Chipper Jones goes on DL — can Braves win without him?
Chipper Jones missed his seventh straight start with calf injury suffered at Tampa Bay.
(Updated: 11:31 p.m.)
When the Braves returned home Friday night, they didn’t have the usual look of a team just one game out of first place.
Their egos: dented from being swept in a four-game series for the first time in three years. Chipper Jones’ left calf: a blistered-and-blood-engorged mess from taking a missile of a grounder just above the ankle. Freddie Freeman: still unsure whether to go with the new prescription goggles or new contacts for the dry eyes that caused blurry vision. Brian McCann and Matt Diaz: fluish (although Diaz strangely felt comforted that he was now coughing up “red and green” mucus).
But near the end of May, despite a five-game losing streak, the arrow still generally points north for a team that played 29 of its first 46 games on the road — except for one significant area. They’re not giving much of an impression they can win without Chipper Jones.
This is an important issue, and not because Jones missed the entire four-game series in Cincinnati, and the Braves were swept. Even before his injury and at a time when seemingly everybody else in the lineup was hitting, the team still struggled without Jones.
Jones went on the disabled list following Friday’s 7-4 loss to Washington. He still has significant pain in his left calf and the Braves decided it wasn’t worth it to force him back into the lineup this weekend. But this isn’t meant to be an examination of whether he is too brittle at the age of 40. What happened to him at Tampa Bay last week could’ve happened to a 20-year-old: He took a B.J. Upton ground ball off his calf and the leg swelled and mutated. (Jones said, “I’ve never been hit that hard, ever,” and he was told if his ankle area had not had not been “cushioned” by socks and his shoe, the grounder would’ve broken a bone.)
The issue is whether the Braves are too dependent on one player to be successful. They’ve now played 47 games. They’re 21-8 when Jones has started or made at least one plate appearance and 5-13 when he hasn’t played at all. Discounting late-game appearances, the Braves are 19-5 (.792) when Jones starts and 7-16 (.304) when he doesn’t.
A winning percentage drop-off without Jones would be expected. Just not 488 points.
Maybe the Braves are better equipped to manufacture runs with Michael Bourn’s speed at the top of the batting order. Maybe hitting coach Greg Walker has improved the club’s situational hitting. But the contrasting won-loss records are alarming, particularly since Jones is going to be out of the lineup every few games even when he’s “healthy,” just to protect his knees.
“When he comes back, I don’t think he’s going to miss six or seven games in a row again,” manager Fredi Gonzalez said.
But just in case, does the team still need to prove it can win without Jones?
“Yes. But I don’t think he’s going to miss six or seven in a row again,” Gonzalez said. “If he misses six, seven in a row, we’re in trouble. But any team is going to have a hard time surviving when a guy in the middle of their lineup misses [a number of] games. The Phillies, without [Ryan] Howard and [Chase] Utley, they’re kind of treading water.”
Players don’t seem overly concerned about the situation, although Bourn said, “You never want to depend on one guy, but Chipper is who he is, and we’re going to miss him when he’s not in there. After this year, you’re going to have to get used to it because he’s not going to be here.”
Jones is having a strong season. He is third on the club in batting average (.307) and RBIs (24). He believes his presence brings “a calming influence” to others.
But, he said, “If you’re asking me whether guys go up to the plate and think, ‘Chipper’s not in the game so I’ve got to step up,’ I don’t think that’s the case. I just think what’s happened lately is I’ve missed quite a few games, and some guys have kind of fallen out out of the trees that they were in offensively.”
He sat out Friday. He may be out again Saturday. The Braves need to start figuring out how to win without him.
By Jeff Schultz
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274 comments Add your comment
STRETCH
May 25th, 2012
7:24 pm
FIRST!
•Oswalt’s preference is to play for the Rangers, Cardinals, or Braves according to ESPN’s Jayson Stark, but there’s no indication either St. Louis or Atlanta has interest. Stark hears that money is the most important factor, but Oswalt also doesn’t not want to be a major media storyline wherever he goes.
Jeff Schultz
May 25th, 2012
7:28 pm
Stretch — Interesting note on Oswalt but I don’t see Braves pursuing a starting pitcher, at least not now.
STRETCH
May 25th, 2012
7:31 pm
They better do something cause right now, after Huddy and Beachy they arent getting much. And on the offensive side of things, Hyde has shown up again plus the fact their “Big 3″ arent looking to healthy either.
Ronald Millsaps
May 25th, 2012
7:33 pm
If this team doesn’t start showing signs that Chipper is just a third baseman and not a babysitter also, 2013’s outlook doesn’t bode well.
Mike Minor isn’t showing signs of progress. I say call Julio Teheran back up. This rotation drops off pretty significantly after Hudson, Hanson, and Beachy. Minor was looking like Adam Wainwright; now he looks like Schuerholz’s idea of trading Wainwright.
Nice to see Uggla go deep; he needs to drive the ball for us. Don’t be hesitant to pull the ball every time, Dan. As I said last year, we don’t need you trying to hit like Edgar Renteria or Martin Prado. Your skill set and role are different than theirs, as you know.
Probably should’ve kept Derek Lowe since they’re paying 2/3 of his salary, anyway, though he clearly seems to prefer the AL.
Jeff Schultz
May 25th, 2012
7:37 pm
I should’ve added that Braves won’t pursue a starting pitcher/Oswalt UNLESS some of the problems you’ve alluded to persist. But there are a number of guys (Minor, Teheran, Jurrjens) who can go in either direction.
STRETCH
May 25th, 2012
7:38 pm
“Atlanta needs a back-of-the-rotation starter. The Jair Jurrjens experiment obviously didn’t work out, as he’s been demoted to Triple-A. Tim Hudson is holding up for now, but who knows how long that will last? He has a long and extensive injury history and isn’t getting any younger—he’ll be 37 in July.
As it stands, the Braves rank 20th in the league in team ERA, and Oswalt is far from a sure thing, but he’s a three-time All-Star and a guy who’s finished on the Cy Young spectrum six times in 11 seasons. You have to believe he’d help them out in a division that, at the moment, is very wide open.
This is a risky move, but it’s one the Braves should be willing to take. They need him.”
Jessisca Isner – Bleacher Report
Sonny Clusters
May 25th, 2012
7:41 pm
We have never seen so much hugging and fanny patting on a major league baseball team! What is wrong with these guys? And why are they hugging like that with a losing streak going?
Jeff Schultz
May 25th, 2012
7:41 pm
Okaaaay … not a good start by Hudson. Single-double follow strikeout and here comes . . . Adam Laroche.
FSUBrave
May 25th, 2012
7:42 pm
Time to see if the Brewers will trade Greinke…
Jeff Schultz
May 25th, 2012
7:43 pm
Sonny Clusters — Do people in the Clusters family not hug? Are you guys kinda stand-offish?
Sonny Clusters
May 25th, 2012
7:44 pm
It’s a good thing journalists don’t hug. Can you imagine looking up in the press box and seeing ‘em up there hugging and fanny patting and spitting seeds? Baseball is a very enjoyable game but too much hugging on a baseball field is to be discouraged.
Jeff Schultz
May 25th, 2012
7:45 pm
He’s still Adam Laroche.
IceColdATLien
May 25th, 2012
7:45 pm
Great pitch by Huddy to get Roch
Jeff Schultz
May 25th, 2012
7:46 pm
But there’s 2 runs . . . Nats with early lead.
Sonny Clusters
May 25th, 2012
7:46 pm
Jeff, Clusters men mostly only hug beautiful women and we reserve all our fanny patting for women. Now, we know that sounds sexist but it’s the way of the Clusters. You’d think the Nationals would be the ones doing the hugging with the first 2 batters coming in to score.
Jeff Schultz
May 25th, 2012
7:47 pm
Sonny Clusters — I heard there was no crying in baseball. Never heard about hugging. They even pat each other on hiney.
STRETCH
May 25th, 2012
7:48 pm
An now Huddy is doing his best Derek Lowe imitation!
Nativebird
May 25th, 2012
7:49 pm
No. They can’t actually.
Sonny Clusters
May 25th, 2012
7:49 pm
Well, fanny patting is not something you want to do a lot of on the baseball field. When we was playing ball Coach didn’t want us hugging each other. Of course, nobody would want to hug Stinky Wintes.
STRETCH
May 25th, 2012
7:50 pm
Impersonation!
