressive there.
The A Bomb
September 27th, 2012
8:41 pm
Make it 4 2/3.
Nowhere man
September 27th, 2012
8:41 pm
out to walk the dog. good night all.
The A Bomb
September 27th, 2012
8:44 pm
Wow. Rainbows.
JC Brave
September 27th, 2012
8:44 pm
Hanson got through the 5th…
Amazing.
Cracker
September 27th, 2012
8:44 pm
Great! A quick 5th. If he can hold ‘em in the 6th, it’s into the pen.
David O'Brien
September 27th, 2012
8:45 pm
Hanson has thrown 87 pitches in 5 innings after a quick 5th, has 4-2 lead with Chipper to lead off 5th
Cracker
September 27th, 2012
8:46 pm
Nuts. Nats just took a one-run lead in the bottom of the 5th.
Kris
September 27th, 2012
8:46 pm
I’m shocked – that was actually a good inning out of Tommy.
abeeeewright
September 27th, 2012
8:46 pm
I must be imagining things. Hanson is pitching poorly. Epicly bad. Can’t get an out to save his life.
And he’s leading the game 4-2 after 5 (official game).
Hmmmm.
LAG
September 27th, 2012
8:47 pm
We’re 13-4 against the Marlins this year. When’s the last time we owned them that bad? *going to look it up*
LAG
September 27th, 2012
8:48 pm
Hmm… last year 12-6, before that 11-7.
I always tend to remember us struggling against the Fish.
Efrim
September 27th, 2012
8:49 pm
What was Jason Heyward doing swinging at slop on a 2-0 count? No need to overaggressive there.
That’s more or less what he’s been doing over his last 130 PA’s or so.
Tomahawk Mafia
September 27th, 2012
8:51 pm
Can Hanson complete six innings unscathed?
usnavyvolfaninva
September 27th, 2012
8:51 pm
Kat,
thanks for the link! Don’t know what happened last time, but this time it worked.
Tomahawk Mafia
September 27th, 2012
8:52 pm
Efrim
I know. It is troublesome.
SteveInFXBG
September 27th, 2012
8:52 pm
Thanks for nothing Phillies…
T-Dawg
September 27th, 2012
8:53 pm
6-3 Nats.
SteveInFXBG
September 27th, 2012
8:53 pm
6-3 Nationals
Kat
September 27th, 2012
8:55 pm
usnavyvolfaninva no problem.
Tomahawk Mafia
September 27th, 2012
8:55 pm
I love the quick hook for Hanson. No need in him continuing.
Cracker
September 27th, 2012
8:55 pm
I think epically badly would be giving up 5 in the 1st. He’s hanging in.
Since the pitchers against the Mets will be Hudson, Minor, and Medlen (not a bad threesome), I guess that means it will be Maholm, Hanson, and Hudson to finish the regular season.
Efrim
September 27th, 2012
8:55 pm
That it for Tommy?
GTI in Brooklyn
September 27th, 2012
8:55 pm
Huh. FREDI put HANSON on a pretty short rope, didn’t he? 1-pitch out to start the 6th, then next batter reaches and here comes the bullpen.
ugafan13
September 27th, 2012
8:56 pm
Typical 5 inning effort from Tommy “Derrick Lowe” Hanson. The burning question is do you put Tommy on the post season roster?
Astral
September 27th, 2012
9:02 pm
5.3 IP with 2 ER is NOT garbage
LAG
September 27th, 2012
9:02 pm
A single high off the center field wall. Not something you see every day.
abeeeewright
September 27th, 2012
9:02 pm
Hanson gave up 1 ER in 5 1/3 innings. Granted the second run came courtesy of his bad pick off throw.
bitman
September 27th, 2012
9:03 pm
“The burning question is do you put Tommy on the post season roster?”
Only if your name is Freddi Gonzales – AKA Bobby Cox Lite.
Mldtown
September 27th, 2012
9:03 pm
45 ft bunt single
400 ft mammoth single
We’ll take both.
Cracker
September 27th, 2012
9:04 pm
What would you do, ugafan13, if the answer to your “burning question” were to be leaving him off? Put somebody from AAA on the post-season roster? Sorry, but I’m really tired of piling on a guy when he’s down, especially when he’s one of ours.
abeeeewright
September 27th, 2012
9:05 pm
Rossy needs a guy standing in the LH batters box to run when he hits the ball.
The A Bomb
September 27th, 2012
9:05 pm
HInske will be very popular in Japan.
Tomahawk Mafia
September 27th, 2012
9:05 pm
Hinske has had one terrible season.
abeeeewright
September 27th, 2012
9:06 pm
Especially in the NLDS (if they get there), Braves will only use 4 SP. Doubt Hanson makes that roster.
SNEAKY PETE
September 27th, 2012
9:08 pm
I doubt Hanson makes any roster
David O'Brien
September 27th, 2012
9:08 pm
Bourn had MRI today, showed slight sprain and no ligament tear. He’s day-to-day.
Cracker
September 27th, 2012
9:08 pm
And what if a starter gets hurt in the NLDS?
Ghost of Chipper Jones
September 27th, 2012
9:15 pm
Come on guys, VULTURE did his job. let’s get twqo more runs.
Kat
September 27th, 2012
9:18 pm
Non-baseball related but interesting sports tweet..
“@HowardBeckNYT One note from ref camp: NBA is close to finalizing policy on flopping. Will not carry in-game penalty. Will be reviewed after. Poss fine.”
Ghost of Chipper Jones
September 27th, 2012
9:19 pm
By the last regular game we’ll know if we need HUDSON to quash the PIRATES or not. If there’s a pennant race, pitch him, but if not push him back to the Game #1 NLDS.
Brava
September 27th, 2012
9:21 pm
Martin being Marteeeeeen.
Bat Masterson
September 27th, 2012
9:23 pm
Yay, Heyward walked.
Tomahawk Mafia
September 27th, 2012
9:24 pm
There is some good patience from Heyward.
2K91
September 27th, 2012
9:26 pm
40 doubles now for Teen.
Lance
September 27th, 2012
9:28 pm
Dare we even hope that the baseball gods will line up in such a way as to have the Braves catch and pass the Nats?
usnavyvolfaninva
September 27th, 2012
9:29 pm
OH, how the mighty have fallen…Donald Sutherland doing commercials for Delta?
DS1
September 27th, 2012
9:29 pm
DOB
If you’ve covered this in a previous story/blog, I apologize. Been out of the loop for a while.
What’s the story with Ben Sheets? And how do you see the Braves utilizing Delgado and Teheran if the Nats clinch the division. Thanks in advance.
Fredo
September 27th, 2012
9:29 pm
philly doesn’t seem like they’ll be cooperating tonight … it’ll be up to the Cards (funny saying that) to keep the Nats from clinching
Cracker
September 27th, 2012
9:30 pm
That’s reasonable, Ghost.
Animus
September 27th, 2012
9:31 pm
His name is Daniel Cooley Uggla!!!!!!!!!!!!
And that should let Kimmie get a rest tonight!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Lance
September 27th, 2012
9:31 pm
Don’t try to do too much Uggla….any hit is runs scored.
Kat
September 27th, 2012
9:32 pm
DS1 – from the 22nd.. not sure if this answers your question but … “The Braves have no plans to start Ben Sheets, Randall Delgado or Julio Teheran in the last 10 games of the season, but Gonzalez said that could change if they decide to give Tim Hudson some rest and possibly skip his last start before the postseason. Sheets, Delgado and Teheran have all been in the Braves bullpen this month, but none have made a relief appearance.”- DOB
Venice Jim
September 27th, 2012
9:32 pm
DANNO!!!
Lance
September 27th, 2012
9:32 pm
Excellent!!!
JC Brave
September 27th, 2012
9:33 pm
Uggs!!
Animus
September 27th, 2012
9:33 pm
Guess I called it by accident – thought that drive down the 3rd base line was a double – I’ll take that anyway
BFChris27
September 27th, 2012
9:33 pm
Uggla!!!!!!!!!
Brava
September 27th, 2012
9:33 pm
WTG, Uggs!!!!!
Tomahawk Mafia
September 27th, 2012
9:34 pm
Good approach from Uggla for the insurance runs.
Kat
September 27th, 2012
9:36 pm
The annoying people cheering so loudly I can hear them on tv are about as annoying as the wave.
MiaBchBravesFan
September 27th, 2012
9:38 pm
Gotta say, after fanning last night with the bases loaded and one out, it was nice to see Uggla face the same sitch tonight and deliver.
Venice Jim
September 27th, 2012
9:38 pm
Can’t blame that one one range…
MiaBchBravesFan
September 27th, 2012
9:39 pm
Why the @#$& is Venters in there for a second inning!?
Venice Jim
September 27th, 2012
9:39 pm
“one on”
Cracker
September 27th, 2012
9:39 pm
Uggla’s hit is a really good sign. He hit a very good 2-2 pitch to right-center. Protecting the plate. That’s what good hitters, like Prado, do.
cabravesfan
September 27th, 2012
9:40 pm
Venters hasn’t pitched in 5 days. He can manage 2 innings
MiaBchBravesFan
September 27th, 2012
9:41 pm
Let’s use some of the freakin’ kids. Hell, even Bautista can pitch a frame!!!
Animus
September 27th, 2012
9:42 pm
Kevin McAlpin @KevinMcAlpin
FWIW, the #Braves are 73-15 when scoring 4 or more runs (59-3 when scoring 5 or more) and are 74-2 when leading after 7
cabravesfan
September 27th, 2012
9:42 pm
What kids? And we are still trying to win these games…
MiaBchBravesFan
September 27th, 2012
9:43 pm
With his shoulder/elbow miseries, I would want to be cautious with him and save something for the playoffs.
Animus
September 27th, 2012
9:44 pm
They’re just stretching JV’s arm out a bit – he did just fine. That 1-1 pitch for strike 2 – - – absolutely Beautiful!!!!!!!
Capt.Mudd
September 27th, 2012
9:45 pm
Uggla with an “on” night…..more mud pies on his face later?
keyLargo
September 27th, 2012
9:48 pm
Uggla with an “on” night…..more mud pies on his face later?
Uggla is the one that might break Prado of doing that. He wasn’t grinning even a little bit the other night.
MiaBchBravesFan
September 27th, 2012
9:48 pm
Delgado, Teheran, Martinez I have not seen in a couple of days, Batista, Gearrin…
No need for two innings of Venters.
Animus
September 27th, 2012
9:50 pm
Overbay – has been a bust. Got a bad feeling about ANY LH batter off the bench in the postseason game(s).
DS1
September 27th, 2012
9:51 pm
I was all for picking up Overbay as the LH hitter off the bench before we actually picked him up. He has been good against righties in his career.
But that 1-15 ain’t replacing Hinske for now………
DS1
September 27th, 2012
9:51 pm
Thanks Kat!
Tomahawk Mafia
September 27th, 2012
9:51 pm
What? A strike out from Lyle Overbay? Weird.
keyLargo
September 27th, 2012
9:52 pm
BAS – just to keep you up on all the “important stats”, Overbay had a -64 OPS+ before that strkeout. Going to be hard to make a case to keep him on the bench during the playoffs.
Animus
September 27th, 2012
9:52 pm
Even Hinske for the year is below .200 – and for the past two months or so, just looks lost. I honestly can’t remember his last positive at bat.
DS1
September 27th, 2012
9:53 pm
Venters needed the work. He actually pitches better when he is used more frequently. I’ll trust McDowell and Fredi’s judgment on this one.
Trey
September 27th, 2012
9:53 pm
I’m an obvious id’jit, but the Yankees are in first place. How are they a half game behind?
http://washington.nationals.mlb.com/mlb/standings/index.jsp
cabravesfan
September 27th, 2012
9:54 pm
Delgado, Teheran & Batista will not be on the post season roster (possibly Gearrin also) Gearrin pitched on the 21st (Jonny last pitched on the 22nd and will most definitely be on the playoff roster)
Bay Area Steve
September 27th, 2012
9:54 pm
Thanks, key.
It seems it’s headed in the wrong direction. Though, that minus deal is tough. A minus plus a minus is supposed to be a plus right? I’m confused…
Trey
September 27th, 2012
9:55 pm
Some how, they are +2 games leading in the WC, when they aren’t even in the WC, yet.
Tomahawk Mafia
September 27th, 2012
9:55 pm
Animus
Hinske did hit a homer on September 8th, but yes his positive at bats are few and far between.
Animus
September 27th, 2012
9:56 pm
I like Gearrin and think he’s done a great job this year, but I have to agree w/Cab – looking at the #’s, he’s probably the odd man out in the BP.
I’m still trying to figure out the LH PH role(s) – got Constanza, Hinske, Overbay, and Francisco – who do you choose?
RBI
September 27th, 2012
9:56 pm
Overbay is terrible! More like “overpaid”. Cannot believe he is getting $1mil.
DS1
September 27th, 2012
9:57 pm
Trey
That’s the “new” math………..
Bat Masterson
September 27th, 2012
9:58 pm
BRAVES WIN! BRAVEs win, braves win
Trey
September 27th, 2012
9:58 pm
I can barely understand the “old” math, DS1, now they got all these new formulas.
Brava
September 27th, 2012
9:58 pm
Great job, C-Mart!
How sweep it is!!!!
cabravesfan
September 27th, 2012
9:58 pm
Animus-
If those are the options (and I have no reason to think otherwise), I take Franisco & Constanza right now, given Bourn’s thumb issue, but if he proves 100%, I take Hinske and his experience over Constanza (and his ability to play more than one position)
cabravesfan
September 27th, 2012
9:59 pm
Keep in mind that the play-in counts as a “series” and teams can set their rosters for that one game and than change them for the division series also…
Dum-Bass
September 27th, 2012
9:59 pm
Sounds like the Cardinals think the Braves suffer from “premature celebration”. Is there not a medication for that?
DS1
September 27th, 2012
10:00 pm
Animus
At this point, if I have 2 slots, I choose Francisco and Constanza. The other guys are just not getting it done.
A lot will depend on how Bourn’s thumb is doing. If he is good to go with no lingering issues, Fredi might pick Hinske over Constanza due to his experience in post season play.
Tomahawk Mafia
September 27th, 2012
10:01 pm
Five straight wins works for me.
Trey
September 27th, 2012
10:02 pm
DS1, they corrected that crap.
JC Brave
September 27th, 2012
10:04 pm
91!!
keyLargo
September 27th, 2012
10:04 pm
Since we don’t really understand that stat (OPS+), just say 100 would be average and 0 or below would be in Rick Camp territory.
Fredo
September 27th, 2012
10:05 pm
bring on the Mets .. don’t know if they’re playing a bit better over the past week but they are at least taking advantage of their schedule against the Fish/Pirates. Time for the Braves to remind them of some things
Capt.Mudd
September 27th, 2012
10:05 pm
“We need to get hot….stay hot.” Dan Uggla 09-27-2012
DS1
September 27th, 2012
10:05 pm
cab
WOW!
Animus
September 27th, 2012
10:05 pm
Bourn’s thumb is a huge issue – it’s his top hand – he can still run, play D, but batting will be an issue. It’s a sprain and I’m going to be surprised to see him play before Monday – Constanza will get a chance to show what he can do. I’d prefer him just because of his speed on the bases.
I think Francisco would be my choice – IF he’s been working in the cage on that exaggerated twist prior to his swing. Think he just needs a chance to play – he’s never (even in the minors) had a chance to bat against leftys.
Animus
September 27th, 2012
10:07 pm
AND – the 5 Oct game, the play-in, is a series – FG can set his roster anyway he wants to. Why do you need more than one SP? Take the entire BP and the bench. You’re not going to use Huddy, Minor, etc….unless you plan to have Hanson pitch an inning of relief????
Bay Area Steve
September 27th, 2012
10:07 pm
“WOW!”
That was pretty freaky. Perhaps y’all shouldn’t meet up so much.
IMO, there is almost no scenario in which Constanza doesn’t make it. Best tactical speed we’ve got. And, probably the best bunter. He’s in.
