More bad history for Kawakami (0-9), but Chipper homers
What's that about a picture telling a story? Here's Kenshin Kawakami after allowing a two-run homer to Evan Longoria in Tampa Bay's four-run first inning. (Curtis Compton/AJC)
And in other news, Kenshin Kawakami probably also feels like retiring.
Kawakami hasn’t quite built up the pension that Chipper Jones has, and he certainly doesn’t have “longevity” stamped on his forehead right now. The Braves’ Japanese import just became the first starting pitcher in franchise history to start 0-9, by virtue of a 10-4 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays.
The last franchise pitcher to start the season 0-9, according to the Elias Sports Bureau, was Tom Tuckey of the 1909 Boston Doves. But Tuckey was not an exclusive starter. He lost seven games as a starter and two as a reliever.
Since baseball is a number’s game, here’s one to chew on: at 0-9 through 13 starts, Kawakami is on a pace to go 0-22. But that assumes he’ll be in the rotation the rest of the season, which probably isn’t a safe assumption.
When Braves general manager Frank Wren signed Kawakami last year to a three-year, $23 million contract, it was somewhat of an historical moment for the organization. But the pitcher is making the wrong kind of history. Even before Tuesday’s game, Kawakami earned the distinction of becoming the first pitcher in major league history to start the season 0-8 while playing for a first-place team.
The Braves just came off a 6-5 road trip (four one-run losses) and were returning to Turner Field, where they were 19-6. But after a two-hour and 20-minute rain delay, Kawakami seemed intent on wrecking the party. Tampa Bay pounded him for four runs in the first inning, including a prodigious two-run homer by Evan Longoria to left field. Through two innings, the Rays had five runs and five hits, including a home run and three doubles.
By the time Kawakami left in the fifth inning, he was assured of going through his 13th start without a victory. His totals: five innings, five runs (fortunately only two earned), seven hits and three walks (one intentional). He threw 100 pitches in five innings. He also committed two errors in the fifth inning on an errant pickoff attempt and a fielding error, though somehow he escaped without allowing a run.
“I’m just getting into a bad rhythm every start,” Kawakami said. “It’s my fault that some of the games are going this way. I have to improve on that.”
Jones managed some improvement. After a day of retirement talk — and having missed nine of the previous 11 games with a sore ring finger on his right hand — Jones doubled and homered in the game. If every game had gone like this, a retirement announcement probably wouldn’t seem imminent.
But everything points to an announcement soon. I spoke to Jones before the game and have updated and re-written the column, which is online now. Chipper wasn’t at his locker after the game, dressing in a back room, away from the media. But his parents, who are in town for game, spoke and had some interesting comments, which you can read in the Jones’ column.
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346 comments Add your comment
Jeff Schultz
June 15th, 2010
8:05 pm
Folks — sorry, don’t know what happened but for some reason commenting was closed. I didn’t do it! Honest! Anyway, no worries. You haven’t missed anything. Except rain and thunder and a couple of cracks of lightning. There is no projected start time just yet.
Not First
June 15th, 2010
8:09 pm
Game on guys. Let’s go!
Blue Skies
June 15th, 2010
8:13 pm
I dont care if kaWakami goes 0-20 if it means the Braves win the division. Just can’t see Chipper retiring before Bobby.
Blue Skies
June 15th, 2010
8:15 pm
Obama caused the rain delay
Jeff Schultz
June 15th, 2010
8:15 pm
The squee-gee boys are on the field!
gtjacket44
June 15th, 2010
8:26 pm
Chipper still has a few big hits left in him
skip
June 15th, 2010
8:30 pm
any word on start time jeff?
Jeff Schultz
June 15th, 2010
8:31 pm
No time yet … Groundscrew left the field when rain came back, now they’re back on field with squeegees again.
Jeff Schultz
June 15th, 2010
8:32 pm
TO ALL: FYI, I finally got back to some if your questions on the Chipper column if you were waiting for answers.
http://blogs.ajc.com/jeff-schultz-blog/2010/06/15/chipper-jones-has-more-pride-than-to-sit-back-collect-checks/
skip
June 15th, 2010
8:34 pm
how hard is it raining? and do you think we’ll get the game in tonight?
Bravo
June 15th, 2010
8:34 pm
So is Chipper seeking a buyout to retire? Is that what remains to be “settled?”
clay
June 15th, 2010
8:40 pm
Tarps about to come off jeff?
Herschel Talker
June 15th, 2010
8:42 pm
Schutzie:
11 comments so far. Not so impressive. I’m with you though, buddy.
Gabe
Jeff Schultz
June 15th, 2010
8:45 pm
We’re still in a rain delay. We’re debating whether Kawakami gets a no decision or a partial loss. New record: 0-8.5.
Jeff Schultz
June 15th, 2010
8:46 pm
Herschel — actually, commenting inadvertently was closed for over an hour. Don’t know why.
ASN
June 15th, 2010
8:49 pm
Jeff, how’s the crowd tonight? Bummer about the rain. I’m still hoping for an electric crowd as I watch from Virginia Beach, Va.
Josh
June 15th, 2010
8:51 pm
ASN – don’t know how electric the crowd will be after a 2-3 hour delay, heh.
bobby cox
June 15th, 2010
8:52 pm
any news on the strart time?
Long Way Home Brave
June 15th, 2010
8:53 pm
Lets Go Braves
ryan
June 15th, 2010
8:54 pm
Ha!
Kawakami at 0-8.5
That was pretty funny.
Andyisajedi
June 15th, 2010
8:55 pm
Braves should make a multi year contract offer to Troy Glaus and move him back to 3rd and bring up Freddie Freeman to play 1st for next year.
Steve
June 15th, 2010
8:56 pm
0 – 8.5. Now that’s funny. Jeff is TONIGHT the night he gets his first win? You were dead on last week with your order of – (1) No decision, (2) loss, (3) Win. Seems like sometimes when it is a lopsided match-up like this that the opposite happens.
Andyisajedi
June 15th, 2010
8:56 pm
Enter your comments here
Jeff Schultz
June 15th, 2010
8:58 pm
ASN — Crowd not great but impossible to give you estimate until people are out from under overhangs and walkways.
Jeff Schultz
June 15th, 2010
8:59 pm
Bobby Cox– no “first pitch” announcement yet. but crew is wiping over tarp AGAIN!
Jeff Schultz
June 15th, 2010
8:59 pm
Ryan — Thanks. Check back with me in an hour… I’ll be really punchy by then.
ASN
June 15th, 2010
9:02 pm
Is Chipper starting tonight?
Is it gonna rain tonight?
June 15th, 2010
9:03 pm
Jeff at least you can get caught up on the morrow
Steve
June 15th, 2010
9:04 pm
ASN it says right there in the short article that Chipper is.
Brock
June 15th, 2010
9:05 pm
Game needs to start. Steve Harvey show ain’t cuttin’ it. Thank goodness for the NBA game tonight.
Jeff Schultz
June 15th, 2010
9:05 pm
I think it’s finally soup — they’re rolling up the tarp!
Blue Skies
June 15th, 2010
9:06 pm
Schultz – has anybody told you that you look like Brian Posehn?
skip
June 15th, 2010
9:06 pm
its game time son! lets do this! first pitch will be at what time?
Daniel
June 15th, 2010
9:07 pm
Brock, when would the Steve Harvey show ever “cut it”?!?!? Terrible show.
bradley broome
June 15th, 2010
9:07 pm
when is the game gona start? o ya is yunel escobar in trade talks? whats our chances to land roy oswalt?
Is it gonna rain tonight?
June 15th, 2010
9:08 pm
YEEEEEESSSSSS!!!!!!!
Jeff Schultz
June 15th, 2010
9:08 pm
First pitch: 9:30.
Is it gonna rain tonight?