Jeff Schultz
May 25th, 2012
7:51 pm
Hudson getting hammered — 2nd XB hit in inning, 4 runs, 4 hits, 29 pitches already.
STRETCH
May 25th, 2012
7:51 pm
BALL. GAME!
Jeff Schultz
May 25th, 2012
7:52 pm
Hudson threw 34 pitchers in the 1st inning. Not on pace for a long night.
STRETCH
May 25th, 2012
7:53 pm
They start the game the way they werent supposed to start. Man i love and hate my Atlanta sports teams!@
Nativebird
May 25th, 2012
7:53 pm
And where’s your buddy Bradley yelling at the turnstiles….”everything’s ok, everything’s ok, really…go back inside and cheer some more”!.
FSUBrave
May 25th, 2012
7:53 pm
this team 9isses me off!! my goodness..can’t we please sign a bat? it is pretty sad that our entire team and season rely on the healty of a rickety old beat up 40 yr old….
Jeff Schultz
May 25th, 2012
7:54 pm
As a general rule, I never pat a guy on the hiney when he’s nicknamed Stinky.
STRETCH
May 25th, 2012
7:54 pm
5 game losing streak while other teams show the Braves how to make contact, i know teams go in slumps, but this is ridiculous!
Sonny Clusters
May 25th, 2012
7:55 pm
Whoa! This is looking a lot like September. We didn’t want to say it but it does. Chip Caray keeps making excuses for the Braves. We was wondering if Bobby would do anything different than Fredi about now?
Jeff Schultz
May 25th, 2012
7:55 pm
STRETCH: “BALL. GAME!”
<<< Should I leave now?
Sonny Clusters
May 25th, 2012
7:57 pm
All-Star break. Interim manager TP or EP or maybe the guy from AAA.
The Nature Boy
May 25th, 2012
7:57 pm
I’d pick my nose and exclaim “come on kid..”
STRETCH
May 25th, 2012
7:58 pm
FSUBrave,
they would depend on Dale Murphy if he was still wanting to play. Pitching mentality of Wren and this organization is going to finally bite them in the arse cause they still think they can pitch their way to a World Series.
Jeff Schultz
May 25th, 2012
8:02 pm
Freeman wasn’t sure if he was going to go with contacts or goggles. He chose former.
Jeff Schultz
May 25th, 2012
8:04 pm
Next at-bat: goggles.
iTiSi
May 25th, 2012
8:07 pm
Membership in the ABEOC(Atlanta Braves Eternal Optimists Club) just went down by 346 after the first inning, and it increased by the same number in the ABEPC(Atlanta Braves Eternal Pessimists Club). Strange how it always works out that way. Added to last night’s figures that’s minus 4K in the ABEOC and a plus 4K in the ABEPC. Better get in now why the gettin’s good as there could be a rush after tonight’s game.
annpelletier
May 25th, 2012
8:11 pm
we seem to be doing all the right things when we started the season what happened? love the Braves
but they are driving me crazy right now. can not even watch the highlights of the previous nights game . the nats are beating us right now.
Jeff Schultz
May 25th, 2012
8:11 pm
From 4-run first to 1-2-3 second. That’ll save the arm (and maybe Braves).
Nativebird
May 25th, 2012
8:13 pm
I guess Freeman is testing both….I’m sure the franchise GM (accountant sitting in a cubicle at Liberty Media) will surely not allow the expense of both.
iTiSi
May 25th, 2012
8:16 pm
Detwiler may be joing the very elite “I OWN THE BRAVES TATTOO CLUB” after tonight’s game.
Nativebird
May 25th, 2012
8:16 pm
Jason Heyward. Oh yea…he’s turned this franchise around yes sir. Can you say “plateau”.
SOS Braves
May 25th, 2012
8:17 pm
OMG. This team is awful. Freeman is an 80% strikeout. Diaz is Mr. No-Clutch. Heyward stinks like last year. Jack Wilson = this year’s Greg Norton. Can we please bring up some guys so that we can sit down Heyward, Ross, Francisco, Diaz, etc.
iTiSi
May 25th, 2012
8:18 pm
JS, you don’t seriously expect the Braves to come back vs the Nats down 4-0 with this lineup do you?
Jeff Schultz
May 25th, 2012
8:20 pm
Braves just lost David Ross — on a walk. I guess groin.
Nativebird
May 25th, 2012
8:22 pm
Hey Gonzales, what ya gonna do now….your savior mr. Journeyman non-factor David Ross just pulled a groin taking a walk. What happened to the notion of “having your club ready to play”. Are you kidding me? Pulling a groin on a check swing? What is this…..church softball.
Jeff Schultz
May 25th, 2012
8:25 pm
Braves have stranded 4 runners in 2 innings (3 in scoring position).
iTiSi
May 25th, 2012
8:25 pm
Joe Simpson just said BMac had been “under the weather”. Big difference in that and actually having the flu, as Dr. Gonzalez said. Now which is it? This team is full of “wimps and wussies”. Hope everyone heard the long list of Nats players that are out hurt at the start of the game. Yet, they are not making excuses like Dr. F Gonzalez has been doing after each loss. They have sucked it up and are now in first place. So who’s gonna catch now the “flu-ridden” BMac or Matt Diaz?
SOS Braves
May 25th, 2012
8:28 pm
JS. Nothing unusal about that.
D-bo
May 25th, 2012
8:31 pm
I think it might be time to move On from McDowell. Not getting the most of his pitchers.
What do you think?
Jeff Schultz
May 25th, 2012
8:32 pm
FYI — If McCann gets sick again, Matt Diaz is emergency No. 3 catcher. Or maybe it’s John Parker Wilson. I always forget.
Jeff Schultz
May 25th, 2012
8:33 pm
D-bo — What I think is that McDowell is a good pitching coach. Sometimes it’s not the coach.
D-bo
May 25th, 2012
8:33 pm
No one ever addresses my question:(
Nativebird
May 25th, 2012
8:35 pm
I betcha Prado can Play behind the plate. Martin can play anywhere.
Cocern
May 25th, 2012
8:35 pm
Reminds me of September.
Jeff Schultz
May 25th, 2012
8:35 pm
Two important bits of news: Martin Prado triples and Ilya Kovalchuk just scored: Devils lead Rangers 2-0 (win and they’re in Cup finals).
Jeff Schultz
May 25th, 2012
8:36 pm
Prado just smokin’ — now with multi-hit games in 12 of the last 17.
Nativebird
May 25th, 2012
8:38 pm
Ah yes, Ilya….the deal that was the beginning of the end for the Thrashers.
Jeff Schultz
May 25th, 2012
8:39 pm
Can Freeman get Lasik between innings?
D-bo
May 25th, 2012
8:39 pm
R u really not going to address the most pressing braves issue: pitching, and McDowell’s lack of ability to get the most of his pitchers?
SOS Braves
May 25th, 2012
8:42 pm
Can we please just trade Freeman and Uggla for a bag of balls?
D-bo
May 25th, 2012
8:45 pm
No coincidence, McDowell the reason for the poor pitching down the stretch and the poor pitching this season. No?
Jeff Schultz
May 25th, 2012
8:47 pm
D-bo — Are you really Leo Mazzone in disguise?
D-bo
May 25th, 2012
8:47 pm
Still won’t address the question:(?
D-bo
May 25th, 2012
8:48 pm
I think we should get mad dog, don’t you?
Jeff Schultz
May 25th, 2012
8:50 pm
David Ross officially has a right groin strain– day to day.
BBQ MAN
May 25th, 2012
8:55 pm
chill people. it’s not fantasy BB
Sonny Clusters
May 25th, 2012
8:56 pm
Is an official groin strain more painful than the other kind? We was always very protective of our groin.
Fan of the Game
May 25th, 2012
8:58 pm
You know, I bet Cal Ripken hurt sometimes too, but dang it he played. It is called toughness.
Jeff Schultz
May 25th, 2012
8:59 pm
Clusters — An area worthy of protecting.
Sonny Clusters
May 25th, 2012
9:00 pm
Can you see Fredi’s cap from where you are sitting?
Fan of the Game
May 25th, 2012
9:00 pm
Believe me McDowell is not the problem. Getting a healthy tough line up on the field is the problem and we don’t have the farm system we once had to dip down to.