Bay Area Steve
September 27th, 2012
10:11 pm
“5 Oct game, the play-in”
Animus, presumably they’re talking after the one-gamer. Obviously, less pitchers go to that one. Though, I promise you it’ll be more than one starter, and probably no less than three.
GTI in Brooklyn
September 27th, 2012
10:11 pm
Out of curiosity, I just flipped over to watch the Nats v. Phils, and you can clearly hear some of the Phillie faithful heckling and mocking the Nats players while they bat in the top of the 9th. It’s amusing. Deplorable, but amusing.
Animus
September 27th, 2012
10:11 pm
Last Sept: 9-18
This Sept: 17-7 (so far)
10th season sweep – and the Braves are playing well right now – wish the postseason started tomorrow!
DS1
September 27th, 2012
10:11 pm
BAS
cab and I have a special bond, I guess!
It’s ESPN. Extra Sensory Perception Network!
cabravesfan
September 27th, 2012
10:14 pm
I think Constanza is in for the play-in game, given the roster availability – clearly we will not need to have 12 pitchers then…but after that, not so sure
Animus
September 27th, 2012
10:15 pm
BAS – If the Braves don’t win on the fifth – there is no after. And no disrespect intended, but why would you have more than one SP? Those guys usually need 45 minutes or more to get ready to pitch. BP guys – about 10?
Win on the 5th and the team resets the roster for the next series – THEN you add the SP’s and drop so BP guys.
Animus
September 27th, 2012
10:17 pm
*some*
Hillbilly
September 27th, 2012
10:19 pm
No way I would go into that game with one starter. What if Medlen pulls a groin in the bullpen or gets the stomach virus or something. Then your one game is in the hands of Cristhian Martinez and Luis Avilan? Hell naw. I would take two starters for sure.
Bay Area Steve
September 27th, 2012
10:20 pm
“why would you have more than one SP?”
Because the roster is huge, and I want to be prepared. What if Meds twists an ankle in the bullpen (knock on wood)? What if we 18 inning/Houston it again? I’d rather have a Tim Hudson, or a Mike Minor, ready to throw, that the eighth (or whatever) BP guy.
If we’re taking ten pitchers, I want the best ten.
Bay Area Steve
September 27th, 2012
10:22 pm
Frickin’ day-shifter.
Don’t you have a bow to clean? Or a gun to sharpen? (That’s how it works, right?) Or an oil-rig to produce some more frickin’ oil so I don’t spend $100 filling up the Buick?
Whoa, I may have, may have, gone off on some tangent…
Dalton Dawg
September 27th, 2012
10:24 pm
Lets wear our RED on Friday night!!! The players wear RED on Fridays, we the FANS need to wear RED also.
With all the better teams, the fans wear the color of the uniform. I look at the so called fans and I see yellow, purple, green. Come on!!!! Really!!!!
DS1
September 27th, 2012
10:28 pm
Tomorrow should be a fun day at the ball yard. Wish I could be there.
Bo Graves!!
Later folks
Bay Area Steve
September 27th, 2012
10:28 pm
Hillbilly,
It occurs to me that was a bit rude. Apologies. And, hello, sir. Link me a trail-pic, would ya. I want to see deer. Now. Still rude?
Animus
September 27th, 2012
10:29 pm
Ok – there are 35 players on the active roster – 18 pitchers, 17 position players. If you take 2 SP’s you’ve still got 16 pitchers – how many you gonna take?
And remember you have to have 8 position players, plus a catcher, plus PHer’s. And your #1 & #2 catchers are both hurting.
Bottom line – you need to lose 10 names from the long list – I’d rather have more BP guys myself. And a couple of bats off the bench. Guess that’s why FG gets the big bucks.
Hillbilly
September 27th, 2012
10:30 pm
I’ll be in a tree with a bow in my hand at daylight while you’re packing your boxes full of Bello movies, Graveyard.
I asked you this morning but it bears repeating: you on the run, Butch? Who packs at that time of night? You get the blueberry pancakes? Who’s Zed?
Animus
September 27th, 2012
10:33 pm
Oh – and one more thing to keep in mind….The Braves BP is the BEST in MLB in September!!!
cabravesfan
September 27th, 2012
10:34 pm
Animus-
I take 2 starters (Meds & Huddy) & 9 Relievers (Kimmie, Jonny, EOF, Avilan, Moylan, Martinez, Durbin, Sheets (strictly long relief just in case), & Minor (again, just in case))
DS1
September 27th, 2012
10:34 pm
Animus
Here’s my play in guess at a roster:
Mac, Ross, FF, Uggla, Simmons, Chipper, Francisco, Pastornicky, Bourn, Heyward, Prado, Johnson and Hinske (Constanza if Bourn is not 100%). And pitchers: Medlen, Huddy, Minor, Kimbrel, O’Flaherty, Venters, Durbin, Avilan, C-Mart, Maholm and Hanson.
Hillbilly
September 27th, 2012
10:35 pm
Working off my phone here so I cant do pictures tonight. I’ll see what I can do tomorrow.
Wish I had oil production, but I merely refine it for the real wealthy folks. Would be nice to own some though.
DS1
September 27th, 2012
10:35 pm
Oops, I’d skip Hanson for Moylan.
Bay Area Steve
September 27th, 2012
10:35 pm
“I asked you this morning”
I saw that, but I thought that was just jokes. (And, a Tater shout-out. He killed it.) Plus, I whooshed. I figgered the “blueberry pancakes” and “Zed” were some reference to “The Wire,” or some other pop-culture thing of which I’m ignorant.
And, no, I ain’t lookin’ it up. I’m fillin’ boxes at this very moment. Can’t you see?
Plus, it was like 9:30. After work, when the heck am I supposed to pack? Especially once I allow the copious time required to drink?
cabravesfan
September 27th, 2012
10:36 pm
I’d also take 3 catchers, given the health of Mac & Rossy
(DS1- that’s only 24
)
Bat Masterson
September 27th, 2012
10:36 pm
How is a man without a wife supposed to know when, or how, to pack?
Animus
September 27th, 2012
10:37 pm
Cab – I’d let Huddy just sit. Yes on Minor – think he’s been one of the teams best pitchers in the second half (remember, Med is starting). Let him sit and if needed start game 1.
I love Moylan, but…is he a better option than Gearrin? And Sheets – I’d love to see him pitch, I just hope he still has enough to get this team deep into the playoffs. One of the best stories of the summer
Bat Masterson
September 27th, 2012
10:38 pm
Pulp Fiction
Animus
September 27th, 2012
10:39 pm
And Cab – you’re right – both ‘good’ catchers are ailing. Kinda hurts the bench though bringing along Boscan.
cabravesfan
September 27th, 2012
10:40 pm
Animus-
Huddy will be on full rest + a day on Thursday- I would have him on the roster just in case something happens to Meds (knock on wood) before the game…like you said, anything can happen & I’d like to be prepared. Sheets I would keep, again, just to have a long reliever in an emergency- you can never over prepare for an all-in one game play off. Every scenario that can be thought of needs to be accounted for… (hence the reason I’d take 2 catchers also)
cabravesfan
September 27th, 2012
10:41 pm
* 3 catchers (obviously)
It does hurt the bench, but I’d rather have a lighter hitting bench than rely on a player that has not played the single most important position on the field in the single most important game of the year
Bay Area Steve
September 27th, 2012
10:42 pm
“How is a man without a wife supposed to know when, or how, to pack?”
Truth. Excuse me. This.
I finally said, F’ it. I’ve just been giving it all away on craigslist. Y’all should’ve seen this couple yesterday. It was like those time-lapse pictures of ants. Room full, room empty.
They emailed today: do you have any more items to pick up…
cabravesfan
September 27th, 2012
10:42 pm
Plus, if the team goes with less than 11 pitchers (a real possibility), it won’t affect the bench at all…
Hillbilly
September 27th, 2012
10:43 pm
Pulp Fiction, BAS. Eject the friggin Coyote Ugly disc and work with me here, my man.
Animus
September 27th, 2012
10:44 pm
While this is fun to debate, FG has to look at the Cardinals pitching staff (assuming the gNats clinch) and decide who he has on the roster to face the BP in the late innings to win the game.
L/R pitching/batting combos are a nightmare – but…he has a staff that looks at all those possible scenarios and they help him decide who would be best (in a ONE-GAME play-in) to keep on the roster.
I’m glad I’m just a fan.
Bay Area Steve
September 27th, 2012
10:44 pm
I’m just going to assume (mostly ’cause I’m too lazy to check), that cab’s and DS1’s rosters are identical. Those earlier posts were so eerily close, that the rosters must’ve followed suit.
Nowhere man
September 27th, 2012
10:45 pm
Wow not even four pages after a good win. I guess there would be more if it was a loss.
cabravesfan
September 27th, 2012
10:46 pm
BAS-
I did not do a full roster, but I suspect they are similar
Animus
September 27th, 2012
10:46 pm
Nowhere man Yep – since the team “clinched” – been blog lite. But…the folks that are still here, don’t argue as much.
Bay Area Steve
September 27th, 2012
10:48 pm
“Eject the friggin Coyote Ugly disc”
LMAO. I believe this is my first ever usage of LMAO. Well–played, sir.
In my defense, I’ve seen ‘Pulp Fiction’ a half-dozen times, and I do like the film. (Though, I don’t like Tarantino nearly as much as most.) I’m afraid I just don’t have much of a short-term memory. Or any memory at all, really. I’m not sure why. Conundrum…
Sopheee
September 27th, 2012
10:50 pm
First Twitter, now LMAOing.
Seriously, what is this world coming to?
Animus
September 27th, 2012
10:50 pm
Another way to look at this:
Atlanta has the best BP in the NL the past couple of months, do they not?
So, why not set the offense first and THEN pick the pitchers?
cabravesfan
September 27th, 2012
10:50 pm
Sopheeeee!!!
Sopheee
September 27th, 2012
10:51 pm
Hey cabalicious. This football game is snore-worthy. Boring.
Paul Wall
September 27th, 2012
10:52 pm
Ok everyone who believes the braves can still win the division??
cabravesfan
September 27th, 2012
10:52 pm
Sopheee-
I switched to Stanford-Washington. Much better game
cabravesfan
September 27th, 2012
10:53 pm
Also, Jesse Palmer (and his handsome face) has proven to be a much (much, much) better analyst than he ever was a quarterback and I really enjoy listening to him
Animus
September 27th, 2012
10:54 pm
Paul Wall
September 27th, 2012
10:52 pm
Ok everyone who believes the braves can still win the division??
well – with 6 to play and 4 games back…..really?
Braves have to win out – gNats have to lose 5.
Planning on the one game Play-in.
David O'Brien
September 27th, 2012
10:54 pm
Chipper on Wainwright’s comment about Cardinals waiting to celebrate after they come to Atlanta and beat the Braves:
“No. I don’t know how to react to that. They’re the defending world champions, and those guys have been through it before. All of our guys haven’t. So each team is going to celebrate differently. When we won 14 straight it was no big deal to whoop everybody’s tail and then come back in here and not celebrate. We had our eyes on the prize at the end.
“There’s nothing that says, no unwritten rule, no law that states that we can’t celebrate when we clinch a playoff spot. So to each his own. No biggie.”
Bay Area Steve
September 27th, 2012
10:54 pm
“First Twitter”
Challenge!
I don’t think it’s twitter if I don’t post anything (rationalize, much?). I’m a fan of information, and that little blue bird is full of it.
I pledge to never tweet anything (you know, until I do). Once said I’d never carry a phone. Recently said… I lied.
cabravesfan
September 27th, 2012
10:54 pm
On a different note, watched Sons of Anarchy this afternoon…still bouncing around in my brain. Such brilliant and emotional television
Hillbilly
September 27th, 2012
10:56 pm
Alright well I’ll leave you with that and let you pack away. Daybreak comes early tomorrow.
Bay Area Steve
September 27th, 2012
10:57 pm
“that cab’s and DS1’s rosters are identical”
Anybody know the correct grammar for this? Seriously.
I’m forever grateful to the guy who stopped me saying ‘could care less.’
Sopheee
September 27th, 2012
10:58 pm
Don’t worry, BAS, I’m a hypocrite. I caved and opened a Twitter last week. Tweeted too so can’t even make fun of you anymore.
Animus
September 27th, 2012
10:58 pm
cabravesfan
September 27th, 2012
10:54 pm
On a different note, watched Sons of Anarchy this afternoon…still bouncing around in my brain. Such brilliant and emotional television
I keep the old ones in my DVR – watching them back to back is really fun. Can’t believe they killed off ——-. One of my favorite characters. When the season ended last year, I had them all and watched them all back-to-back again, the second time through was honestly better.
Capt.Mudd
September 27th, 2012
10:59 pm
Well….not only has DOB banned a multitude of bloggers; he has also ordered a commentary limit–to be strictly enforced. The reasons for this action have been nebulous thus far–however, it is widely assumed this ‘crack down’ is merely a starting point for a more elaborate initiative to be introduced in the near future. Gird you loins, Bloggers….this could be your end.
Mixxo
September 27th, 2012
10:59 pm
“First Twitter, now LMAOing…. – Sopheee
You beat me to it.
Lakewood
September 27th, 2012
11:00 pm
Is Wainwright even on their roster? I know he was hurt last year but what about this year? May just be that he has done nothing this year. Dude needs to shut his mouth. Leave the trash talk to guys who actually contribute.
Hillbilly
September 27th, 2012
11:01 pm
Cab, gutwrenching is the word I would use. Sutter dropped a game changer on us mid season.
Animus
September 27th, 2012
11:01 pm
Capt.Mudd ? I haven’t seen/read anything about this – would you please explain?
cabravesfan
September 27th, 2012
11:03 pm
Animus-
It’s hard to believe that a few episodes into the 5th season, SOA is better than ever. It’s also a shame that Charlie Hunnam has never been nominated for an Emmy. I know his character is not the most…fan friendly, but given other morally questionable characters that have been recognized, he deserves a nomination at the very least. He’s brilliant. Maybe this year…
Sopheee
September 27th, 2012
11:04 pm
All this Chipper stuff is making my heart ache a little. It’s going to be a tear-jerker of a weekend.
cabravesfan
September 27th, 2012
11:04 pm
Hillbilly-
Read a great interview with Sutter after watching where he said that had been in the works since Season 3- and the impact would be felt for the rest of the entire series.
Animus
September 27th, 2012
11:06 pm
Cab – love the show, but Hunnam is NOT a great actor IMO. He plays the role well usually, but…kinda misses sometimes when it could be so much better. That being said, the dude that plays Clay (until this season) was an actor I could’ve seen being nominate. And Katey Sagal – was really good until this year (so far). Of course, I question their choice of bikes – but that’s a personal thing
David O'Brien
September 27th, 2012
11:07 pm
Braves quotes after Thursday’s win and sweep of Marlins
http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-braves-blog/2012/09/27/braves-quotes-after-sweeping-marlins/
Bay Area Steve
September 27th, 2012
11:08 pm
“tear-jerker of a weekend.”
Almost started crying (All man, here. Shut it, Hillbilly.) in the office this very day. TOBF linked the Stark piece, and then ‘OB linked that other thing.
Like full on, had to focus: dude, knock it off. I blame nolie.
cabravesfan
September 27th, 2012
11:09 pm
Animus-
I’ll disagree with you on Charlie
but that’s ok…I’m not a huge Ron Perlman fan, and I don’t particularly like his character either…Kaety Segal won a Golden Globe for her character last year- well deserved
Animus
September 27th, 2012
11:10 pm
On hitting with the bad cut on his right hand, held together with medical staples (cut it during celebration Monday night, when he stuck his hand in barrel/cooler and there was a champagne glass in there)
Ok – gonna give the boy a little slack. Staples in the back of his hand??? And playing and getting 3 ribbies? Stud.
cabravesfan
September 27th, 2012
11:14 pm
*Katey…
Stupid wine…
Animus
September 27th, 2012
11:15 pm
CAB – a little clarity – I liked Perlman’s character in the 1st 3 seasons – this year….kinda dumb to me. I’ve always liked Ms. Sagal (saw her w/Bette a loooooooooong time ago).
But…don’t want to argue – great show, really look forward to seeing it every week – with they did more than 13 or 14 episodes or so a year.
