Bloggers demand a Braves’ change, and Bennett obliges!
Never think for one moment the ol’ blog is lacking in power. On the live chat from Game 2 of the Yankee series, Jeff Bennett was a source of much conversation/consternation. I’m quoting here:
Varodrunner, 8:53 p.m.: You cannot put Bennett into that situation and expect anything different outcome – Bobby is INSANE.
Ross, 8:54: Why the FREAKING HELL is Bennett in the game??????? What is WRONG WITH COX???
Kris in NC, 8:56: Time to go watch something else. Why in the world do you bring in Bennett? Medlen was doing fine. Bennett was the same guy who came in and gave up the walk off HR to none other Nick Green on Sunday. Now he gave up a 2 run RBI to A-’roid.
Greg, 8:56: Seriously…why haven’t they demoted Bennett yet? there’s got to be SOMEONE else…
Norris, 9 p.m.: How can we put our worst pitcher in the game to pitch against AROD with the bases loaded. Bobby Cox is an absolute idiot for that move. Bennett has no business in the majors much less coming in the game in that situation. Amazing …
Mark l, 9:05: Why the hell does Jeff Bennett keep getting the ball
Ross, 9:05: Bennett – pitching from the stretch with no one on board – fat pitch – in the stands. What a miserable chump. GONE! GONE! GONE! GET RID OF HIM!!!!
Ecooper, 9:05: Why is Jeff Bennett still in the majors? He is the new Dan Kolb. He’s more than proven his incompetence and inability to pitch in the majors.
Faraway Brave, 9:06: Can we please get rid of Jeff Bennett. I’m tired of seeing him pitch like crap!
Sean, 9:09: Why is Jeff Bennett still on the team? When was the last time he pitched without giving up an earned run and/ or an inherited run. There has to be someone better in Gwinnett.
As we now know, Jeff Bennett is no longer on the active roster. He broke the little finger of his left (non-throwing) hand by punching a door Wednesday night in frustration. He’s on the disabled list. And — this is just me speculating — he might not ever pitch for the Braves again.
Ballclubs hate it when a player isn’t available, and they hate it a thousand times more when he has been rendered unavailable by doing something silly. As Bobby Cox told Dave O’Brien: “It’s good that he cares; it’s not good when you break something.”
And it isn’t as if Bennett was on track to win Fireman of the Year. By the time he heals — he’ll require surgery — the Braves could well have moved on. And I’ll say it once more:
You disappoint readers of this blog at your immediate peril.
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121 comments Add your comment
jeffrey d
June 26th, 2009
11:08 am
On the radio yesterday Jim Powell was talking about how Bennett “hurt the team” and that he was an important part of the bullpen. I was like “are we talking about the same Jeff Bennett?” I don’t think there’s anyone in the world other than the opposing team who feels confident with Bennett on the mound.
On another note….during the same car trip, I also heard Bobby Cox say during a commercial, “the Braves are a part of the Project on 96.1″ I wittily quipped “That’s funny, because you’re a part of the problem.” But of course there was no one else around to hear me.
Joey
June 26th, 2009
11:11 am
One can only hope….
The_Superhoo (Montana by way of Virginia)
June 26th, 2009
11:16 am
Jeff Bennett….is not very good.
Here’s the problem: who the hell do the Braves replace him with? I’m not sure there’s anyone better.
Mark Bradley
June 26th, 2009
11:16 am
Talking to the radio again, eh, Jeffrey?
I used to have conversations with Bob Dylan — via his XM show — all the time, but he never acknowledged me.
Blindog
June 26th, 2009
11:17 am
When I read that Jeff Bennett had broke his non-pitching hand, I thought…whitch one?
Mac
June 26th, 2009
11:23 am
Arsonist of the year is more like it.
Also, this may be before your time, Mark, but the Braves had a utility infielder, Randy Johnson, I think his name was, injured himself putting on his sock.
Blindog
June 26th, 2009
11:23 am
Thats which one ,don’t know where that t came from???
TRobb
June 26th, 2009
11:23 am
Lot of comedians on the board. Guess I’ll chip in.