The Grinch
May 25th, 2012
9:04 pm
McDowell isn’t the problem. I believe the Braves will pick it back up and have a good season, but there IS a problem. Without Chipper in the lineup this team has no confidence and no identity. Everyone’s looking at everyone else to step up. That’s directly related to the person in charge of the team’s identity/persona,which is supposed to be Fredi Gonzalez. But because Fredi isn’t capable of taking charge, the job has fallen by default on Chipper with mixed results. It’s not Chipper’s fault; it shouldn’t be his job. This team is talented enough to have a decent season. But until we get someone with a different idea of how to lead than “Oh, well; gotta tip your cap. Who wants ice cream?,” then we’re gonna see a lot of wasted winnable games.
Jeff Schultz
May 25th, 2012
9:04 pm
Good news: Braves did not strand a runner in 4th inning. They went 1-2-3.
Jeff Schultz
May 25th, 2012
9:06 pm
Tim Hudson threw 33 pitches in the first inning, 29 in the next 3.
Nativebird
May 25th, 2012
9:07 pm
Wow. Pulled groin on a check swing walk…..pretty soon they’ll be drinking beer as they run the bases.
J-Man
May 25th, 2012
9:07 pm
This Braves team was winning in spite of Fredi Gonzalez.
An emotionless manager that does nothing but say “Ti p your cap”.
Losing a 10 1/2 game lead last was in excusable but you Atlanta beat writers did everything to avoid blaming Fredi for that collapse. Now we have been swept by an inferior Reds team and now are gonna lose to the Nats tonight. I wonder if you will hide out if the Nats do in fact sweep us this weekend. We need some accountability.
Earl
May 25th, 2012
9:08 pm
Jeff, about how much money do you think the Braves will have to spend next year? Chipper leaving and freeing up Lowe’s salary should be a sizeable chuck for a free agent or two don’t you think? I know, I know, it’s not related to this game.
J-Man
May 25th, 2012
9:10 pm
I also see that the Braves have fallen back into their selfish AB approach from last year. And nobody want to just draw out ABs, collect walks, steal bases, everyone is swinging for the fences.
Bill
May 25th, 2012
9:12 pm
McDowell may not be the problem but he’s damn not the answer to Braves pitcher development. In fact what the he!! has he ever done for Braves pitchers. He is no comparison to the Rocker.
Jeff Schultz
May 25th, 2012
9:14 pm
Martin Prado: 2 doubles and a triple. Seriously?
Jeff Schultz
May 25th, 2012
9:16 pm
Earl: I doubt their overall budget will change. But while Chipper and Lowe will be off the books, Bourn will be a free agent and Prado, Hanson, Venters and O’Flaherty are among those arbitration-eligible.
D-bo
May 25th, 2012
9:17 pm
Pitching is the problem everyone, to win a championship you need consistent pitching.
McDowell failed us last year, this is just a continuation.
Not to mention he is a miserable human being.
The Grinch
May 25th, 2012
9:17 pm
Prado’s a pimp.
Bill
May 25th, 2012
9:19 pm
agree D-bo..I wouldn’t let my little league son play for him.
Jeff Schultz
May 25th, 2012
9:19 pm
Was a little surprised Nats making a change here until I saw Detwiler was at 100 pitches. He’s out. Wang coming in.
Sonny Clusters
May 25th, 2012
9:20 pm
They sure have a lot of excuses. We haven’t been feeling like ourself the past few days either. When we get up off the sofa we feel light headed and dizzy and like we could use a peanut butter parfait in the worst way. Then, we settle down a little bit and get a dilly bar out of the refrigerator and we forget about the peanut butter parfait. That is not like a Clusters at all.
Earl
May 25th, 2012
9:20 pm
I also figured the budget would remain about the same. I think they will make every effort to sign Bourn and Prado is certainly trying to boost his salary by his play thus far this year. I don’t see them keeping Venters and O’Flaherty long term. Should still be a good amount to put in to free agency or trade for a frontline player.
Jeff Schultz
May 25th, 2012
9:21 pm
Diaz rips a double to knock in 2, thrown out trying to go to 3rd. But it’s 4-3.
Sid
May 25th, 2012
9:22 pm
this organization has passed the Hawks in being the most miserable franchise in Losersville…..and that’s saying a lot.
Earl
May 25th, 2012
9:22 pm
Sure you would Bill!!
oldfart
May 25th, 2012
9:23 pm
That’s not the first time for “that stretching a double into an out” game plan.
Bill
May 25th, 2012
9:23 pm
Peachtree TV didn’t even show the play at third.
Earl
May 25th, 2012
9:24 pm
Chipper is out, Brian is out, Freeman can’t see and we seem surpirsed that the offense is not playing to everyone’s expectaton.
oldfart
May 25th, 2012
9:24 pm
Also, could we get Infante back?
Sonny Clusters
May 25th, 2012
9:25 pm
Do the Braves get flu shots? They sure have a lot of flu-like-symptoms days.
Bill
May 25th, 2012
9:25 pm
No Earl–u don’t know me but I would if he was getting paid to play for the idiot.
oldfart
May 25th, 2012
9:27 pm
I don’t think Liberty has those in the health plan
Bill
May 25th, 2012
9:27 pm
Earl, Brian is behind the plate…
chuck
May 25th, 2012
9:27 pm
Here’s you answer to the Braves problems:
1. The have no ace and a bunch of 4th and 5th starters.
2. Their history shows us that Venters and O’Flaherty had career years last year but have come back to reality.
3. McDowell isn’t effective as the pitching coach.
4. The starting 8 is a joke other than Bourne and McCann.
Earl
May 25th, 2012
9:28 pm
Fair point……but I don’t know Roger either.
Earl
May 25th, 2012
9:29 pm
I see Brian is in there now. watching other games on MLB.com but can’t see the Braves live unless it is on the tube. Glad he is able to play…sure need him to.
Jeff Schultz
May 25th, 2012
9:32 pm
Hudson due up third this inning.
oldfart
May 25th, 2012
9:32 pm
When are the Braves going to take my advice and have our starters pitch the first inning in Rome or Gwinnett and copter them in for the second inning.
Jeff Schultz
May 25th, 2012
9:33 pm
Hudson batting.
Bill
May 25th, 2012
9:34 pm
My #2 son did play for Greg Walker and SGC in Douglas,Ga one time.
Jeff Schultz
May 25th, 2012
9:34 pm
. . . And of course he gets a 2-out hit.
Earl
May 25th, 2012
9:35 pm
Nothing to loose by him batting since no one is one with two out. 89 pitches total, should have another good inning, maybe two.
Earl
May 25th, 2012
9:35 pm
I was born in douglas……live about an hour away now.
mark
May 25th, 2012
9:36 pm
Heyward batting .234, it ain’t working. my 11 year old has a good enough curve ball to get him. why would anybody throw him a fastball when he misses the breaking pitch by a good foot? I was rooting for him but he needs to be sent down now and i’d bring up Gattis or somebody…anybody
Sonny Clusters
May 25th, 2012
9:37 pm
Jeff, how many deer tattoos are there out there tonight? Not counting Chipper and LaRoche. Is Wang a Buck Commander?
Jeff Schultz
May 25th, 2012
9:38 pm
You got me there.
Bill
May 25th, 2012
9:39 pm
Where if? But if you wish not to ans. ok.
The Grinch
May 25th, 2012
9:39 pm
A tatooed Wang?
Earl
May 25th, 2012
9:40 pm
Baxley………High school team is playing for the State championship tomorrow.
Earl
May 25th, 2012
9:41 pm
Would love to see the Braves get that Buxton kid, but he will be loooooooooooong gone by then.
Jeff Schultz
May 25th, 2012
9:41 pm
Next pitch (after walk) will be No. 100 for Hudson.
Sonny Clusters
May 25th, 2012
9:42 pm
Legend has it LaRoche went a huntin’ and tied his dog to a tree and went home without the dog. When he got home and finally missed the dog he headed back to the woods and couldn’t figure out where he’d been huntin’. Can you ask him about this after the game?
Earl
May 25th, 2012
9:44 pm
Sonny, that’s good stuff. I would be curious if he would admit it, if it was true. LOL.
Sonny Clusters
May 25th, 2012
9:44 pm
Yes, Grinch, precisely. If Wang was a Buck Commander he woul,d of necessity, be a tattooed Wang. You continue to be a quick study. No wonder you blog with Jeff.