June 15th, 2010
9:08 pm
I WIN
skip
June 15th, 2010
9:10 pm
nailed it.. we need a W Tonight with the mets winning……. also jeff, Ill be in atlanta on the 15th for the brewers series (i live in idaho
) it’ll be my first time at turner field and im super stoked. are there any good restaurants/bars by the ballpark that are musts?
Brock
June 15th, 2010
9:11 pm
true Daniel. true.
Blue Skies
June 15th, 2010
9:12 pm
Steve Harveys teeth just blinded me
bradley broome
June 15th, 2010
9:12 pm
whats up jeff? but anyway chip chip is the man!
Jeff Schultz
June 15th, 2010
9:14 pm
Blue Skies — I think a reader did once. Maybe it was you.
Steve
June 15th, 2010
9:15 pm
Skip, you did not ask me but I thought I would throw in my two cents. The really bad thing about Turner Field is that there is nothing around except a little bar that is not very good. It is not in the best neighborhood either. Best bet is to eat in Midtown or Downtown. For a good burger, go to The Vortex. Amazing. Many options though in the city for bars or food.
Long Way Home Brave
June 15th, 2010
9:15 pm
DO NOT TRADE ESCOBAR
Long Way Home Brave
June 15th, 2010
9:15 pm
The Varsity is nice
The Difference
June 15th, 2010
9:15 pm
where’s the “guess what inning Chipper comes out of the game because he’s hurt” game?
my prediction is the 4th inning tonight!
Brock
June 15th, 2010
9:16 pm
Steve is almost still sporting the kid and play look. Fade!!!! and one!
Long Way Home Brave
June 15th, 2010
9:16 pm
Jeff … any news on Schaf gettn a call up anytime soon ?
Nate
June 15th, 2010
9:19 pm
Is there any truth to the rumor that the Braves are looking to move a pitcher for a right fielder?
Blue Skies
June 15th, 2010
9:19 pm
Its tough to tell from your profile pic how close the resemblance is, but in my mind you’ll always be Sarah Silvermans neighbor.
Stratocaster
June 15th, 2010
9:20 pm
Kawakami needs to pull a Pascual Perez and drive around 285 lost and maybe miss a start to break the no-win spell !
Metro Coach
June 15th, 2010
9:21 pm
Any chance the Braves take a shot at trading for David DeJesus? He’s tearing it up in KC’s outfield. I don’t know about his defense, but his bat is definitely better than Melky’s and Nate’s, at least at this point in the season.
Steve
June 15th, 2010
9:22 pm
Jeff you should set-up a poll asking how many innings we think KK will last tonight.
chief pitchanono
June 15th, 2010
9:22 pm
Whoo Hooo!!! Finally! 2 1/2 hour rain delay and we still gotta deal with thier starting pitcher. Too bad we couldn’t have gotten him rained out. Oh well, maybe kawakami’s got some dragon slayer left in him. I think Chippers gonna have a good night, after all this retirement talk, I gotta feel’n. Hey when is Matt Ryan throwing out the first pitch, I got tix for Thursday night.
Daniel
June 15th, 2010
9:23 pm
I want a custom made steve Harvey suit made entirely of buttons.
Jeff Schultz
June 15th, 2010
9:25 pm
Nate — I think there’s a guy who already plays right field. What’s his name again? Wait, don’t tell me . . .
Jeff Schultz
June 15th, 2010
9:26 pm
Brock — keep it clean, bud.
Long Way Home Brave
June 15th, 2010
9:26 pm
Nate, are you kidding me RF ? That would be where Mr. Heyward plays
Norm_FWB
June 15th, 2010
9:27 pm
Jeff…It starts with J-Hey….
Long Way Home Brave
June 15th, 2010
9:27 pm
Any news about bringing up Schaff to the Bigs ?
G12Jason
June 15th, 2010
9:28 pm
Jeff the radar looks good for a while will keep you posted
Brock
June 15th, 2010
9:30 pm
sorry Jeff. didn’t know the v word would cause a stink. I’ll be good.
Jeff Schultz
June 15th, 2010
9:30 pm
Steve — we can just start it now. OK folks, MAKE THE CALL: Win, loss or ND for Kawakami. And as a tiebreaker: how many innings does he go?
Steve
June 15th, 2010
9:30 pm
No Chip screaming at the TV tonight! Woo hoo! I am sure he is a nice guy but it sure does get annoying hearing him yell all the time. Sure do miss Pete and Skip!
Long Way Home Brave
June 15th, 2010
9:32 pm
6 innnings in a ND
Jeff Schultz
June 15th, 2010
9:32 pm
A nice little 390-foot out by John Jason to open things up.
Jeff Schultz
June 15th, 2010
9:33 pm
E-6.
NRBQ
June 15th, 2010
9:34 pm
Andy the Jedi:
“Braves should make a multi year contract offer to Troy Glaus and move him back to 3rd and bring up Freddie Freeman to play 1st for next year.”
Brilliant!
You’re the 923rd blogger to make that suggestion.
Sorry, #1000 wins the prize.
Beach Dawg
June 15th, 2010
9:35 pm
KK goes 4.1 with a loss, unfortunately!!
chief pitchanono
June 15th, 2010
9:35 pm
Ok going on a limb, 7 innings and a W
Long Way Home Brave
June 15th, 2010
9:36 pm
Braves should make a multi year contract offer to Troy Glaus and move him back to 3rd and bring up Freddie Freeman to play 1st for next year. ,,,,,, Makes 924
Steve
June 15th, 2010
9:36 pm
That didn’t take long!
bball fan
June 15th, 2010
9:36 pm
Braves win the game, but Kawakami goes 5 innings and gets tagged with a loss.
Jeff Schultz
June 15th, 2010
9:37 pm
Bye-bye … 2-0 Rays after a prodigious 2-run homer by Longoria.
Steve
June 15th, 2010
9:37 pm
Funny how all of a sudden there are so many Tampa fans. Where were they when Tampa sucked?
ATLNick
June 15th, 2010
9:38 pm
Kawakami is Japanese for Charlie Morton with all those long balls he gives up, Gotta be kdding me that was a moon shot!
Jeff Schultz
June 15th, 2010
9:38 pm
Chiefpitchanono — How’s that limb doing?
Steve
June 15th, 2010
9:38 pm
My vote is 3 innings for KK. Maybe. I can’t get over Tampa’s road record. Amazing.
Jeff Schultz
June 15th, 2010
9:40 pm
Steve — yeah, winning helps. They’re a fun team to watch. Unfortunately nobody in Tampa really watches them.
The Difference
June 15th, 2010
9:41 pm
8-7 Braves win.
Norm_FWB
June 15th, 2010
9:42 pm
Rays are 22-8 on the road…Braves are 19-6 at home….
Steve
June 15th, 2010
9:43 pm
Which is surprising. The Tampa market is not THAT small. The Bucs did fine when they were winning. I change my vote to 2 innings.
Jeff Schultz
June 15th, 2010
9:43 pm
There’s another shot, but this one stayed in the park (double) by Upton.
mmgtfan
June 15th, 2010
9:43 pm
WHY IS KAWAKAMI STILL ON THIS TEAM?!?!?!
Norm_FWB
June 15th, 2010
9:44 pm
I’ll give him 4…
Jeff Schultz
June 15th, 2010
9:44 pm
2 more runs… Kawakami getting racked.
Steve
June 15th, 2010
9:45 pm
Please hurry back Jair!!!!!!! Hope they have a seat ready for KK in the pen! He will be one expensive relief pitcher.
The Difference
June 15th, 2010
9:45 pm
he just wanted to face the pitcher!
The Difference
June 15th, 2010
9:45 pm
smart move KK!!
