Braves getting closer to baseball’s most infamous
Garret Anderson hung on to this fly ball Sunday despite colliding with Nate McLouth. But I still felt the picture summed up the Braves' playoff hopes. (AP photo)
I’ll be heading out to Flowery Branch later today because baseball season is over.
The Braves were just swept at home by the Cincinnati Reds. They have a season-long losing streak of five straight. Manager Bobby Cox came as close as he’ll ever come to a concession speech when he said Sunday, “We need to just about sweep on the road to get back in this thing.” The Braves will miss the playoffs for the fourth straight season.
But hey, cheer up: You’ve probably heard — four isn’t the franchise record.
From 1966 to 1990, the Braves reached the post-season only twice in 25 years. They had playoff-less streaks of 12 and eight seasons. When they were the Boston Braves, the team went 33 straight seasons (1914-47) without a post-season.
What I started wondering Sunday was just how bad four straight seasons without an October really ranks. Overall, not that bad. Since the wild card era began in 1995, I could find find only three franchises that have not had streaks of at least four seasons: New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, St. Louis Cardinals. (All three could be in the playoffs this year). Four franchises — Washington/Montreal, Kansas City, Pittsburgh and Toronto — have yet to make the playoffs in the wild card era. The Nationals/Expos last discovered October in 1981.
Loading ...Now the worst news: The Braves rank next to the bottom third in baseball in terms of active droughts. Only 10 teams currently have longer streaks. This doesn’t quite balance out 14 straight title division titles, but it’s somewhat alarming.
I’ll go out on a limb here and say the Braves make it back to the playoffs next season. (I’ve got a poll to the left.) But until then, if you’re wondering about the most depressed fan bases in baseball here you go.
And what do you think? Does the streak end next season?
♦
Listed below are franchises with longer active streaks of missing the playoffs than the Braves. The streaks do not include this season. All 10 teams below may see their streaks continue this season, with the possible exceptions of San Francisco and/or Texas, both of whom remain alive in wild-card races. (This assumes Florida also is somewhat dead.)
- Teams Last PS Streak**
- 1. Washington* 1981 26
- 2. Kansas City 1985 22
- 3. Pittsburgh 1992 15
- 4. Toronto 1993 14
- 5. Cincinnati 1995 13
- 6. Baltimore 1997 11
- 7. Texas 1999 9
- 8. Seattle 2001 7
- 9. San Francisco 2003 5
- 10. Florida 2003 5
- * Includes when franchise was in Montreal.
- ** There was no baseball post-season in 1994
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170 comments Add your comment
NCBravesFan
September 7th, 2009
7:57 am
Jeff: I think it depends a lot on the moves that Frank Wren makes. It’s pretty clear after this season that an offense built around Chipper & McCann is not good enough to win over the long haul. They need more offensive pieces.
I have to say that I’m really disappointed in Chipper. After all he’s given us over the years, it’s OK to struggle at the plate and in the field – it happens. But his comments about being tired a few weeks ago, and then subsequent criticism of the bullpen last week in a game where he made yet another error didn’t sit too well with me. It’s a pennant race, dude.
Shut up and suck it up. And don’t criticize another facet of the team when your game hasn’t been up to par.
Max Sizemore
September 7th, 2009
8:06 am
I’d agree with that, NCBravesFan. Chipper’s injury problems the last few years suggest that (a) he has bad genes, (b) he’s unlucky, or (c) he doesn’t do a good job of working out in the off-season. I mean, 37 isn’t THAT old. But he looks like Jed Clampett of the Beverly Hillbillies out there.
mountain_jim
September 7th, 2009
8:08 am
I agree NCBravesFan about Chipper, who I also noticed seemed to be carrying around a burr up his backside that was affecting all aspects of his play. Some plays it has looked like he is not really even trying.
Good research Jeff, and thankfully football season is here. See ya next try, Braves.
Mort
September 7th, 2009
8:14 am
It’s obvious more bats are needed. It would be good to re-sign LaRoche. I think Cox wore out some members of the bullpen unnecessarily. A couple of weeks ago, some of the top teams didn’t have a reliever with 60 appearances and the Braves had three or more. With the weak hitting, Cox has pinch hit for starters earlier than if they had had some runs to work with. I think they are building a good team and actually did better this year than I thought they would. They’ve got to develop a replacement at third. Could Freddie Freeman make the move?
Sonny Clusters
September 7th, 2009
8:23 am
We figure that a sore thumb and some back pain and a little abdominal soreness and some bad toes and hammy, groin, and oblique troubles would make us feel pretty grumpy, too. Bobby Cox is in better shape than Chipper and the only exercise Bobby gets is nose picking. Losing five straight like this likely eliminates the team from the playoffs – again. We was remembering those “good ol’ days” when the Braves made the playoffs and would get knocked out in a five game series by the wildcard. Them was the days. Bobby would start 3 substitutes (to get ‘em some playing time) depending on who the other manager decided was pitching that day. Yeah, them was the good ol’ days. We was always getting tickets for the playoffs and having to turn ‘em back in. We was wondering if hunting season had anything to do with that?
Aubama
September 7th, 2009
8:27 am
Thank you NCBravesFan!!! You just said something I have thought many a time but thought I would never see written. Appears Mr. Larry J. is above being questioned, much less criticized, by the local press for any action, inaction, thoughtless comment or just plain stupidity…..ala Mr. Bobby Cox.
Mr. Larry J……always quick to blame others for their failings and even quicker to make excuses for when he screws up (which requires more and more of his time here lately).
renegade
September 7th, 2009
8:27 am
Braves UGH. Bobby DUH. More uninspired play. Where is this team headed? Out the door is where. These guys have already made plans for the post season and it’s not playing ball. Get your heads out of the woods and get your focus on the field. You can hunt after the post season the deer arent going anywhere you’ve already got them baited up. Chipper its past time to lead but all you seem to do is bleed get a bandaid and man up. Prado put on an exibition on how to play third base did you flash back to when you could move like that. Suck it up guys yall aint dead yet.
Just in case
September 7th, 2009
8:27 am
there are any dog fans checking in,..better enjoy 0-1,..because 1-3 is going to feel a heck of a lot worse.
Edward D'Agostin
September 7th, 2009
8:29 am
As a Brave fan of over 52 years, I am so anxious to try life without Bobby Cox. I would replace Cox, the trainer and maybe Pendleton.
MightyQuinn
September 7th, 2009
8:31 am
I say Bobby Cox has morphed into Jabba the Hutt. I have two words: Weight Watchers! And an acronym: AARP!