Jeff Schultz
May 25th, 2012
9:45 pm
From 2 outs to bases loaded fir Ryan Zimmerman . . .
Bill
May 25th, 2012
9:45 pm
Thats great..I heard they have a stud on the team but don’t know his name (top draft pick).. Do you know Bud Drew? He was coach there at one time.
Jeff Schultz
May 25th, 2012
9:47 pm
That’s too good (bad) of an 0-2 pitch and Zimmerman drives it for bases-loaded double. Nats blow it open again, 7-3.
J-Man
May 25th, 2012
9:47 pm
Again a manager just sits on his hands and allows Hudson to lose this game
Earl
May 25th, 2012
9:47 pm
Don’t know him, but I never went to school here…….Graduated from Toombs county and off to the Navy after that. Many moons ago.
Sonny Clusters
May 25th, 2012
9:48 pm
Got to tip your cap.
Bill
May 25th, 2012
9:49 pm
Earl where they play tomorrow?
Nativebird
May 25th, 2012
9:49 pm
Lovely. Brilliant. 2012 major league winning teams hit my friends…and the hit often, with power, with RISP, with 2 outs and with 2 strikes. Up and down their lineups. It is NOT all about pitching anymore Virginia.
J-Man
May 25th, 2012
9:50 pm
And not once will Jeff Schultz, DOB, or Mark Bradley call out Fredi Gonzalez…….But you will call out Larry Drew. At least Drew can make the playoffs
Jeff Schultz
May 25th, 2012
9:50 pm
Sonny — True story: Went hunting, forgot the dog and came home. Attributed to his ADD. They went back to look for the dog but never found him.
The Grinch
May 25th, 2012
9:51 pm
Anyone for ice cream?
Earl
May 25th, 2012
9:51 pm
There is no status quo when yo are playing the division leader. Always a two game swing if you take a loss instead of a win. Braves will get it together, but the Nats and Marlins are for real, I think. Can’t fall back too far.
Jeff Schultz
May 25th, 2012
9:52 pm
J-Man — Called him out after the playoffs last year. You have selective memory. Said the pressure was on him this year before spring training. Guess you missed that one too.
iTiSi
May 25th, 2012
9:52 pm
“Sonny Cluster” I heard the reall truth was that it wasn’t his dog, it was his wife, but he won’t admit it.
Bill
May 25th, 2012
9:53 pm
Most hitters can always hit bad pitching ..Nativebird
Earl
May 25th, 2012
9:53 pm
They play in Baxley at 4 PM first game. Appling Co. Vs Pierce Co…….Very unusual for two southern teams to be playing for the Championship…….Both in the same region.
Jeff Schultz
May 25th, 2012
9:56 pm
J-Man (part 2): Hudson had 2 outs to open seventh. Do you pull him then? No. Would I pull him after the walk to Wang? No. Would I pull him after the double? Possibly. That’s what the visit was about. I imagine Hudson convinced McDowell that he could get Zimmerman. He started Zimmerman 0-2. Not bad. Then he made a bad pitch.
iTiSi
May 25th, 2012
9:57 pm
Me thinks the Nats plane landed in Cincy on the way down and borrowed their vacuum cleaner that they used to suck the life out of the Braves during that 4 game series. A VC is much more effiicent than a broom and not nearly as messy.
Nativebird
May 25th, 2012
9:57 pm
Good hitters.
romebrave
May 25th, 2012
9:57 pm
Enter your comments here
Bill
May 25th, 2012
9:58 pm
Thanks but I got to be in Macon tomorrow..didn’t Wainwright play for Pierce when he was drafted by Braves.
Jeff Schultz
May 25th, 2012
9:59 pm
Hernandez in for O’Flaherty.
Nativebird
May 25th, 2012
10:00 pm
If your team is vulnerable to losing games on one bad pitch…..then your bad.
romebrave
May 25th, 2012
10:00 pm
I thought you were supposed to bring in a fresh arm after you intentially load the bases. He just walked their relief pitcher and your going to let him pitch to Zimmerman???
Earl
May 25th, 2012
10:00 pm
Wainwright played for Glenn Academy in Brunswick.
Earl
May 25th, 2012
10:03 pm
There is an excellent article about Byron Buxton in SI. He should be a top 5 pick on June 4th and the kid is a class act to boot. Scouts from the top 7 picks have been down here, as well as Harold Reynolds this past week. Really looking forward to seeing where he goes.
Jeff Schultz
May 25th, 2012
10:03 pm
Matt Diaz having quite a game.
Bill
May 25th, 2012
10:04 pm
Who’s running the show McDowell are Hudson? You know pitchers will lie to stay in. Agree romebrave..Zimmerman was hot..
Bill
May 25th, 2012
10:05 pm
ok, my bad.
Jeff Schultz
May 25th, 2012
10:06 pm
Romebrave — If you make a change, you do it after the double (when it’s second and third). The walk to Bryce Harper to load the bases was 4 pitches. It was intentional/unintentional, from what I could see. He wasn’t going to throw him a strike. He was going to go after Zimmerman.
truth5
May 25th, 2012
10:06 pm
No, the Braves can’t win without Chipper… just look at the numbers. No one on this team has the “it” factor except for Chipper. Was at the game in Cincinnati last night, and the players just look like they are going through the motions. Chipper comes up in the on deck circle and just has confidence and it shows. He may have gotten a chance to bat, had it not been for fat Francisco hitting into a double play.
Turtsnap
May 25th, 2012
10:07 pm
I’d say no. After tonight, 3-8 in the division….. Spectacular!
Bill
May 25th, 2012
10:08 pm
What position does Buxton play?
Jeff Schultz
May 25th, 2012
10:08 pm
Ding-dong . . . Heyward solo homer makes it 7-4.
Jeff Schultz
May 25th, 2012
10:08 pm
Pitching change. Sean Burnett coming in.
Bill
May 25th, 2012
10:09 pm
Welcome back J-HEY!!!!
Nativebird
May 25th, 2012
10:09 pm
Simple. Braves used to have a team load of hall of famers. Now they have one. Next year they will have none. Zip. Nada. With none in sight.
Earl
May 25th, 2012
10:10 pm
Jeff, was that dinger on a fast ball?
truth5
May 25th, 2012
10:11 pm
Mccann is having a terrible year at the plate, and is the worst defensive catcher in the league. A turtle could steal second on him. Freeman is coming back to reality after a good start. Uggla is hit or miss (usually miss). He may luck up and hit a solo HR once in a blue moon, but will usually strike out. The only people carrying this team are Jones, Bourn, and Prado. Our starting pitching stinks, and the bullpen is less than we expected.
J-Man
May 25th, 2012
10:12 pm
5 in a row……….Fredi just doesnt have the guts to make the moves. Huddy HAD THE BASES LOADED……Walking 2 of the hitters against Zimmerman……..But you just said it Gonzalez didnt have the GUTS to do what is right for the TEAM and let Huddy get killed. As a manager you have to make the tough decisions and take a 37 year old vetern out because you need to stay in this game. But I guess we shouldnt expect anything different he was the guy that throwed D BLOWE out there every 5th day down the stretch and allowed him to get killed on the last game of the season. The same guy that ran Jurrjens out there until he posted a 9.37 ERA then Wren and Schulholtz sent him down and the same guy that continues to throw Mike Minor out there every 5th day with a 6.96 ERA.
Lacey Underall
May 25th, 2012
10:14 pm
Fire Frank Wren!!!
Bill
May 25th, 2012
10:15 pm
Earl is was and in the heart of the plate.
5150 UOAD
May 25th, 2012
10:16 pm
LOOKS LIKE THE ANSWER TO YOUR QUESTION IS……………..HELL NO!!!!!!!!
Earl
May 25th, 2012
10:17 pm
I may be the only one, but I personally think that Medlen should be in the rotation. I know he is valuable coming out of the pen, but the pen can’t help if your starters can’t keep it close. I feel it would be easier to find a #3 or 4 in the bullpen than a quality starting pitcher.
Earl
May 25th, 2012
10:17 pm
Thanks Bill.