Long Way Home Brave
June 15th, 2010
9:45 pm
Didnt think it could be over this fast
Beach Dawg
June 15th, 2010
9:46 pm
Revised estimate KK folds after 1.2
G12Jason
June 15th, 2010
9:46 pm
5 2/3 and he gets first win tonights the night
TruthSeeker
June 15th, 2010
9:46 pm
Kawakami might perform seppuku on himself after this one.
Long Way Home Brave
June 15th, 2010
9:47 pm
Yes, send KK to the pen and keep Medlin up there, the new age maddux
Steve
June 15th, 2010
9:48 pm
Jeff would you get any odd looks in the booth if you stood up and did a rain dance in order for the rain to come back?
Zach
June 15th, 2010
9:48 pm
KK sucks
The Difference
June 15th, 2010
9:48 pm
hopefully the Japanese experiment is over with soon….we should pay him $10M to go back home.
Ben Hill; Ben Real
June 15th, 2010
9:48 pm
4-0 we should cover kk just needed to get in tune well be fine
chief pitchanono
June 15th, 2010
9:48 pm
I think my branch just broke!
Beach Dawg
June 15th, 2010
9:49 pm
Steve – Hope they have a seat ready for KK in the pen!
Why do we want to screw up the pen???
Landrum
June 15th, 2010
9:49 pm
At least we don’t have to hear Braves apologist/cheerleader Joe Simpson talk about how great KK has been pitching this year.
GT Alum
June 15th, 2010
9:52 pm
Well, doesn’t look like anyone is going to get to talk about KK’s tough luck after this one. He’s well on his way to earning a L.
The Difference
June 15th, 2010
9:53 pm
lol @ Chipper….he hit that one as hard as he could!!
G12Jason
June 15th, 2010
9:53 pm
Come on J Hey!
Steve
June 15th, 2010
9:54 pm
Beach Dawg they won’t just release him. I’d rather him be in the pen then starting.
GT Alum
June 15th, 2010
9:54 pm
Thanks TB for the the free run!
Jeff Schultz
June 15th, 2010
9:54 pm
Any way you get them.
Tweets that mention We're LIVE from Braves (Chipper and Kawakami are still here) | Jeff Schultz -- Topsy.com
June 15th, 2010
9:55 pm
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Hank Humphrey, Jeff Schultz. Jeff Schultz said: First pitch 9:30 … 2:30 rain delay . . . . and we're blogging LIVE. http://bit.ly/9ZYnDk [...]
The Difference
June 15th, 2010
9:56 pm
BMAC!!! 4-3!
The Difference
June 15th, 2010
9:57 pm
close!!
GT Alum
June 15th, 2010
9:58 pm
Too bad this isn’t basketball. We could trade KK’s expiring contract at the end of the year. Well, assuming Wags does retire, and considering Saito may not be back next year, we might have room for him to be the little-used mop-up guy at the back of the ‘pen.
Long Way Home Brave
June 15th, 2010
9:59 pm
Man, almost. Any one know where i can watch this online without paying ?
Zach
June 15th, 2010
10:00 pm
Medlen has to be the choice when JJ comes back…right….right???
skip
June 15th, 2010
10:00 pm
We need to trade KK and have medlin be the 5th starter….. im thinking a bat in center would be nice!
G12Jason
June 15th, 2010
10:01 pm
I wished cant watch it here either
Long Way Home Brave
June 15th, 2010
10:01 pm
Nobody wants KK, not even Japan
Jeff Schultz
June 15th, 2010
10:02 pm
Somebody, please get him out of there. Every ball has been hit hard.
Zach
June 15th, 2010
10:02 pm
AHHHHHH,…. I did not wait 2 hours and 20 minutes to watch this crap
Beach Dawg
June 15th, 2010
10:02 pm
Me thinks when JJ comes back KK and Medlin to the pen and Resop in the rotation. Maybe even Resop to the rotation before JJ returns.
Steve
June 15th, 2010
10:02 pm
SKIP who the heck would take, or want KK?
Reid Adair
June 15th, 2010
10:03 pm
Kenshin Kawakami continues to impress … four runs in the first on three hits (including a two-run homer) and two walks. Jair Jurrjens can’t get back to the Braves fast enough. Look at Kawakami’s numbers over his entire time in Atlanta. He may well be the worst of the Frank Wren acquisitions.
The Braves have to get him out of the rotation. Kris Medlen is much better than Kawakami.
Long Way Home Brave
June 15th, 2010
10:03 pm
KK will earn this L tonight
Steve
June 15th, 2010
10:04 pm
Pretty sad that the pen has to be up with one out in the 2nd. Thanks KK. Lets hope this is his last start!
Long Way Home Brave
June 15th, 2010
10:05 pm
Dont send the pen in, make him take this all himself
Steve
June 15th, 2010
10:07 pm
Well I think we all thought, going into this series, that our best bet was to win games two and three with Hanson and Huddy going. Two out of three still works for me!
GT Alum
June 15th, 2010
10:07 pm
KK really hasn’t been terrible the past season plus, but tonight he’s leaving everything up and getting tagged. He’s probably a better than average fifth starter. There’s only 2 problems with that – we’re spoiled to good pitching, and he seems to always get matched up with the other team’s ace.
mclOUTh
June 15th, 2010
10:08 pm
Any chance J-Hey can take KK out like he did Nate?
Long Way Home Brave
June 15th, 2010
10:09 pm
GT Alum those are all great points, couldnt have said it better myself, except you left out he gets the least run support ( unless JJ gets less which could be true )
GT Alum
June 15th, 2010
10:11 pm
It’s funny – people were worrying about the Braves’ lack of starting pitching depth. A few weeks ago, one columnist even wrote about how the Braves should try to get Oswalt. Now, we’re talking about how we have too many good pitchers who could be starting to have KK in the rotation – Resop, Medlen, even Venters.
Jeff Schultz
June 15th, 2010
10:11 pm
Reid — if you factor money into it (3 years/$23 million) there’s no question he has been the worst free agent signee of his regime.
was wrong about Glaus
June 15th, 2010
10:13 pm
Can Chipper pitch? He could not be any worse that Kamikaze.
Long Way Home Brave
June 15th, 2010
10:13 pm
But NO ONE and i repeat NO ONE is worse the the MIKE HAMPTON pick up
Steve
June 15th, 2010
10:13 pm
Nice! Pinch hit Bobby!
Steve
June 15th, 2010
10:14 pm
Well Jeff, not sure if anyone predicted KK going 2 WHOLE innings tonight.
GT Alum
June 15th, 2010
10:14 pm
Well, Long Way Home Brave, that could have something to always getting matched up with the other team’s ace, but, yeah, that’s an issue too. A pitcher like Maddux could find a way to be successful without getting much run support. You can’t expect someone like KK to do that consistently.
bob
June 15th, 2010
10:15 pm
wuts duh score
mclOUTh
June 15th, 2010
10:15 pm
Maybe J-Hey can clothesline him during BP tomorrow?
Steve
June 15th, 2010
10:15 pm
Oh never mind. I thought Blanco was pinch hitting.
bob
June 15th, 2010
10:15 pm
dont have no tv
Eve
June 15th, 2010
10:15 pm
Is Kawakami trying to set a new record for losses?? WHEN will our Braves cut THEIR losses and send that dude back to Japan – where he can AT LEAST speak the right language?? He can’t pitch himself out of a paper bag. This dude is seriously NOT READY FOR PRIME TIME. Bobby – PLEASE bring up someone else and ditch this dude before he ruins any chance we might have for a pennant!
Long Way Home Brave
June 15th, 2010
10:16 pm
I don’t at all, and never wanted the club to pick him up at his asking price at his age. To old to teach no tricks to and most of those over seas guys are good for a year to a year and a half and then they get t’ed off on or racked if you will
Jeff Schultz
June 15th, 2010
10:16 pm
McLouth — now that’s a funny visual.