Capt.Mudd
September 27th, 2012
11:16 pm
@Animus….It is what it is……….
No seriously….my 10:59 is pure poppycock…..all fiction, and a tongue in cheek mock of the confusingly sad theory held by a select few folks that blog on this site…..absolute BS is what I really think of it and, ultimately, all I was doing above was recognizing how far out some people are in there myopic accusations and totally daft ideologies. DOB has much better things to do and most fairly sane people recognize this readily–as, of course I do.
Animus
September 27th, 2012
11:16 pm
And Cab – as my wife said more than once – there is no such thing as bad (in your case stupid) wine.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 27th, 2012
11:20 pm
Uggla keeps doing what he’s been doing. Hitting. Good stuff.
Rossy w/ the surprise bunt….love it! I would love if all our regs tried that occasionally.
Hanson did pretty well. Still doesn’t mean he should start in PS or possibly be on roster, but that start was nice to see. It wasn’t great, but he did okay. 5.1 IP, 2 BB, 4 Ks, 6 Hits. Wish he could’ve gone deeper.
cabravesfan
September 27th, 2012
11:21 pm
Animus-
Oh, I was not wanting to argue! Everyone has different opinions on the characters they like and don’t like- no problems with that!
I think Katey Segal is excellent in her role- I only really knew her from Married with Children, which, obviously, is about as different a role as one can be. I was never really exited with Perlman’s character- there was always an underlying annoyance I felt for him. I’ve always preferred Jax to Clay (and I do like Ron Perlman as an actor- also, disclaimer, Charlie Hunnam is hot). But, yes, it is just a wonderfully brilliant, emotional, tragic, powerful, horrible, amazing hour of television…
cabravesfan
September 27th, 2012
11:21 pm
Animus-
Oh, and this is very good wine- I’ve had a glass or several
cricket
September 27th, 2012
11:22 pm
looks like cleveland finally has a QB
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 27th, 2012
11:23 pm
Overbay still isn’t winning the spot… Hinske either.
kingdaddy
September 27th, 2012
11:23 pm
Hey Wainwright, thanks for the bulletin board material. Send us some more soon…
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 27th, 2012
11:26 pm
Cab, not to be obnoxious, but in your previous post, you’re actually carrying 3 starters (since you have Minor on board). Even if he’s in the pen, he’s still a starter.
But I do like that idea, 3 starters, 7 relievers. (Dunno if I’d bring Moylan, and I’m using Gearrin over Cmart)
Animus
September 27th, 2012
11:28 pm
Cab – you’re obviously younger than I, Katey Sagal was a backup singer to Bette Midler in the 70’s. She was one of the “Harlettes” – now this goes back a looooooooong way, but…. http://www.bundyology.com/harlette.html
Bay Area Steve
September 27th, 2012
11:29 pm
Carroll, nicely done. Keep ‘em coming. I want CR. I want ‘OB. I want CV. I want the interns. C’mon, AJC. Bring it. Make me cry.
Bay Area Steve
September 27th, 2012
11:30 pm
Don’t care enough to click, but a thank you of all thank yous to Animus, for making me aware of bundyology.com. What a country…
cabravesfan
September 27th, 2012
11:30 pm
TheOnlyBravesFan-
Sure, there are 3 starters (technically 4 since Sheets is actually a starter too
) but I would have Minor in the pen and use him as a reliever if he is needed. I would not pitch Huddy unless something (knock on wood) happened to Meds prior to the game starting. So I count him as a starter and Minor as a reliever, strictly for the one game play-in
cabravesfan
September 27th, 2012
11:31 pm
Animus-
Umm, yeah
I was not alive for all but the last 9 1/2 months of the 1970’s
Animus
September 27th, 2012
11:32 pm
Looks like a “10″ will be painted in the outfield for tomorrows game. Can’t believe that Chipper Jones’ career is coming to an end in ATL. Truly hope he has 11 more wins in the post-season left in him. (And the team carries him through.)
Animus
September 27th, 2012
11:33 pm
Cab – that was in the 80’s – c’mon now
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 27th, 2012
11:34 pm
okie doke! Agree with you for the most part, so I guess that’s a good thing.
David O'Brien
September 27th, 2012
11:34 pm
Grounds crew at Turner Field is painting a giant No. 10 in center field. Tomorrow is Chipper tribute night, of course.
cabravesfan
September 27th, 2012
11:35 pm
Animus-
You did say the 1970’s! “Katey Sagal was a backup singer to Bette Midler in the 70’s.
Bay Area Steve
September 27th, 2012
11:36 pm
I’ll preface this with I obviously have no idea what the reality is, as the Braves are as tight-lipped as ML ball gets.
Ben Sheets is being mishandled. The guy’s arm is fragile, yes. But, the guy’s arm, if healthy, is better than most of our guys’. If it’s me, he gets a start. And, I learn whether he can get guys out. We know what Hanson is at this point (and a rest for that shoulder can’t hurt). We know what Maholm is. We know what Hudson is (and a rest for that ankle, and that 36yo arm can’t hurt). Let’s learn if Sheets can help us in October.
cabravesfan
September 27th, 2012
11:37 pm
Animus-
Also, in 1983, I was 4 years old. Not exactly listening to Bette Midler at the time
David O'Brien
September 27th, 2012
11:39 pm
Updated game story with quotes
http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-braves-blog/2012/09/27/uggla-3-rbis-helps-braves-finish-marlins-sweep/
Animus
September 27th, 2012
11:41 pm
Yes – she started w/Bette in the 70’s, finished in the 80’s. And….she had (has) a great voice. Heard her sing once or twice on her own in San Diego – and that was in the 80’s also.
Sorry to call out your age – heck, I’m old, don’t think about the “young-uns” when I post stuff.
I’d have to look, but I’m pretty sure she’s performed a few times in the past 5 years – I’ll let you know.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 27th, 2012
11:41 pm
And what you say about Sheets is what I say about the bench guys. We’ve already sewn up the #1 WC spot, and the division is very unlikely now. I’d really like to see what Baker, Overbay, and Hinske have. Especially between the last 2. Both have been unimpressive in limited ABs. Those guys can get a maximum of 20-25 ABs until season’s end. Let them have at least 10.
Pastornicky needs to play a bit as well, because he is the 2nd SS on our roster.
Animus
September 27th, 2012
11:42 pm
Ok – this is a stretch, but…..On April 19, 1994, she released her first solo album, Well… On June 1, 2004, she released her second album, Room.[12] She has also contributed to the Sons of Anarchy soundtrack
You WERE of age then yes??
only kidding
Brave4life-1995 All over again
September 27th, 2012
11:43 pm
Who would the Cardinals throw out there for the 1-game playoff?
cabravesfan
September 27th, 2012
11:43 pm
Animus-
You apologize for calling me about my age like it’s a bad thing
Believe me, knowing that I am among the younger group is NEVER a problem! (This is why most of my friends are older than me. I like being the youngest person in a group)
Bay Area Steve
September 27th, 2012
11:44 pm
I’ve seen your comments on that, TOBF.
And, you’re right. We need to know. I think, like most things in ball, it’ll work itself out. We’re going hard, while the Nats are catchable. In reality, the last three games are probably worthless, and all your guys are gonna get a shot.
That, and the simple fact is, our bench kinda blows. Most of them vet guys are coming. Overbay/Hinske is probably the only real decision. Perhaps Rev/Janish, presuming PJ shows healthy, and soon. Not likely.
cabravesfan
September 27th, 2012
11:45 pm
Animus-
I was in 2004. Not so much in 1994 (I was a freshman in High School at the time)
I do recall she did something on the SOA soundtrack
Venice Jim
September 27th, 2012
11:48 pm
BAS – totally in agreement about having a similar emotional reaction to the Stark piece…very annoying that tomorrow the best I can do is MLB.TV without sound while working…(although I am lucky I can get away with doing that)…
Animus
September 27th, 2012
11:49 pm
To change the subject – isn’t Wainwright set to pitch the one game Play-In game as it stands now?
Karma
Bay Area Steve
September 27th, 2012
11:51 pm
“similar emotional reaction”
Girl.
Oh, wait…
Animus
September 27th, 2012
11:52 pm
Cab – and as an afterthought – Katey is married to Kurt Sutter now.
Venice Jim
September 27th, 2012
11:53 pm
Hey, I’m misting up right now listening to Jose Maria talk about Seve…
Bay Area Steve
September 27th, 2012
11:54 pm
“best I can do”
I think you can do better. It’s gonna be streamed, and online DVRs are easy. Get that girl of yours on it…
uga-brave
September 27th, 2012
11:54 pm
was there tonight not far from chip’s dad and ten gallon hat.
cabravesfan
September 27th, 2012
11:54 pm
Animus-
Yup. Been married since 2004- have a daughter together
Venice Jim
September 27th, 2012
11:55 pm
Yeah, DVRing is a given…
Bay Area Steve
September 27th, 2012
11:55 pm
Was about to call you out, uga.
It’s always the reverse, and I wanted to return the favor.
Jealous, man. Good night at the yard, I bet. The early frustration. The comfortable lead. The adult beverages. Ball is fun, right?
Yunel's Frosted Tips
September 27th, 2012
11:55 pm
I think it would be cool if the number 10 was retired up in left field tomorrow night…..why wait…..he deserves it…….
cabravesfan
September 27th, 2012
11:56 pm
BAS-
Not much I can do with the internet he has at work. If he were home…well, he could watch on the TV (not the ceremony though- that will have to be streamed. Luckily, my computer can handle it – in HD)
uga-brave
September 27th, 2012
11:56 pm
will be there tmmw.
cant say how much i will be able to compose myself.
he and andruw were my guys.
the end of this era. this will suck.
Venice Jim
September 27th, 2012
11:57 pm
uga – enjoy!
cabravesfan
September 27th, 2012
11:57 pm
Also, the computer he’s using is fairly old…not the fastest machine in the world
Bay Area Steve
September 27th, 2012
11:58 pm
Agree, YNF.
Venice Jim
September 28th, 2012
12:00 am
Making the weekend even more of a sporting high point for me is that I am a complete pushover for the Ryder Cup…I will truly effort to get up shortly after 5 when it starts here tomorrow…
Bay Area Steve
September 28th, 2012
12:01 am
If you can stream it, you can record it. For free. But, it’s not worth the bother. I suspect it’ll be readily available online.
I think Washington is paying me back for gloating on that SC win. That’s how it works, right?
cabravesfan
September 28th, 2012
12:01 am
And I will truly effort to sleep as late as possible (as I do most mornings…)
Venice Jim
September 28th, 2012
12:01 am
The computer’s fine – internet there could be much better…
ncgary
September 28th, 2012
12:02 am
hey hey hey its phat albert
Animus
September 28th, 2012
12:02 am
I’m not sure, but didn’t FG announce that he’d have 3SP’s for the game on 5 Oct? If so, which 3?
I think Meds (duh), but that leaves 3 others (Huddy is out and I’d imagine Minor is not an option). So, Hanson or Minor being the 3rd?
This is starting to hurt my brain….guess I know why Fredi has no hair
cabravesfan
September 28th, 2012
12:03 am
BAS-
I’m torn on Washington- part of me knows that Stanford winning only helps USC, and part of me wants them to suffer tremendously. Although I did kinda screech in joy when the Huskies scored that last touchdown, so maybe I am leaning in that direction
ncgary
September 28th, 2012
12:03 am
how bout them braves
ncgary
September 28th, 2012
12:06 am
hows nolie doing?
uga-brave
September 28th, 2012
12:06 am
gonna be tough. the jones boys on this blog were always off limits to me.
always loved chipper beating bobby V.
always loved HOSS beating Larry Bowa.
ncgary
September 28th, 2012
12:08 am
chippers bat sure has slowed the last few weeks
ncgary
September 28th, 2012
12:09 am
i feel like i have aged 30 years this year
actually i still feel good but my body looks like i have aged that much
Bay Area Steve
September 28th, 2012
12:10 am
“the jones boys”
I think you and I have more love for Andruw than most. Watching ‘Druw cover the gaps was better than any sort of offense. Beauty, defined.
uga-brave
September 28th, 2012
12:10 am
vj. BAS, i LOVE the ryder cup.
pretty sure tiger’s paired record under .500 is not sitting well.
anyone know love’s pairing’s?
Venice Jim
September 28th, 2012
12:10 am
ncgary – good to have you join us!
Animus
September 28th, 2012
12:11 am
ncgary – yes, it has, he’s a bit tired. Have to give him credit for trying to give the hometown fans a reason to come out to the ballgames, but I hope he sits out the 3 in PIT.
Even in his interviews he looks tired. Love him, but…rest and get ready for the “real season”.
Animus
September 28th, 2012
12:13 am
By real season – I mean the playoffs – hopefully a long run there.
Venice Jim
September 28th, 2012
12:13 am
Morning Foursomes…
Match 1: Rory McIlroy & Grame McDowell (Europe) vs. Jim Furyk & Brandt Snedeker (U.S.)
Match 2: Luke Donald & Sergio Garcia (Europe) vs. Phil Mickelson & Keegan Bradley (U.S.)
Match 3: Lee Westwood & Francesco Molinari (Europe) vs. Zach Johnson & Jason Dufner (U.S.)
Match 4: Ian Poulter & Justin Rose (Europe) vs. Steve Stricker & Tiger Woods (U.S.)
ncgary
September 28th, 2012
12:14 am
no doubt maybe they script chipper to the roger dorn rold in the movie
Bay Area Steve
September 28th, 2012
12:15 am
That’s the worst 4th down call in the history of the game.
ncgary
September 28th, 2012
12:16 am
if thats the case then kimbrell must be doing what to you know who
and thanks vj , glad to be among the living
lol
uga-brave
September 28th, 2012
12:16 am
andruw, dial up the numbers for a CF.
we had the unique priviledge of watching the best defensive center fielder of all time.
cabravesfan
September 28th, 2012
12:16 am
Maybe not the worst, but it was not a good pass at all…
Animus
September 28th, 2012
12:16 am
BAS – not really – the reciever failed on the route – he slowed down – didn’t play through.
Animus
September 28th, 2012
12:16 am
Dude is a foot taller than his defender after all.
JimBob
September 28th, 2012
12:18 am
@MLBNetworkRadio: Fredi Gonzalez, Atlanta Braves Manager, discusses a potential Wild Card Game Roster and Medlen/Hudson. Audio: http://bit.ly/V0Pc2c
Animus
September 28th, 2012
12:18 am
Hmmph – thought Stanford was Harvard West? Not too smart.
Bay Area Steve
September 28th, 2012
12:20 am
Hyperbolic? Maybe. I’m not so sure.
25 yard fade? Deep timing route, when you need 5? Worst. Call. Ever.
ncgary
September 28th, 2012
12:20 am
it was about time for hanson to get a september win
would be nice to see him get to eating innings
wouldn’t that be a playoff bonanza
Animus
September 28th, 2012
12:20 am
Better – USC loses strength of schedule (hate Lane Kiffen) a total tool – last time I talked to him – TOTAL tool.
uga-brave
September 28th, 2012
12:20 am
wow. vj, rory and grame mcdowell out first.
cabravesfan
September 28th, 2012
12:20 am
USC does not have to worry too much about strength of schedule. Still have a few top 25 teams left on their schedule.
ncgary
September 28th, 2012
12:22 am
that wou;d be berkley animus
ncgary
September 28th, 2012
12:22 am
that would be berkley animus
cabravesfan
September 28th, 2012
12:22 am
But anyways, teams can only control what is in front of them. And on that note, I am off to bed. Good night, all!
ncgary
September 28th, 2012
12:22 am
nite all me too cab
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 28th, 2012
12:24 am
Bad play-calling to end the game there…. he’s worse than Mike Bobo!
As for Hanson, it was his first win since July… he really needed that one.
Good night, my elders. Peace.