Nativebird
May 25th, 2012
10:18 pm
Welcome back jeyhey?….from where? Right field? From the desert of struggling overhyped average baseball players that franchises continue to over invest in? Is that where?
truth5
May 25th, 2012
10:18 pm
you know, the hilarious thing about all of this is… last year all the chipper haters were calling for him to retire… do you now see how valuable he is in the line-up?? So what if he doesn’t play 100 games a year, we cant win a dang game without him
J-Man
May 25th, 2012
10:20 pm
Well Schultz its your turn
romebrave
May 25th, 2012
10:20 pm
Having Hudson walk Harper gives the bullpen more time. He had just made the call to the bullpen after the first walk. If he wasn’t a rookie it would have been a straight intentional walk. Don’t need to give that kid a bigger head than he already has.
Bill
May 25th, 2012
10:20 pm
One monkey don’t stop the show… 5150, unless he is the only Monkey that can hit.
Does the word Team mean anything to the Braves?
Jeff Schultz
May 25th, 2012
10:21 pm
Dumbass just ran onto the field. … Actually, drunk dumbass to be totally accurate.
Earl Hickey
May 25th, 2012
10:21 pm
Could there be a bigger Braves apologist than Joe “Homer” Simpson? He just commented that he disagreed with a fan who thought the Braves didn’t play well on the road. After all, they did go 2-5. But Joltin’ Joe pointed out all the injuries the team has. I wish someone would point out to him the Braves have close to the fewest–if not the fewest–players on the disabled list in the majors. The Nationals have ten! I keep waiting for him to be more of a professional and less of a cheerleader and PR shill but it probably isn’t going to happen.
The Grinch
May 25th, 2012
10:22 pm
I doubt many sober people run out on the field.
The Grinch
May 25th, 2012
10:22 pm
I doubt many sober people run out on the field.
The Grinch
May 25th, 2012
10:22 pm
Oops.
Earl
May 25th, 2012
10:22 pm
Truth, I have to be honest, I was one of those guys, but it sure seems to be that way when he is not in the lineup. The Braves have got to find a replacement for him. I just can’t see them going in to next year without a quality 3B. I love Prado, but he is not the long term answer at 3B.
J-Man
May 25th, 2012
10:24 pm
You know its a bad game when the most excitement is some drunk idiot running out on the field……..At least he wasnt wearing a wedding dress this time……..
But Schults im waiting for your retort
J-Man
May 25th, 2012
10:25 pm
And im not gonna spell your name right until you respond
Earl
May 25th, 2012
10:26 pm
The drunk may not have seen the highlights of the umpire in Baltimore a couple of weeks ago…….priceless.
Nativebird
May 25th, 2012
10:26 pm
There is no way, no chance Liberty Media will replace Chipper jones, with the next Chipper Jones. Nor anything close. Book it.
J-Man
May 25th, 2012
10:28 pm
Schultz you dont have to hide……..Fredi on the other hand
Dumbass
May 25th, 2012
10:29 pm
If you gotta watch such a “sinking fast” Braves Team lose to the Nats, you might as while go out in handcuffs, three sheets to the wind!
Bill
May 25th, 2012
10:30 pm
I read today Mets were thinking about trading Wright!
truth5
May 25th, 2012
10:32 pm
When Chipper gets back, he needs to go back in the 3 hole. Bourn and Prado are getting on base, but freeman, uggla, and mccant will not move them.
1. bourn
2. Prado
3. Chip
4. Uggla
5.Freeman
6. Mccann
7. Heyward
8. Pastornicky
Tomorrow Braves will be three games back.
May 25th, 2012
10:33 pm
So much for a showdown…..Braves need hitters. Period!
J-Man
May 25th, 2012
10:33 pm
Schultz if you write a new article about Fredi Choking and sitting on his hands and not doing anything……..I will apologize to you right now.
Earl
May 25th, 2012
10:34 pm
I would love to see Wright in Atlanta but if that happened, there would be riots in New York……No telling what the Mets would want for him……Just so they don’t repeat the mistake they made with the Mark Texiera trade….
Good night all. good chatting and have a good night.
J-Man
May 25th, 2012
10:37 pm
Jeff Schultz……please do the right thing as a journalist and call out the lack of calls by Fredi.
Call him out!!!!!!!!!!
Set your self apart from Bradley and DOB and point out his ineffective managerial skills
5150 UOAD
May 25th, 2012
10:44 pm
Bill
May 25th, 2012
10:20 pm
One monkey don’t stop the show… 5150, unless he is the only Monkey that can hit.
Does the word Team mean anything to the Braves?
Jeff didn’t ask about the rest of the TEAM just if Chipper wasn’t playing could the other guys win. Well they didn’t but it don’t mean the can’t.
The answer tonight is………..HELL NO
Fredi Kruger
May 25th, 2012
10:45 pm
<======Nightmare on Peachtree
Bill
May 25th, 2012
10:46 pm
J-Man..the ajc reporters will not do that..well put it this way– They like to go to the games and talk to players , coaches , go in clubhouse etc..They wouldn’t be welcome if they called him out. Don’t rock the boat baby…just saying.
Bill
May 25th, 2012
10:48 pm
rock on 5150..tomorrow is another day.
Goodnight all.
J-Man
May 25th, 2012
10:48 pm
I guess they are just afraid to do so.
LakeDawg
May 25th, 2012
10:49 pm
The Braves are a head case. Can’t win without Chipper, even though his impact is minimal. Are coasting along, lose a couple of games, and now no one can hit, save Prado. EVERY pitcher is now grooving middle of the plate, waist high 0-2 fastballs. The curse of Bobby Cox lives!
5150 UOAD
May 25th, 2012
10:50 pm
Bill…………reporters in New York, Chicago, Philly, and Pittsburgh do it all the time and still get invited back to all those things.
LakeDawg
May 25th, 2012
10:52 pm
Phillies will win the division. The Braves might finish last. Can you tell I have no faith in ATL teams.
mace224
May 25th, 2012
10:53 pm
Forget about paying a boatload to Bourn/Boras. Let him walk. After Hansen, Beachy, the rest can go.Huddy’s lost it. Hansen right now looks the best.
mace224
May 25th, 2012
10:57 pm
Do you think they pay those drunks to run onto the field to add entertainment for a team with no offense?
john
May 25th, 2012
10:58 pm
who will you blame the bad season on if chipper does not return this season . ???
alex
May 25th, 2012
10:59 pm
‘Here’s the bright side,tickets for future games will be cheaper on the resale market…….
Tough to stomach FG.
J-Man
May 25th, 2012
11:02 pm
None of the Beat writers called out Fredi G for not DH Chipper in that Tampa series.
But Larry Drew gets blasted and has a poll on him as to if he should stay or go……I just wanna can hypocrisy
J-Man
May 25th, 2012
11:03 pm
None of the Beat writers called out Fredi G for not DH Chipper in that Tampa series.
But Larry Drew gets blasted and has a poll on him as to if he should stay or go……I just wanna canll hypocrisy
Bruce Benedict
May 25th, 2012
11:04 pm
Am I the only one that thinks games at Turner Field are nearly impossible to endure anymore, whether the time stinks or not? (They do). With all of the ridiculous dance music being played, idiots playing to the fan cam, and goobers running around dressed up as hammers and screwdrivers, it’s as if the game doesn’t even matter anymore. These aren’t professional baseball games anymore, they are nothing but sophomoric entertainment events that appeal only to ignorant rubes and little kids who couldn’t care less about what is happening on the field. These morons actually cheered Tim Hudson when he left the mound tonight. CHEERED! The man gave up 7 runs in 6 innings!!! I’m so sick of this pathetic organization and their worthless fans who don’t care squat about the history of this game and don’t respect it.
Felix
May 25th, 2012
11:04 pm
What will be Braves management’s response be to this unfolding disaster? A new pitcher? No. A new batter (who can actually hit)? I doubt it very much.
……….They’ll probably drop the price on the hot dogs again.
Frank Wren and J.S.
May 25th, 2012
11:11 pm
We took a real hard look at Braves personnel during the off season and determined that last Sept. was just a fluke and that we had a World Series quality team. So there was no need to make any changes (except Durbin and Franscisco of course).
Ronald Millsaps
May 25th, 2012
11:25 pm
“sonny”–Kindly converse about baseball instead of your opening comments or any such.
“sos”– Diaz IS clutch, has been his whole career.
So, now the Braves wear red on Fridays, too, huh? Apparently each MLB team has two uniforms each for home and road, one of the many indictments against the Selig Administration. They need to wear the gray ones on the road.