Twitter Trackbacks for Braves getting closer to baseball's most infamous | Jeff Schultz [ajc.com] on Topsy.com
September 7th, 2009
8:33 am
[...] Braves getting closer to baseball’s most infamous | Jeff Schultz blogs.ajc.com/jeff-schultz-blog/2009/09/07/braves-getting-closer-to-baseballs-most-infamous/ – view page – cached The Braves likely will miss the playoffs for the fourth straight season, and only 10 teams have longer current streaks than that. — From the page [...]
SimpleDawg
September 7th, 2009
8:34 am
I never thought I’d say this, Buuuuuttt Bobby needs to go. When you have players costing you games, you can’t have the manager costing you games also, and Bobby’s had several bad nights and days.
We need a new message, and someone you will chew some asses when it’s warranted.
The Braves had a real chance to win the wild card, but they folded like a house of cards at crunch time. What a shame.
bull-gator
September 7th, 2009
8:35 am
Rambling thoiughts: Cox and his staff need to go. Chipper needs to be platooned at 1st base ’cause his fielding is terrible. Need more big hitting and FAST oufielders that can catch and throw. Let the staters go longer than six innings. McCann’s defensive skills need WORK. Why does it seem the other clubs can find a couple of 6′6″ 235 lb starters that throw 95 + and we get Hudson back in the rotation?
Sonny Clusters
September 7th, 2009
8:36 am
We was thinking about the time Coach brought in a ringer. We was told to call him “Billy” but that wasn’t his real name. Coach put him in Stinky Wintes’ uniform and got him a cap that was a little too big and pulled it down real low over his ears. That boy came up and hit a ball off the wall and two runs scored! We was so happy to have Billy on the team when the other coach came up by our dugout and wanted to know where was Stinky Wintes? Well, Stinky Wintes was in the stands and nobody was sitting around him and he stood out. We was busted. Coach was suspended for a couple games and we went on to better things later on. We was wondering if maybe the Braves could put Prado in that number 10 and let him play some third base and see how that works out? That way Chipper won’t miss opening day of deer season. We was wondering if a sore abdomen would stop him from hunting?
Mort
September 7th, 2009
8:39 am
I’m a huge Bobby Cox fan and grateful for all the success he helped the Braves achieve. And, I hope he will retire at the end of this season.
Off topic, what kind of pictures, and of whom, does D.J. Shockley have? He clearly played himself out of a job, yet after three years he gets to take up a developmental spot someone with real potential might have?
curtis jones
September 7th, 2009
8:43 am
Braves Top 10 Priorities Between Now and April 2010
1. Find a graceful way for Cox to exit, hire a manager & staff
2. Get Chipper Jones healthy. Sit him now, and insist that he focus
on being ready at the plate and in the field in 2010. Bat him 6th.
3. Find a solid utility player who can be 3rd catcher.
4. Send McCann to Arizona Fall League to learn new position.
5. Cut all ties with Kelly Johnson, Greg Norton and Manny Acosta.
6. Take Garret Anderson off the field and put him in Monument Plaza with the other statues.
7. Lose Mike Gonzales, shift Derek Lowe to the bullpen.
8. Give Jason Heyward right field, send M. Diaz to the AL as a DH.
9. Find a legit leadoff man and a cleanup hitter.
10. 2010 lineup:
1. New Speed Guy CF
2. Prado 2B
3. Escobar SS
4. New Power Guy 1B
5. McCann C
6. C. Jones 3B
7. Heyward RF
8. McLouth LF
Livin In AL
September 7th, 2009
8:45 am
Seems Chipper made a big deal of being a lifetime Brave before contracts talks and signing, now he appears miserable to be a Brave. Bobby operates as if he has a 9 man pitching staff, 6 starters, 3 relievers. I dont expect too much next year.
Sonny Clusters
September 7th, 2009
9:03 am
We was reading about Mike Hampton needing three surgeries already and we was wondering if maybe Moylan and a few others aren’t going to need some repair work coming off surgery and pitching like they do. Bragging on the starting pitching and using the bullpen up doesn’t make a lot of sense to us. Coach would never make some of the decisions Bobby makes but Coach was a thinking man and Bobby just goes by the book. Whoever wrote that book must of left out the chapter on using the bullpen.
AnotherNCFan
September 7th, 2009
9:10 am
The basic problem has been a long-term strategic one – they are nice guys. They first won in 91 because Pendleton & Bream brought an attitude with them of taking no prisoners on the field.
They basically play baseball like church league softball. They have no leader on the team that plays like the second place finisher is the first place loser. Let’s go out and get an explosive power hitter this winter, and let Chipper retire and do whatever he plans to do with the rest of his life. As for Bobby, go ahead and announce your retirement – announce your replacement, and let Scheurholz move you into some sort of consultant capacity. We need a bulldog of a manager. Something to think about – Tom Coughlin is pretty much an A-hole, but he did win a Super Bowl didn’t he?
Mitch C
September 7th, 2009
9:11 am
Jeff, I’m sorry to say that I dont agree with you about this team making the playoffs next season. I really thought we were going to make it this season, after the pitching upgrades we made. How do you propose they will make it to the playoffs next season?
I hope that Bobby retires. I’ve said this on several other AJC blogs. He’s tired, and played out, and it’s time for a change. Chipper is injured far too often, and this year his production has slipped. Lowe will be 37 next season, and Hudson may not even be here.
Unless Wren makes major personnel changes, Bobby retires, and we get outselves new blood in the manager’s office, and the coaching staff, the Braves will be the same mediocre disappointment that they have been since 2006. Sorry, Jeff.
Mitch
Henry D.
September 7th, 2009
9:12 am
Chipper has played the worst defense of his career this year, bothe fielding and throwing and I believe that has had an effect on his hitting as well as he has playedmore games this year than the last several years.
After the season, I hope Cox takes his boyfriend Norton and they retire on his farm and live a long and happy life together. This guy should have been cut at the All-Star break. There is absolutely no reason this guy should be still on this team much less being run up there as a pinch hitter at every crucial point of the game. And Bobby said in the paper the other day that “he has been productive lately” may be the dumbest statement I have ever heard.