Animus
September 28th, 2012
12:24 am
UC Berkley was NOT the school who was touting themselves as the “Harvard of the West”when I was being recruited. THAT was STANFORD – (I went to UGA)
Fredo
September 28th, 2012
12:26 am
LA winning 6-0 is nice, keep up the pressure on StL so they don’t have time to set their rotation
Venice Jim
September 28th, 2012
12:33 am
uga – yes, that was the first commentary I heard, that Jose Maria was throwing the big guns out first…
Venice Jim
September 28th, 2012
12:41 am
Chipper Jones @RealCJ10
It’s great to be playin well at the end of the season. 5 in a row. Big Red threw well and Uggs had 2 knocks and 3 ribs. Big day tmrw!!
uga-brave
September 28th, 2012
12:43 am
vj, why not they have pretty much owned us lately.
keegan, and jason dufner. will be real interesting to see how they putt.
Venice Jim
September 28th, 2012
12:47 am
We won at Valhalla…hopefully can drive the home streak to 2…
Braveheart
September 28th, 2012
12:48 am
When I retired from the blog, no one threw me a damn tribute ceremony. Screw all of ya
Venice Jim
September 28th, 2012
12:48 am
Losing 6 of 8, not so good, I admit…
Venice Jim
September 28th, 2012
12:49 am
I think there was a candlelight vigil…did no one invite you?
Venice Jim
September 28th, 2012
12:50 am
Time to head of for the early call at Medinah…
uga-brave
September 28th, 2012
12:52 am
hard to handicap alternate shot. morning matches.
four ball follows in the afternoon.
uga-brave
September 28th, 2012
12:53 am
WW, that you?
Bay Area Steve
September 28th, 2012
12:54 am
Braveheart,
Monthly tributes. At least. Teach us sumpin’.
Braveheart
September 28th, 2012
12:55 am
See, you think there was a candlelight vigil, but you don’t know if there was one. That’s how unmemorable it was.
Braveheart
September 28th, 2012
12:58 am
Yeah, it’s Willy Wally. Loved Andruw myself. Almost got into a fight with my dad last weekend about Andruw. He was ranting about how much he sucks, and I was getting ticked, but it was his birthday, so I bit my tongue.
uga-brave
September 28th, 2012
12:58 am
bravey, name your favorite record shop. easy question.
uga-brave
September 28th, 2012
12:58 am
bravey, name your favorite record shop. easy question.
uga-brave
September 28th, 2012
1:01 am
braveheart, name the record shop you were at when DOB manned the cash register.
Braveheart
September 28th, 2012
1:01 am
The one DOB’s buddy Don used to own over in Toco Hill?
uga-brave
September 28th, 2012
1:03 am
BAS, pretty sure he is a fraud.
i miss bubdylan.
Bay Area Steve
September 28th, 2012
1:03 am
“ranting about how much he sucks”
Well, I’m sorry, but you must disown your father. Or, at minimum, put him in some sort of home, because senility has set in.
Please tell him that a random AJC blog-commentor said so (this carries significant weight).
uga-brave
September 28th, 2012
1:04 am
well we have a winner.
anyone ever scene any whitesnake?
Braveheart
September 28th, 2012
1:06 am
Your mom is from Scarsdale. Your dad is Italian and from Mount Vernon. You played football when you were a kid at Fitzgerald Field in Tucker. Need I go on?
Bay Area Steve
September 28th, 2012
1:06 am
“BAS, pretty sure he is a fraud.”
Probably so, uga. We just talked about him, and here he is. Even so, I hope it’s him. Best cat in the place, outside scoots, imo.
And, I miss bubd too. Someone once told us he still frequented another Braves site. Wonder if that’s still true. I love me some funny, and that MFer was funny. (Second shout-out tonight Tater; you better bring it tomorrow.)
uga-brave
September 28th, 2012
1:07 am
bravey, you are missed.
Bay Area Steve
September 28th, 2012
1:07 am
“Your mom is from Scarsdale. Your dad is Italian and from Mount Vernon. You played football when you were a kid at Fitzgerald Field in Tucker. Need I go on?”
Please, please, please let that be true. ‘Cause that’s frickin’ awesome, right there. I don’t care who you are.
Bay Area Steve
September 28th, 2012
1:09 am
VJ,
How proud are you that 10 got ‘threw’ right? Made me feel good inside…
uga-brave
September 28th, 2012
1:11 am
considering the fact the only thing i did not give him was my name and address i am pretty sure that is braveheart.
Bay Area Steve
September 28th, 2012
1:14 am
“name and address”
Dude damn-near listed your social security number and shoe size. You better hope it’s him, ’cause otherwise you need to call somebody.
uga-brave
September 28th, 2012
1:14 am
bravey, so how is the barrister thing going for you?
uga-brave
September 28th, 2012
1:14 am
bravey, so how is the barrister thing going for you?
Braveheart
September 28th, 2012
1:16 am
Yeah, sorry for the creepy recall there. And I still maintain that Chuck James is better than you think, that Kelly Johnson is better than Martin Prado, that Frenchy is still gonna be the next Dale Murphy and that Yunel Escobar was just a poor misunderstood soul whose only sin was that he wasn’t American Idol enough for the Braves. And Daniel Day Lewis is an overacting ham. Animal House is dated and overrated.
Bay Area Steve
September 28th, 2012
1:19 am
“Daniel Day Lewis is an overacting ham”
Dropping my second-lifetime LMAO (screw you, Soph).
Those were the days. ‘OB firing back…
Now he argues with the Georges of the world about nonsense… Sad, really. I blame nolie. And, of course, WW.
Braveheart
September 28th, 2012
1:20 am
Okay. The last year or so has been really hectic. It’s shameful, but it caused me to kinda mentally check out on baseball this year. Became much more of a casual fan, reading box scores and stats, catching a few innings here and there, checking in from a distance.
uga-brave
September 28th, 2012
1:21 am
well there it is.
animal house.
that was always DOB’s and braveheart’s argument.
about being dated.
this is braveheart.
uga-brave
September 28th, 2012
1:23 am
bravey you have been missed. hope all is well.
Dum-Bass
September 28th, 2012
1:24 am
All still posting on here now are intellectually-challenged, and sleep-deprived. (Yes, that includes me!) Go to bed you nitwits, you have to go to work tomorrow! (I don’t, hee hee)
Bay Area Steve
September 28th, 2012
1:24 am
“shameful”
Shameheart? Hey, life intercedes. Just know: you helped create this place, and you’re missed. Fervently. scoots (and I) said so, no less than 30 hours ago.
Please stop by when you can.
SNEAKY PETE
September 28th, 2012
1:26 am
gee Uga, a gazillion folks must know that DOB and WW argued Animal House.
Braveheart
September 28th, 2012
1:28 am
Thanks, BAS. But you gotta admit that the creepy recall was Random-esque
Bay Area Steve
September 28th, 2012
1:31 am
“a gazillion folks”
Respectfully, I disagree. Most, and without exaggeration, darn-near all of those folks have left. And those who post in their stead blow. A few, like TOBF, are assets. Most make N8 look like a girl-scout.
Either way: we think it’s WW, and even it may not be, allow us to celebrate what he brought to this space. After ‘OB, he might’ve been it. I’d argue scoots, but I’d be willing to lose. They were (are) that good. Let’s try to keep ‘em here.
SNEAKY PETE
September 28th, 2012
1:33 am
yeah WW was cool, after scoots and nolie (and yes I am prejudiced)
Bay Area Steve
September 28th, 2012
1:33 am
“Random-esque”
Miss him, too. I called Homer, The Abandoner. In truth, all y’all are Abandoners. This place needs you cats. ‘OB plants the seed. He fertilizes. He nurtures. He waters. But, without a little sunlight, death is imminent. We need y’all’s sunlight.
uga-brave
September 28th, 2012
1:36 am
well, braveheart walked into “ella guru” that was don’s really good record shop on toco hills.
DOB, used to mine the register there.
this tall dude walks looks at the album sectiion, between the “smiths” section and the “replacements” sections,
he asks for whitesnake.
SNEAKY PETE
September 28th, 2012
1:37 am
BTW, noles should be home late this afternoon
SNEAKY PETE
September 28th, 2012
1:39 am
lets hope WW isn’t just teasing us with a one shot driveby
Braveheart
September 28th, 2012
1:40 am
What’s up with nolie?
Animus
September 28th, 2012
1:40 am
Sneaky good – I miss reading his comments – he does have some insight. I’m trying to figure out how the team should set up the postseason roster (play-in right now) – his wisdom would be appreciated.
Animus
September 28th, 2012
1:41 am
And, belated – sorry his laptop messed up for his inpatient stay.
uga-brave
September 28th, 2012
1:51 am
you know what would be really cool? “fight club”
never know who is real or not.
tyler durden?
braveheart?
ward?
Bay Area Steve
September 28th, 2012
1:55 am
“tyler durden?
braveheart?
ward?”
F’ it. I’m hiring Grinch to kick ass. Taking names: optional.
Bay Area Steve
September 28th, 2012
1:58 am
I got much love for Grinch. But, I’ve a grudge. Dude was writing a history paper for some sort of degree. Far beyond Drinking U, from which I graduated. He promised me a read.
I still want it. Liked that dude’s mind.
Braveheart
September 28th, 2012
2:07 am
uga, Gwinnett County All Stars? Which one gets to.240 by the end of the year?
uga-brave
September 28th, 2012
2:14 am
neither.
John Leonard
September 28th, 2012
2:15 am
Anyone know what cross-site scripting is ?
uga-brave
September 28th, 2012
2:16 am
but i was right at the end.
Bay Area Steve
September 28th, 2012
2:17 am
cab, McFann, tiger, VJ, et al.
Just wanna try this one time. I suspect it won’t go over well (remember that?).
Segregating yourselves to some intimate group sounds ideal, right? Why read the 500 idiots, when you can commingle the best ten?
Allow me: history says it don’t work. Ten like-minds sounds like fun. Trust me: it gets boring. And, once you agree on ball, you start talking politics, or… A dozen of the best posters this space has ever had tried. Now, they’re all but forgotten.
Y’all are at your best when you’re allied against our nonsense. Otherwise, you’re an ignored herd. I miplore you to remain, and to make this the best Braves spot on the interwebs. Just my opinion.
Bay Area Steve
September 28th, 2012
2:19 am
.240? neither?
If I knew what the hell y’all were talkin’ about, I’d place a wager.
Who am I kidding? Who needs knowledge? I got a Jackson on neither.
Did I win?
Braveheart
September 28th, 2012
2:20 am
BAS has got a great point. Part of the fun of this place is ignoring your friends and picking a fight with a tard
Braveheart
September 28th, 2012
2:21 am
You don’t remember when uga would rant every night about mccann and frenchy, calling them the gwinnett county all stars?
kenhotlanta
September 28th, 2012
2:26 am
Braveheart, you are missed and I dearly miss Journalist Jimmy Smith, he always put a smile on my face.
uga-brave
September 28th, 2012
2:31 am
well those .ops dont lie.
Bay Area Steve
September 28th, 2012
2:31 am
“remember”
No. No, I don’t. My memory is like a Ryan Langerhans OBP: it ain’t much.
How incredulous is it that McCann’s option is an issue? Still a must-accept, for me, but I can’t deem the opposition idiots at this point. Makes me sad.
I think it’s clear 16 is playing through some serious issues. I hope the Braves, right or worng, pick up my guy, and he makes another all-star sqaud. I want another Chipper: another 20-year Brave.
Braveheart
September 28th, 2012
2:34 am
Really? Gwinnett County All Stars was one of his favorite rants. Used to tick people off every time. It was hilarious.
uga-brave
September 28th, 2012
2:34 am
BAS, got laughed out of the farrm when i said .240 was coming.
you, yorself trounced me.
uga-brave
September 28th, 2012
2:40 am
francoeur, rocking a .665 .ops.
there about to pick up a 13 million dollar option on someone that is barely hitting a .696 .ops.
but they squeal about a guy that plays everyday. uggla.
uga-brave
September 28th, 2012
2:42 am
i take uggs.
Bay Area Steve
September 28th, 2012
2:45 am
First: love me some jjs. For certain.
But, I think it’s time my favorite faction admit they were wrong. ‘OB is who he is. To start, he’s too busy to know who’s who, like the rest of us can. Mostly, he’s an overworked, sarcastic, never-give-in MFer (the reasons I like him). Bob, and mostly those in his defense, took it too personal.
All these years later, it’s clear ‘OB wasn’t personal. He’s just reacting to us idiots. It’s clear, with this whole George/ACE thing, that he focuses on the negative.
Those dozen or so posters made this place. Every bit as much as ‘OB (without diminishing his leadership). I think it’s time those folks realized it ain’t about them, and it ain’t about ‘OB, or about Bob.
It’s about me. Or, at minimum, the readers I represent. This is your home. It always was, and always will be. Come home.
(This message is brought to you by The Reintegrate All MIB Bloggers fund, for no less than the 239th time. While it is repetitive, it’s still worthwhile.)
uga-brave
September 28th, 2012
2:47 am
i take uggla everday the guy works his arse off. he shows up runs everything out,.
uga-brave
September 28th, 2012
2:49 am
what, BAS said.
some of us aint so eloquent.
uga-brave
September 28th, 2012
2:54 am
why did they kill OPIE , my favorite character on SOA?
and with that night, night.
Braveheart
September 28th, 2012
2:55 am
BAS, well, I get irrationally upset whenever any homegrown leaves, so it would be really hard to see McCann in another uni. But it is kinda scary when catchers start to go bad, especially ones who weren’t that athletic in the first place. But the average catcher OPS this year is .717. His is .696. So, even at his worst, he’s still average or so for his position. And combined, Braves catchers have the 11th highest OPS in the majors for the position. So, I dunno. Wouldn’t commit long term, but we have other holes to fill after the season, so I wouldn’t really needlessly create another.
Bay Area Steve
September 28th, 2012
2:56 am
“you, yorself trounced me.”
Well then, obviously I was right. Goes without saying. Still not sure what side I’m on, but without doubt, I’m right.
If we’re on McCann: I think any reasonable person would allow that injury is significantly affecting his performance. Where we differ: I don’t believe it’s his weight or catcher-wear-and-tear affecting him right now. I think, with rest, he’ll be one of teh better 2s in the league. Best? Probably not. Darn-near? I think so.
Is $13 million too much. Yeah. But, it’s one year. I think any logic-minded (and I could be way wrong; logic isn’t my thing. I drink.) person says we overpay one year to see what he’s got left. If he plays like we know he can: face of the franchise, Chipper discount, all that. If he .230s it again. Thank you. You were my favorite player, but I have to go buy a Heyward jersey. Come again.
Seems simple to me. (Most things do when you drink).
Braveheart
September 28th, 2012
2:57 am
Frenchy Forever, UGA! Frenchy Forever!
uga-brave
September 28th, 2012
3:02 am
awesome stuff bravey, and the friend from the left coast BAS. gotta run.
bravey ouuted me if you know scarsdale NY. well….
Bay Area Steve
September 28th, 2012
3:03 am
“I wouldn’t really needlessly create another.”
Ross gets two and five ASAP. Option Mac with fingers crossed, and hope Uggla can hit, even in months that don’t end in y. World Series.
Really isn’t that hard. I mean, if you fabricate your own alternate reality, it’s all very simple. If only because it keeps you from cramming the ‘Jumper’ DVD into another overstuffed box. Too specific?
uga-brave
September 28th, 2012
3:08 am
DOB,
if you read this moronic diatbribe.
the song should be by CASH.
“when the man comes around.” chippah.
Braveheart
September 28th, 2012
3:11 am
there about to pick up a 13 million dollar option on someone that is barely hitting a .696 .ops.
but they squeal about a guy that plays everyday. uggla.
But playing everyday when you suck kinda compounds the damage, doesn’t it? Just kinda keeps digging that hole deeper. Since McCann doesn’t play everyday, the damage caused by his poor performance is only 75% of the damage of the guy who sucks everyday. $13 mil is steep for a dude who looks like he is sinking into the abyss, but mccann vs. uggla is the homegrown versus the hired gun. the homegrown usually wins that battle. plus, mccann is just another year worth of grief if it doesn’t work out — after years of memories of him being an All Star for the team. uggla scares the hell out of ya because he might suck the entire time he played for you.