Bring back Jose Constanza, and have a speed lineup. Charlie Manuel, clearly the best manager in the division, knows Utley and Howard are out (another reason why we don’t need Minor right now as much) and has gone for a speed-heavy lineup with Rollins, Victorino, and Pierre. Their record is immaterial; what you do with your God-given mind, talent, etc. is infinitely more important. Philadelphia’s doing pretty well with what it has.
In response to the Jair “experiment” being false, the man’s a proven pitcher, folks. He’s just injured. Is he close at all to returning? Don’t ask the Atlanta Braves or their announcers, who are quick to say someone’s okay when he’s not, and no, I’m not primarily disappointed out of seeing players as commodities.
Again, might as well have kept Lowe since they’re paying 2/3 of his salary. You do the math. If you pay 2/3, you might as well get 3/3 instead of 0/3 of his services. This is the reverse of the Mike Hampton trade….sort of. (That’s another Schuerholz special. That man did well in ‘91 and also in getting McGriff, Maddux, and Galarraga, but he had some bad ones to his name, i.e. running Glavine and Justice out. Yeah, Justice had gotten borderline unbearable in his Halle Berry days, but trading him shouldn’t have been the primary option.)
Mlb.com has got to be the worst sports site of them all. Try clicking on a player’s stats, and you get tons of obscure options but then can’t actually get statistics to pull up. How ridiculous, disorganized, and incompetent.
Sign Josh Hamilton. Yeah, make a move for Oswalt, too. By the way, the Pujols homer off Lidge in Game 5 did a number on the Astros’ WS chances. Oswalt went from being in position to pitch three times in the fall classic to just twice. Phil Garner’s refusal to use Lidge in Game 6 hurt Lidge far more than the homer did, though.
This team, the announcers, etc. need to step up the professionalism and drop the excuses. Chip Caray once gave me a bit of an attitude on the postgame show (ignorantly…he backed off when he realized he misunderstood me). They mostly make excuses for losses, and you hear a lot about the wind knocking carrying opposing homers out. I’ve heard nothing about the wind keeping opposing would-be homers in the park. The overall gamday experience at Turner Field is pretty bad also…too much emphasis on the big screen.
Jeff Schultz
May 25th, 2012
11:26 pm
Folks — Braves announced after the game that Chipper Jones will go on the disabled list. Will update column shortly.
Ronald Millsaps
May 25th, 2012
11:35 pm
Let’s get Constanza back in the lineup, Teheran back in the rotation, and overall professionalism back also.
I think Tim Hudson is in more discomfort than he lets on and is the grittiest player we have.
STRETCH
May 25th, 2012
11:38 pm
So Mr Schultz, what do they do now??? And to everybody else, i have been screaming this for the past 3 seasons and its just about to get ugglier. Chipper is finished, this is what happens to old guys in the league.
It was time for them to make a move last year but management screwed the pooch as usual. Awful pithing staff with a bi-polar lineup…wait, this whole team is bi-polar even management!
Folks, there is still room for the Washington National bandwagen! ATLANTA SUCKS IN EVERYTHING THAT DEALS WITH SPORTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ronald Millsaps
May 25th, 2012
11:43 pm
The Phillies have Utley and Howard out and are going with a speed approach, which is wise. Heyward is hit-or-miss, so let’s try more speed in his stead.
“sonny”– Kindly stick to baseball over the other.
Juan Francisco was a fine find. In limited action he is nearly the home-run leader on this team.
Mlb.com is a sorry site; uploading individuals’ statistics is rather difficult and presented in obtuse fashion.
Make a move for Josh Hamilton this offseason; he just happens to be the game’s best player and a free agent.
Turner Field would do well to bolster its atmosphere to that of a baseball game, and fans would do well to act civilly. Some guy at a recent game complained that Eric O’Flaherty wasn’t that animated en route to the team bus. Fans tend to have an insatiable list of obscure requests for players, even during their job duties, and then act like the players are the selfish ones, i.e. the lady writing about her son not getting autographs on his birthday. (Grow up, lady.) Most kids don’t even say “Thank you”. Many adults don’t, either, and act like player salaries trump the necessity of decency. No, they don’t.
The Hawks should sign Allen Iverson. The league’s incompetent commissioner appears to have blackballed him from the league; the league needs to do so to Stern, who has sabotaged the league’s credibility for years.
Matt Diaz IS clutch.
Gene
May 25th, 2012
11:46 pm
I attended two of the games in Cincinnati. Prior to the games, the starters were doing a little dance on the field that did involve fanny patting and fist bumping. After having their butts handed to them by Cinci in the first game, you would think that the pregame dancing would have ceased. From watching those four losses, it is clear that Francisco is a liability. Jones will continue to miss games, so Fredi should play Prado or find someone who can at least field. The Braves’ announcers can make excuses for Heyward and Freeman, but if they don’t start to hit, the Braves will be on the golf course in Oct. Speaking of announcers, the Braves have the worst announcers I know of. Sometimes I listen to the Dodgers, just to hear Vin Scully. When Scully came up, in 1950, his goal was to describe the game so a listener would not know his team affiliation. Sutton and Powell should try to emulate Scully, and cut out the bad comedy, but that takes preparation and work. Things are not looking good. This team will have to be a contender without Jones and stop conceding games in Chipper’s absence.
STRETCH
May 25th, 2012
11:48 pm
The Braves cut the lead to 4-3 before Zimmerman’s bases-loaded double off Tim Hudson in the seventh.
So, im trying to figure out why was he still in the game???!!!!
Ronald Millsaps
May 25th, 2012
11:58 pm
Back to Iverson, watched some footage of one of my favorite sports memories of all time–the fourth quarter of Game 2 Sixers-Raptors 2001 playoffs–where Iverson scored 19 straight points in the fourth and 54 for the game—and that “legendary” coach Lenny Wilkens didn’t even double him.
Wilkens vs. Larry Brown was a mismatch and a half, and not in favor of Coach Lenny. Brown and Rick Carlisle are the two best coaches this sport has seen in the last thirty years and maybe much longer.
Iverson’s also the best Sixer of all time. Barkley and “The Doctor” were great but not quite in this man’s league. I still love his quote in response to how Tyronne Lue “cooled” him off in Game 1: (chuckles, swings head) “He was holdin’ me the whole time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”
nashvillewill
May 25th, 2012
11:58 pm
Braves are likely to be swept at home by Nationals. Surely Nats will be favored in next two, given the pitching matchups. And I don’t see anyone stepping up in key situations, especially not the middle of the lineup. Pastornicky actually plays with more enthusiasm than the other guys. I say move him up to the 3-hole, as Freeman is woeful. I guess leave McCann in cleanup for now. Release the dead weight on this team – Wilson, Hinske, Diaz, Francisco – and bring up some young guys with energy and desire. Give Uggla 3 or 4 games off. Bring up the three best hitters in Gwinnett regardless of position. Send Heyward down. Do Something! This team is falling off the cliff. And, when your starting pitcher has lost it and is danger of giving up the game in the 7th inning, change pitchers. I could not believe FG left him in.
Mister Frisky
May 26th, 2012
12:19 am
This team sure looks a lot like last years team.That’s right,it is last years team.That explains everything.
Don McMahon
May 26th, 2012
1:43 am
Don McMahon
May 26th, 2012
1:40 am
I agree with Clusters: too much hugging and too early. Hugging should be reserved for winning the game. And, not really intense prolonged hugging then. Looks bad. Can’t see players like Aaron, Musial, Gibson, Mays, and Banks hugging.
You can catch the flu hugging. You can hurt your eyes hugging. And, it looks bad. Popeye could hurt someone hugging. And, groins should not touch in baseball hugging. We are getting too many pulled groins and leg muscle injured, and hugging may be the culprit.
We are also getting too many “got to tip our cap: comments and this may be the result of ticking off the other team when they see us hugging too early.
And, too much spitting too. We are going to spit while hugging and it will be on a fellow hugger, sometimes known as the huggee, or on his shoes.
Let’s clean up our hugging acts. Only behind closed doors in the lockerroom after a win. Hell, I was expecting Uggla or FF to hug the drunk who ran on the field.
Nationals drop Braves as Chien-Ming Wang wins season debut – ESPN | Danta Report
May 26th, 2012
3:19 am
[...] Atlanta Journal Constitution [...]
hop
May 26th, 2012
5:05 am
the braves are through and so is chipper jones!