I’m not as worried about how he’s handling his left arm as how he’s using his right one.
At least he learned the lesson Crash Davis warned us about in the pool hall when Nuke decks him.
Matty
June 26th, 2009
11:24 am
To bad Bennett did not use his left hook to knock out Kelly Johnson and send him to the DL!
Mac
June 26th, 2009
11:24 am
The Romper Room lady saw me one time through her magic looking glass.
TRobb
June 26th, 2009
11:25 am
Maybe Buddy Carlyle is feeling better?
Steve Brown
June 26th, 2009
11:28 am
Cox is done. The other night Hanson is up 3-0 and has thrown 94 pitches in the heat. He has just given up a line shot single. Cox leaves him in for one more batter and I ask why. Now there are 2 men on and Hanson gets pulled, in my opinion one batter late. Bobby has had too many one batter late decisions for my taste.
The_Superhoo (Montana by way of Virginia)
June 26th, 2009
11:29 am
Blindog
June 26th, 2009
11:17 am
When I read that Jeff Bennett had broke his non-pitching hand, I thought…whitch one?
HAHAHAHAHAHHAHA
Ben
June 26th, 2009
11:32 am
Should have already been gone. I guess Cox wanted to build up his self esteem at the expense of the team.
Sam
June 26th, 2009
11:34 am
@Mac:
Don’t forget Terry Harper, who dislocated a shoulder waving a runner home from third base while in the on-deck circle.
Mrs. Chanandler Bong
June 26th, 2009
11:39 am
I wish he would’ve punched the door with his pitching hand, because that would’ve sealed the deal.
lee
June 26th, 2009
11:39 am
when i heard that Jeff Bennett had broke his hand, i am afraid my first thought was THANK GOD!!!! it was not that i was happy that anyone hurt themselves, eventhough he was an iddiot for doing it himself. What i as happy about was that maybe now if Bennett was not AVAILABLE alteast Bobby Cox could not go to him to LOSE the game!!! THANK YOU Bennett!! Now if we can get Bobby Cox into a 12-step program for making idiotic decisions!!!!
Willy
June 26th, 2009
11:42 am
Let’s not forget starting Kelly Johnson over Martin Prado, who for some reason is stuck with the “backup” tag.
KJ career stats: (BA) .265 (OBP).347 (SLG).429 (OPS).776
Prado: (same stats) .303 .361 .437 .798
Bobby? Please?
PMC
June 26th, 2009
11:42 am
Boy that Nick Green kid sure looks better now that he is playing for the Red Sox…
sidslid
June 26th, 2009
11:43 am
All we need now is a fist fight between Francoeur and Kelly Johnson concluding with joint broken hands and we are on to a 90 win season.
Class of '98
June 26th, 2009
11:43 am
That’s funny Blindog.
Adam
June 26th, 2009
11:43 am
You think the Braves are upset?
How do you think other teams now feel that they won’t be able to face Bennett with the game on the line!
I’m sure they can bring back Carlyle to fill the “beleaguered” role.
Or maybe Rietsma is available?
semiballcoach
June 26th, 2009
11:47 am
i thought bennett’s right hand was his “non-pitching” hand
tiger7_88
June 26th, 2009
11:48 am
I must also confess that my first thought was not charitable either… I thought “Well, I guess ol’ Jeff was looking for a way to guarantee at least a couple more months of major league salary.”
Oh, and Willy, I agree with you about KJ and Prado. KJ must own the pictures of Bobby Cox passed down for years and years that were originally in the hands of Keith Lockhart.
PMC
June 26th, 2009
11:49 am
This is what 3 4 5 years in a row where the Outfield has been a mess and the middle relief/setup has been a disaster?
for the last several years they haven’t had much of a quality major league lineup to speak of and the middle relief has been suspect. It’s not really hard to see why they’ve been below .500 for so long and losing series after series. There isn’t much to be positive about really.
Pete
June 26th, 2009
11:50 am
Again, the Braves are a complete waste of time. God, I can’t wait for football season !!!