Start anew next season with new leadership, PLEASE!!!!!
taxman kenneth
September 7th, 2009
9:22 am
The braves need to completely revamp for 2010 because 2009 is over for them. About the only secure positions on the team seems to be catching, shortstop and centerfield. Chipper needs to hang it up and they need to clean house on the bum outfielders they have. If they resign LaRoche first base will be ok but 2nd and 3rd needs some improvement. Chipper cannot play but 4-5 games and he is going to have something hurting. Cox chose to rest him and McCann yesterday. Why? They can rest from Sept 30th until next Spring because they are not going to the playoffs. As for the bullpen Bobby Cox will kill any bullpen by using them every day. He refuses to let any pitcher pitch over 6-7 innings regardless of how they are doing. That is crazy. I think he needs to retire as well as McDowell and Pendleton. No team is going to the playoffs with this type team. No power and no speed. They need 2 more good outfielders who can run as well as field and especially hit. The pitching staff seems to be in good shape but again the bullpen is shot and most of this is being worked to death by Cox. Maybe Heyward and Freeman can come up and cover 1st base and right field and they need to find a good left fielder and the 2 infield positions. Chipper may could be used as a pinch hitter because with his aliments that is about all he can do. Diaz can be a fill in and Ryan Church needs to go somewhere as well as Anderson. They have so many holes for 2010 I cannot possibly see how they can address all of them. This team is about the worse braves team I have ever seen in years. Signing good free agents is out of the question because if they are any good the Yankees, Mets, or the Dodgers are going to get them because of their unlimited resources. It seems like here lately if the Dodgers have any holes at all they simply go out and fill it. Look at their recent acquistions in the last couple of weeks. The Phillies will win again and the braves will be at home in October and I hope a lot of them stay home when 2010 rolls around. I knew the braves were doomed a week or so ago when Cox said he is sticking to Norton as his pinch hitter. He must be a long lost relative or something. He certainly is not a ball player in my opinion.
TNJeff
September 7th, 2009
9:30 am
Curtis Jones
I like it! Put you in management. Course easier said than done. Hard to believe that “Cold Hearted Wren” isn’t tired of Cox’s STUPID managing.
gayle
September 7th, 2009
9:38 am
The issues with the Braves is not one of a player here or there, but one of culture. The “dynasty” of the 14 straight playoff appearances (only one title) is over and gone. Stop living in the past. It came up on a radio show recently that this team needs a makeover – in so many ways.
Down by two runs yesterday, the Braves promptly struck out to end the game. There is no sense of team or ambition. Success for this team is not to win the Championship, but limp into the playoffs and hope for the best.
There is a wonderful nucleus of players here with McCann, Hanson, Diaz and some in the minors waiting for their chance. With a housecleaning, these young Turks can become the face of this franchise instead of players with their best years behind them and a management staff that more closely resembles the untouchable royalty of the Middle Ages.
The Braves survived the excelled with the departure of Chief Nokahoma and his famous TeePee. They will also excel with the departure of Cox, Jones and the Chop. Clean the slate. How many more mediocre years must we have before someone has the courage to make the changes needed?
Jeff Schultz
September 7th, 2009
9:39 am
NC Braves Fan – Agree, off-season is key. Always is. But I like they’re starting point going into the off-season. … On Chipper, he’s just frustrated. Nobody wants to win more than him.
Mtn Jim – Thanks.
Mort (not that one) – LaRoche will be interesting case. Also don’t know how much money he’ll want. … On Freddie Freeman – I’ve stopped speculating when a kid might be ready or not. Tommy Hanson obviously was. Jordan Schafer obviously wasn’t. Just saying you can’t count on that.
Mitch – It’s possible that by April, I may agree with you on team not making the playoffs. But like I said, I like their starting point going into off-season.
Joseph
September 7th, 2009
10:02 am
Before we go slap happy about using the bull pen too much, I would like to remind everyone how many times Cox has lost the game because he DID NOT call the bull pen in when the starting pitcher was fading fast. Vasquez owed half of his loses to Cox. Also, the past few days, the Braves knocked the ball around, just a lot of bad luck and missing opportunities (missing home runs by a few feet day in and day out stinks). So….let’s not go throwing the baby out with the bath water. This team is better than the 2008 version and with a few tweaks, such as finding a few more bats and replacing Chipper, we have a playoff team.
Otis Leroys
September 7th, 2009
10:07 am
Chipper’s high pitched ego has got in the way of his hitting. 37 isn’t old, but could make him lazy. He always walks onto the field as if he has pickle stuffed up his rear end. That coupled with that ego would make anyone not come near him. It is time for Jones to find another team and replace him with some young kid who loves to hit home runs all the time.
As for Bobby Cox, I believe he is due to retire this year. Whether he does so, is up to him.
I have not heard if the Braves has given him another extension of his contract.
At is best, all we can hope for is another 14 year streak to be created once more. Good Luck Atlanta Braves
IGivUp
September 7th, 2009
10:09 am
Cox and Pendleton must go. The Yankees bit the bullet and sent Torre packing and now they are back better than ever with Gerardi. All leasdership gets stale after a while. Getting swept by the Reds in the middle of a penant race should have been the trigger for a change. Why are we the only team in the league that ignores poor perfromance from its leadership?
Sonny Clusters
September 7th, 2009
10:17 am
Stink Wintes was up in a deer stand one time and closed the gun up on his thumb. That hurt like heck and he jumped up and pulled something around his oblique that hurt so much he twisted and hurt his abdomen some and then he was trying to straighten back up in the stand and he felt a twinge in his hammy and his groin started hurting and he was rubbing that when he started to drop his gun and he reached over and fell out of the deer stand and hurt his back and stubbed his toes. Not saying that’s what happened to Chipper, but could be.
Vince
September 7th, 2009
10:18 am
Jeff, There seems like so much to do yet to rebuild the Braves and I don’t know that Wren would be allowed to do it. For the first time in his career Chipper is hurting the team, with his bat, his glove, his ailments and maybe with his attitude. If he would agree to a trade how about shipping him for top prospects to an A.L. team closer to his ranch whom he could DH for. That may be the best way for him to leave baseball with dignity. I love Brian McCann but a poor fielding catcher is the only position he’ll ever be able to play. So how about ship him to the A.L. to a pennant contender as a DL for top prospects. If we get enough top major league ready prospects from these two moves we’re on our way. Then let(force) Bobby Cox retire, G. Anderson, K. Johnson, G. Norton go, trade one of the six starters for more top prospects, and hope Wren can have another good off season. Escobar, Prado, Infante & McClouth are a good nucleus to start with. Resign Laroche for 2-3, keep Diaz for spot duty and his fire, give Brooks Conrad a chance, and plan on Heyward starting in the outfield next year. Your set with the starters, tweak the bullpen a little, and get a good manager(Ed Yost?). We would be very competitive next year and in the playoffs the year after if not next. Vince.