JSS
May 26th, 2012
5:41 am
Clusters wins the over and under contest again on Chipper going on the DL!!! Congrads DQ one!!!
bob
May 26th, 2012
6:42 am
It all starts with the MANAGER. Did you see the Washington manager Pull their peacher in the 5th up 4-1? Our MANAGER would Never do it. Difference between winning and losing.
Lil' Barry Bailout
May 26th, 2012
6:43 am
I guess 162 games last year wasn’t enough to convince Frank Wren that the team really did need better hitters.
bob
May 26th, 2012
7:05 am
CLEAN CUT- Look at Cincy and Washington ( clean cut) look at the Braves. They look like they can’t or won’t shave. Starts with the MANAGER, no control, and has to GO. I thought they were America,s Team.
1eyedJack
May 26th, 2012
7:27 am
Is there any doubt now that Chipper is the heart and soul of this team?
Komagawa
May 26th, 2012
7:42 am
we must always keep in mindie , “what the players, and Freddie in the clubhouse and what they say to the media are slightly different. This is a matter of course for the reporters, and it is their job to sift through this and that then add their opinion. This truism doesn’t go without saying. It needs to be repeated, over and over, esp. when this kind of sensitive topic comes up. The team a weakness, and it is apparent, it is part of the Braves identity for this season. That said, we should just accept it like sunshine and rain, and move on.
DawgDad
May 26th, 2012
7:52 am
No, the Braves have NOT proven they can win without Chipper. Couldn’t expect too much this week with Freeman, McCann, and Chipper all out; the real issue is whether or not this team can perform over the long haul and make the playoffs. Too many shortcomings in the roster. Phillies have played all year without Utley and Howard, and how far back are they?
The Braves are back to where they were before they signed Garrett Anderson. They need to move Prado back to third base (they really should have left him on second base) and thus they need a productive everyday left fielder. Somehow, I have zero confidence in Wren addressing this effectively.
The moral of this story is don’t pay 40-year olds $15 million per, and don’t RELY on a catcher to anchor your lineup. What you get from Jones and McCann should be gravy, not the meat.
Packer Ed
May 26th, 2012
7:56 am
Maybe the Atlanta Braves should purchase lottery tickets. If they win the Braves will have needed cash to compete.
Anybody have any other ideas?
Flash
May 26th, 2012
7:59 am
They better learn how since this is his last year.
Packer Ed
May 26th, 2012
7:59 am
Just think, only 7 weeks until football training camp opens and about 8-9 weeks from the first exhibition football game.
I can hardly wait, turn out the lights, the Braves may be finished forever. The Atlanta Braves are a Triple A ball club at best.
NO O
May 26th, 2012
8:29 am
The Braves stuck with a team who showed they are what they are last year. They still have NO consistant offense. NO Speed, NO clutch hitting and instead of finding a everyday 3rd baseman they stuck with Chipper who has proven the last few years he WILL NOT play more than 80 games. The down hill run is just beginning
jerry
May 26th, 2012
8:34 am
Not only is “Homer” Simpson an announcer, he is also a doctor. He knew exactly how bad McCann felt and stated that McCann was not in baseball shape………….just before McCann threw out a runner trying to steal second. Perhaps he should stick to telling us exactly why Minor is having control problems or exactly why Heyward is missing the curve ball……or perhaps he should stick to telling us what is happening on the field, (minus his predictions), and please leave out the excuses for Braves’ failures. Or even better, maybe I should learn to use the mute button.
No Flag Since Lemke
May 26th, 2012
8:38 am
Let me understand this. Last year everybody was on our manager for overworking the bullpen. This morning we should string Fredi up for not pulling our best pitcher in the fifth. Which is it?
J-Bone
May 26th, 2012
8:38 am
Somebody has got to step up! Where is Freeman, Heyward, Uggla, Mcann? They have disappeared!!! This is pathetic! They are relying on a 40 year old hall of famer, but he cant do it all by himself. What are they gonna do next year when Chipper is not around at all? When Chipper walks away, the Braves are done.
Spud Webb
May 26th, 2012
8:42 am
Sad for Chipper….but we’ve all known this season would go like this, hurt, not hurt, hurt, not hurt…still gotta win without him. It’s a long season and the Braves will rebound, with or without gimp.
Tim
May 26th, 2012
8:47 am
Check the pitching stats. Braves are well into the lower half of the national league. 6th loss in a row comes today – Minor is pitching. He’s not major league material. As for Chipper, it’s sad to see a great player struggling with injuries. If it continues (and it probably will), look for him to hang it up by the all-star break.
robert todd
May 26th, 2012
9:14 am
Chipper will stay all year, he will not walk away from 12 million bucks.And Minor should be in Rome!!!!!!!
1eyedJack
May 26th, 2012
9:18 am
Time to bring up Andrelton Simmons and see if he can play 3B?
drew
May 26th, 2012
9:27 am
What a dumb question…
No, the Braves will lose 162 games next year as Chipper is retiring.
It’s called a TEAM for a reason.
Ebenezer Snerdberg
May 26th, 2012
9:56 am
What the Braves should pursue is a manager and a pitching coach. ‘Course we all know that until we get an owner who cares a tinkers damn, this ain’t gonna happen. Both Fredi Cox and Roger McCox know they’re safe as long as Liberty has the conn.
STRETCH
May 26th, 2012
9:57 am
A few things,
1st of all, why were you leaving Hudson in the game after he walks a pitcher?!!! Fredi says, “I figured it was Huddy’s game to win or lose.” What????
2nd, Folks this thing is starting to go down hill now. How does a team NOT be serious about finding a replacement for a guy that hasnt played more than 120 games the last 4 years? But every freakin year stock up on pitching. Pitching that is OVERRATED!
3rd, They brought back the same exact team that folded down the stretch last season, so what do we expect? And you cant keep “Tipping your cap” when its cleary the personel not focusing when they are at the plate. That lineup is full of a bunch of chokers.
My point; the Braves scored what 8 runs in 4 games in Cincy while last night the Rockies put up 6 and won.
And last night the Nats(with all their injuries) kept coming to the plate and making it happen with RISP while the Braves continue to walk up to the plate and whiff, pop up, or ground out when its time to cash in.
And Wren will sit on his arse and say “We like our team.” Well people, dont believe the hype cause I DONT!!!
Ebenezer Snerdberg
May 26th, 2012
10:00 am
Stretch, me neither!
mcdavidastro
May 26th, 2012
10:09 am
DL is where Chipper has lived for most of the last five years. Works out to 300,000 per game played. He won’t play with an ingrown toe nail.
STRETCH
May 26th, 2012
10:13 am
Ebenezer,
Check out these stats as a team:
BA – .180
Runs/game – 2.4
ERA – 5.81
Run Diff. -11
Longest losing streak since last 6 games of 2011
Guess Wren and company doesnt see the trend.
Sideline Dude
May 26th, 2012
10:21 am
Surprise, surprise, Chipper on the DL. Say it ain’t so. What a hanger-on.
When's the Braves future 3rd baseman gonna be ready?
May 26th, 2012
10:29 am
Anybody see pics of Chippers bruise? Heard it was very disgusting.
Chip critics are a bunch of jackoffs
May 26th, 2012
10:41 am
All you puss’ wouldn’t be able to stand, much less play a game if you had Chippers injury.
Ebenezer Snerdberg
May 26th, 2012
10:42 am
Stretch,
“We’re fine, just fine!”
-Fredi Cox
Is anybody beginning to see why the Marlins REALLY @#$%canned him! Bourn is hotter than a $2 gun. So what does Fredi Cox do. Sit him to ‘rest’ him! Took him over a week and he still ain’t got his stroke back. The fat @#$%^&* ain’t got a clue!
Ydoes it hurt when I p
May 26th, 2012
10:47 am
All things even out in the end. This is a sub-par team on paper with a sub-par coach. We are who they think we are…..the team that folded up last year. Its sad too, because assa long time Braves fan who saw hank, Knucksie and fat boy Horner play, Chipper is one of my favorites of all time. Ted T, where are ya when we need ya?
Bobbymahlon
May 26th, 2012
10:48 am
with the range Simmons has you would never bring him up and move him to third.
