Sad to say, this Braves’ season could be over very soon
Folks, the Braves could be finished by the Fourth of July. They’re 30-33, no longer even in third place in the NL East. Of their next 15 games, not one is scheduled against a team under .500.
There’s no reason to think they’ll make a big move in the standings this next fortnight. They haven’t since the season’s first week. There’s a basic reason for that: They’re just not very good.
The starting pitching is solid but not 1990s-era solid. The relievers are so-so. The offense is awful. They’ve already made one major trade, and they’re 4-7 since Nate McLouth arrived. There’s not much more they can do to better themselves except play better, and at this point it doesn’t appear they’re capable.
Loading ...They’ve scored 37 runs in the 11 games since the McLouth acquisition, and even those numbers are misleading. Seven times in those 11 games they’ve scored three runs or fewer, and all seven times they’ve lost. Not to put too fine a point on it, but they just can’t hit. And I doubt they’ll ever hit much.
Twelve of the next 15 games are against the Red Sox, Yankees and Phillies. Those teams can hit. I wish I could say I’m optimistic, but I’d be lying. By the time the Peachtree Road Race gets here, the 2009 Braves could be done running.
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406 comments Add your comment
GaBravesfan
June 18th, 2009
7:40 am
I’ve been a Braves fan since 1966 and suffered through the horrible teams of the 70s and 80s. This team reminds me of those terrible years. Throw the stats out the window, this team will do whatever it takes to lose. If the hit, they won’t pitch – If they pitch, they won’t hit. Collectively they are just a bad team. These Braves also can’t do the little things. They can’t hit to the right side to advance a runner, they can’t bunt, they can’t run the bases, they can’t throw to the correct base, they cannot do anything (hitting, fielding, pitching) in a clutch situation. This all adds up to a bad team. If this type of mentality sets in the Atlanta Braves could become one of those franchises that is a perennial loser. These are scary times for Braves fans. There are no more excuses.
Gamecock Tony
June 18th, 2009
7:41 am
The Braves have to start making changes and it hurts me to say that TP should bite the bullet. The Hitting Coach is responsible for the team’s offensive performance so I suggest a new one.
AJC
June 18th, 2009
8:09 am
Thursday morning, June 18, 2009
Dear Diary:
Braves score only 3 runs and lose yet again.
Mike Hampton has finally made it back to where he belongs…On the DL.
Waiting anxiously for Mark Bradley to crucify Bobby today.
I’m actually starting to feel kind of sorry for Bobby.
Having 3 HOF starting pitchers in the prime of their careers for many years, and only being able to win 1 World Series has me not feeling sorry for Bobby anymore.
Tell me again, what’s so good about Nate McClouth? He’s almost Kelly Johnson-esque if you ask me.
Francoeur didn’t want to face Smoltz..I wouldn’t want to see that debacle of an at bat either.
Awesome CWS game last night. Good job Arky! It’s nice to watch teams play with emotion.
Go Tigers!!!
BillyBob
June 18th, 2009
8:20 am
I hate to say “Wait till next year”, because I expect it to be just like the past few years unless there are some drastic changes in ownership, players, and management.
We could put a minor league team on the field and get the same results this bunch gives us at a much lower payroll, plus we might see more exciting efforts.
Those in charge have turned a winner into a dull loser and the players have adopted that thinking.
Get rid of McCann and Jones and what’s left but a bunch of minor leaguers.
Jfreak
June 18th, 2009
8:21 am
They aren’t very good! They will be selling off vets soon to get prospects but I hope some of those vets include management and or coaching staff. Not blaming anyone as it’s a team effort when a team wins and when they lose, but if we are going to make changes lets make make changes. It can’t get much worse can it? I’d rather finish last striving for first than to finish third by trying to avoid being last!
Cole Sullivan
June 18th, 2009
8:28 am
Why does everyone look at Bobby Cox through rose colored glasses? During “the streak” of titles, he was nothing more than a bus driver. Anyone could have driven the bus with the talent that the Braves had during that period. Fact is, Bobby Cox never should have left the GM world. He has only one World Series title during that period and that was during a strike shortened year. Also note that the Braves hit at least one homerun in ALL SIX games of the series… Unfortunately, Bobby Cox is the baseball version of Joe Paterno and Bobby Bowden… All three should have retired several years ago.