Lee
September 7th, 2009
10:18 am
Hindsight’s always 20/20, but think what a great bat Lowe’s 15 million could have gotten us this off-season, and we still would have 5 solid starters…..just sayin
kim
September 7th, 2009
10:22 am
they need to be ready for next season in 2010. also need to focus how to play defensed , hitting, run faster,& etc. they need to exerice getting ready for 2010. chipper need go to pain therapy. he need stay strong. if he want to play in 2010 or whatever. in 2010 , BRAVES teams need drink RED BULL(energy drink). for play every games until playoff.
Amos
September 7th, 2009
10:22 am
Watching these guys the past few seasons has been downright painful. I’m not convinced that McCann should be playing C with his hitting ability– maybe he’s the answer at 1B until Freeman is ready, and then maybe one of them can play LF. We hung onto Chipper for too long, and I’m afraid we’re stuck with him and his attitude– who else is going to take that new contract off our hands? Kelly should have been traded after tearing it up in the Milwaukee series upon returning from Gwinnett, and Norton should never have been called back up from Gwinnett. Norton just plain sucks, and I’ve decided that I won’t spend another dime on Braves tickets, parking, etc. as long as he is there. They need to release Anderson as soon as the season ends, although I’m not sure that he’ll notice. Don’t even get me started on Cox and the pitching situation. Our relievers get far too many innings– their arms are dead at this point.
The ship has sailed on the playoffs for this season, and unless changes are made– starting with replacing Cox and his staff immediately after the season– I don’t see the Braves winning the division or making the playoffs anytime soon. We’re mediocre at best, and it sure looks like the Braves management is okay with that.
todd
September 7th, 2009
10:26 am
Chipper should be dealt to the American League so he can be DH. We could probably get someone decent in return. The pitching staff is excellent and we can win with them. A thorough analysis of our hitters is needed. If Wren will look at who is available and cut the dead weight out of our lineup we really might have a chance next year. I think Bobby is a good enough manager for us to win with. Remember – he is not the one with a bat or ball in his hand.
kevin
September 7th, 2009
10:29 am
i am coming to the conclusion that all Georgia teams i root for suck and their coaching staffs are inept…..i.e. UGA, the braves
Phil
September 7th, 2009
10:41 am
As long as Cox stays we will continue in this rut. I have asked all the Cox lovers on here if they are content with missing the playoffs ever year. Because that’s where we are now as a franchise with Cox. Funny how none of them will answer that question. I guess as long as Cox stays they are happy. I perfer a winning team and it’s obvious that we need a totally new direction, a new mindset, a new attitude for this team. Keeping Cox will just be more of the same.
blazerdawg
September 7th, 2009
10:43 am
JS – You were right about this team a long time ago. Too bad that they could not be more consistent, or just smarter, at the plate. At least they got us to CFB. Wren, get us a bat in the OF and some speed! Go Braves!!
Hillbilly Deluxe
September 7th, 2009
10:45 am
As Joe Garagiola said, baseball is a simple game. It always boils down to what have you done for me lately. Basically this years team just wasn’t good enough, They do have a foundation for a good team depending on moves they make and how their prospects pan out. Sometimes a guy who doesn’t stand out in the minors can develop into a solid big leaguer. And as Mr. Bisher has often written, the woods are full of “can’t miss” prospects who did.
Braves getting closer to baseball's most infamous | Jeff Schultz | Baseball bat live today
September 7th, 2009
10:53 am
[...] season, and exclusive 10 teams hit individual underway streaks than that. See more here: Braves effort fireman to baseball's most disreputable | Jeff Schultz Posted in Uncategorized | Tags: and-only, fourth, likely-will, longer-current, [...]
nick manning
September 7th, 2009
11:00 am
We have to remember that Dale Murphy’s body was completely wasted by the time he was 37. We have to remember that before the steroid era power hitters usually lasted to about 37 if that. Then again, maybe the reason chippers body is falling apart (strained quads, leg and foot problems) is beacuse he didn’t take his steroids right. Oh well. Everyone’s body is different, He looks tired, his swing looks slow. He was our greatest player while it lasted
Dand Lee Strickland
September 7th, 2009
11:02 am
I can’t help but think we need to move McCann to another position. We need his bat in there everyday and he isn’t the best catcher. He’s one of the greatest young hitters I’ve seen in years and this way he’s just last longer.
jc
September 7th, 2009
11:06 am
BRAVES ARE PATHETIC!!! SWEPT AWAY BY THE PITIFUL REDS!! C’MON, GIVE ME A BREAK!!! OH YEAH, GUESS WE CAN’T BLAME THIS ON BOBBY COX..OF COURSE NOT!! HE HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE BRAVES FUTILITY OVER THE PAST 4 YEARS, RIGHT?? YEAH RIGHT..AND WERE WAS CHIPPER YESTERDAY?? HEARD HE TRIPPED & FELL OVER ALL THAT MONEY THE BRAVES WASTED ON HIM THIS SEASON!!! TIME FOR NEW LEADERSHIP IN ATLANTA AND FOR FRANK WREN, BOBBY COX, AND CHIPPER TO HIT THE ROAD!! AND TAKE THAT PHENOMINAL PINCH HITTER, GREG NORTON AND HIS .100 BATTING AVG. WITH YOU!!!
jc
September 7th, 2009
11:10 am
I WOULD HAVE LOVED TO SEEN WHAT JOE TORRE COULD HAVE DONE WITH THE BRAVES OVER THE SAME TIME THAT BOBBY HAS HAD WITH THEM..HOW MANY CHAMPIONSHIPS DID YOU MISS OUT ON, ATL??? 6 OR 7??? TORRE IS 100 TIMES A BETTER MANAGER THAN COX..LOOK AT WHAT HE’S DOING OUT IN L.A. WITH LESS PITCHING AND TALENT THAN THE BRAVES HAVE!!! LOSING AND MEDIOCRITY IS OBVIOUSLY ACCEPTABLE IN ATLANTA, THAT’S THE ONLY REASON WHY COX IS ALLOWED TO KEEP HIS JOB..I REMEMBER READING A QUOTE EARLIER THIS SEASON FROM FRANK WREN STATING THAT THEY’LL CONTINUE TO GO YEAR TO YEAR WITH COX AND THAT HE CAN STAY AS LONG AS HE WANTS..AND SO CAN THE LOSING!!!
Callah Deyncourt
September 7th, 2009
11:12 am
yesterday was the first time I’ve ever been relieved that Chipper was sitting out…sad.
Jeff Schultz
September 7th, 2009
11:16 am
IGivUp – I think the fact the Yankees signed Sabathia, Teixeira and AJ Burnett also might have something to do with their record, probably more than Joe Girardi.