End of story
Dawg Fud
June 26th, 2009
11:52 am
Bennett is a no-talent, ignorant redneck. release him and let’s move on.
Dawg Fud
June 26th, 2009
11:53 am
ditto Pete
bravesfanbob
June 26th, 2009
11:54 am
How in the world is this team only 4 games out of first? Inconsistent starting pitching, poor hitting, no baserunning skills, a shortstop who throws a tantrum once a game, a second baseman who can’t field or hit, a first baseman who has NO power, and only one man in the lineup who can steal bases, although not very often. We might only be one game back if Bennett had only punched a wall in April! We need to trade Johnson and Escobar for a very good shortstop who can lead off, plus another good arm out of the bullpen. Then we have Prado play 2nd, and move McClouth to 6th in the lineup behind Frenchy. That way you have the lefy-righty-lefty mix 4th – 6th to avoid the pitching matchup situations in the late innings, and sandwiched between McCann and McClouth, Francoeur will get more pitches to hit. Also in the 6th spot, you still can take advantage of McClouth’s speed, as you won’t be taking the bat out of any of your few power hitter’s hands when you send him, and will create more runs in the bottom of the lineup. You also will be using his power to drive in more runs, as he has the most homers on the team.
gcs
June 26th, 2009
11:54 am
I am having a hard time understanding why everyone is dogging on Jeff Bennett. He’s had a few rough outings lately and the injury was stupid but he has a 3.18 ERA. Up until last week, his ERA had been under 3.00 all season.
Do you think Jorge Campillo, Buddy Carlyle or JoJo Reyes are going to be any better? Maybe we should bring up another Joey Devine who is not ready?
And think about this: of all the non-starting pitchers, he has pitched the most innings. Well, he’ll get his rest now.
.
bali
June 26th, 2009
11:55 am
the more important question is what will happen if you break afinger while typin so many blogs while jeff is on vacation……I know it must get frustrating for you at timestrying to come up with the perfect word , sentence paragraph story etc…… who knows the pressure could cause you to slam your fist at the laptop and there you go ….. you break a finger and alaptop would the ajc release you because of a frustraing moment
MiltonDawg
June 26th, 2009
11:55 am
he is an idiot for doing that..however, at least someone on this team has emotions to express how crappy this team is doing. when do we see francouer or KJ destroying a gatorade cooler? heck, even Cox is getting too old and lazy to argue.
Rufio
June 26th, 2009
11:55 am
Poor Bennett. It’s one thing to punch a wooden door in which you might win the battle. But I heard he punched a metal door, which means he was trying to break his hand. What a moron. He should be released immediately.
Mrs. Chanandler Bong
June 26th, 2009
11:55 am
Hey MB, how about your best friend’s AWESOME start last night? I bet you were bummed. I hope you called him afterward to console him.
Jordan, True Brave Fan
June 26th, 2009
11:56 am
I don’t care about Bennett’s low era, he still is costing the Braves games. He has already given up runs in 4 key games this year that they should’ve won if it weren’t for him. And guess where they’d be? At 500.
They need to bring up Vladimir Nunez. Has anyone noticed his 2.49 era at Gwinett?
Bring him up. Designate Bennett.
Also, trade Kelly Johnson too. I’m getting sick and tired of seeing his .219 average scroll across the screen. It’s Martin Prado’s time to shine.
bushwacker
June 26th, 2009
11:57 am
Dave, you said “You disappoint readers of this blog at your immediate peril.”
Does not seem to affect Bobby Cox, he’s the one who kept putting Bennett in the game?
There are too many good players on this team to suck like they do, they don’t seem motivated at all.
I am sure Chipper is regretting signing the extension with the Braves, he deserves to be in the playoffs and its not happening here.
bushwacker
June 26th, 2009
12:00 pm
Sorry Dave, that last comment was for Mark
Rick in Dallas
June 26th, 2009
12:00 pm
Need I say more. I read the Hawks articles first
Wes
June 26th, 2009
12:02 pm
blinddog: comment of the day
Sad for HIm
June 26th, 2009
12:06 pm
Poor Bennett. Imagine being so frustrated that you sabatoge your career with an injury that was avoidable. I think the Braves are kind of like that as a team right now. Hope they get better before too late.