For all those saying that it is not Cox’s fault, the sign of a good manager is one who can draw out the potential of his given personnel… The really funny part of all this is that FLA Marlins have never won the Division yet they have twice as many World Series Championships as Cox during “the Streak.”
the truth...
June 18th, 2009
8:35 am
The Fat Lady is singing…..her song is loud and long………….wish she could hit the curve ball…………
Marc
June 18th, 2009
8:38 am
I remember during the free agent period looking at the available outfielders. I couldn’t believe the Braves didn’t make a play for Raul Ibanez, of course the Phillies did and he’s having a great season. Instead we get Garret Anderson who hasn’t done anything. Francoeur is a flash in the pan and done, maybe a change of scenery might help him. Kelly Johnson is pathetic, Chipper’s hurt too much and so is Kotchman, who can’t hit like a first baseman should anyway. Wren-Schuerholz did a decent job of bringing in starting pitching, but you can’t win without offense, and the Braves don’t have any! This once proud franchise is now a sad-sack again. Liberty Media should put the team up for sale. Maybe an owner who actually cares about baseball might come forward.
Mac
June 18th, 2009
8:42 am
The offense reminds me of the one crazy summer, and Dion James. I disagree mildly with your pitching assessment, Mark. I think if you dropped this entire staff on a team with a decent everyday lineup, they are a very strong contender. Our everyday lineup just stinks, making 30-33 seem like a miracle.
Mac
June 18th, 2009
8:44 am
Doesn’t Liberty Media have to hold the Braves until 2012 to get their tax break? Please let some with deep pockets and passion buy the team then.
Mark Bradley
June 18th, 2009
8:45 am
I just spoke to Bobby Cox, by the way. Via phone from Cincy. Stay tuned.
milesarcher33
June 18th, 2009
8:50 am
I’m optimistic. The Braves have looked really good this year when they have won and (for the most part) have looked good when they lost.i.e. Vazquez last night. I don’t think they are too far out of it. Francoeur is going to hit and hit big time. He’s too good not to. Francoeur just needs some more at bats to level off his swing. Kelley ? Don’t worry about him. He’ll be fine. He’s just hitting in some bad luck this week and last. He’s a real pro that any team would want to have. I predict that his numbers for the second half of the season will be very impressive. I truly believe that this team can and will contend.
Braves fans support our team, don’t give up hope!!!
George
June 18th, 2009
9:02 am
I miss Maddux;Lopez;Smoltz; Millwood; etc. but most of all Skip and Pete. Not just because those were the winning years but because those were the “class” years when the club; as a team; cared about the game and each other. It just dawned on me last night that Chipper and Bobby are about the only ones left from the glory years unless you want to count Jeff Porter. Oh well, nothing can stay the same but as a serious fan of more than 43 years it is sad to see this great organization slowly fade into the sunset.
LSU
June 18th, 2009
9:08 am
Oops!!!….I’m LSU now, I’m not AJC anymore…All of these emotionless, boring & predictable Braves losses have gotten me to the point where I can’t even remember my new and improved screen name.
UGA Fan
June 18th, 2009
9:09 am
SOS, I have to disagree with you. I said during the preseason on here that the Braves would be at best a 3rd place team this year because they have no hitting. With the exception of Chipper who may hit for average but doesn’t really scare anybody with the long ball anymore, and McCann who has no protection, there is not another player that anybody would be scared of. This is not Bobby’s fault. I said it before, and I’ll say it again, until the Braves find an owner who is willing to pay money for talent that is in their prime and not washed up veterans like G.A., the Braves are done. The pitching staff looks pretty good right now, they just can’t score runs. I am tired of hearing, you win championships with good pitching. Wow, we won one, I repeat one World Series with all that great pitching we had during the great run in the 90’s and early 2000’s. Let’s get some good bats, score some runs, and stop relying on the pitching staff to go out and give up only two runs.
Now, as for Bobby, I do agree it is time for him to go, and he nakes to take Pendleton with him. Bobby has seen his prime and TP never should have been hired. Get a new manager in here, a new hitting coach and make Maddux an offer to be the pitching coach.