Lee – I hear ya. Just sayin’.
Todd – Chipper won’t be dealt unless he asks to be, and I don’t see that happening (unless he suddenly wants to go back home to Texas or something).
Hillbilly Deluxe – Bish is right on target about that.
unemployed
September 7th, 2009
11:19 am
Another 500 season, which isn’t bad, but not good enough to get in the playoffs.
The Cardinals have replaced the Braves as the Class of the League year in and year out.
Poorbrave
September 7th, 2009
11:20 am
I’ve said it for 2 years now, “Braves will never play in play-off again under Cox!”
Question…..Does Wren and JS have the BALLS to replace Bobby Cox?……..we’ll see!
They could give Cox a stupid title and move him upstairs with the other x stars.
Thanks Jeff for another great job. We don’t always agree but who cares.
Bob Horner had a sweet compact swing
September 7th, 2009
11:23 am
We need a couple of big bats in the line-up….it’s that simple…our offense is offensive
Braves Fan
September 7th, 2009
11:24 am
Why is Norton still in Atlanta?? He was bad at best in the past, now he is terrible. I am tired of watching him come into the game with opportunities to do damage and whiff on 3 straight. What a joke.
ronald
September 7th, 2009
11:41 am
Mr. Schultz I know that Chipper wants to win. I actually do not question that. However, what is wrong with him is much more than frustration. what is wrong with him is that he is washed up. Take a look at the last few seasons. How much time has he spenton the DL? Ok, I’ll grant you that he hasn’t been on the DL this year. Yet he continues to be one injury after another waiting to happen. If it’s not his oblique it’s his thumb or his big toe or his hamstring or whatever it is that is ailiing him at the moment. He’s supposed to be an all-star, a major leaguer and what does he say? “I’m so beat up, I could really use a day off.” He comes back next year unless he decides to retire. So what happens next year? Well I can’t guarantee you that he will go on the DL. I can guarantee you that at some point he’s going to be sitting out games. He has not reached the point that not only is he sitting out games. When he does play he does not produce except on rare occasions. So Mr. Schultz, if Mr. Larry Wayne Jones happens to ask you “Jeff, what do you think I should do?” Would you please say “Chipper, we’ve sure loved watching you play all these years but don’t you think it’s about time to hang em up.” The money that is being paid to him is money that cannot be paid for someone who can and will produce.
ronald
September 7th, 2009
11:43 am
Think about how much money is being paid Chipper Jones and Derrick Lowe. That money could be much better spent somewhere else. Wren and whomever needs to get a clue about ow to wisely spend money.
Gemini
September 7th, 2009
11:50 am
If Bobby is still our manager next season, we still won’t make the playoffs. Bobby simply isn’t aggressive enough to play consistently winning baseball. It frustrates me that we never hit and run. I can’t even count how many times that I’ve seen us hit into a double play that could have been avoided by being aggressive on the base paths.
And does Bobby have something against guys with real speed? Every time we get a guy that could fly around the base paths (Brandon Jones, Josh Anderson, Charles Thomas, etc.) he’s either traded or sent back to the minors. Even McClouth, before he injured his hamstring, was only asked to steal a couple of times. Speed kills defenses and I can’t figure out why we don’t get more on this team. I’m sick and tired of seeing us get singles and watching our base runners advance only one base!
Chipster
September 7th, 2009
11:59 am
Hey now, look, I only get just UNDER a hundred thousand dollars for each game, so can you BLAME me for wanting to take a few days off??
(dang, I think I sprained my pinky typing that…)
Navigator
September 7th, 2009
11:59 am
I have two comments: 1) Bobby Cox was never a genius, just road the waves of one of the best rotations of all time. Get rid of him, because he lost this team and respect for your leaders ability is an absolute requirement. 2) The surly Chipper Jones should have answered everyone’s question about the Hall of Fame, he shouldn’t be there. When his career started down hill this year, he had no problem taking the team down with him. If he and Cox return next year, look for more of the same.
GregH
September 7th, 2009
12:02 pm
I believe if you all look back over the last month or so it was Bobby’s managing that cost the Braves a chance to getting back in the playoffs. I wore the bullpen by using the same guys everyday and leaving pitchers in way to long causing many leads go to waste. I am grateful for what he has DONE but now it is time for a change.
Ken Stallings
September 7th, 2009
12:04 pm
The Braves offense got a hot streak going and that was when the Braves actually moved within two games of the wild card and looked like a serious contender. Then, the offense cooled off as Chipper initiated with a season-worst slump which then progressed to Brian McCann. It’s no secret that when your two most potent offensive bats go cold at the same time then your offense overall suffers!
Frank Wren needs to upgrade the offense. The worst part is the possibility that Chipper Jones is truly on the ebb of his career and the drop may be shocking. From a purely objective standpoint, he is way overpaid for the production he is giving the Braves. He might not hit 20 home runs and 75 RBI this season. That’s weak production from a player making $10 million a year.
Yes, Chipper drew less years ago to help the team retain its lineup. So, no one is saying he should give any back. However, the Braves ownership group simply must loosen up the pursestrings and allow Wren to go out and get at least two offensive forces. Right and left field are the best areas to upgrade.
Prior to Adam LaRoche coming back I would have put first base at the top of the list. LaRoche still is a below average bat but that’s because first base is a loaded position in baseball now. If the Braves can sign a better hitter then upgrade at first base also. But LaRoche is better than Casey Kotchman, who was truly the punch and judy hitter at that position.
If Frank Wren is unable to upgrade the offense then next season won’t be any better. The Braves have a good pitching staff, but that’s not enough. The Braves have a well below average offense and with Chipper getting another year older the Braves might have a quandry with having to figure out how to let a future hall of famer down softly while trying to get out of the post season rut.
DB
September 7th, 2009
12:06 pm
Are you kidding?? Those who keep bashing Cox conveniently forget that this same person got us to the playoffs 14 years in a row. This is the same manager people. He balances changes in ownership, money, GMs. etc. and does a great job. Keep up the good work Bobby!!
bobbymahlon
September 7th, 2009
12:08 pm
I wanted to write a blog with my feelings but Curtis Jones,8:43am,Sept 7th said everything I wanted to say so I’ll just second his motion.
bobbymahlon
September 7th, 2009
12:10 pm
JC right on baby.
oh noes
September 7th, 2009
12:11 pm
The only thing wrong with the Braves is Frank Wren. Get rid of him, and they will be fine.