TUpac Petty
June 26th, 2009
12:07 pm
Tupac ism of the DAy! I will buy Cox and Bennett a bus ticket out of town if yall will get them on the bus……!
Case and point, (Bennett in the game at that moment NOT SMART MANAGING! AND Medlin staying in the game would’ve been best. And, the way BC uses the Braves pitchers and bullpen is the EXACT REASON WE HAVE NO MORE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS!
tt44
June 26th, 2009
12:11 pm
FRANK WREN…ITS TIME TO DO SOMETHING!
stew
June 26th, 2009
12:13 pm
His WHIP is outta sight. What about Acosta? He doesn’t appear to be a major league pitcher either. O’Flaherty isn’t exactly what he showed early on. Boone Logan showed me something last night. How depressed must Medlen be? They put him in the rotation, brought up Tommy, and then demoted Medlen to mop up.
preston hannatized
June 26th, 2009
12:13 pm
Jeff Bennett isn’t the problem — he’s only the latest in a long line of pitchers that Bobby fell in love with and kept putting them in until they were toast. I go back to the memorable Jim Clancy in 91. You come here and get a few guys out, Bobby will keep using you until you’re burnt out and kicked out by the road. Bobby’s not alone, bullpen mismanagement is rampant. Joe Torre is as guilty as anyone. I feel sorry for these pitchers; it’s a treat to be called on over and over – when you’re getting them out – but it’s longterm sayonara for your career. Bennett will never pitcher here again. The Braves used him like chopped liver until – as everyone here knows – he is now unusable.
coach joe
June 26th, 2009
12:16 pm
blind-dog– funny funny funny.
Billy
June 26th, 2009
12:18 pm
“Don’t forget Terry Harper, who dislocated a shoulder waving a runner home from third base while in the on-deck circle.”
Ya beat me to it, I was gonna mention this one.
GTSteve
June 26th, 2009
12:26 pm
Blindog
June 26th, 2009
11:17 am
When I read that Jeff Bennett had broke his non-pitching hand, I thought…whitch one?
funniest thing I have heard all day, thanks dog
Hillbilly Deluxe
June 26th, 2009
12:27 pm
MB: You should’ve listened to the Tom Petty XM show, he would have responded to you when you talked.
On a serious note, as somebody with a maimed hand, I sort of feel for Bennett.
DirtyDawg
June 26th, 2009
12:37 pm
I had to ask myself, who in blazes hits something out of frustration with their ‘off’ hand? Seems to me he had the presence of mind to use his left which makes me think he was hoping he might hurt himself enough to put him out of his misery for a while – then come back when things ‘die-down’ or he gets let go and has a chance to start again somewhere else. Of course, I may be over-thinking it.
Chris Reitsma
June 26th, 2009
12:39 pm
blindog has the comment of the day!
…why am I laughing??
NO MORE BOBBY
June 26th, 2009
12:41 pm
Thank you God!! Why did it take this long to make a move? Answer is…..
BOBBY COX!!
You know that if he did not break his finger he would still be called on by Bobby to blow more games. Never thought I would say this but THANK YOU Jeff Bennett. You are as dumb as you look.
mitch
June 26th, 2009
12:43 pm
Dear Mr. MB–the most shameful part of these disrespectful, vicious, cretinous comments on this blog is that AJC and you, too, Mr. MB (sorry to say that, Mark) are pandering to it. Even so, still your pal, Mitch
hal
June 26th, 2009
12:46 pm
funny how nick green looks better noW and NATE looked better BEFORE huh? wonder if any of that might be TP’s doing?lol
dude
June 26th, 2009
12:46 pm
Let me say that I was at game last night. The people who cost us that game are Derek Lowe, Chipper Jones, and Brian McCann. Lowe has suddenly lost it. Chipper and McCann wiff and then they pout all the way to the dugout AND ON THE FIELD!!!!!!(Did anybody watch how MAC had a chance w/bases loaded and choked and then he goes yard at the end when it doesnt count or Chipper not making defensive plays?)