LSU
June 18th, 2009
9:13 am
Javy Lopez had an incredible money year for the Braves, and all of a sudden, it’s over…………..Hmmmmmmmm (scratching my chin) I wonder how Javy had that great season.
john
June 18th, 2009
9:23 am
you are right to say that the braves are not very good. But the best part of this is that no one in their divvison is very good. With all the losses in the past week how much ground have they lost. All it would take is a winning streak and they are back in it. Bad news is they who they play from the american league in the next couple of weeks
richbrave
June 18th, 2009
9:23 am
Looking at last night’s debacle on top of the previous debacle on top of… well-l-l… the snowball is headed downhill, and I’m like you this time BRADLEY. It’s rolling down the wrong side of the mountain.
By INDEPENDENCE DAY the record could be a dismal 33-47. Maybe this team can accomplish what the 2008 edition could not. Maybe we get the first pick in the 2010 draft instead of the seventh unless its been traded of course….
Jeff R
June 18th, 2009
9:39 am
A bright spot is that Liberty Media is a short term owner of the Braves. The only reason why Liberty Media hasn’t flipped the team when it acquired it from Time Warner was a condition set by Bud Selig for the sale. Liberty is required to keep the team five seasons, I suppose to lend stability to the franchise.
Five years is about up. Of course, who Liberty Media sells to is important. Fans don’t want a Peter Angelos, who’s made the Orioles an also-ran for many, many years.
But someone with deep pockets and enough sense to let talented baseball execs run the team would be welcome.
The Braves, whether in Milwaukee or Atlanta, have always played their best baseball when they had a principal owner (Ted Turner in Atlanta,as everyone knows, and a guy named Lou Perini in Milwaukee).
Arthur Blank had a serious interest before, and would have bought the team had Selig not supported the Liberty Media buy.
Don’t know what the economy has done to Blank’s bank account, but he’d likely be interested again.
dave in dublin
June 18th, 2009
9:43 am
Really want to know what’s wrong with the Braves? Bill Shanks in his column in yesterday’s Macon Telegraph summed it up pretty well – lack of leadership among the players. Here’s the link, it’s worth a read – http://www.macon.com/758/story/749937.html
BobbyJ
June 18th, 2009
9:47 am
I agree with all the comments that Cox appears past his prime (if he ever had a prime), lifeless, and unimaginative with too much loyalty given to non-producing players. But what really scares me even more than him resigning are comments, such as those by Joe Morgan in t.v., that Terry Pendleton would be an ideal candidate to become the Brave’s next manager. YIKES!
Billball
June 18th, 2009
9:59 am
Why not get Micah Owings and stick him in left field, then let him be a middle reliver. The problem is what happened to another Gainesville native, Jody Davis, when the Braves got him. Also the Braves need to be playing closer attention to the talent coming off the local campus at GT. Very good program that has produced some pretty good major league players.
LSU
June 18th, 2009
10:02 am
I’d like to see MB or anyone else in the know address the TP being the manager in-waiting question…It seems like a sacred subject that none of the blogmeisters will comment on.
My gut feeling is that Hank Aaron has a lot to do with that decision. Who knows, TP might do pretty good.
Jack
June 18th, 2009
10:10 am
I can’t begin to tell you what is wrong with the Braves, but I’ll try. First, there was the broadcast booth fiasco of several years ago when Skip Caray was not brought back — until mid-season, thanks to fan protest — but further complicated by too many broadcasters and games spread over four or five channels, some of which (SportSouth, for example), much of the Braves nation (such as those on Comcast) could not receive. And then there was the ownership that would not commit the money necessary to stay competitive. The Braves are mediocre by design. Look at all of the Braves alumni playing throughout the major leagues and you have to weep. Remember Jerome Dye? He has had a near-Hall of Fame career. I live in Nashville and I have been driving to Atlanta to see the Braves every since 1973. I had seasons tickets in 1994 (which I shared with 4 other guys). I have not been to a game since 2006. I have no interest. Smoltz is gone. Chipper is going. It’s over.
Kent
June 18th, 2009
10:11 am
Adam Dunn: 18 HR, 46 RBI’s, .256 BA
Garret Anderson: 3 HR, 19 RBI’s, .260 BA
Braves have made lousy trades and aquisitions based on professionslism and supposedly “good team mates”, good to have in the clubhouse……..Give me a player! Who cares….if the clubhouse is hunky dory? The curse of “Tommy Glavine” has begun….this will take years to fix unless the front office goes for players and not making decisions based on how easy it is to get along together.
Man I hate this…..at least compete.