Half Empty
September 28th, 2012
3:21 am
Uggla has been about the best hitter on the team in September
Ghost of Chipper Jones
September 28th, 2012
3:56 am
Nice win for the home team.
I see UGGLA accounted for the two runs i wished for in the bottom of the seventh. Thank you very much sir.
We’re now well along toward that 12-0 sweep of the FISH and METS. Nine down – three to go.
Get ‘um BRAVES. Keep putting the pressure on those NATS. Six wins in a row here would be beyond sublime. Let’s make WASHINGTON be just as excellent.
Ghost of Chipper Jones
September 28th, 2012
4:06 am
98.6…
Ghost of Chipper Jones
September 28th, 2012
4:06 am
And out.
Bay Area Steve
September 28th, 2012
4:33 am
99.1…
I don’t know what this is about, but I’m all about participation…
Bay Area Steve
September 28th, 2012
4:43 am
Loved me some ‘Suits,’ for some time. But, dude dropped ‘how often do you look at a man’s shoes’ tonight. Strong.
Bay Area Steve
September 28th, 2012
4:43 am
flange,
F’ you, and your 71 average. Just ’cause.
Ghost of Chipper Jones
September 28th, 2012
4:44 am
BAS:
You sweat, the temperature goes up. You freeze up, the temperature goes down.
A barometer of team status.
Right now we’re running on normal and cruz’ control beating the team’s we should be beating.
We struggle, we sweat, or freeze up……….see?
Now I know you’re a drinking man. Isn’t it amazing what some MAKERS MARK can do?
Bay Area Steve
September 28th, 2012
4:44 am
Tater, seriously. I can wait…
Ghost of Chipper Jones
September 28th, 2012
4:46 am
A little ‘SHAWSHANK’ echo.
Ghost of Chipper Jones
September 28th, 2012
4:49 am
What’s up with the flange1 animus? 71 average?
Now ‘just ’cause,’ oh yeah, that I get.
Bay Area Steve
September 28th, 2012
4:50 am
“MAKERS MARK”
You highfalutin’ MFer. Are you not aware that CVS purveys an $11 1.75?
I got nuttin to say to you, sir, other than I hope both your girl, and your grand-kid, got some fight. I’m gonna keep rootin’, regardless.
Ghost of Chipper Jones
September 28th, 2012
4:52 am
98.6 and maintain
Ghost of Chipper Jones
September 28th, 2012
4:54 am
BAS;
Well go jump up a fat lady’s azz then dip-wad.
Bay Area Steve
September 28th, 2012
5:00 am
“dip-wad”
I only request you allow me to clarify; this is as sincere as I get:
“I hope both your girl, and your grand-kid, got some fight.”
Please don’t take it otherwise.
Bay Area Steve
September 28th, 2012
5:01 am
I even managed to piss-off rich.
I guess I’ll just give up.
Yo, VJ, wanna spar?
Bay Area Steve
September 28th, 2012
5:14 am
Well, if my guy f’d it up with Meghan Markle, I suppose I can feel bad about muckin’ it up with rich…
Bay Area Steve
September 28th, 2012
5:18 am
I think this is the reality part (your fault, Half Empty). 7:55 seems awful close. F’ ypu again, flange (in a jealous, way-past-juvenile way).
Bay Area Steve
September 28th, 2012
5:20 am
“VJ, wanna spar?”
I’m not sure this accounts for much, but I frickin’ own fools when they’re not around. Ownage. Hash-tag that…
Couch Tater
September 28th, 2012
6:00 am
The last year or so has been really hectic. It’s shameful, but it caused me to kinda mentally check out on baseball this year. Became much more of a casual fan, reading box scores and stats, catching a few innings here and there, checking in from a distance.
Braveheart –
So, let me get this strait. You come on here after we have the celebration? You watched Snooki re-runs all f’n Summer and now you want to celebrate? While we were puttin’ up with the Uggla/McCann/Maholm/DOB/Hanson/etc…SUX, posts all Summer. Thanks, Biotch. RTR.
Couch Tater
September 28th, 2012
6:06 am
Anyone know what cross-site scripting is ?
John –
I think it’s writing about USC injuries.
Couch Tater
September 28th, 2012
6:35 am
BAS – Your 2:17 is spot on.
Couch Tater
September 28th, 2012
6:56 am
uga –
That 10 gallon hat. If you paid a premium to get the seats behind it, how do you ask Chipper’s dad to take the damn thing off, so you can see?
“I love your hat, Mr. Jones. I was just telling Barbie, when I wore my Stetson to the Ryder Cup, last time, some f’n Brit grabbed it and said he couldn’t see. I wanted to put a Tony Llama in his arse. Instead of creating a scene during a Steve Stricker pressure putt, I remained quiet and acted like the Texas gentleman, I am. Buy you a Lone Star?”
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 28th, 2012
7:09 am
DOB: Just heard on the the Regular Guys show from Mark Owens that Uggla had to get his hand sewn (stapled?) up, played with it like that last night. Apparently he hurt himself during the celebration on Tuesday. Can you confirm?
Jeff R
September 28th, 2012
7:10 am
Braves win, Phils lose to the Nats. I think the Phils lost to spite the Braves.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 28th, 2012
7:24 am
Dan Haren is less-than-thrilled about a report earlier this week that indicated the Angels are leaning towards turning down options for him and Ervin Santana this offseason, writes Ramona Shelburne of ESPNLosAngeles.com. Haren says that he and his fellow pitcher are dialed in on the season at hand and are not giving any thought to their respective contract situations.
http://espn.go.com/los-angeles/mlb/story/_/id/8433431/dumb-timing-los-angeles-angels-talk-next-year-contract-dan-haren-says
And one of his good quotes: “When I have a good game, no one talks about me throwing 89. When I lose, of course, they’re going to talk about that. That’s just the way it is.”
Couch Tater
September 28th, 2012
7:26 am
Tater, seriously. I can wait…
Close.
How’s that neck feeling? And, be sure and tell me if you enjoy sleeping to the Weedomatic infommercial with the packing tape in your hand.
Remember where you packed the Motrin? Don’t forget there’s some in the golf bag. Expiration dates are overrated.
Jimmy Crack
September 28th, 2012
7:27 am
The celebration was an exorcism of last year’s debacle. I hope they double the champagne order after winning the play-in game.
space monkey
September 28th, 2012
7:33 am
Glad we won. Terrified that Hanson pitched so well against the Marlins’ minor league lineup. This puts him on the postseason roster and possibly in the postseason rotation. In other words, this win is disastrous.
Jeff R
September 28th, 2012
7:37 am
Not thinking Hanson starts a game in the post season, provided the Braves make it past the elimination match.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 28th, 2012
7:54 am
Dunno if anyone heard this, but apparently yesterday on MLB Network Radio, Fredi said that as of now he’s taking 10 pitchers to the WC game. 3 starters, 7 relievers. He must’ve gotten my note! As of now, it likely would be Medlen, Hudson, and 1 of Minor/Maholm
While not agreed upon, they are considering bringing 3 catchers.
http://siriusxmsports.posterous.com/fredi-gonzalez-braves-manager-discusses-wild
ncscoots
September 28th, 2012
7:59 am
Well, I’m ready to face the day now. Thank goodness, I decided to read the last couple of pages of the overnights today, and, by God, there’s Braveheart. Multiple posts, even. Better than scrambled eggs with cinnamon in ‘em. Hope you’re back, brother, few things would please me more.
ncscoots
September 28th, 2012
8:16 am
Geez, with the playoff rosters already. That one-gamer’s pitching roster means you can take darn near everybody on the bench, so why get waxed about it? Somebody think the 15th guy at the end of the bench is gonna hit the game-winner? Man, that’s not a scenario I’m willing to contemplate, thank you.
Ghost of Chipper Jones
September 28th, 2012
8:18 am
Time to bering in the suits to pick up BAS. Wow! ‘Just cause’ HEH!
Ghost of Chipper Jones
September 28th, 2012
8:21 am
SPACM:
HANSON’s going nowhere near the postseason. I have it on good authority. Have no fear.
Jeff R
September 28th, 2012
8:23 am
HANSON’s going nowhere near the postseason.
Yes he is. Box seat, third base side. To root Chipper on.
Couch Tater
September 28th, 2012
8:32 am
17-7 so far in Sept. 45-26 since the break. Pretty dang good.
Nats 46-27 since the break. I thought they may flounder more.
Fricken LaRoche. .964 OPS in March/April. That dude ain’t ever got off to a hot start. .721 career OPS in March/April.
ncscoots
September 28th, 2012
8:37 am
I thought they may flounder more.
Ah, scroom. At least, they’ve made the scenario simple: Braves have to run the table and Nats lose both of the remaining series.
Couch Tater
September 28th, 2012
8:49 am
scoots- It’s been a fun wooden rollercoaster we’ve been riding, this year. That chain keeps jerking us back up. clack,clack,clack..
Brian from SC
September 28th, 2012
8:56 am
Sorry I’m late…computer issues this morning.
Here are the update magic numbers. Texas can become the first AL team to clinch a playoff berth with a win over the Angels tonight.
NL East – Washington – 4
NL Central – Cincinnati – clinched
NL West – San Francisco – clinched
NL Playoffs (relative to Los Angeles)
Washington – clinched
Cincinnati – clinched
San Francisco – clinched
Atlanta – clinched
St. Louis – 4
NL #1 seed – Washington – 6 (relative to Cincinnati)
NL #1 wild card – Atlanta – clinched
AL East – New York – 6
AL Central – Detroit – 5
AL West – Texas – 3
AL Playoffs (relative to Los Angeles/Tampa Bay)
Texas – 1
New York – 3
Baltimore – 4
Oakland – 5
Detroit – 5 (relative to Chicago for division)
AL #1 seed – Texas – 5 (relative to New York)
AL #1 wild card – Baltimore – 6 (relative to Oakland)
Meg Griffin
September 28th, 2012
8:59 am
Did we hang a flag last night? Still wondering that
DOB how do you think the team will feel if we lose the play in game?
Anyone else siked about Looper coming out today in theaters!!!
Brian from SC
September 28th, 2012
9:04 am
No one was eliminated yesterday, but several dominoes can fall tonight.
Arizona and Philadelphia are each eliminated with a loss OR with a win by St. Louis. The Angels would be eliminated from the AL West race with a loss to Texas. The White Sox would be eliminated from wild card contention with a loss to Tampa Bay or with a win by the Angels.
Here are the updated elimination numbers
NL Playoffs (relative to St. Louis)
Philadelphia – 1
Arizona – 1
Milwaukee – 3
Los Angeles – 4
AL Playoffs (relative to Oakland)
Tampa Bay – 5
Los Angeles – 5
Chicago – 5 (relative to Detroit for division)
Brian from SC
September 28th, 2012
9:12 am
Sorry, I forgot to update Washington’s record for some reason.
Washington’s magic number for the NL East is 3.
Their magic number for the #1 seed is 5.
Lew
September 28th, 2012
9:15 am
How will they feel if they lose? Great. Just great.
PMC
September 28th, 2012
9:15 am
Well I sure enjoyed seeing the Braves celebrate. I hope they do it 3 or 4 more times this year.
In reading Chippers comments this morning I wonder if swinging the big heavy bat helped him stay patient. He’s never really swung out of his shoes but when he drops the head on it it goes a long way.
McFann :Ô: :Ô: :ô:
September 28th, 2012
9:19 am
Bay Area Steve—
You around?…
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 28th, 2012
9:21 am
We are currently hot, which is a good thing, but at some point we have to lose. I just hope that day doesn’t come on October 5th. I’d be sick if that happened. It wouldn’t be as bad as last year, but it’d still hurt a lot.
Efrim
September 28th, 2012
9:23 am
Heyward since August 27th: .227/.271/.382 – 28 games, 118 PA’s. .253 babip during that stretch.
He does have 3 walks in his last 5 games, so there is that.
Efrim
September 28th, 2012
9:25 am
91-65.
We have a chance to get to 92+ wins for the first time since 2004.
Efrim
September 28th, 2012
9:27 am
Pretty impressed again with one of the trade acquisitions from the Marlins. I think they did well to get Eovaldi, Turner and Brantley back in the deals this summer. All three should factor in as regulars on next years team. Still think they were good baseball trades and not as much of a sell mode dump as some are depicting it.
Efrim
September 28th, 2012
9:29 am
Tommy Hanson in September – 27 IP, 24 hits, 12 ER, 9 BB’s, 29 K’s, 4.00 ERA.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 28th, 2012
9:33 am
that high? He had 3 decent starts, least I thought he did.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 28th, 2012
9:36 am
Yep, guess that clunker in Philly hurt. However, this pleases me… .235/.297/.520/.817 oppo. state line and a WHIP of 1.222 (his lowest, save June). 9.7 K/9 and a 3.22 K/BB ratio.
Efrim
September 28th, 2012
9:38 am
Dodgers manager Don Mattingly has indicated that Andre Ethier might be a platoon player next season.
“I can say all day long that I think he’s capable of hitting against lefties, but if the numbers keep telling us that maybe he can’t, then we have to go a different route,” Mattingly said. It was telling when Ethier, who is batting just .215/.270/.321 this season against southpaws, didn’t start Wednesday against Padres lefty Clayton Richard. The Dodgers in June gave the 30-year-old a five-year, $85 million extension, which is a lot to pay a potential platoon player.
Yup. He isn’t a good fielder or baserunner either. Not a smart contract extension.
Venice Jim
September 28th, 2012
9:43 am
I’m not sure this accounts for much, but I frickin’ own fools when they’re not around. Ownage.
I am certainly not going to argue with that sentiment. I bow to your ownagership…
Venice Jim
September 28th, 2012
9:46 am
Speaking of ownage, there are a number of blog compatriots who would be awarding the Ryder Cup to Europe right now in what is essentially the first inning…
MFin04
September 28th, 2012
9:52 am
Heyward looked awful last night and the night before. Lots of guys on base for him and he can’t seem to drive them in. Might be time to bat Prado 4th, at least he puts the ball in play. You absolutely can’t strike out with men on base. Put the ball in play, Prado did last night and the Braves got some unearned runs. Tough to get runs when you are striking out with guys on base.
Efrim
September 28th, 2012
9:56 am
Braves are 17-6 in their last 23 games. A great way to head into the postseason, although the offensive struggles have still been alarming to me.
David O'Brien
September 28th, 2012
10:05 am
DOB: Just heard on the the Regular Guys show from Mark Owens that Uggla had to get his hand sewn (stapled?) up, played with it like that last night. Apparently he hurt himself during the celebration on Tuesday. Can you confirm? — TheOnlyBravesFan
Yeah, I wrote it in my game story filed 11 hours ago.
Efrim
September 28th, 2012
10:08 am
Braves have hit .235/.317/.373 as a team in the 2nd half. 11th in the NL in OPS. Overall, they are 9th in the league in OPS.
Efrim
September 28th, 2012
10:09 am
Braves are 14th in OPS in September – .231/.307/.340 – scoring 87 runs in 24 games.
David O'Brien
September 28th, 2012
10:11 am
braveheart, name the record shop you were at when DOB manned the cash register. — uga-brave
It was Ella Guru, named after Don’s daughter Ella.
And by the way, after a few years out of the game, Donny boy is about to open a new record store. That’s right. It’ll be a much smaller store down in the little shopping center at Oak Grove and La Vista.
Lew
September 28th, 2012
10:11 am
Uggla hurt his hand? Damn – there goes that .300, .385, .450 season.
Lew
September 28th, 2012
10:12 am
DOB – Don’s Wurlitzer needed a new home.
John Adcox
September 28th, 2012
10:13 am
I know better. Truly I do. But so help me, I am going to go down and just find a ticket tonight. I hope the scalpers are gentle with me. But dang it, I am going. Game number 25 for the year, not counting Gwinnett games.
Hugo Z Hackenbush
September 28th, 2012
10:15 am
Funny how perception of players works. If you just looked at Uggla’s monthly splits, he was awful in only two months, June and July. The other four have been better-than-average to excellent. But if you just read the blog, you’d think he was the worst position player in baseball all year…
CB
September 28th, 2012
10:18 am
97-65. Make it happen,Braves.
