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.