Coach ( 2010 or Bust)
June 18th, 2009
10:12 am
Hey Bradley, is Cox going on a permanent vacation? otherwise, don’t bother with the details of that phone conversation because I don’t want to know.
Tom Baynham
June 18th, 2009
10:23 am
If indeed the Braves are done, and i think they are , now is the time to dump Bobby Cox and start fresh.
John
June 18th, 2009
10:23 am
For starters, play Prado and Diaz over KJ and Frenchy. That will help. Why should Frenchy and KJ get such preferential treatment?
Or, tell KJ and Frenchy to stop swinging for the fences every plate appearance.
FD
June 18th, 2009
10:25 am
So when are we going to start talking about the elephant in the room – Terry Pendelton? The Braves offense has been on a steady decline since he became the hitting coach. The Braves cannot improve offensively until TP is KO’d.
dave in dublin
June 18th, 2009
10:27 am
Whoa, BobbyJ – While I certainly agree that Terry has not been notably successful as a hitting coach, he did have serious fire in his belly as a player. No one knows if that would transfer as a manager, without Bobby around, but it just might. What have we got to lose and who else is out there? Too bad Billy Martin’s not still around, because he’s who this team really needs right now – someone who will kick a** and take names. What did Reggie Jackson do after Billy yanked him off the field and then went after him in the dugout? If you’re too young to know, look it up. Bobby is loved by his players, because he will never throw them under the bus, but sometimes, with some guys, that’s the only way to get their attention. Terry’s a very smart baseball guy and we sure as heck don’t have anything to lose at this point by giving him a shot. Ozzie Guillen might like the hot climate in Atlanta and he’s as close to B. Martin as we can get. Maybe if we offer Francoeur and Kelly and Kotchman and Anderson in a trade, we could wrest him away from the ChiSox.
Bill
June 18th, 2009
10:28 am
Time to start the fire sell!!!
Booger
June 18th, 2009
10:29 am
“I just spoke to Bobby Cox, by the way. Via phone from Cincy. Stay tuned.” – MB
I wonder if he uses a public phone? I would not want to handle a phone after Bobby Cox.
LSU
June 18th, 2009
10:31 am
Booger,
LOL….Bobby does seem to do a lot of gold digging.
Homer
June 18th, 2009
10:34 am
FIRE BRADLEY!!!!
Leroy Updike
June 18th, 2009
10:36 am
The season is over unless Braves’ management gets their act in gear ASAP. It’s not about one more player or firing Bobby and TP. It’s about getting Bobby to understand that this group of players cannot be handled as he did for 14 years. They are a different breed and a much different mix. He has talent there but he (and TP)is not bringing it out. Maybe it is time for him and TP to take some drastic new approaches or QUIT and get someone who can get these guys’ chins off their chests so they can see the direction they should be heading!!!
Booger
June 18th, 2009
10:36 am
With his fingers in his nose he could be giving signals. Or, he could just be picking his nose. It does not make Bobby look especially intelligent though we are told how much he is revered by all. A good baseball man. A players’ manager. A nose picker.
Mark Bradley
June 18th, 2009
10:46 am
You asked, and here it is. Do the Braves need a new manager?
elliot
June 18th, 2009
10:53 am
Bradley is 100% right. Braves fans (and Bobby Cox) wake up ! We will never be able to hang with the Mets and Phils until we get folks that can swing the bat. The days of playing small ball with NO TEAM SPEED has got to end. This is getting ridiculous.
shelby dawkins
June 18th, 2009
10:53 am
This Braves team is playing about as well as the economy. I can’t stand to see Francouer come up to bat and the opposing pitcher know that he’s an easy out…and he is
DMac
June 18th, 2009
10:55 am
Mark, you asked us to guess what you would write about Bobby Cox. You’ll probably slurp him big time, like all the rest of the Atlanta media. However, I think most every Braves fan will agree that the team should have won more play-off games, given their personnel, during his tenure.
It’s time for him to go. Actually, it’s long past time. It’s about production. I know, you’ll talk about how many division championships he produced, but just getting into the post-season isn’t enough. Show me the hardware, the trophies and the rings. In that, most critical area of production, Cox hasn’t produced. The bottom line will always be, that he only produced one World Series championship team.