PMC
September 28th, 2012
10:21 am
But Hugo, salary plays a part in it. What every day 13 million dollar expected middle of the order hitter was less effective this year than Dan Uggla? He’s been better in the last two weeks, but for the most part he was a disaster at the plate this year.
Lew
September 28th, 2012
10:23 am
Hugo – Yeah, Uggla only knocked in half our runs last night. But, as we know, RBI are meaningless.
MFin04
September 28th, 2012
10:25 am
“But, as we know, RBI are meaningless.”
I can’t help it… I LOVE RBIs or RsBI. I just wanna hug them all!
raleighbravefan
September 28th, 2012
10:27 am
AT doesn’t want to hear that we won’t be trading Uggla to Detroit.
Hugo Z Hackenbush
September 28th, 2012
10:28 am
PMC, worrying about his salary is also silly. Virtually every team has one or two or five overpaid players. Those who want to whine about the 13 mil don’t ever spend time gushing over the 490 thou paid to Medlen. When it’s over, the Braves will have paid about one mil per victory, which beats the hell out of some other teams I could mention.
Shaun
September 28th, 2012
10:29 am
But, as we know, RBI are meaningless.
Apparently folks need to work on their comprehension or I need to explain things better.
It’s not that RBI are meaningless. It’s that they are a lot like pitcher wins and things of that sort. They depend a lot on opportunity and they aren’t so much a measure of skill as opportunity. Pretty simple, really, if you think it through for about two seconds.
DAP
September 28th, 2012
10:32 am
shaun Apparently folks need to work on their comprehension or I need to explain things better.
i think you need to take yourself a little more seriously.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 28th, 2012
10:32 am
you guys woke up Shaun…
Lew
September 28th, 2012
10:34 am
There’s got to be some kind of metaphysical warning light that flashes in his basement every time someone mentions a Shaunian topic. Shaun’s the Genie of the Sabrmetric bottle.
Lew
September 28th, 2012
10:35 am
I wonder where we ever got the notion that RBI are meaningless?
MFin04
September 28th, 2012
10:38 am
“and they aren’t so much a measure of skill as opportunity.”
Disagree. Driving in runs is a skill. Especially on this team where guys LOVE to strike out with RISP rather than put the dang ball in play. BRIAN McCANN and DAN UGGLA. But yes occasionally they do luck into some RBIs.
raleighbravefan
September 28th, 2012
10:39 am
Shaun – We ALL have a thorough and comprehensive understanding of your “fact” concerning RsBI, both individual and team. You obviously don’t recognize whern someone is poking fun with (or at)you. The rest of us get it.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 28th, 2012
10:40 am
Uggla’s 3rd on the team in RBIs with 77, 2 behind JHey. Would it be nice if he had more? Of course. But even with his .217 avg, he’s driven in 77. That’s still a respectable number.
You get runners on with Dan at the plate, he does a decent job of getting them in. He’s hitting .258/.410/.477/.886 with 59 RBIs (and 33 BBs vs 42 Ks).
He has 33 Hits in that situation, Freeman has 34, and the team leader Bourn has 36.
Shaun
September 28th, 2012
10:41 am
Uggla’s 3rd on the team in RBIs with 77, 2 behind JHey.
I rest my case.
raleighbravefan
September 28th, 2012
10:42 am
Shaun – I believe individual RBI are a COMBINATION of both skill and opportunity. One COULD debate which component is more important…but it is clearly not as black and white as you believe…as with most stuff you yammer on about.
Lew
September 28th, 2012
10:43 am
Shaun – You don’t have a case to rest. Never did.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 28th, 2012
10:44 am
Of Braves hitters who have over 100 ABs with RISP, Freeman, BMac, and Heyward are the only 3 guys with averages under .250 in that situation. Freeman is at .227, Mac is at .168, and Heyward is hitting .232
Every other Braves hitter is doing okay in that situation. Even Dan.
Now take RISP and 2 outs, there are 3 guys that you want at the plate. Freddie, Uggla, and Prado. Those 3 are hitting over .300 in that spot.
raleighbravefan
September 28th, 2012
10:44 am
Shaun – You’re like a snapping turtle ing a thunder storm.
BravePack(FreeFan)
September 28th, 2012
10:44 am
So with 6 games to go the Braves are 91-65. I believe I predicted them winning the division at 95-67 which if they won 4 out of the last 6 my record prediction would be correct, unfortunately the Nationals are doing better than predicted and most likely will win the division. I’m not giving up hope but we need some help from St. Louis and the Phillies.
Speaking of St. Louis, I’m really getting sick of that team and the arrogance of some of it’s players. Wainwright opens his mouth and makes that comment about waiting until they knock out the Braves in the wild card game to celebrate. I really liked that Chipper stayed calm and didn’t respond with bulletin board material for them. I really hope they knock those f’n Cardinals out of the playoffs and believe they will. And Braves fans in Atlanta please please please go out to that playoff game and fill the seats at Turner so I don’t have to see and hear those damn Cardinals fans in our stadium.
MFin04
September 28th, 2012
10:44 am
So how is it that we never have a 100 RBI guy on this team?
MFin04
September 28th, 2012
10:46 am
2007 was the last time we had a 100 RBI guy. Chipper and Frenchy did it.
raleighbravefan
September 28th, 2012
10:46 am
I would love to beat the Cards byrunning Wainwright in the first inning….AND THEN CELEBRATE.
Lew
September 28th, 2012
10:47 am
MFin04 – Because the players realize RBI are meaningless.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 28th, 2012
10:48 am
Really hoping that Freddie gets 7 more RBI….
MFin04
September 28th, 2012
10:49 am
Funny this is Wainwright was correct and so were the Braves. When you EPIC collapse one year and then make the playoffs the next year you celebrate. When you cause an EPIC collapse and then win the World Series with clutch win after clutch win you don’t celebrate the Wild Card. Makes sense on both accounts.
Braves bulletin board is getting filled with Cardinals and Nationals stuff however.
Arkansas Transplant
September 28th, 2012
10:50 am
Why not bat Uggla first? His OBP is good enough.. probably would do more damage up top in the 1 or 2 hole. The horrible part is having Bourn and him back to back as much as they strikeout.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 28th, 2012
10:52 am
Now take RISP and 2 outs, there are 3 guys that you want at the plate. Freddie, Uggla, and Prado. Those 3 are hitting over .300 in that spot.
I only looked at guys with more than 50 ABs in this situation (so Mac, Chipper, Heyward, Bourn, and above 3)
MFin04
September 28th, 2012
10:52 am
Well to be fair Constanza, Prado, Heyward is a pretty awful 1-3 in your order.
Shaun
September 28th, 2012
10:53 am
Shaun – I believe individual RBI are a COMBINATION of both skill and opportunity. One COULD debate which component is more important…but it is clearly not as black and white as you believe…as with most stuff you yammer on about.
raleighbravefan, Well, I certainly think it’s difficult to drive in something like 100 runs without being a good hitter (though not impossible), just like I certainly think it’s difficult for a pitcher to win 20 games without being a good pitcher.
The problem is that driving in 100 runs or winning 20 games tells us little about how one player compares to another. A hitter could drive in a bunch more runs or win a bunch more games than another but it tells us nothing about which hitter or pitcher is better and by how much. We can completely ignore things like pitcher wins and RBI and do perfectly fine, if not better, in determining which players are the best and worst.
I could understand using wins and RBI back when certain other metrics weren’t at our disposal. But now we have stats that actually do a much better job to tell us which players are better and by how much and they are readily available to everyone.
And I’m not talking about any extremely in-depth statistics, either. I’m just talking about simply breaking the game down in to outs and bases instead of over-relying on how many runs score when a certain player is at bat.
MFin04
September 28th, 2012
10:55 am
Come playoffs only thing that matters are Runs and Wins.
raleighbravefan
September 28th, 2012
10:55 am
Let’s see…
With 6 games to go:
- We are NOT in 4th place…or 3rd
- We ARE (tied) the 4th best record in MLB…a game ahead of the Yankees
- We did NOT win 75 games this year…91 and counting, could be as many as 97
- We did NOT swoon in September
- Chipper had team MVP type year, in spite of missing more games than he would have wished.
- Prado and Heyward both bounced back big time (Heyward was not overrated, done, etc.)
- We DID make the playoffs, no matter what some think about the 1 gamer.
- We only have (probably) failed to win the division, because the Nats have been the best team in the league.
- Wren was right, and Fredi,at the least, learned and improved.
raleighbravefan
September 28th, 2012
10:58 am
OK Shaun…You are always right, and have the stats to prove it.
raleighbravefan
September 28th, 2012
11:00 am
MFin – Correction, only thing that really matters is WINS…anyhow you can get them. ((of course, the pathway to wins is more runs than the other team).
Capt.Mudd
September 28th, 2012
11:00 am
Extreme in-depth statistics? On this rather informal venue, brevity is king….however, space can be had in lieu of breadcrumbs…..should one choose that option.
Shaun
September 28th, 2012
11:02 am
Dave Cameron had an interesting take on the whole traditional stats versus actually measuring performance as it relates to the AL MVP debate.
There is this view that if Miguel Cabrera wins the Triple Crown, he has to be the MVP, even though Mike Trout has actually out-performed him as a baseball player. Cameron’s point is can you imagine if some “sabermetrician,” or whatever, made the argument that leading the league in three statistical categories should determine the MVP.
MFin04
September 28th, 2012
11:02 am
“We only have (probably) failed to win the division, because the Nats have been the best team in the league.”
And failed to acquire one more bat for this lineup at the beginning of the year by forking out extra dough which in turn caused us to lose the division.
Brian from SC
September 28th, 2012
11:03 am
The little things I look at that make me happy:
Last night, the Braves passed the Dodgers and are now 3rd in the NL, behind Washington and Cincinnati, in fewest runs allowed per game. They’ve been climbing up that leaderboard for a long time.
Venice Jim
September 28th, 2012
11:05 am
And failed to acquire one more bat for this lineup at the beginning of the year by forking out extra dough which in turn caused us to lose the division.
It worked perfectly for the Dodgers (even getting more than one)…
MFin04
September 28th, 2012
11:07 am
ESPN Chipper article:
http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/8427136/the-many-amazing-feats-chipper-jones
It does talk a lot about RBIs. So you’ve been warned.
MFin04
September 28th, 2012
11:08 am
“It worked perfectly for the Dodgers (even getting more than one)…”
Correct, it would have if they didn’t do it with 2 months left in the season.
Lew
September 28th, 2012
11:09 am
And where exactly, would they have played that one other bat? Who would you have sat all year for the extra offense?
Of the two likely candidates, Uggla and McCann (based on hindsight only), at the beginning of the season, why would Wren have gone out and gotten someone to fill either role? With Uggla, you still got better power numbers from 2B than almost any other team in MLB and you had Ross to back up Mac.
So, again – who would you have replaced?
Brian from SC
September 28th, 2012
11:10 am
The Braves finished 14-4 against the Marlins this year. That’s tied for the most wins by any one team against another this year:
Other teams who were 14-4 against an opponent:
Tampa Bay over Toronto
Washington over New York
Chicago over Minnesota
San Francisco over Colorado
Shaun
September 28th, 2012
11:11 am
Come playoffs only thing that matters are Runs and Wins.
That’s all that matters all the time, playoffs or not. But what are the things that players do that help lead to runs and wins? Essentially the game is all about outs and bases. If we completely ignored any baseball statistic that someone has spoon-fed us throughout our lives and had to start over measuring player performance in the way we felt most appropriate, we would start with how often a player makes outs and how many bases he gains when he gets on or how many outs he gets and how he prevents the other team from gaining bases. Hitters batting in runs wouldn’t be our focus because we would realize some players may be doing a fine job with avoiding outs and gaining bases without their teammates being on base to give them runners to bat in or their teammates actually batting them in.
raleighbravefan
September 28th, 2012
11:12 am
MFin – Hard to “fork over” money that is not available. Also, I believe Wren tried very hard to find a RH hitter that wouls fit both our team and our payroll. In my opinion, it’s damn hard to criticize a team that wins around 95 games. Period.
Hugo Z Hackenbush
September 28th, 2012
11:12 am
I have to compliment the Nats though, who spent virtually the same amount of money as the Brave this year, with slightly better results. Of course, when the Werth salary skyrockets in a few years their bloggers can gripe about the 21 million dollar man.
ncscoots
September 28th, 2012
11:16 am
Cameron’s point is can you imagine if some “sabermetrician,” or whatever, made the argument that leading the league in three statistical categories should determine the MVP.
Considering that the point would probably be made with an ending paragraph of snark about the stupidity of anyone who disgrees with the stated premise, yes, I can imagine that some might be inclined to roll their eyes.
Miguel Cabrera is the MVP, regardless of the Triple Crown outcome.
Shaun
September 28th, 2012
11:17 am
Hugo Z Hackenbush, well, it’s not as simple as that. How about the bonuses they paid to Strasburg and Harper and the fact that they stunk enough in years past to get those high draft picks?
I do agree that their front office deserves plenty of credit. But saying they spent the same as the Braves is somewhat oversimplifying it. The Braves front office deserves a lot of credit, as well. Frank Wren may be one of the more underrated GM’s in the game. I’m not saying he’s perfect but since it really became his team, he’s been a master at not wasting too many roster spots.
raleighbravefan
September 28th, 2012
11:20 am
OK…Shaun, when we pick sides, you can be the captain of the “stat geek” team. Of course, there will be no captain of the team that values subjective values (call it “scouting”) because we all also value statistical facts. That’s what you don’t get. Even the most “sophisticated” stats only tell part of the story. But then you will never understand the true meaning and value of things like “heart”, “clutch”, and “choke”. But go ahead, and be the supreme ruler of your black and white world, that is defined solely by numbers.
MFin04
September 28th, 2012
11:23 am
“And where exactly, would they have played that one other bat? Who would you have sat all year for the extra offense?”
DH. Do we have that in the NL. Oh, we don’t? So how the heck is our roster supposed to compete with AL rosters who have an extra player the whole year and who get a extra day of rest once or twice a week? Hmm, seems these rules are kinda shady.
raleighbravefan
September 28th, 2012
11:24 am
Shaun @11:17 – This may be one of the most intellegent and valid posts you have ever submitted. Nails the relative situations perfectly, and probably better than I could have stated it. I believe there’s still hope for you after all.
Brian from SC
September 28th, 2012
11:24 am
Can I just say that it is mind-blowing that Craig Kimbrel has a lower walk rate this season than Tim Hudson, Ben Sheets, or Paul Maholm?
Lew
September 28th, 2012
11:25 am
Must be Wren’s fault that there is no DH in the NL.
Lew
September 28th, 2012
11:27 am
Not so mind blowing (not to negate the phenomenal season KImbrel has had) -if Kimbrel worked the number of innings that either Huddy or Maholm pitched, his walk rate would increase, too.
Venice Jim
September 28th, 2012
11:28 am
Nice putt, Phil…
Lew
September 28th, 2012
11:28 am
Re: Sheets – is his comeback over?
Shaun
September 28th, 2012
11:29 am
ncscoots, Trout plays a premium defensive position, plays his position much better than Trout, is a better baserunner, and has come close to if not equaled Cabrera’s performance on offense.
So an argument for Cabrera as MVP is an argument that defense and base-running don’t matter. And for those who want to reward individual players for how good their teammates were, Trout’s team is better. But maybe Cabrera deserves credit for putting the Tigers in the AL Central and making sure all the AL Central teams are weak enough to allow the Tigers to contend if not win the division.
Brian from SC
September 28th, 2012
11:29 am
I dunno about that, Lew. The point is that the greatest power relief pitcher in baseball walks fewer batters than the best finesse/control pitchers on the team.
raleighbravefan
September 28th, 2012
11:29 am
MFin – As much as I hate…dispise…abhor the DH rule, I believe Bud and his Buds will prevail, and implement the DH rule universally, and probably turn MLB into something resembling the NFL. I also recognize that the DH rule gives the AL an advantage. It still suxxx. Also, I don’t understand why any free agent pitcher would choose an AL team…other than that money thing, of course.