Jeff Schultz
June 15th, 2010
10:17 pm
OK, here we go — the classic help-yourself moment for a pitcher. bases juiced.
mclOUTh
June 15th, 2010
10:17 pm
WHAT THE HECK??? We’re letting him HIT??? Are you KIDDING ME???
Long Way Home Brave
June 15th, 2010
10:17 pm
Bobby, please dont let him swing
Jeff Schultz
June 15th, 2010
10:18 pm
Never mind.
mclOUTh
June 15th, 2010
10:18 pm
Maybe Chipper can bust his ring finger…
bob
June 15th, 2010
10:18 pm
whos bases are loaded
Steve
June 15th, 2010
10:18 pm
Lets go Prado! How about a long one?
Long Way Home Brave
June 15th, 2010
10:18 pm
Never cheered for a Braves strike out more
Steve
June 15th, 2010
10:20 pm
Roy Halladay tonight – 6 innings, 8 hits, 6 runs, 3 HR, loss. Nice.
mclOUTh
June 15th, 2010
10:21 pm
I just lost optimism for tonight…
The Difference
June 15th, 2010
10:21 pm
Bases Loaded…0 Outs….0 Runs….NICE!!!
mclOUTh
June 15th, 2010
10:21 pm
What channel is the basketball game on?
Gary
June 15th, 2010
10:21 pm
Bases loaded, no outs. And we cant even get one run home?
Jeff Schultz
June 15th, 2010
10:21 pm
That was huge — bases loaded, nobody out and can’t score.
mclOUTh
June 15th, 2010
10:22 pm
I am a huge J-Hey fan but I think it might be time to drop him in the order when a lefty is pitching….
The Difference
June 15th, 2010
10:22 pm
batting Hinske for KK would have been the thing to do there
The Difference
June 15th, 2010
10:23 pm
JHey is becoming too patient again….he’s not jumping on the 1st pitch…usually a FB for a strike.
atl39
June 15th, 2010
10:23 pm
I disagreed 100% with having KK hit with the bases loaded nobody out.Long delay.A top pitcher in price.That coulda been there only chance to do something.Hit or not.That was a BAD call by Cox.And that strike to Prado was just as bad.
skip
June 15th, 2010
10:24 pm
that was potentially the game right there
just can’t let that happen, thats the kind of crap we were doing during the 9 game loser…. LAME! wow did kk just strike someone out? seriously he needs to go .. im dong with the KK experiment medlin is MUCH MUCH better!
mclOUTh
June 15th, 2010
10:25 pm
I really like Blanco in CF….I would love to see him get some more time…
Jeff Schultz
June 15th, 2010
10:25 pm
Atl39 — I thought they might pull him there. I was at least mildly surprised.
Big B CH 99
June 15th, 2010
10:26 pm
I’m wondering how the 1 error to Escobar made 3 out of the 4 1st inning runs unearned. Obviously the runner that reached on the error (got driven in by the Longoria dinger) would be unearned, but shouldn’t everything else, including Longoria be earned.
Isn’t today the deadline to call up Resop, so I’m assuming that they’re not calling him up. I’d call him up & send Chavez down.
GT Alum
June 15th, 2010
10:26 pm
Well, Jeff, I guess you’re right. I thought getting Kotchman for Tex might be up there, but at least he was cheap and netted us LaRoche in the end. McClouth might qualify, though. He’s cheaper than KK, so I guess it will depend on if Gorkys ever does anything and what we can get for McClouth.
The Difference
June 15th, 2010
10:29 pm
Resop was called up today:
http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100615&content_id=11200340¬ebook_id=11200364&vkey=notebook_atl&fext=.jsp&c_id=atl
bob
June 15th, 2010
10:30 pm
Enter your comments herebraves or rays
mclOUTh
June 15th, 2010
10:30 pm
Attaboy Chipper…..
Jeff Schultz
June 15th, 2010
10:31 pm
Big B CH 99 — I’m assuming because when Pena (fourth batter of the inning) struck out, he would’ve been the third out, if not for the error. The walk and two doubles (and 2 more runs) followed.
GT Alum
June 15th, 2010
10:31 pm
Lowe could be up there, though. He’s getting the Ws, but his ERA as a Brave is worse than KK’s, and he’s going to end up costing the Braves nearly 3 times as much as KK.
Long Way Home Brave
June 15th, 2010
10:31 pm
Chip
Jeff Schultz
June 15th, 2010
10:32 pm
GT alum — that’s the thing about KK — he would be fine for a fifth starter, but $23 million says he was supposed to be more.
mclOUTh
June 15th, 2010
10:32 pm
Is Joe Simpson on crack? “Chipper can still hit anybody’s fastball” Really Joe? Is that why he’s hitting .228??
GT Alum
June 15th, 2010
10:32 pm
Well, we’re getting runners on base, but we haven’t been able to drive any of them in. Our lone run scored on a WP.
mclOUTh
June 15th, 2010
10:33 pm
He would be a good 5th starter for the Orioles or Pirates Jeff…not a 1st place club
mclOUTh
June 15th, 2010
10:36 pm
Be a nice spot for a gapper….
GT Alum
June 15th, 2010
10:36 pm
We overpaid for both Lowe and KK after whiffing on our first choices for starting pitchers last year. If we had known how good Vaz, JJ and Hanson would be, and that Huddy would come back strong, we might’ve gone with those guys, Glavine and at worst one of Lowe and KK. That’s the benefit of hindsight, though.
mclOUTh
June 15th, 2010
10:37 pm
Come through Yunel…..please…
Beach Dawg
June 15th, 2010
10:37 pm
GT Alum, which would you prefer Ws or nice ERA??
Long Way Home Brave
June 15th, 2010
10:38 pm
W’s all day
GT Alum
June 15th, 2010
10:39 pm
Actually, mclOUTh, KK would likely be earning that salary for Baltimore or Pittsburgh. He’d probably be their 2nd or 3rd best starter.
Jeff Schultz
June 15th, 2010
10:39 pm
McLouth — Point taken. First 0-8 pitcher for a first-place team in major league history. That’s an amazing stat.
mclOUTh
June 15th, 2010
10:40 pm
Too many wasted chances…..get the Orient Express out of the rotation please?
mclOUTh
June 15th, 2010
10:41 pm
Jeff…be proactive….probably 0-9. Maybe a miracle….but more than likely our lead goes to 1/2 and KK goes to 0-9. How long do you let this poor guy go? At some point look for him to commit Harry Carey.
GT Alum
June 15th, 2010
10:43 pm
I don’t know, I guess I’m not all that upset about KK’s salary because we’re getting Hudson, Medlen, JJ and Hanson for about $10M combined, so I look at it as I’d have no problem paying $17M for that starting rotation. Honestly, $32M for a rotation as good as ours is pretty darn good. It’s just the money’s being distributed almost exactly opposite of how it should be.
bob
June 15th, 2010
10:44 pm
fire kawakawakami
Line Drive
June 15th, 2010
10:45 pm
KaKa has made it to the mound to start the 4th…..Tampa Bay you should have knocked him out when you had the chance
mclOUTh
June 15th, 2010
10:45 pm
from 0-2 to a walk. Geesh. GET HIM THE HECK OUT OF THE GAME, THE ROTATION, and THE ROSTER!
Jeff Schultz
June 15th, 2010
10:45 pm
That walk to Crawford makes 10 Tampa baserunners and we’re one out into the fourth.
GT Alum
June 15th, 2010
10:46 pm
I’ve always wanted to call him Kenshin Kamikaze. Looks like he’s living up to that name tonight.