Poor effort and the Braves give up mentally when they dont have a lead or give up a lead.
Somebody blogged earlier that this team has no fire because of COX. Well, you need to look at the ball players who r SUPPOSED to be OUR LEADERS. These guys only know how to pout and get down on themselves.
When Hoss and Heap do something bad or they watch others do something bad…they pout like children and become sullen.
Dont blame Bobby for BAD PLAY AND DEFEATED ATTITUDES blame your ‘leaders’.
Coach ( 2010 or Bust)
June 26th, 2009
12:46 pm
Bennett was misused, period. That is the fault of Bobby Cox. Bennett is a long man or fifth starter. He never had any business being brought into critical game situations.
It’s my hope that Bennett goes somewhere else and some enterprising manager sticks him into the back of his rotation and makes Cox look like the idiot that he really is.
Benjamin
June 26th, 2009
12:47 pm
For all the people rejoicing in Bennett’s loss — and I’m one of them myself — Boone Logan is his replacement. Boone Logan…
Paul W
June 26th, 2009
12:48 pm
I wish Garrett Andersen cared enough to punch a door.
hal
June 26th, 2009
12:48 pm
dude its easier to blame cox as hoss is the blogs hero and mac a local icon none of these bloggers would know how to manage there kids ll team lol so pretend by managing the bravos
Adam
June 26th, 2009
12:49 pm
Some of you are starting to get it… the front end of our bullpen sucks. We have Moylanta (sometimes), Gonzalez (most of the time) and Soriano.
Ask yourself this question — with Bennett, O’Flaherty, Acosta, etc… How many of you are surprised when they have a 1-2-3 inning? Be honest.
Paul W
June 26th, 2009
12:50 pm
And yes, blindog’s post was HILARIOUS.
What did Garret Anderson in LF and Michael Jackson have in common?
Both wore a glove on one hand for no apparent reason-
hal
June 26th, 2009
12:53 pm
i wish anderson cared enough to run out what few hits he gets but thats not going to happen the worst sighn ever by wren and raul ibanez was available my gawd has he never seen anderson play i watched him lots as i have him in a fantasy league hes sucked for a few years now ,cannot play the outfield never histles and from what i read in california not very popular with anyone with the exception of kotchman who now that i think of it couldent be bothered to run 10 steps to the bag the other day lol twos company
aswingruber
June 26th, 2009
12:55 pm
Funny that it’s not Bennett’s clear incompetence as a major league pitcher that takes him off our roster, but rather a bone headed outburst in which he breaks his hand. Doesn’t say too much about Braves management that the only way our worst players won’t be in key situations in close ball games is if they inflict physical harm upon themselves and break their own bones.
Curtis Jones
June 26th, 2009
12:58 pm
Oh well, as long as “ace” Derek Lowe pitches like he did last night, the spirit of Jeff Bennett will live on.
hal
June 26th, 2009
12:58 pm
btw boone logan only has trouble getting out rh batters ohh yea also left handed ones
Travis
June 26th, 2009
1:00 pm
It’s hard to believe that this team might just be finished already. They seem to always find a way to lose. Far cry from the teams of the 90,s. No fire!
dude
June 26th, 2009
1:02 pm
I wish Cox and Pendelton would do that scene from Bull Durham where they go in and throw the bats at the players in the showers. Maybe Cox could do a Mike Singletary and drop his drawers and smack some azz.
Im for anything at this point.
I think I would have paid Smoltz 10 mill just to be on the team to show these guys what it means to be a COMPETITOR.
Adam
June 26th, 2009
1:02 pm
Maybe Bennett can become our new hitting coach?
Bill
June 26th, 2009
1:03 pm
Why does everyone in the world know the Braves problems (for3 yrs) except the ones running the show.
Bobby must go.