Efrim
September 28th, 2012
11:30 am
I still think Trout should win the MVP, but his .268/.367/.449 line since August 1st – 240 PA’s – isn’t helping him at all.
ncscoots
September 28th, 2012
11:32 am
Can I just say that it is mind-blowing that Craig Kimbrel has a lower walk rate this season than Tim Hudson, Ben Sheets, or Paul Maholm?
Of all the impressive things about Kimbrel, the one that came to him last might be the most: his command. He’s not just a thrower, anymore. Hard enough to hit that gas when it’s right down Peachtree, but Kimbrel spots it pretty doggone well and can put it in all four quadrants. Plus, throw the slider for strikes or bury it, as needed. That command is really the attribute that’s taken him from “really good” to “insane”.
Efrim
September 28th, 2012
11:32 am
The GM(Ned Colletti) said he’ll be pleased if Gonzalez can continue producing at this clip for the remainder of his Dodgers career. Gonzalez has a .276/.328/.431 batting line with 21 RBI in 134 plate appearances.
Shaun
September 28th, 2012
11:32 am
raleighbravefan, it’s not about scouting or the subjective versus stats. It’s about evaluating and measuring performance versus looking at statistics that tradition tells you are important and guessing on a player’s psychology or mind-reading about a player’s psychological state. I’ll stick to the former.
MFin04
September 28th, 2012
11:32 am
“Must be Wren’s fault that there is no DH in the NL.” Heck yes it is! That or Bobby’s.
“Sheets – is his comeback over?” Hope not. There is a spot in the rotation that Tommy Hanson has recently vacated.
raleighbravefan
September 28th, 2012
11:34 am
Brian – I would argue that Kimbrell…clearly a power guy…also has pretty good control. This is a change (maturity and experience?) vs his minor league days. I also feel that he benefited greatly from studying under Billy Wagner…a lot more than if we had stuck with MFIKY.
Lew
September 28th, 2012
11:34 am
Brian — Well, like I said – not to negate his accomplishments. Dude has had an amazing season. But IMO that the number of innings would make a huge difference. Double or triple his IP and I’d imagine walks would increase and K’s would decrease – maybe significantly.
But why even try to find out? He’s fine doing what he’s doing.
Efrim
September 28th, 2012
11:34 am
I still can’t believe that the Red Sox were able to save their franchise and unload hundreds of millions onto the Dodgers – who don’t really look like that great of a team.
Brian from SC
September 28th, 2012
11:35 am
Kimbrel had one of the most dominant seasons in relief in baseball history in 2010.
In 2011, he cut his walk rate 43%, his hit rate 30%, and raised his strikeout rate 12%.
LOL
Braveone
September 28th, 2012
11:36 am
From the previous blog which had 1,025 comments, TheOnlyBravesFan led the way with 75 posts. There were 136 different poster names. Here are the Top 25:
Rank Poster Frequency
1 TheOnlyBravesFan 75
2 Efrim 70
3 ncscoots 46
4 phil 33
5 Bay Area Steve 29
6 Mixxo 29
7 Brian from SC 28
8 Arkansas Transplant 26
9 Ghost of Chipper Jones 25
10 TennesseePaul 23
11 UKUGA 22
12 HooRah 21
13 Bat Masterson 20
14 Lew 20
15 DS1 19
16 Half Empty 19
17 P-Town Brave © 19
18 Murph 18
19 raleighbravefan 18
20 Capt.Mudd 17
21 Jeff R 17
22 cabravesfan 17
23 MiaBchBravesFan 16
24 Venice Jim 16
25 RC 15
Brian from SC
September 28th, 2012
11:36 am
Kimbrel had one of the most dominant seasons in relief in baseball history in 2010.
In 2011, he cut his walk rate 43%, his hit rate 30%, and raised his strikeout rate 12%.
LOL
Wow, talk about living in the past. I meant 2011 and 2012, respectively, not 2010 and 2011.
raleighbravefan
September 28th, 2012
11:36 am
Shaun – Like I said, you’ll never understand that both factors are important in evaluating a player. You just won’t.
BravePack(FreeFan)
September 28th, 2012
11:37 am
Kimbrel is a beast. The way he misses bats is amazing and fun to watch. He makes the best hitters look silly. For me, easily my favorite pitcher to watch of all time, and I’ve been watching baseball for over 30 years.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 28th, 2012
11:38 am
Kimbrel would get “worse” if he started, but Juan will get better? Hmmm.
MFin with more Tommy hate… the dude pitched okay last night. Not great, but decent. That’s 3 or 4 okay starts for him this month, and he has a better oppo. stat line and K/BB ratio.
MFin04
September 28th, 2012
11:40 am
Wouldn’t be surprised if Kimbrel win the Cy Young. If there was someway to get his ERA under 1.00 I think he’d be a lock.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 28th, 2012
11:40 am
It sure seems like Sheets comeback is over, at least w/ the Braves. And since he couldn’t/didn’t finish the season starting, I find it hard to believe that he’d get a major league deal somewhere this winter. When was the last time the dude pitched?
Lew
September 28th, 2012
11:40 am
I think Fredi should have left Hanson in there to finish the sixth. Little reason not to.
Hugo Z Hackenbush
September 28th, 2012
11:41 am
Don’t care for the dh, but would rather have it in both leagues, rather than keep the status quo, which is asinine. Will be even more so next year, with interleague play all the time.
ncscoots
September 28th, 2012
11:43 am
Meanwhile, O’Flaherty hasn’t given up a run since dirt was young, and Venters seems to have re-discovered the strike zone. Those are three very scary guys.
raleighbravefan
September 28th, 2012
11:43 am
Does anyone know what the hello “cross-site scripting” is, or why we need to prevent it?
MFin04
September 28th, 2012
11:43 am
Craig needs 4 shutout innings to end the year with a 0.98 ERA
Hugo Z Hackenbush
September 28th, 2012
11:44 am
Maybe the NFL should have field goals in the AFC, but not the NFC. Wouldn’t that be great?
ncscoots
September 28th, 2012
11:44 am
Will be even more so next year, with interleague play all the time.
That might indeed be the death nail for NL-style baseball.
raleighbravefan
September 28th, 2012
11:45 am
Gone for a while. Later, friends.
MFin04
September 28th, 2012
11:46 am
“That might indeed be the death nail for NL-style baseball.”
Does baseball not understand that the two games/rosters are composed very differently? And that for an NL team to play interleague all year round is a HUGE disadvantage?
Lew
September 28th, 2012
11:46 am
OnlyBraves – If Kimbrel were to pitch 175 opr more IP, I find it highly doubtful he’d still be bring 97+ MPH heat as often without his arm falling off. That alone wouild lead to an increase in walks in all likelihood and a decrease in his strike outs.
Like I said – not criticizing him at all. Just pointing out a natural consequence of the fatigue factor.
raleighbravefan
September 28th, 2012
11:46 am
Hugo – A better idea…Maybe the NL and AL should quit playing each other except in the WS.
Brian from SC
September 28th, 2012
11:47 am
4 innings in 6 games…eh. Doubtful. Three innings sounds about right.
MFin04
September 28th, 2012
11:48 am
“4 innings in 6 games…eh. Doubtful. Three innings sounds about right.”
If only there was a way to schedule a 7th game.
David O'Brien
September 28th, 2012
11:48 am
My nephew, Evan O’Brien, caught a touchdown pass for Shawnee Mission South last night. Alas, they led early but lost 28-17 to SM West in their suburban Kansas City tilt.
raleighbravefan
September 28th, 2012
11:48 am
Last comment before I go…Aren’t we playing the same number of interleague games, just spreading them out? I could be wrong, but that’s what I thought.
Hugo Z Hackenbush
September 28th, 2012
11:50 am
Lew’s comment about Kimbrel points out why you should give the Cy Young to a starter who has a great year. If Kimbrel had shattered the save record this year, I could make more of a case for him.
ncscoots
September 28th, 2012
11:51 am
If only there was a way to schedule a 7th game.
A tiebreaker game with the Nats would be considered a regular-season game.
MFin04
September 28th, 2012
11:52 am
“If Kimbrel had shattered the save record this year, I could make more of a case for him.”
He essentially has. Except it wasn’t the meaningless “save” record it was every pitching ratio of a closer in the history of the game.
Brian from SC
September 28th, 2012
11:52 am
raleigh, each team is playing 20 interleague games…the Braves played 18 this year.
MFin04
September 28th, 2012
11:53 am
ncscoots – Exactly.
He gets a save in that game and has a sub 1.00 ERA then he wins the Cy Young.
Lew
September 28th, 2012
11:58 am
Not every record – there were a few pitchers who had zero blown saves (with that many converted) in a season.
semiballcoach
September 28th, 2012
11:59 am
fredi ought to hit chipper 3rd this weekend
Brian from SC
September 28th, 2012
11:59 am
I think I can say this with some conviction: Hitting against Craig Kimbrel in 2012 has been more difficult than hitting against any other pitcher in the history of the game, for a season.
MFin04
September 28th, 2012
11:59 am
Probably a more meaningless stat than pitcher wins or RBIs is the “Save”
Mixxo
September 28th, 2012
12:00 pm
And where exactly, would they have played that one other bat? Who would you have sat all year for the extra offense? – Lew
That’s easy….Heap!
Nowhere man
September 28th, 2012
12:00 pm
Hooters will be catering the affair tonight.
Lew
September 28th, 2012
12:00 pm
Brian – No doubt about it – KImbrel has been dominant all season.
Nowhere man
September 28th, 2012
12:03 pm
Instead of little league players the girls from tilted kilt will be joining the guys at their positions before the game starts.
Lew
September 28th, 2012
12:03 pm
Mixxo – I leave you to McFann’s mercies.
I’m out of here y’all – still in the 30’s up here today – gray with leaves falling all over the place. No doyubt about it – fall has arrived in full force. It might hit the upper 20’s this weekend. I hate having to use the heat at $4 bucks a gallon for heating oil.
Venice Jim
September 28th, 2012
12:03 pm
Nice article by Tyler Kepner in the NYT on Meds:
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/28/sports/baseball/braves-medlen-has-a-little-man-on-his-shoulder-and-fire-in-his-right-arm.html?ref=baseball
Hugo Z Hackenbush
September 28th, 2012
12:03 pm
Kimbrel won’t even have as many saves as he did last year.
Nowhere man
September 28th, 2012
12:05 pm
Bobby Booger Cox will give a speech.
Brian from SC
September 28th, 2012
12:05 pm
Kimbrel can’t help the fact that the Braves have had fewer leads of 3 runs or less in the ninth inning this year.
Hugo Z Hackenbush
September 28th, 2012
12:07 pm
Huston Street has 23 saves and no blown saves. His WHIP is the same as Kimbrel’s. Want to give him the Cy Young?
DAP
September 28th, 2012
12:11 pm
ralieghbravesfan I believe individual RBI are a COMBINATION of both skill and opportunity
and its worth noting that most guys dont get the opportunity if they dont have the skill.
DAP
September 28th, 2012
12:13 pm
i just know that when its all said and done in chipper career, and we look at his career stats, shaun is going to sneer and say “who cares? they’re not predictive of anything!”.
Brian from SC
September 28th, 2012
12:14 pm
Huston Street has had a great year, and very few know about it. He does only have 38 innings, though. That’s like 60% of the innings Kimbrel has thrown.
Felix Millan
September 28th, 2012
12:14 pm
congrats to young Mr O’Brien. Makes me think of the footage of Chipper on the pre game the other night.
Shaun
September 28th, 2012
12:14 pm
Shaun – Like I said, you’ll never understand that both factors are important in evaluating a player. You just won’t.
What are “both” factors? There are a lot more than just two factors that are important. What are not important are statistics that don’t really measure anything relating to players’ skills and wild guesses about players’ emotional states in certain situations. But there are a lot of other factors that are important.
Hugo Z Hackenbush
September 28th, 2012
12:19 pm
Brian, Fernando Rodney has 46 saves, two blown saves, and an ERA of 0.62. Should he get the Cy in the AL?
Shaun
September 28th, 2012
12:20 pm
and its worth noting that most guys dont get the opportunity if they dont have the skill.
Also worth noting that every now and then a player that doesn’t have great skills, relative to other major league hitters, get plenty of opportunities. And what’s even more common is that merely good hitters get about as many opportunities if not more than some of the very best, and therefore we can’t really tell much about a hitter by his RBI.
Alfonso Soriano is among the league leaders in RBI. He’s not anywhere near one of the best hitters in the National League. He’s not even top 50. He’s probably not even top 60.
Brian from SC
September 28th, 2012
12:20 pm
I certainly think Rodney is a candidate. I don’t study the AL very much, so I’d have to do some research to compare candidates. I will say Rodney hasn’t been nearly as dominant as Kimbrel has, who is having the greatest season in the history of relief pitching.
Felix Millan
September 28th, 2012
12:21 pm
VJ— USA 1 up, right? How are the other matches faring?
Hugo Z Hackenbush
September 28th, 2012
12:25 pm
I haven’t given this much thought either, but at first blush, I think that the only thing that matters about a closer is how many saves earned vs. saves blown he has. Don’t care much about walks, strikeouts, how hard he throws, how fierce he looks, etc.
Brian from SC
September 28th, 2012
12:26 pm
I haven’t given this much thought either, but at first blush, I think that the only thing that matters about a closer is how many saves earned vs. saves blown he has. Don’t care much about walks, strikeouts, how hard he throws, how fierce he looks, etc.
And I would say, among those things (except the fierce look), the # of saves is the least important for knowing how good a pitcher he is.
Venice Jim
September 28th, 2012
12:26 pm
Felix – one finishing right now on 18, all square – McDowell has a putt to win – other two are split…
Venice Jim
September 28th, 2012
12:27 pm
McDowell/Rory beat Snedeker/Furyk after blowing 3 hole lead…
Felix Millan
September 28th, 2012
12:30 pm
Keep us posted if you don’t mind…….dang work.Thanks.
Hugo Z Hackenbush
September 28th, 2012
12:30 pm
Didn’t say “number of saves”
Felix Millan
September 28th, 2012
12:31 pm
kinda like you kept us posted in Spring Training. Appreciate that, by the way.
TennesseePaul
September 28th, 2012
12:32 pm
the # of saves is the least important
That, to me, needs more context. The ratio of saves to blown saves is a rather simple number to look at to tell you how effective he has been. Of course, if it’s a bad ratio, he won’t have many saves as the team will pull him from the job. It’s hard to keep the job with a 2/3 S/BS ratio.
UKUGA
September 28th, 2012
12:32 pm
St. Louis should not celebrate merely appearing in the game next Friday. They are, after-all, the defending World Champs.
cricket
September 28th, 2012
12:33 pm
if i was a manager and had a “good” pitcher who is a designated closer with excellent “those things”, he would become a setup man, if someone else could close out games. then i would be ripped as a old-school dum**ss all over the net but the team would close out more wins.
MFin04
September 28th, 2012
12:34 pm
Most guys put in the 9th inning role would have a great save % just because it isn’t all that difficult to save a game. But saving games in dominant fashion, that’s what makes you elite. When guys aren’t reaching base and aren’t even making contact with the ball or putting it in play, that’s elite stuff. Tough to give up runs when the ball doesn’t leave the pitchers or catchers glove.
RC
September 28th, 2012
12:34 pm
That, to me, needs more context. The ratio of saves to blown saves is a rather simple number to look at to tell you how effective he has been.
Even saves to blown saves needs context. For a player like O’Flaherty, that number is going to be terrible, because he has many opportunities to blow saves, and almost no opportunities to earn saves.
Venice Jim
September 28th, 2012
12:34 pm
I’d be happy to – conflicted feelings today, since my afternoon work schedule lets me watch this, but will have me confined to the computer video for the game tonight…
Dufner/Zach Johnson win 3 and 2 over Westwood/Molinari – 2-1 US, but Euros lead 4th match…
Venice Jim
September 28th, 2012
12:37 pm
Tiger just hit an awful shot, way left, hit the top of a tree and bounced out in front of the green…
Shaun
September 28th, 2012
12:37 pm
I haven’t given this much thought either, but at first blush, I think that the only thing that matters about a closer is how many saves earned vs. saves blown he has. Don’t care much about walks, strikeouts, how hard he throws, how fierce he looks, etc.