GT Alum
June 15th, 2010
10:48 pm
May have gotten Crawford on that stolen base, but you’ll never get that call with a throw that high and a tag halfway up the runner’s body.
mclOUTh
June 15th, 2010
10:48 pm
He and Bobby must have got hammered on sake one night and he has compromising pics of Bobby and a geisha girl
GT Alum
June 15th, 2010
10:52 pm
The only thing I can think is Bobby wants to save the ‘pen for games we have a good chance of winning. He may be waiting to see if KK can give the offense a chance to get back in this one. If so, he’ll start being a bit more aggressive about trying to win this one. If not, save the ‘pen for the games where we appear to have an advantage with regard to the starting pitchers.
Jeff Schultz
June 15th, 2010
10:52 pm
Back to back scoreless innings by KK! Stop the game!
GT Alum
June 15th, 2010
10:56 pm
Nice play by Crawford to take a hit from Blanco.
Jeff Schultz
June 15th, 2010
10:56 pm
I guess Kawakami redeemed himself in Cox’s mind since he’s letting him bat.
JohnSmith
June 15th, 2010
10:58 pm
KK has pitched into some bad luck, for sure, but he also doesn’t go very long into ball games. It’s time to move him to the ‘pen, but who’ll make that determination? Will Cox do the right thing, or will Wren swallow his pride and ask Bobby to do it?
The Difference
June 15th, 2010
10:58 pm
JHey will take a first pitch strike here.
Big B CH 99
June 15th, 2010
10:59 pm
Thanks, Jeff I should’ve thought about that, but it’s sometimes hard to figure out when a run is earned or not.
Thanks for letting me know about Resop, Difference. I should’ve checked Braves.com. Hopefully he’ll be good outta the pen, he can’t be much worse than Chavez.
I like Blanco better than McOut in CF. He’s got good speed & range defensively & is swinging the bat better than McOut. He’s doesn’t have as much power, but he’s hitting above 200. I think someone else has mentioned before that like me they feel more comfortable w/ Huddy hitting w/ RISP than McOut. Hopefully McLouth will come back from the concussion and play better.
mclOUTh
June 15th, 2010
11:00 pm
Jeff, it’s refreshing to have a columnist who shares his frustration
GT Alum
June 15th, 2010
11:04 pm
Chipper strikes out. Wonder if he was unhappy with the call or himself.
Jeff Schultz
June 15th, 2010
11:04 pm
Ouch — saw it live, thought it was outside. But replay it was close enough and Chipper knew it.
The Difference
June 15th, 2010
11:05 pm
the ball was an obvious strike….Chipper was just too old and slow to hit that breaking ball!
GT Alum
June 15th, 2010
11:07 pm
In other news, the Finals look destined for a game 7.
CaptainMudderland
June 15th, 2010
11:09 pm
Got to swing at anything close in that situation because you’re not going to get the borderline call when you are a hurting pup…time and time again the same result and the captain is worn out pulling for ole Chipper…beyond ouch…freight train deadly!
Line Drive
June 15th, 2010
11:10 pm
KaKa begins the 5th down 3 runs and promptly allows yet another baserunner
Line Drive
June 15th, 2010
11:11 pm
that’s got to be an E3
GT Alum
June 15th, 2010
11:11 pm
KK’s giving away freebies again.
mclOUTh
June 15th, 2010
11:11 pm
Watching KK pitch tonight is like watching payback for Pearl Harbor.
Herschel Talker
June 15th, 2010
11:12 pm
Schultzie – this guy Kawakami is a train wreck. Laser hits. Bad pickoff throws. Can’t field bunts. What a disaster we have on our hands.
Line Drive
June 15th, 2010
11:12 pm
and that’s got to be an E1
The Difference
June 15th, 2010
11:12 pm
KK’s starts are getting comical….think we could trade him to get Doyle Alexander back?
GT Alum
June 15th, 2010
11:12 pm
Line Drive, Glaus would’ve had to step on Zobrist to catch that throw – E1.
This Is It
June 15th, 2010
11:14 pm
Resop warming up in the bullpen.
This is Kawakami’s last game as a starter. Count on it.
Line Drive
June 15th, 2010
11:14 pm
My bad GT….I didn’t get a good enough look…..and the OS agrees with you too
mclOUTh
June 15th, 2010
11:15 pm
He tries the lame pickoffs because he’s scared to throw a pitch
Line Drive
June 15th, 2010
11:16 pm
The kid Brignac hitting is from my hometown in Louisiana
Line Drive
June 15th, 2010
11:16 pm
KaKa rarely gives Atl a chance to win
GT Alum
June 15th, 2010
11:17 pm
The throw was obviously bad. Live, I thought Glaus could’ve come off the bag to save it, but, on the replay, I saw he couldn’t do much b/c of the runner.
This Is It
June 15th, 2010
11:18 pm
This guy makes mountains out of mole hills. Two errors and a SB allowed in the same inning. Yeesh.
GT Alum
June 15th, 2010
11:18 pm
How did we come out of that inning unscathed?
Line Drive
June 15th, 2010
11:18 pm
KaKa walked on eggshells in the 5th
GT Alum
June 15th, 2010
11:20 pm
The KC Royals – aka the Braves’ western branch.
GT Alum
June 15th, 2010
11:24 pm
Joe already seems to have a better chemistry with EJ than with Chip.
Ed Norton
June 15th, 2010
11:26 pm
If only there was a mute button on that annoying Bobby Cox “C’mon kid” audio. What moron in the Peachtree TV truck feels that is interesting or entertaining in any way? I think his name is Glenn Diamond.
GT Alum
June 15th, 2010
11:26 pm
The lightning fast Brian McCann steals a base.
GT Alum
June 15th, 2010
11:27 pm
…then beats a throw home.
Jeff Schultz
June 15th, 2010
11:27 pm
And suddenly it’s a 5-3 game, for anybody still watching. By the way, that was McCann’s third stolen base of the season, which is two off his career high.
GT Alum
June 15th, 2010
11:27 pm
Jeez, this is actually turning into a game.
mclOUTh
June 15th, 2010
11:29 pm
Blanco just LOOKS like a hitter…whereas Nate looks like a confused little boy.
mclOUTh
June 15th, 2010
11:30 pm
As I said…..
CaptainMudderland
June 15th, 2010
11:31 pm
We have to come thru…boy, Bobby is barking tonight…nice Gregor…we are getting to this pitcher, one big one away from taking charge of this thing.
GT Alum
June 15th, 2010
11:32 pm
Conrad steps to the plate as the go-ahead run.
Line Drive
June 15th, 2010
11:32 pm
Ed Norton- I am with you man….sounds like somebody sitting in the stands instead of a big league manager….annoying to say the least
GT Alum
June 15th, 2010
11:33 pm
Attaboy! Come on, come on!
mclOUTh
June 15th, 2010
11:34 pm
2 runs down….that’s it for Price….maybe we can get to their bullpen
GT Alum
June 15th, 2010
11:34 pm
And Conrad Ks.
Jeff Schultz
June 15th, 2010
11:36 pm
Obviously Kawakami can’t win it tonight but he can lose it.
GT Alum
June 15th, 2010
11:37 pm
Interesting to see what Resop does tonight. Wonder if the Braves are trying to showcase him.
mclOUTh
June 15th, 2010
11:38 pm
Are you shocked at that Jeff?
CaptainMudderland
June 15th, 2010
11:40 pm
Chipper….C’mon Chip…foul! Atta boy…c’mon! Strike! hmmm! ahem! This helps you know!!! I’d rather Erykah Badu!
O'Brien
June 15th, 2010
11:41 pm
Jeff,
When jair comes back, do u think he should replace KK or Medlen?
GT Alum
June 15th, 2010
11:41 pm
Phew! I thought Resop had just thrown Longoria the same pitch KK did in the first.
Line Drive
June 15th, 2010
11:42 pm
Resop=some things never change….he is not a big league pitcher….3A is his thing
mclOUTh
June 15th, 2010
11:42 pm
Dumb question O’Brien
Boatdoc
June 15th, 2010
11:42 pm
For everyone who has been sniping at KK tonight: when he was pinch-hit for, he had given up the same number of runs and walks, and one less hit as the guy who is leading the AL in Wins, ERA, etc.