DMac
September 7th, 2009
12:14 pm
The Braves organization has a fatal flaw and that is the lack of a real owner. It is owned by an absentee corporation that could not care less about baseball. This has led to a severe lack of accountability, both in the front office and in the manager’s office. Until the team is acquired by someone who has a genuine interest in the game, ala Ted Turner or George Steinbrenner, the team will continue to suffer.
Paul In Richmond
September 7th, 2009
12:16 pm
The team is uninspired. Plays like an IBM office. Bobby treats most players like cogs and shuffles them in and out expecting percentages to win the games. Bobby then cheers the players and puts himself on the line for them but that works only when you have above average talent to begin with.
With below average talent you have to have them playing over their heads. They have to develp confidence and excellence. There is no inspirational leader on this team. Hasn’t been for years. And it is clear they don’t follow Jones or Pendleton and have not yet started following McCann. Until that changes we will always see very average play when we have very average players.
Oh and btw- Bobby does have a blind spot when it comes to percentage hitters vs power hitters. That is why Diaz and Prado and Escobar get shuffled every day in the lineup while dead bats of Frenchy, Andruw, Anderson and Chipper continue to clog up the middle of the lineup.
Huckabee The Next POTUS 2012
September 7th, 2009
12:18 pm
jc- what an idiot you must be in life. Until a manager or a coach can pull off 14 straight in any sport there will be no comparison to what Bobby did, never happened before, and likely never will again. Torre is a great manager but he’ll never pull off 14 straight anythings. What we are seeing in Atlanta is very normal. Just look at the 49ers, Celtics, Bulls, Steelers ect., after the dynasty aged and retired, it was rebuilding time. Little baby jc saying how many World Series we missed out on is complete crap. Every year for 14 years buddy, there were 24-26 teams sitting on their thumbs wishing they were in the postseason, and yes even Joe Torre was at home some of those years. Jealous followers of other teams and Braves fairweathered fans need to find someone else to pick on, not a First Ballot Hall Of Fame manager. True fans will still be here when our next run starts.
DMac
September 7th, 2009
12:18 pm
McCann should be taught to play first base. His bat would be perfect for a corner position. He’s too great a hitter to be worn away by the daily grind of catching. My fear is that the Braves front office and manager are either not smart enough to know this, or don’t have the guts to take the plan to McCann and insist on it.
Paul In Richmond
September 7th, 2009
12:24 pm
Why do we keep hearing every day how “worn out” “tired” and “injured” these 20 and 30 year old professional athletes are?
The Obvious
September 7th, 2009
12:25 pm
Is no one saying the obvious?
1) We should trade Chipper to the AL. With his injury problems, he’d be a killer DH. Then put some new wheels @ 3B.
2) Cox stop platooning players. It doesn’t work.
3)Can Pendleton.
DMac
September 7th, 2009
12:26 pm
Bobby Cox got us to the playoffs 14 years in a row. And how many times did he take the team all the way to a championship? ONE. In my book, one out of fourteen is not a great percentage. But all of that aside, he has made some of the most incredibly stupid managerial decisions this year, that I have ever seen in all of my forty plus years watching baseball. I could catalog them for you here, but I don’t think I’m alotted enough posting space for that. Just take continuing to use a pinch hitter who obviously can’t hit and continuing to pitch to Ryan Howard with the game on the line and letting him beat you three times, as representative examples. He should have been held accountable long ago, but he has not been, due to the lack of real ownership that I spoke of in an earlier post.
Pal Joey
September 7th, 2009
12:30 pm
We can speculate and criticize all day long, but the only way this team is going to win is if the front office makes the changes that are essential to a winning ball club. They stay with Bobby year after year who keeps doing the same things over and over, expecting a different outcome. It won’t happen. Sometimes you just have to clean house and cut the umbilical cord. The fourteen year run was made possible by a world class pitching staff that kept us in the hunt even with mediocre hitting and management. A different approach is now necessary in order to make it back to the playoffs, and it will not happen with the present manager and a front office who seems incapable of cutting ties with a tired manager who still manages like he has Maddux, Glavine and Smoltz to bail him out. A couple of big bats are also vital for run production. And some speed that will be utilized by a new manager is also essential. This team, as presently configured, will never make it back to the play-offs next year or anytime in the near future without wholesale change, the most important being a new manager in the dugout.
DMac
September 7th, 2009
12:30 pm
Curtis Jones 8:43 +1
DMac
September 7th, 2009
12:31 pm
Well said Pal Joey @ 12:30pm
DMac
September 7th, 2009
12:35 pm
Huckabee @ 12:18pm, you really should change your posting name if you’re going to post like that. You’re giving the Governor a bad reputation by associating his name with your ignorance.
MIchael Smith
September 7th, 2009
12:38 pm
Bobby Cox is not the problem, people. The problem is our offense, and it boils down to a few things:
1) Chipper having the worst year of his career. Not only is most of his power gone this year, his average is at what has to be a career low, and sinking.
2) Shafer was an offensive disaster in center field (probably because of a wrist injury) — a disaster that was not corrected until we finally got McClouth — who then promptly got injured.
3) Francouer was an offensive bust, which didn’t get corrected until we traded for Church — who promptly got injured.
4) Infante was a solid offensive contributor — until he got hit by a pitch and broke his hand. He’s back now, but his timing is off.
5) Prado was a solid offensive contributor — until he developed those mysterious headaches. Now he seems lost at the plate and is swinging at many bad pitches.
6) Kotchman was a solid offensive player — until he missed time for personal problems (don’t remember what they were) and then he got injured. LaRoche has been a huge upgrade.
7) McCann is a very solid offensive player, but misses every fourth or fifth game.
In short, whether it’s due to injuries or slumps, our line-up is full of holes. It scares no pitcher. And I see no way to blame that on Bobby Cox.
Larry
September 7th, 2009
12:40 pm
As usual, the AJC girly men writers continue their lack of courage and this is just another example by Jeff Schultz. Go back a read all of the blogs and count how many bloggers suggest, wish or downright demand that Bobby Cox retire or be retired. Yet, as usual, not a peep about this by Schultz in any of his above responses to the other suggestions.
He deliberately ignores it! Why?
My AJC sources tell me there are two reasons. The AJC badly needs the advertisement money from the Braves to pay these weak sister writers doing these blogs and Jeff, Mark Bradley and DOB cherish their ability to go sniff the jocks in the Braves’ clubhouse where they’d be banned if they show an ounce of courage and challenge Cox!
Can you imagine what kind of women these dweebs attract?
DMac
September 7th, 2009
12:43 pm
Larry @ 12:40 I think you may be onto something there.