JW
June 18th, 2009
10:58 am
The major problem is not Bobby Cox, however, his managerial style isn’t helping this team. Since the departure of Otis Nixon, Bobby’s teams have relied on the long ball to score runs. This team, 26th in home runs and last in stolen bases, has little chance… The GM should know how Bobby manages… I’m not sure this is Wren’s fault, his predecessor has been viewed with a little too much reverence in my opinion.
Jeff
June 18th, 2009
10:59 am
Mark,
Is there any chance of the Braves moving a veteran player by the trade deadline to pick up some prospects? The Yankees seem to need some pitching (ie Lowe or Vazquez) and the Braves could probably get some pretty good prospects out of the deal. The Yanks are obviously tired of losing to Boston and could overpay for one of our pitchers. I would think that, given our situation and outlook for next year, nobody would be off limits. Even Chipper has to be clammoring for a shot at another postseason before his time is up.
WILD BILL
June 18th, 2009
11:04 am
Oh Hell Yeah! & a whole new outfield. We have 1 guy(McClouth that is a major leaguer, Diaz is ok for a pinch hitter or bench guy but Blanco is AAA all the way, Frenchy needs a new start away from here, & Garret is done(if he even has a pulse, the guy is lifeless) Bobby has to much loyalty & patience( I bet Escobar is laughing behind his back) We need someone with some fire in their belly to run this show( do you think Ozzie would have put up with Esco? NOT might have beat his azz) this team is just to whatever about its attitude, need more guys like Gonzo that act like that want to win not just show up & get paid, its a sad pitiful clubhouse right now, Chipper shoulda left to DH in Texas & go hunting part time, Braves are done until they do a house cleaning!
Ben
June 18th, 2009
11:25 am
I have been a braves fan for about 20 years now and this team had me going this year i mean with the trades that we got for Javier and then siging Derek and Kenshin and i hurt me when he did’nt get Griffey Jr then we were a solid team during the spring and the first 2 weeks then the meltdown statrted i mean you have garrett dropping flyball all the time and when we are down runs in the game we play we go up to bat and want to drive the long ball instead of gettin basehit and then they want to trade Francoeur i am sorry i don’t agree with that because he has a good arm and is a great ballplayer i think they should let him play his year out and then trade him i just would like to see the world series come back to atlanta like it did in 1995 but if us braves fan want that then we have to wait and see what happens
Fletch
June 18th, 2009
12:06 pm
Is it football season yet?…Ugh another long summer for Braves fans
STH
June 18th, 2009
12:31 pm
Mr Blank please try again, our problem is ownership, we are a tax write off , we need someone willing to invest, get us a payroll of 140-150 mill and get us a proven lf/2b, and a bullpen. Please Mr Blank try again. We need a passionate owner that cares if we win. It is not Bobby, Terry, Frank, Or John, we need players and real players usually cost money. I hate being a write off at years end , I miss being a contender at seasons end.
BravesFanSince87
June 18th, 2009
12:32 pm
The season still can be salvaged,we just need to get rid of some people..i.e KJ,Frenchy,etc..we need POWER HITTERS!!!
ChillyMutt
June 18th, 2009
12:33 pm
Turn out the lights the party’s over they say that all good things must end
Let’s call it a night the party’s over and tomorrow starts the same old thing again
What a crazy crazy party never seen so many people
Laughin’ dancin’ look at you you’re havin’ fun
But look at me I’m almost cryin’ but that don’t keep your love from dyin’
Misery cause for me the party’s over
Turn out the lights…
Once I had a love undyin’ I didn’t keep it, wasn’t tryin’
Life for me was just one party and then another
Broke her heart so many times had to have my party wine
But one night she said sweetheart the party’s over
Turn out the lights…
GoATL
June 18th, 2009
12:34 pm
Yes..we need someone with the checkbook that Ted Turner Had…Like a Arthur Blank…then & only then we can get those players that cost but are worth the money…
STH
June 18th, 2009
12:39 pm
I know I am dreaming but how kewl would it be if we could pull off getting Hanley at short and Carl Crawford in left? Wow we could send Yunel down or if he could move to second, or dh, or back up Chip and rest of infield. Thanks for letting me dream for a second. Garret would move to rf for a speedy power hitter like a Crawford can produce.
Hanley ss
Mcclouth cf
Chip 3b
Crawford lf
Mccann c
Anderson rf
Kotchman 1b
Escobar/or Prado 2b
pitcher
Heck I could go for Owings from last nite in a corner of spot for us geeze