I’m not saying he is the 2nd coming of Sandy Koufax – I’m saying the “next Smolt/Glavine/Maddux” isn’t just waiting for the Braves to sit Kawakami. Bobby’s playing what he’s got, and with better run support KK could have as many wins as D.Lowe.
GT Alum
June 15th, 2010
11:43 pm
Line Drive, I hope you’re wrong, because it sounds like he might have to prove that before the Braves let him go.
Line Drive
June 15th, 2010
11:43 pm
okay, maybe Resop was just nervous pitching to the first 2 hitters in the 6th
mclOUTh
June 15th, 2010
11:45 pm
Hey boatdoc…our point is put his butt in the pen when JJ comes back. Medlen has earned the spot in the rotation
Jeff Schultz
June 15th, 2010
11:45 pm
Shaky start for Mr. Resop. He’s now thrown 18 pitches in this inning.
GT Alum
June 15th, 2010
11:46 pm
Boatdoc, KK pretty much earned the sniping tonight. An ERA of 9 isn’t going to get you very far. I have to think Price did not have his best stuff tonight, but, then, neither did KK.
CaptainMudderland
June 15th, 2010
11:46 pm
Get this guy out of here Bobby!
GT Alum
June 15th, 2010
11:47 pm
OK, I think we can stick a fork in this one.
mclOUTh
June 15th, 2010
11:47 pm
McCann is slow as molasses…and that was a horrible throw
Jeff Schultz
June 15th, 2010
11:47 pm
Interesting base running there by Crawford, by the way.
CaptainMudderland
June 15th, 2010
11:47 pm
Beer sales just increased…thanks Resop!
Jeff Schultz
June 15th, 2010
11:48 pm
O’Brien — KK
GT Alum
June 15th, 2010
11:52 pm
I’d be reluctant to move Medlen back to the ‘pen, and not just because he’s been better than KK. Sure’ Medlen’s been great in both roles this year, but how much do you really want to bounce a kid back and forth and risk messing with his head. Besides, Medlen looks to have a future with this team that will last a lot longer than the end of next year. KK doesn’t. Go with the guy who’s helping you build for the future, not the one you’re overpaying.
Boatdoc
June 15th, 2010
11:55 pm
I completely agree KK is the one on the bubble if a 5th starter becomes available – and I’ll add that JJ was easily the star of the staff last year – but is anyone else nervous about reports of decreased velocity and pitch count limits from JJ’s rehab starts?
And anyone else wish it could have been Saito instead of Resop? 2 hits and 2 walks … There go a few more of Bobby’s hairs.
mclOUTh
June 15th, 2010
11:55 pm
Prado is a freak
GT Alum
June 15th, 2010
11:56 pm
Well, Boatdoc, unfortunately, it sounds like we need to figure out what we’ve got with Resop pretty soon. If he doesn’t pan out, it could be a painful process.
GT Alum
June 15th, 2010
11:57 pm
Wow, a rope from J-Hey.
mclOUTh
June 15th, 2010
11:57 pm
thumb must be feeling better…..
GT Alum
June 16th, 2010
12:00 am
OK, I’m calling 3 run HR for Glaus.
GT Alum
June 16th, 2010
12:02 am
Ouch, or not. He made Glaus look bad.
mclOUTh
June 16th, 2010
12:02 am
Dang Troy it was on a tee!!!
Line Drive
June 16th, 2010
12:02 am
needed a 3 run bomb from Glaus
Line Drive
June 16th, 2010
12:04 am
first 2 hitters on and then nothing from 3,4 and 5!!!!
mclOUTh
June 16th, 2010
12:04 am
We look like CRAP tonight!!!
Jeff Schultz
June 16th, 2010
12:05 am
That’s 3 straight Ks for Glaus tonight after a first inning walk.
GT Alum
June 16th, 2010
12:05 am
Ugh, for the Braves, the story of this one is going to be poor execution.
CaptainMudderland
June 16th, 2010
12:06 am
Stinking it up royaly for sure!
tyler
June 16th, 2010
12:12 am
Wow- just realized that I can actually watch this game-was listening to it online. I live in Pensacola so I don’t get too many Braves games down here. To tell you the truth, i may have been better off not seeing this garbage.
Line Drive
June 16th, 2010
12:12 am
Isn’t Resop a Rethread…..I have seen his act before….put him in the same vault with Jo Jo Reyes and lets get anybody else….so what if he becomes a Free Agent….
Jeff Schultz
June 16th, 2010
12:14 am
Heyward lost the ball on that.
Line Drive
June 16th, 2010
12:15 am
Formula for defeat….lousy starting pitching, lousy relief pitching, 4 errors and no timely hitting and with that 3B by Crawford its good night for me
tyler
June 16th, 2010
12:15 am
Wow- KK looked worse than this?
Jeff Schultz
June 16th, 2010
12:15 am
Wonder how long Chris Resop will be up. His line is going to be ugly.
GT Alum
June 16th, 2010
12:16 am
Resop goes on waivers tomorrow?
GT Alum
June 16th, 2010
12:17 am
Well, so much for the showcasing Resop theory. If that was the case, he’d already be out of there.
tyler
June 16th, 2010
12:19 am
I hope Resop didn’t invite any family members to the big game…
Ross
June 16th, 2010
12:19 am
I’m telling you , this is a disgusting performance from Cox. What a buzz kill. Let’s just put the 9-in-a-row losers in and forget all about the electric play of Hinske and Conrad – Jones and McCann, guaranteed outs – a pitchout and can’t even find the damn base – it’s disgusting. This is why people are indifferent about the Braves. Cox manages with his emotions, not his brain. You have to have some damn fire in your belly to play this game.
Jeff Schultz
June 16th, 2010
12:20 am
Mr friend. The end.
CaptainMudderland
June 16th, 2010
12:21 am
root. root. root for the bravos….sunken ships are insane…
Jeff Schultz
June 16th, 2010
12:24 am
Tyler– If he did, they fell asleep in the sixth.
ASN
June 16th, 2010
12:24 am
Jeff, you don’t think Lowe was a worse FA signing by Wren? You note that the Braves didn’t offer KK $23 million to be a #5 starter, which I agree with, but we signed D-Lowe to be the Ace and #1 starter for the rotation. Based on your logic, then, why isn’t Lowe a worst signing?
ASN
June 16th, 2010
12:24 am
worse*
Jeff Schultz
June 16th, 2010
12:26 am
ASN — valid points on Lowe, especially since Wren gave him one year more than anybody else was offering. But Lowe has been a halfway decent pitcher. Not No. 1 obviously, but ascent of Hanson and Jurrjens and comeback of Hudson is what also dropped him in the rotation.
CaptainMudderland
June 16th, 2010
12:27 am
Rally? Resop fable?
The Difference
June 16th, 2010
12:29 am
once chipper gets injured again, we will have a better lineup….i’m liking Blanco…this could be a good lineup:
Prado
Blanco
Heyward
Glaus
McCann
Hinske
Escobar
Conrad
Pitcher spot
The Difference
June 16th, 2010
12:31 am
still in 1st place…..but Mets are now 0.5 games back….*sigh* Go Braves! Let’s get them tomorrow!
Stretch
June 16th, 2010
12:31 am
Can we pleae start Infante at short and use Escobar as a backup/utility guy. Yuni is a great defensive shortstop but his offense is lethargic. What happened to this kid that was supposed to hit 25 homers a year? I will take Omar’s offense/defense over Yunel’s defense/offense any day.