Joe Schmoe
June 26th, 2009
1:05 pm
I think I said it best a couple of weeks ago, Jeff Bennet is a Braves Terrorist. He is committing Jihad on the bullpen status, and the late inning games.
im not so sure chippers regretting sighng it but im sure as hell regretting him sighning means 3 more years of watching slow rollers head into left field to be viwed with distain my anderson who will then slowly walk over and throw it in the vicinity of a
June 26th, 2009
1:08 pm
i dont know if chippers regretting sighing it but i sure as hell am that means another 3 years of watching slow rollers head un challenged into left field where a starytled from deep slumber GA will slowly walk over and throw the ball in the general vicinity of an equally startled ESCO who will watch helplessly as still another runner crosses the plate lol
Adam
June 26th, 2009
1:11 pm
If this propels us to a division title maybe we can say that Bennett had the biggest clutch hit this season!
Mark Bradley
June 26th, 2009
1:16 pm
Yes, I guess those 14 consecutive division titles bought Bobby Cox a shot of blog immunization.
And Mrs. Bong, you’ll find this hard to imagine — but I don’t have that particular athlete’s phone number.
Kris in NC
June 26th, 2009
1:17 pm
If Bennett keeps his job after coming off the DL, I will be one shocked fan. You know Bobby can not be thrilled and neither is Frank that one of their players goes and punches a freakin’ door then doesn’t bother to tell anyone for 30 minutes. Total lack of responsibility by Jeff Bennett.
Jeff, you are a man and a professional athlete, yet you lost your cool when you couldn’t pitch worth a dang.
Time for the Braves to cut their losses and get rid of a hot temper person like Bennett. We need guys on this team who are going to keep their tempers and attitudes in check and be responsible if they screw up. If he was having a difficult time with what he was doing, then talk it out with your club house leaders or your coaches, not punching a door and breaking a bone in your non pitching hand.
What an idiot!!!!!
Bill
June 26th, 2009
1:17 pm
Coach 12:46, I agreed 100%
Dude, The buck stop with the manager. Bobby has lost control of his team. You don’t expect players to do what they’re not taught to do. Spring training is a joke, fun time. Everyone knows Bobby will play his favorites no matter what they do,example KJ, JF, Bennett,and GA. etc. The Braves need new life. Wake up JS and Wrens get some balls and do whats needed…retire Cox.
Mark Bradley
June 26th, 2009
1:25 pm
I knew Randy Johnson very well, Mac. Indeed, I have a Randy Johnson story.
In 1985 Bob Horner got hurt in the middle of the season and Johnson was going to move over to play third base full-time. I was assigned to do a long Randy Johnson feature to run in the Saturday AJC. The thing was written, but the Braves traded for Ken Oberkfell on Friday afternoon. The Johnson story never saw print. But I did give him a printout of it for his scrapbook.
Mark Bradley
June 26th, 2009
1:27 pm
Blindog’s comments is indeed a winner. I guess I can’t steal that one without anyone noticing, can I?
Adam
June 26th, 2009
1:28 pm
Mark — it’s not blog immunization. Cox is a Hall of Fame manager and seriously, who out there has more experience?
You like Oquendo etc… but seriously what have these guys done? Fresh blood does not always work.
A guy like Hillman in KC would be great but he’s not out there right now.
Cox is “immune” because most of us know the club will NEVER do to him what they did to Glavine.
Paddy
June 26th, 2009
1:31 pm
Rick in Dallas….I am about the same. I didn’t read a Hawks article but I almost wanted to. Going to have to get back to therapy soon it looks like. What do I now have to look forward to, WNBA small talk with the guys? Geez…
Jfreak
June 26th, 2009
1:31 pm
The talk is about Bennett but the story continues to be Cox. I’m sad to say he and most of his staff are a contributing factor in the Braves failures. The players do have to make plays but the manager has to put the team in position to be successful and over the past few years Cox and his staff have not done that enough.
When does Wren decide that this team as it is currently constructed isn’t going to win and maybe, just maybe what this TEAM needs is a kick in the butt not a players “friend” in Cox? At some point Wren better decide what he values more, Cox or his job because I’m not sure both can co-exist??