Larry
September 7th, 2009
12:44 pm
Michael,
Stop reading after “Bobby Cox is not the problem…”
If people like you would just shut up and dissappear we just could soon get a manager than commands and gets the best from his team and has a clue how to manage in-game, situational baseball. Please just shut the f— up before someone from the Braves reads your ignorant crap and retains him for another year.
I spend $10,000 a year for two Hank Aaron seats and dorks like you keep wasting my money!
DMac
September 7th, 2009
12:45 pm
If any manager of the Yankees had ever had a year like Bobby Cox has had this year, the press would have crucified him. Where is the outrage from the Atlanta media?
JB
September 7th, 2009
12:49 pm
I’m actually suprised w/how far they made it this year. Many forget that our pitching rotation was a mess at the beginning of the season. I think we will be solid in 2010.
DMac
September 7th, 2009
12:50 pm
Without a real basebal owner and without any media pressure, Bobby Cox might stay on until they carry him out of the dugout feet first.
Janice Ballard
September 7th, 2009
12:55 pm
I am 50 years old. I have been a Braves fan since I was 5 years old. I love the Braves and Bobby Cox, but I really think it is time for Mr. Cox to go. If he returns next year you can expect to see more of the same. Times have changed and it is time for the Braves to make a change also. It would be nice if Bobby could see this for himself, but if he doesn’t I think the Braves should remove him. As a fan I am tired of seeing the same thing out of Bobby day after day, and year after year. In my opinion the whole staff needs to go except for Roger McDowell. I hope the front office has the nerve to do something. If they don’t I’ll just look forward to another disappointing season next year.
Firetheoldfool
September 7th, 2009
12:56 pm
MIchael Smith
September 7th, 2009
12:38 pm
Unbelievable. BOBBY COX IS the problem. Francouer and Kelly Johnson in the lineup at all after their complete and utter incompetencey IS the fault of the old fool. What do you have to say about Cox continual use of Greg Norton in clutch situations? Is Cox not responsible for that? How about the overuse of the three in the bullpen? Jeez.
Firetheoldfool
September 7th, 2009
1:00 pm
Larry
September 7th, 2009
12:40 pm
You are dead on Larry. These writers continually dodge the Bobby Cox issue. The only one that has had the cojones to even suggest that we need a change is Mark Bradley.
Firetheoldfool
September 7th, 2009
1:03 pm
DMac. Ditto.
Dr. Warren
September 7th, 2009
1:05 pm
There comes a time for everything and everyone. And now is the time.
siskel_god
September 7th, 2009
1:09 pm
offseason is obviously the key but we definitely have less holes to fill this year than last. i like our chances but we have to resign some guys and bring in a couple of bullpen arms, kawakami has his era below 4.00 and his numbers would look good if he can pick up a couple of relief wins he should be a good piece to trade for a bat, pick up hudsons option and well have a solid rotation. diaz and church will be platooning in left next year im pretty sure garrett wont be back, mclouth in center and maybe heyward comes in and plays right but probably a fa like nady. laroche maybe back, a full season of prado and yunel would help if cj and mac stay healthy. this team has been real good since the break and if the season restarted now i think we would win the division. the back end of the bullpen will be interesting, i would offer arb to both sori and gonzo and try to sign billy wagner, gonzo could be the lefty specialist we had the first half with oflaherty, and sori wouldnt be overworked with moylan and maybe medlen progressing that could be the strength of the team next season. still think freeman is another season away and i think he was a third basemen in hs when he was drafted so maybe laroche can stay and ff replaces larry later? cody johnson is who i am excited to see if he cuts down on the k’s he could be real good in a few more years.
coach k
September 7th, 2009
1:10 pm
i am tired of missing pieces. this team has the pieces they hav eno heart and no passion and that my friends comes from management. Bobby thanks for the yrs you are a nice guy but since 96 you just don;t know how to use what you got and get this team motivated. I don’t want to hear these are big boys and you shouldn’t have to motivate them, but sit down and watch a Yankee or Boston or Detroit game and not only watch the bench watch the fans. Our fans are need to be voicing this is unacceptable, this team could have been 1 back in the wild card if we didn’t hand 2 games to the Marlins by leaving medlin in when he had nothing, that is management my friends and it is killing this team. Say by Bobby and get someone in with a heart and oh yea its all right to rest chipper and mac some that is why we got a bench, and in my opinion the best in baseball with the exception of Norton.
winthrop09
September 7th, 2009
1:10 pm
one thing that people have to realize is that this team won 72 games last year and they have already won 70 this year with 25 to go. so they are on pace for about 10 more wins than last year. this is a process. the braves arent the yankees. they cant go out and sign the best three free agents and expect to win 25 more games. there are some good peices on the major league roster. maybe heyward will be ready to play next year, but he is only 20 years old, so maybe it is a little too early to place all hopes on him. Freeman is only 20 also and he has struggled during his time at mississippi this year, so to think he will be ready to start for the braves next year is a little far fetched. i dont have an opinion on whether cox should go after the year is over but if he does i hope that we can go after former brave fredi gonzalez, and finally to whoever said send mccann to the arizona fall league then you have no clue what you are talking about. no player with more than two years of mlb service can play in the league.
kirkinga
September 7th, 2009
1:13 pm
“Good Pitching Beats Good Hitting”
Well I think we’ve learned that is not entirely true as you do need to be able to score no matter how successful your pitching may be.
An inconsistent offense leads to too much pressure on a pitching staff. The Phils are relentless on offense. You may hold them down, but rarely will you keep them down. Their pitching staff can relax whereas the Braves better staff cannot. The days of scoring 1-3 runs and winning a bunch of games are over. The Braves need to recognize that and adjust accordingly even if it means that some beloved players/coaches/manager must go.
Pittsburgh Al
September 7th, 2009
1:17 pm
As a Pirate fan, I’m used to watching a loser and the Braves are a loser. If you look at their team and check how many of their players would play on the competitors teams you would realize how bad they are. Cox really overworked the bullpen and now at the end of the year they are done. I’m not sure what a batting coach does but I guess he should be helping players hit. The Braves other than a brief surge in August cannot hit! Chipper is tired, has constantly pulled muscles and 1 year after winning a batting title looks done. Send him to the AL to be a DH while he still has some value. Is the starting pitching really good when they at best average 6 innings? After 12 years in Atlanta and 15 years of the Pirates losing I have become a Braves fan. We need a major fix before we drop to the depths of the Pirate world.
BravesFan79
September 7th, 2009
1:34 pm
I think this Braves team WAS good enough to make the playoffs. But Bobby just made so many terrible bullpen moves here lately that it caused this team to loose confidence after the 1st Florida loss. People have been jumping all over Soriano, Gonzo, Medlen, Moylan this season and its not fair.