Matters to what? Joe Borowski, in 2007, led the league in saves with an ERA of 5.07. I think there are quite a few major league pitchers who could do an adequate job of getting three outs before the opposing team scores 1-3 runs. That’s why we need to go beyond just saves in evaluating closers and relievers in general.
Mixxo
September 28th, 2012
12:39 pm
“Tiger just hit an awful shot, way left, hit the top of a tree and bounced out in front of the green…”
Haha!!
Love it!
Hugo Z Hackenbush
September 28th, 2012
12:39 pm
We seem to be wandering off on a tangent. No one has ever proposed Joe Borowski as a Cy Young Candidate.
Mixxo
September 28th, 2012
12:40 pm
Go Europe !!!
David O'Brien
September 28th, 2012
12:41 pm
Martin Prado has hit .305 with 23 extra-base hits, 27 RBIs, a .356 OBP and .812 OPS in his past 59 games, including .403 (25-for-62) with a .448 OBP and .980 OPS in his past 16 games.
Brave New World
September 28th, 2012
12:43 pm
Although, as a Braves fan, I want a World Series title in 2012, I am still very happy with how this season has gone. Also, with the exception of a few years, we have been one of the “teams to beat” for over 20 years – now, that’s a winning organization! GO BRAVES!
Felix Millan
September 28th, 2012
12:43 pm
split at the very worst. I’ll take it.Fortunate enough to live in Atlanta, so will see the ceremonies.
Felix Millan
September 28th, 2012
12:44 pm
course management..lol
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 28th, 2012
12:44 pm
Prado is a machine. Lock him up this winter. 4 or 5 years, 8-9 mil a yr
Shaun
September 28th, 2012
12:45 pm
Check out Chad Durbin’s game logs. In plenty of his one-inning outings, he’s failed to give up a run. If the Braves or any other team with around 90 or more wins would have inserted Durbin in to their closer role, there’s a good chance he would be among the league leaders in saves. In fact, I’m not so sure he even would have to close for a good team. If he just holds on to the job, a pitcher is likely to be among the league leaders.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 28th, 2012
12:47 pm
Talking about RBIs, saves, and Cy Youngs…. anyone want to tackle the 2015 rotation?
RC
September 28th, 2012
12:49 pm
Talking about RBIs, saves, and Cy Youngs…. anyone want to tackle the 2015 rotation?
Hmm….3 years down the road. Yeah, let’s have at it.
1. Beachy
2. Medlen
3. Teheran
4. Minor
5. Delgado
Darkhorse: Sean Gilmartin
MiaBchBravesFan
September 28th, 2012
12:55 pm
I really did not see the sense of having Venters pitch two frames last night, what with the load of arms in the bullpen. Gotta say that was a great virtue Cox possessed; one-and-done was also a huge part of The Run. While Fredi has improved his bullpen management…
Shaun
September 28th, 2012
12:55 pm
We seem to be wandering off on a tangent. No one has ever proposed Joe Borowski as a Cy Young Candidate.
No. But someone said all that matters for a closer is saves-to-blown saves. I’m just asking, matters to what?
I’m actually sort of in agreement that managers should just stick someone in the closers role that will appease everyone on the outside and that can do the job adequately, not his best reliever, so that he can be much more flexible in using his best reliever.
MiaBchBravesFan
September 28th, 2012
12:56 pm
RC, that is one helluva rotation. Here’s to their health and continued development!
RC
September 28th, 2012
12:58 pm
RC, that is one helluva rotation. Here’s to their health and continued development!
If I had to guess how accurate that was, I’d say I’d expect between 3-4 of those 6 to actually be in the rotation, supplemented by free agents and trades. If you wanted me to tell you WHICH 3 or 4 would be there, I’ve got no freakin’ clue.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 28th, 2012
12:59 pm
I didn’t mind…. he saved a pitcher, which he can use tonight. Maybe Durbin can go 2 or even 3 innings because he didn’t have to pitch yesterday. Everyone but Venters should be available.
Hugo Z Hackenbush
September 28th, 2012
12:59 pm
Shaun, I’m saying that when somebody proposes a closer as a Cy Young candidate, he should at least be dominating his peers in the saves to saves blown ratio, and Kimbrel isn’t. All other criteria are secondary, because the point of the closer role is to finish games successfully.
MiaBchBravesFan
September 28th, 2012
1:02 pm
Back in April, I for one did not expect the Braves to have a winning record, what with the starting pitching in shambles at the time and the lineup being virtually the same one that limped down the stretch last year. If the Braves win the play-in game, I would consider this season a huge succes, all things considered.
I did call the gNats to win the division. However, I would LOVE to be wrong again during the next six games.
GO CARDINALS!!! SWEEP THE Gnats!!!
Venice Jim
September 28th, 2012
1:03 pm
Nice putt by Poulter on 16 to halve hole, they lead Tiger/Stricker by 2 with 2 holes to play…
Mixxo
September 28th, 2012
1:03 pm
Now we’re talking about the rotation in 2015 and beyond……
lol
Later y’all!
MiaBchBravesFan
September 28th, 2012
1:05 pm
IMO the last three outs of a close game are the hardest outs to get. That’s why closers in rote roles exist. As for being Cy Young candidates? They would have to be John Smoltz 50-plus saves dominant, with lotsa K’s, to get a nod.
Felix Millan
September 28th, 2012
1:08 pm
never a big Poulter fan… or Sergio either, for that matter.
Felix Millan
September 28th, 2012
1:13 pm
have the afternoon matches started yet?
Venice Jim
September 28th, 2012
1:18 pm
Felix – just did (nice drive for Bubba) – Tiger loses, so 2-2 after the morning…
Shaun
September 28th, 2012
1:19 pm
IMO the last three outs of a close game are the hardest outs to get.
I’m honestly not trying to pick on you, but why is that your opinion? Because it seems to me that if a teams best three hitters are up in the 7th inning of a close game, those are likely tougher outs to get than what could happen in the last inning. It seems the toughest outs to get are when games are most on the line and when the best hitters on the opposing team are up. Those things seem like much bigger factors than whether it’s the last inning. Sometimes it may be the last inning. Sometimes it may be sooner.
Bat Masterson
September 28th, 2012
1:23 pm
I enjoyed the overnights, guys.
Shultz has a good column up. But the commentary, well I guess one can’t be honest unless one is perfect, in some folks eyes.
Venice Jim
September 28th, 2012
1:23 pm
Webb Simpson birdies the first, so he and Bubba lead
Graeme/Rory vs Phil/Keegan just starting…
The Blogger Formerly Known as Billy
September 28th, 2012
1:23 pm
“And as Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle notes , since then only four of the World Series champions since that time have had closer-by-committee groups featuring three pitchers. Well, actually, only four teams had three players with eight saves or more across the season.”
Venice Jim
September 28th, 2012
1:24 pm
Bat – I was careful not to look beyond the end of the column…
Felix Millan
September 28th, 2012
1:26 pm
thanks, VJ..I was lucky enough to be at East Lake this past Saturday. Watched all the groups come through 13. Talented bunch.
MiaBchBravesFan
September 28th, 2012
1:27 pm
Shaun, while I agree that the heart of an order can show up in the 7th or 8th, the ninth is the end. Hitters adjust, go to the opposite field, do whatever it takes to stave off eventual loss. In a close game, that matters. Even in the 7th, a hitter is apt to think that there are still AB chances, and will stay within himself to get on or hit a dinger.
The ninth is where the weirdness begins. Give me a shutdown closer in the ninth every day of the week, twice in the playoffs. If you don’t believe me, ask Davey Johnson.
DAP
September 28th, 2012
1:30 pm
shaun Because it seems to me that if a teams best three hitters are up in the 7th inning of a close game, those are likely tougher outs to get than what could happen in the last inning.
all things being equal, maybe. but the 7th inning is different form the 9th. the 9th is the end. what happens in the 9th has a bigger impact on the game, because afterwards…theres no more game.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 28th, 2012
1:30 pm
Tonight’s Mets starter, LHP Jonathon Niese, is 12-9 with a 3.49 ERA. He has very good peripheral numbers as well, allowing 8.3 H/9, walking 2.3 per 9, and 7.5 K/9. WHIP is 1.178. He has been worth 2.7 WAR so far. He is averaging 6.1 IP a start. He’s been on quite a roll lately, having pitched no less than 6IP in a start since May!
He has had a very good 2nd half, sporting a 5-5 record, with a 3.16 ERA over 12 starts. He has been especially good in August and September, with a 2.61 ERA in August, and a 2.95 ERA so far in September.
Against the Braves this year, he has done well. In 3 starts, he has a 2-1 record with a 2.25 ERA. He’s pitched 20 innings, and has walked 7, struck out 15. He has allowed 7 runs (6 earned) and 2 HR. The Braves hold a .181/.253/.306/.559 line against him this year. (79 PAs). He has yet to pitched at Turner Field this year, however.
For his career, he is 5-3 against the Braves, with a 3.15 ERA, in 11 starts. He has made 2 starts at the Ted in his career, pitching 11 innings. He has a 4.09 ERA here.
TennesseePaul
September 28th, 2012
1:31 pm
Even saves to blown saves needs context
Good point. I should clarify, I’d only look at that for a pitcher who is labeled as a closer for a team. Teams can burn through closers, so he might not pile up a lot of those saves by not holding the position long, but, if what he does have is not coupled with a pile of blown opportunities it’s a quick way to see if he has been at least effective in what has been requested of him.
Bat Masterson
September 28th, 2012
1:32 pm
VJ_
Sometimes I just can’t resist. Insane and funny at the same time
Brian from SC
September 28th, 2012
1:35 pm
More stuff that makes me happy, just because:
Every MLB team has now played the same number of games, for the first time this season. Every team has played 156, with 6 games in the next 6 days.
Shaun
September 28th, 2012
1:35 pm
Shaun, I’m saying that when somebody proposes a closer as a Cy Young candidate, he should at least be dominating his peers in the saves to saves blown ratio, and Kimbrel isn’t. All other criteria are secondary, because the point of the closer role is to finish games successfully.
Well, I think the biggest problem with a reliever being a Cy Young candidate is that it’s hard for a reliever to make as much of an impact as the very best starting pitchers when you consider the differences in innings, even if you give relievers some extra credit for throwing higher-leverage innings.
Even a pitcher like Kris Medlen has thrown more than double the innings of a Craig Kimbrel. So it’s hard to argue that Kimbrel has made as much of an impact as a pitcher like Cueto, Kershaw or Dickey, who are having great seasons and who are among the league leaders in innings.
Bat Masterson
September 28th, 2012
1:36 pm
Oh, and there are some good comments there, too. Didn’t mean to imply otherwise.
TennesseePaul
September 28th, 2012
1:36 pm
it seems to me that if a teams best three hitters are up in the 7th inning of a close game, those are likely tougher outs to get than what could happen in the last inning
You couldn’t possibly know this. In the seventh inning you have no idea of what the 9th may hold. All you do know is that, barring a hurricane, there will be a 9th inning. Put another way…”it seems to me that if a teams best three hitters are up in the 7th inning of a close game, it’s possible that the team sends enough hitters up in the 8th to permit bringing the big hitters up again in the 9th making the situation in the 9th even more difficult than previously assumed.”
The Braves need not worry about this. This team has a pen capable of getting any one out in any inning and they all seem quite comfortable with the roles they have so there is little to compel them to change this late in the season.
David O'Brien
September 28th, 2012
1:38 pm
NEW BLOGGAGE for the people
http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-braves-blog/2012/09/28/chippers-best-player-i-ever-covered-best-i-dealt-with/
phil
September 28th, 2012
1:39 pm
Tiger has gained a few pounds, you know…
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 28th, 2012
1:41 pm
The current hitters on the team have a accrued 210 PAs against Niese, and have a .291/.333/.464/.798 line (57 for 126) with 15 doubles, 2 triples and 5 HR. They have driven in 29, and walked 13 times, struck out 41 times
This year, it’s been different .215/.271/.342/.612 line (17 for 79) with 4 doubles and 2 HR.
Baker and Heyward are the only 2 guys to have had “success” against him this year; Heyward is 3-10 and Baker is 2-6.
For his career, Uggla, Heyward, Bourn, Freeman, Ross, Johnson, and Baker have all hit him well (averages of .250+ in more than 10 ABs). Chipper, McCann, and Prado have all struggled (BMac is just 1-12, Prado is 6-27, and Chipper is 4-20)
TennesseePaul
September 28th, 2012
1:47 pm
I’m saying that when somebody proposes a closer as a Cy Young candidate, he should at least be dominating his peers in the saves to saves blown ratio, and Kimbrel isn’t
I don’t know if I’d hold that against Kimbrel. He has only blown 3 saves. That’s pretty good historically. Add in that he has set the bar extraordinary high in every relief category besides total saves and it is an exceptional year. I would not hold it against him that he is playing on a team which as only presented him 43 chances at a save. I’d look at it and notice that in those 43 chances he has absolutely dominated in 40 of them. Dominated to a level no other pitcher has in the history of the game.
keyLargo
September 28th, 2012
1:49 pm
Hitting against Craig Kimbrel in 2012 has been more difficult than hitting against any other pitcher in the history of the game, for a season.
I won’t dispute Kimbrel’s stuff, but one thing Bob Gibson, Don Drysdale, Sandy Koufax had was that they would flat out throw at you if you set up on top of the plate. And it was legal to do so.
keyLargo
September 28th, 2012
1:51 pm
Hitting against Craig Kimbrel in 2012 has been more difficult than hitting against any other pitcher in the history of the game, for a season.
I won’t dispute Kimbrel’s stuff, but one thing Bob Gibson, Don Drysdale, Sandy Koufax had was that they would flat out throw at you and hit you if you set up on top of the plate.
nolie
September 28th, 2012
2:23 pm
abhor the DH rule, I believe Bud and his Buds will prevail, and implement the DH rule universally,.. raleigh
on a recent interview Bud said there are no plans at all to bring the DL to the NL
George_George
September 28th, 2012
2:57 pm
nolie
September 28th, 2012
2:23 pm
abhor the DH rule, I believe Bud and his Buds will prevail, and implement the DH rule universally,.. raleigh
on a recent interview Bud said there are no plans at all to bring the DL to the NL
*************
Good day all
Hope it never happens. Welcome back nolie, hope all is well with you now. IT IS CHIPPER DAY, Pray no rain.
Mets R Best
September 28th, 2012
3:53 pm
Beware Braves fans!!! The Mighty Metropolitans and the great David Wright are on a roll. We just whipped up on two opponents; the Miami Marlins, who we swept and the Pittsburg Pirates who we just took 3 out of 4 from. Why the great play? Because the Mighty Mets have transformed into an offensive machine. They are capable of taking any team down. Any team. I just hope the umpires will call a fair game this series, not like the last series at Turner field when the Mets got ripped off by bad calls.
..Watch out Braves fans and be afraid because the Mighty Mets are in town and they aim to spoil Atlanta’s party.
Tremble Braves fans, tremble.
Brave New World
September 28th, 2012
4:39 pm
Mets R Best September 28th, 2012 3:53 pm I just hope the umpires will call a fair game this series, not like the last series at Turner field when the Mets got ripped off by bad calls.
And not like the “no hitter” that Santana did not throw (see Carlos Beltran for details).
Doc Holliday
September 28th, 2012
6:17 pm
Im not sure if this has been said lately………but for those who dont believe in pitching:
LA Dodgers are the only team among top 6 ERA teams that are not making the playoff.
1. NATS
2. Reds
3. LA
4. Braves
5. SF
6. Cards.
Only 2 teams among top 5 in runs scored are going to the playoffs……….. Cards and Nats.
Same goes in the AL:
of the top 9 ERA ………..8 of those teams are still alive or are already in for the playoffs. Only mariners (3rd) are out.
While in runs scored……..only 6 of top 9 are in or alive………….
this clearly tells that pitching gives you a better shot at advancing into playoffs.
Who Me?
September 28th, 2012
6:36 pm
Nina Simone kicks ass.