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June 16th, 2010
12:32 am
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GT Alum
June 16th, 2010
12:36 am
Well, Jeff, that depends on how you measure effectiveness. KK has a better ERA, WHIP and K to BB ratio than Lowe. Lowe has a bit of an advantage in innings per start and obviously has the advantage in wins, but that’s got to be at least as much an effect of KK generally being matched up against better pitchers than Lowe and getting less run support as Lowe “managing the game” better than KK.
Jimbo
June 16th, 2010
12:36 am
http://clatl.com/freshloaf/archives/2010/06/15/chipper-jones-2011-bingo-all-star
Ross
June 16th, 2010
12:40 am
My dear departed father never missed a minute of Braves baseball. I would see him get so disgusted with Cox that it seemed he had ingested chihuahua doodoo. His lip had that turned up quality you give it when you are so disgusted you can’t even speak. That Cox is here tonight. It’s the whole Jones psychodrama. The man is 40 without benefit of steroids. But Cox is “loyal”. Whatever that means in the context of trying to win baseball games – in my opinion, nothing. Loyalty if anything goes to a person’s attitude – and Chipper’s has always been sour and mean and me-me-me. I looked at the lineup tonight before the game, in light of today’s latest chapter in “As Chipper Turns”, and knew we were dead. I can’t say any more.
Jeff Schultz
June 16th, 2010
12:41 am
GT Alum — Who would you rather have on the mound?
Jeff Schultz
June 16th, 2010
12:42 am
Not bad for an old guy. That’s homer No. 4 on the season and No. 430 in his career.
GT Alum
June 16th, 2010
12:43 am
And Chipper goes yard. For all the Chipper bashers, he’s actually gone 2 for 5 with a HR and a double, 2 runs scored and a RBI. Chipper honestly wasn’t one of the Braves’ 5 biggest problems tonight.
tyler
June 16th, 2010
12:44 am
Ha- the guy they keep showing asleep in the red shirt must be related to Resop- good call Jeff.
tyler
June 16th, 2010
12:45 am
Oh crap- just realized we are watching different telecasts of the game- I’m on the Rays TV network…….
Turtsnap
June 16th, 2010
12:45 am
Before I hit the hay, I must get some things off my chest…. While driving home from watching another disappointing Kawakami effort, I thought to myself “Self, is the goal here to try to make the playoffs, or is the goal to stroke players egos?”…. I mean, come on….. Kawakami would not be starting for any other top tier team, and yet Bobby continues to tote him out there every 5th day. Take tonight for instance, number one, he has no business starting PERIOD, but he also should’ve been skipped in the rotation, with the off day yesterday. But, nope, Bobby puts him back in there, and I am sure after the game, Bobby will sugar coat the bad effort.
And then….. another example of stroking an ego is his persistence of putting Chipper in the 3 hole, even when Chipper is not putting up three hole numbers. Don’t give me the crap that I have been hearing from other bloggers that “Chipper has earned the right to stay in the 3 hole as long as he wants”. Again, are we trying to make the playoffs, or are we trying to kiss butts?
I’m out for the night.
CaptainMudderland
June 16th, 2010
12:47 am
As bad as this one appears, I am happy that Chipper got a big one…even when meaningless in the context of this game–he deserves a Dr. Phil “feel good!”
Now you see em, now they burnt off!
June 16th, 2010
12:49 am
Are Mike Woodson’s eyebrows at the game?
The Difference
June 16th, 2010
12:50 am
Chipper Jones doesn’t “deserve” anything….baseball is a business. The objective is to win championships. If you were consistently performing as bad as Chipper, you wouldn’t have a job any longer. I hope we trade Chipper for a minor leaguer within another month or so…..let’s go all Dale Murphy on his azz! lol
Big B CH 99
June 16th, 2010
12:54 am
Chipper has actually had several good swings tonight. A double, HR, and a a lineout that was hit pretty hard early in the game if I remember correctly.
CaptainMudderland
June 16th, 2010
12:56 am
I did not say he deserves to play regularly for this club…he is obviously underperforming…but I’ll be darn if I can’t feel something on a human level for this cat…At your job big boy do you feel you deserve a pat on the back for a good deed? Rather, should that reinforcement only come when your company earns record sales/profits, the like? Go figure!
GT Alum
June 16th, 2010
12:57 am
If the season hinged on that one game, probably Lowe. Sometimes it’s better to be lucky than good, and, for whatever reason, Lowe gets the win more often.
However, if you ask me whether I’d rather pay Lowe $15M to be our fourth starter or KK half that to be our fifth starter, and I’d take KK all day long.
Jeff Schultz
June 16th, 2010
2:00 am
Good morning folks. I’m about to head home (finally). Just wanted to let you know that a few of us spoke to Chipper’s parents, Larry Lynne, who are in town this week (coincidentally, it seems) outside of the clubhouse. I’ve added quotes to the Chipper column, which you can read by clicking the link. Thanks, Jeff.
http://blogs.ajc.com/jeff-schultz-blog/2010/06/15/chipper-jones-has-more-pride-than-to-sit-back-collect-checks/
Southside
June 16th, 2010
5:41 am
KK is like the new car that you paid 40 grand for and it is a lemon. You don’t want to admit you did something stupid, don’t want to take a bath on selling it and losing your shirt. So you keep driving it hoping it will be all better. Best to just park the car and KK.
Dr. Kenneth Noisewater
June 16th, 2010
6:56 am
please send KK away and just eating the $$ loss- this is getting really pathetic.
Marvin Mangrum
June 16th, 2010
7:48 am
Kawakami is the second sorriest member of the Braves. The sorriest member of the Braves is the lunatic that keeps bringing him out every 5 days. Look, say he goes, 0-22, could not have Sparky the lunatic dog have done better? I will be glad when this management team is gone. But then again as least we have a backup shortstop. I am 62, so work with me! If the shortstops arm fell off, a replacement from whereever could be there the next day. The next day! Playing with the centerfielder they have who has maybe one hit in 5 games has cost them how many games? Put players on the field. Theres two players who ought to be disabled!
robdawg08
June 16th, 2010
8:09 am
I told all of you in April that the Mets were going to be good and contend for the East with the Phillies & Braves. You said I was crazy. When Beltran comes back the Mets will be an offensive force.
KK needs to go period.
Just like clockwork when McOut (yeah, I coined this name for him) says he is ready to play then it won’t matter if Blanco is hitting .375 he will sit Blanco and play .191 McOut.
You would have to be mentally retarded to choose KK over Medlen as the 5th starter. But with Bobby who knows…
Navigator
June 16th, 2010
8:10 am
What is wrong with Cox, is he a totally stupid and ignorant old man, that can’t be convined that Kawakami will lose every time he goes out. If you’re a manager, manage and bench this guy. Let’s not forget that Cox dumped Mark DeRosa for a midget that tried to act like Peter Rose. DeRosa has had a very good career, and the midget lasted 2-3 years and was out of baseball. Why would a manager continue to throw a guy out for an automatic loss. Can he see this poor man is shell shocked??????
papadawg
June 16th, 2010
8:11 am
Okay enough of Karakama. It ain’t working, time to move on. I’ve said give him a chance but no more, give a young minor leaguer the chance cause he couldn’t be much worse
robdawg08
June 16th, 2010
8:18 am
The bad managing move was not pinch-hitting for KK in the 2nd with bases loaded no outs. Resop had been warming up. The game could have been tied at that point if Hinske or whomever got a hit. Of course, Resop was awful as well BUT the right move was to pinch hit there.
Braves need a power hitting CF bottomline.
So is Chipper retiring or not ? Nice to leave it up in the air AJC writers…
Geezer
June 16th, 2010
8:19 am
Please get rid of this Joke for a pitcher…..demote him to the bullpen or designate him for assignment to Alaska where we never have to see him again…..on the way to being a 20 Game Loser
meh
June 16th, 2010
8:28 am
think anyone will still trade for Resop?
rekingball
June 16th, 2010
8:29 am
Kawakami looked bad last night, but in a lot of his previous starts he pitch well, but not deep into the game, except for 8 innings is AZ.