Its not their fault the manager runs them out 3 nights in a row, or 3 out of 4 games when theirs other options in the pen. And it was another move 2 late when he FINALLY decided to use KK in the pen. KK should of been the guy to pitch the 6/7th innings of the Marlins series… NOT Medlen.
curtis jones
September 7th, 2009
1:34 pm
I don’t mean to compare the Braves’ situation to the war in Vietnam. After all, no one is dying (although I’m often tempted to run in front of a bus when I see Norton up).
But if you’ll recall, two newsmen who died this year, Walter Cronkite and Paul Harvey both bolstered their reputations by standing up to presidents, letting them know it was time to get the troops out, and their strategies were ineffective.
I wonder if the AJC journalists, particularly Bradley and Schultz, have the courage to write a column titled, “Mr. Cox, It’s Time to Go.” I wonder if they want to, and if so, if they’re allowed to. It really, really needs to happen.
MACMARINE
September 7th, 2009
1:35 pm
Good article! I made the comment the first of season that the Braves would not win with Bobby Cox, it is time for him to go farm and pick boogers. This isn’t the team with A Smotz, Galvin, Maddox that most managers would have had more than one World series title. I bet Norton would make a good farmhand for Bobby at his farm, he certainly can’t play baseball. Cox has never been able to handle pithers and it has really been evident lately. Larry only plays when Larry wants to play and then he looks old doing it. Please Bobby retire for the sake of the team and take TP with you! oh well we can look forward to next season!!
BravesFan79
September 7th, 2009
1:41 pm
I cant believe no other coaches on the Braves had the balls to tell Bobby “hey man, your running this reliever into the ground, he aint got it today, choose someone else”
I think i said this like 3 seasons ago, but Bobby needs to be demoted to head cheerleader, and let someone else make the bullpen moves! Author Blank where are you buddy! Buy the Braves asap!
coach k
September 7th, 2009
1:47 pm
As a fan that has watched this team since 78, I am tired of excuses for this management team. Mr Wren please have the balls to end this misery of having enough to make the playoffs and falling short and watching us win one championship with 3 hall of famers. It is now tilme for a change. You made some tough decisions this year and even though at first I had a hard time they proved to be right now go make the toughest and put Bobby and Tp out to pasture…PLEASE
JASon
September 7th, 2009
1:49 pm
Old people are more set in their ways. They stick to one way of doing things and refuse to adjust or adapt. In baseball, you must balance the philosophy side with the common sense side. Observe what a pitcher is doing. If he is having an off day, its not smart to leave him in. I don’t think there’s any question Bobby is a dead weight to the team right now.
kcob95
September 7th, 2009
1:55 pm
It seems really interesting too me that earlier in the year there was so much talk about how Yunel Escobar was the cancer on this team. You had Bobby Cox and Chipper on the radio and in interviews speaking about how “we hope he get its” blah,blah,blah! Well, it seems too me that Chipper has done more to hurt this team than Yunel has ever done. I’m so sick with these guys shifting the blame to other team members. Where is the outrage against Brian McCann and the passed balls or Chipper and the throwing errors. There is no passion on this team and please stop with the everyone wants to play for Bobby. Mike Gonzales is a 9th inning homer waiting to happen and Norton is a 9th inning strikeout waiting to happen. The guy can’t even put the ball in play!
Jeff Schultz
September 7th, 2009
1:56 pm
BravesFan – Clearly, Norton holds damning pictures of somebody in a safe at home.
Ronald – If Chipper wasn’t coming off a .364 season, I might be more inclined to think along the “washed up” front. But it’s too early for me to take that leap.
Larry – Yep, you’ve figured it all out. On a related story, Sasquatch is hiding in my closet if you’re looking for him.
Phil
September 7th, 2009
1:59 pm
BravesFan79,
Don’t forget that Cox also brought in Soriano in a 15-2 game. That was utterly insane. Chipper could have pitched the last 2 innings with kind of a lead, no need to use those guys at all.
The Lowe disaster where Cox left him and the Mets scored 8 runs in that inning, the bullpen misuse, Francouer, Norton, the list goes on and on and on. My God people, it HAS to end.
MAN UP WREN!!!!!!!
curtis jones
September 7th, 2009
2:03 pm
I don’t mean to compare the Braves’ situation to the war in Vietnam. At least with the Braves, no one is dying (although when Norton steps up to the plate, I am tempted to dive in front of the nearest speeding bus).
But if you’ll recall, two respected newsmen who died this year, Walter Cronkite and Paul Harvey cemented their places in history by publicly challenging the President on Vietnam. Both basically said, in so many words, “Mr. President, it’s a losing battle.”
I wonder when, or if, an influential Atlanta journalist (say, Schultz or Bradley) will write a column titled, “Thanks Bobby, But It’s Time To Go.” And if they wrote such a column, would it be published, or rejected by the powers that be at the AJC. It really, really needs to happen.
CarDog
September 7th, 2009
2:16 pm
Lay off Chipper. Everyone is quick to attack as soon as things don’t go our way. Give him the respect he has earned, and deserves, for his dedication the last 15 years. The guy one a damn batting title just last year. Everyone has slumps. He was hitting .300 for most of the year before this slump started. Remember how many walks he gets, his on-base-percentage is ridiculously high every year. When he isn’t slumping, it’s almost like an automatic baserunner. That is nice to have, and the blame should go on those guys behind him that aren’t getting him in. This was a good lesson for the Braves this season, and I hope the guys workout and get healthy for 2010. I think McCann and Chipper should have had more days off over the last month. I rather have Chipper rest a couple of times every month and be on his game, then play everyday and not be as effective. Get off his case when he takes a day off.
If we had this team from day 1, we would be fighting for the NL East. The automatic outs in Franceour, Schafer, and Johnson killed us in the first half (along with the lack of power from Kotchman). We have the pitching, and a great lineup… we are just one stud away from being great. How nice would Matt Holiday have been? His value went up, but he is a free agent at the season’s end…
Brandon Phillips, (Wishful thinking) (trade Kelly Johnson and prado, keep infante for utility)
Escobar
Jones
Matt Holiday/Adam Dunn, etc
McCann
McLouth
LaRoche
Church
Nemov
September 7th, 2009
2:21 pm
The Braves have a good young team that is a season or two away from the playoffs. Cox should retire or be fired after this season. The series against the Marlins proved the game has passed him by… even if you believe he’s still a great coach he’s at the end anyway. It’s time to find a suitable replacement.