Ebenezer Snerdberg
May 26th, 2012
10:49 am
Coaches, ‘cept for Roger McCox are fine. It’s the manager that sux!
extremus
May 26th, 2012
10:56 am
I can’t name the exact instances (I’m pretty sure one was against the Cardinals), but earlier in the season I heard the Braves announcers talk like they were almost giddy that the Braves were “catching somebody at the ‘right time’”, meaning when one or more of their stars were out of the lineup due to injuries or whatever. I’m sure they didn’t mean it in any malicious way toward those teams or players, but as I heard those statements I remember pausing and hoping the tables wouldn’t be turned at some point.
What goes around comes around, and now teams are catching the BRAVES at the “right time”.
While the season is by no means “over” (yet), this team’s lack of depth has been exposed big-time. Prado and Bourn are certainly doing their part to generate what offense they can, but neither is really a guy who can put a team on his back and carry them through a situation like this. Freeman’s eyes (and his average and production) haven’t been anywhere near the same since the Colorado series. McCann, who has the flu, was literally wobbly behind the plate last night after having to emergency-replace an injured David Ross in the second inning. Matt Diaz has the flu. Jason Heyward and Dan Uggla are looking more and more like their 2011 selves (which is a BAD thing). Chipper Jones has been out of the lineup for several days and is now going on the DL. Johnny Venters is leaving the ball up and simply isn’t the pitcher we saw last season. Delgado can’t shake the “one bad inning/grand slam” syndrome, and today Minor will be trying to avoid his 6th or 7th straight loss. Heck, even Beachy and Hudson have lost both of their past decisions. To quote the old Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium tarp, “When It Rains It Pours”.
If the Braves somehow weather this “Perfect Storm” of injuries, illnesses, and just plain losing without falling completely out of the divisional race, they’ll be very fortunate. And who knows, if that happens they might become this year’s St. Louis Cardinals who get healthy and hot at just the right time. But for now at least, a lot of folks (myself included) are beginning to wonder whether this is a bump in the road or if the wheels are falling off yet another Braves season.
andrew
May 26th, 2012
11:07 am
The Braves are the same old Braves! They keep you interested until they start sucking!!! They have too many weak links on this team to win. Jack Wilson is a BUM! Juan Fransico is a BUM! Jason Heyward has never lived up to his hype….therefore he is a BUM! WE NEED TO MAKE SOME TRADES THIS YEAR TO WIN!!!! Come on Wren get off of your wallet and make some moves!!!!!!!!
bobby
May 26th, 2012
11:13 am
Can the Braves win without Chipper? In a word NO! His retirement will be felt for several years until they come up with another leader.
Ebenezer Snerdberg
May 26th, 2012
11:18 am
extremus,
Did you catch last nights broadcast? Simpson is already saying it’s all ’bout the Braves injuries that are killin’ them. He really must LOVE his job!
Frank
May 26th, 2012
11:20 am
Uggla and Jason H need to look at Bourn, Prado and Chipper, cut back on the swing alittle and make solid contact (opposite field at times), the harder uggla and jason swing the lower the batting average goes. With a runner on third, it looks like Uggla would rather swing hard and K than get a hit to the opposite field and drive in the run. Is he the most stubborn person or what, how many years did i sign him for?
Tom Petty
May 26th, 2012
11:27 am
Freefalling!
Skeezix
May 26th, 2012
11:29 am
Well, most of the comments/observations that can be said about the Braves current predicament have already been well stated by previous posters. But I’ll add my two cents anyway. This season may be worse than 2011 as first and foremost the pitching is not at last year’s level (both starting and relief). That, coupled with offensive production that has now reverted to last year’s puny output, means we may be in for a very disappointing year. As Jeff points out, the winning % when Chipper plays speaks volumes about the lack of depth on this team.
Are the 2012 Braves a house of cards that has started tumbling down? Does this group of Braves (including Fredi) have the grit to pull it together and overcome despite all the setbacks?
We will soon find out. I hope they can overcome.
Denard Span
May 26th, 2012
11:31 am
The way the Braves have played the last five games..Chipper wouldn’t have helped unless he could..Pitch, catch, play 3rd, 1st, OF at same time. Most important hit 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th all in one game.In other words braves have played so bad even Chipper wouldn’t help much..we need 7 Chippers on the field and a new GM.
Denard Span
May 26th, 2012
11:35 am
Let Chipper take Fredi’s job..Make him the Manager!
Stiffneck
May 26th, 2012
11:44 am
Chipper Jones goes on DL — can Braves win without him? One word – NO. Same story last season. Just think how bad they will be next year without him.
GAKnight
May 26th, 2012
11:46 am
I said this at the beginning of the season, Chipper is on the team to be presented his honorary rocking chairs and to collect $14 M. This cheap-as-hell ownership has bamboozled you idiots once again. There is NO plan except to rake in the cash. They have spend NO $$ to fill the void at third base (Rodriguez, huh?) or in left field. A good first move would be to trade their big-butt catcher for one of the aforementioned two. McCann is the worse catcher in baseball.
Rafael
May 26th, 2012
11:53 am
Interesting how Matt Diaz’ health condition is exactly like his talent… “red and green mucus.”
“Gotta love the fans”… amazing how our pitching staff has all the caught the dreaded “Kawakami” disease.
All this and the “elephant in the room” is still lurking… the dirty little secret, that no one wants to talk about… Michael Bourn is a Scott Boras client. Enjoy Michael’s last year in the ATL and look forward to Mike Cameron replacing him in 2013 (yes Frank, using your FAVORITE term, he is “AFFORDABLE.”) Thank you Liberty CHEAPIA.
Great times for our Braves and we have a manager that continues to act like an IDIOT (e.g. bringing Chad “Proctor” Durbing and Cristhian “Linebrink” Martinez into close games, and playing his nephew “Ground Out” Matt Diaz).
Fredi is the childhood actor who protrayed Ricky Ricardo JR. on the “I Love Lucy Show.”
SeenThisB4
May 26th, 2012
12:13 pm
All I can say is Chipper, Get Well Soon.
The Real Brave
May 26th, 2012
12:23 pm
When the success of your team depends on a 40 year old player, what does that say about the GM?
truth be told
May 26th, 2012
12:42 pm
September 2011 repeat! Funny stuff. News from winter meetings “Braves are happy with lineup”. ROTFLMAO.
This is a .500 team at best.
@Rafael == Idiot
May 26th, 2012
12:43 pm
@Rafael == Idiot
Denard Span
May 26th, 2012
1:10 pm
The Real Brave..not much brother, not much…sad.
Del
May 26th, 2012
1:15 pm
The question is not “can they”, the question is “will they”. Based upon the past few series I’m afraid the answer will disappoint a lot of us.
Chris
May 26th, 2012
1:26 pm
“Let Chipper take Fredi’s job..Make him the Manager!”
Oh yeah. We all need to hear more of his painful interviews. Watching paint dry is more interesting than a Chipper interview.
Bowie TX Rocks - Braves place Chipper Jones on DL with bruised left leg, call up catcher JC Boscan - Washington PostBowie TX Rocks
May 26th, 2012
1:51 pm
[...] Atlanta Journal Constitution [...]
Bob
May 26th, 2012
2:49 pm
It’s a sad state of affairs when Chippah is the best player on your team…at 40. This is corporate ownership at its worse. And, Freddy had these losing streaks at Florida; he’s not a major league manager. What did we learn from last year’s melt down? Does Atlanta have a lock on the worst professional team ownership? And that includes the clueless A. Blank.
Braves Can't Win with F Gonzalez
May 26th, 2012
2:53 pm
I wish the Upper Mgmt would wake up and realize the lousy team we have is a direct reflection of the LOUSY MANAGER we have…..Fredi needs to be run out of town on the fastest MARTA bus.
LIVE: Ailing Braves try to end skid against Strasburg | Jeff Schultz
May 26th, 2012
2:58 pm
[...] of five straight games and faced with the prospects of missing Chipper Jones for another several games, the Braves face the Washington Nationals today (4 [...]
Bobby Cox
May 26th, 2012
5:13 pm
START MEDLEN !!!!!!!!!!!
Scott
May 26th, 2012
5:37 pm
Another lack luster performance, time for a change starting with manager. Obviously this team is not buying what he is selling.
We give you odds on Braves', Falcons' or Hawks' title parade | Jeff Schultz
June 5th, 2012
2:30 pm
[...] (eight-game losing streak). The issue is not talent but chemistry. We’ve seen that they’re a different team when Chipper Jones is out of the lineup. That speaks to not only Jones’ impact in the lineup but the otherwise lack of [...]