I think he may just be a Jonah, what with all the bad luck.
rekingball
June 16th, 2010
8:30 am
Would you trade for Resop?
Ph.D.
June 16th, 2010
9:14 am
I understand being upset with Kawakami’s performance; but the bashing hullabaloo needs to stop. He’s a competitor and a respectable team member who truly tries hard. He may be sent to the bull pen, but let’s support him instead of being a broken record for lack of any new ideas. How about some analysis, some interviews, some compassion, and solidarity, instead of too-quick money mongering? It’s so old.
MitchC
June 16th, 2010
9:18 am
Jeff, why doesnt Bobby get a clue and drop KK from the rotation? He is just brutal. We are very lucky to be a first place team. (Abit just barely now), and have a pitcher who is 0-9 in the middle of June.
Contract or no contract, KK should be put in the bullpen as a mop up man. While he has pitched in some “bad luck”, his pitching is also brutal. The last pitcher the Braves had, who I remember, who was as bad as KK, was when Pascual Perez went 1-13, with an over 6 ERA, for the 1985 Braves team that lost 96 games. This team has designs on a playoff spot, whether as wild card or NL East champ, and likely isnt going to lose 96 games. We simply shouldnt have a pitcher who we know is going to get rocked, and lose, every fifth day.
Bobby needs to get a clue and drop KK from the rotation, now.
PMC
June 16th, 2010
9:43 am
Kawakami’s main issue is that he throws way to many pitches. His stuff most nights isn’t good enough. He has to work the corners so he ends up throwing lots of balls. If he’s on he’s really effective kind of like Jamie Moyer. He can get guys off balance. If he’s throwing 100 pitches in 5 innings… it’s just not a good night. So far it hasn’t really been a good year for him yet run support or not.
DaveinNEPA
June 16th, 2010
9:43 am
These last few weeks many posters on these blogs have been calling for the Braves to bring up Resop to give the pitching staff a boost. I’ve told them to “be careful what you ask for”.
Judging from his performance last night, he isn’t any better than he was when he was here 2 yrs ago. No, he didn’t cost the Braves the game, but he put it so far out of reach that it was virtually impossible to catch up.
Kawakami and Resop should both be DFA’ed.
macfleetwood
June 16th, 2010
9:55 am
ATTENTION:
C.Jones..GO HOME!!
M.Diaz..GO HOME!!
N.McLOUTH..GO HOME!!
K.KAWAKAMI..GOHOME!!
Why don’t you guys MAN-UP and get the hell out of here?????
How long is the sorry-a– management going to put up with all the “dead-wood” on this average team???? Once again, they have shown that they CAN-NOT compete with the better teams in the league!!
robdawg08
June 16th, 2010
9:57 am
I think KK has been giving Bobby some Saki to keep his mind screwed up. Anyway, Bobby’s mind IS screwed up. Playing Nate hitting .191,starting KK every 5th day,benching .375 hitting Infante,batting Chipper 3rd with his .228 avg.,telling Glaus “come on kid” when he’s hitting (Glaus is 30 something years-old).
robdawg08
June 16th, 2010
10:00 am
Escobar hitting nothing and his defense led to the bad 1st inning last night. get well soon Infante. So you can sit and watch Escobar play instead of you. I’d ask to be traded if I were Infante.
Pi$$onaDawg
June 16th, 2010
10:29 am
DawginLex where are YOU? Have you not made it to this Blog to do your lil Girl Crying?
papadawg
June 16th, 2010
10:53 am
I think Karakami has the tools but he doesn’t need to be in the starting rotation right now. Send him to the minors or bullpen until he gets it together
Chuck
June 16th, 2010
11:12 am
Pretty soon, when Jair Jurggens is ready to return, Bobby is going to have to make a decision. Is he going to keep KK in the rotation or is he going to keep Kris Medlin there. Medlin has been delivering. If performance and results were the only decision factors, then Medlin would stay and KK would be demoted to long reliever.
Bobby Cox, however, rarely works that way.
Techman
June 16th, 2010
11:13 am
Other than wins and losses, KK’s numbers are better than Lowes. Lowe gets more run support. I will take KK’s salary and spot in the rotation any day over Lowe.
Reid Adair
June 16th, 2010
11:36 am
Kenshin Kawakami’s “career” numbers as an Atlanta Brave: 38 starts, 7-21, 4.04 ERA, 229.2 IP, 232 hits, 24 HR, 82 BB, 155 K, 1.37 WHIP.
Kawakami is a disaster – and it’s not just the 2010 season and the “lack of run support” he’s gotten in some starts. This isn’t working. He needs to be out of the rotation as soon as Jair Jurrjens is back with the Braves.
Techman
June 16th, 2010
12:36 pm
By saying KK is a disaster, are you saying Lowe is better? if so, that’s ridiculous. The numbers don’t back it up any way, unless you’re only looking at W-L. If you are, then yes, it’s fairly well documented, Lowe gets a lot more run support.
Btw, a 4.04 career is not considered bad.
Techman
June 16th, 2010
12:37 pm
To add to that, a 4.04 ERA from your #5 (or 4, for that matter) is really good.
Techman
June 16th, 2010
12:38 pm
dang, my comment went away.
I am assuming if you think KK is a disaster, you think Lowe is worse. Otherwise, that’s a ridiculous comment.
Fred
June 16th, 2010
12:47 pm
Jeff, Kawakami san needs to return to Japan and regain his dignity. He has made a tremendous error in coming to Atlanta: he started his time here by buying a Maserati and a mansion from a rap star. I fear he has focused too much on living the American Dream and not on the challenges of facing major league hitters. Now he had dug himself such a hole that he will be fortunate not to be shipped home before the All-Star break! It is a pity.
GTSteve
June 16th, 2010
12:51 pm
If he gets normal run support he is .500 or above…it’s not all his fault, and yeah4.04 is not bad for a #5…D Lowe is higher and he is what ..8 and 5 or something
Steve
June 16th, 2010
1:03 pm
Once JJ gets back it will be bullpen for KK and let Medlen keep his spot in the rotation. Right now he give us a very good fifth starter.
Ted
June 16th, 2010
1:35 pm
JJ!!!!
JR
June 16th, 2010
2:38 pm
It’s time to close the sushi bar. Something is beginning to smell a little ripe.
Rankings that matter: Falcons are better than Saints | Jeff Schultz
June 16th, 2010
3:04 pm
[...] ♦ LIVE blog: More bad history for Kawakami (0-9), but Chipper homers [...]
Mitchell
June 17th, 2010
3:17 am
By the time Kawakami left in the fifth inning, he was assured of going through his 13th start without a victory. His totals: five innings, five runs (fortunately only two earned), seven hits and three walks (one intentional).
What’s the big deal? That’s every Jamie Moyer start for the last six years.
Bobby is doing the guy no favors whatsoever. He puts the absolute weakest line-ups out there for him most of the time, leaves him in games too long and instead of skipping his start when we had an off-day and he’s schedule to pitch against the opposing team’s ace, he just let’s him go right out there to embarrass himself against the best team in the American League.
pcb mike
June 17th, 2010
4:17 am
I like the idea of Glaus at third and Freeman at first next year. Still pulling for our young cf to make it back from the wrist injury to the Braves, too.
We're LIVE from Braves-Rays (and consider Chipper corked) | Jeff Schultz
June 17th, 2010
8:52 pm
[...] ♦ LIVE blog: More bad history for Kawakami (0-9), but Chipper homers [...]
heartofdarkness
June 19th, 2010
12:26 am
Jeff, you said 0-25 is a possiblility for KK, I said statistical improbability. However, the trend is your friend. So I salute you. But I wouldn’t be buying KK puts.