Mrs. Chanandler Bong
June 26th, 2009
1:36 pm
That Garret Anderson comparison to Michael Jackson was totally inappropriate, but I laughed anyway. Although I do now try to keep in mind that MD has told us that’s… just… how… Garret… is…
Larvell Blanks
June 26th, 2009
1:36 pm
Crash Davis: Did you hit me with your right hand or did you hit me with your left? Huh? Did you hit me with your right hand or did you hit me with your LEFT?
Ebby Calvin LaLoosh: My left.
Crash Davis: Good! That’s good; when you get in a fight with a drunk you don’t hit him with your pitching hand. God, I can’t keep giving you these free lessons so quit screwin’ around and help me up.
Jeff R
June 26th, 2009
1:37 pm
Boone Logan… a more interesting name than Jeff Bennett. Let’s give the more interesting name a chance.
lagnamor
June 26th, 2009
1:39 pm
Adam, Bull Sh!t
Hillbilly Deluxe
June 26th, 2009
1:41 pm
Face it, what the Braves need is more talented players.
Pete
June 26th, 2009
1:42 pm
Mark Bradley: “I knew Randy Johnson very well, Mac. Indeed, I have a Randy Johnson story.”
A much better story is when Johnson (I think it was him) hurt his back one day pulling on his socks.
JEZ
June 26th, 2009
1:43 pm
They prob kept Bennett around cause he cut everyone’s hair for cheap!
Adam
June 26th, 2009
1:48 pm
I’m not saying Cox shouldn’t go, but what’s to say you bring someone else in here and we’re any better!
Alright langnamor, name one guy out there WHO’S AVAILABLE that could come in here RIGHT NOW — pre-Heyward, Freeman, etc… — who could GUARANTEED turn this thing around?
And if you’re talking aboyut guys like Yost, etc… those are disciples of Cox who would manage almost EXACTLY the same way.
Handing this thing over is not as easy as some of you think.
lagnamor
June 26th, 2009
1:57 pm
Brad Mills, John Farrell, Jose Oquendo are three Adam.
Big B CH 99
June 26th, 2009
1:57 pm
At least w/ him on the DL, Bobby can’t bring him in in clutch situations. I never did understand why Bobby kept bringing in his WORST reliever in clutch situations, but Bobby has his favorites and will play them to the detriment of the team, & not play those that he doesn’t like (Prado, Diaz).
Vermont-Braves fan
June 26th, 2009
2:02 pm
Seriously… Are these New Yorkers posting this crap? Bennett sucked out… so what? Are we really that harsh to revel in a guy possibly losing his career? I’ve read a lot of puff pieces on Bennett as a great clubhouse guy, a guy who lost a ton of weight, who works hard. I never thought he should have been on the roster to begin with, (see Spring Training 09 numbers).
I agree Bobby trusts guys for way too long sometimes. But why is he the most loved skipper if he sucks at his job!? This is a rough couple years but the future looks bright. Don’t act spoiled just because the Braves won 14 straight division titles… seriously.
Supes
June 26th, 2009
2:04 pm
Mark,
The following players need to gone from the 2010 Braves 25 player roster:
Jeff Bennett, Jeff FRANCINE, Kelly Johnson, Garret Anderson, Gregor Blanco, Greg Norton.
Adam
June 26th, 2009
2:07 pm
Are they proven? Do they have managerial experience?
MIlls has advanced because he is Francona’s buddy — both with the Phils and the Red Sox.
Farrell is another Francona buddy going back to their days with the Indians.
Just because he managed in the WBC does not make him a proven major league manager. Why don’t you throw Luis Sojo into the conversation as well?
When L.A. finally peeled Lasorda off the field in ‘96 how many managers did they go through before finally ending up where they are today?
When you replace a Hall of Fame coach it doesn’t usually work out right away — Lasorda, John Wooden, etc…
If the guy who replaces Cox doesn’t win — people will be missing Cox pretty quickly. It’s just not as easy as people think.
Canadaian braves fan
June 26th, 2009
2:16 pm
go to http://www.newblogofbraves.blogspot.com and vote, check out a new blog on the braves
CLE
June 26th, 2009
2:20 pm
Who cares about Bennett’s low ERA? It doesn’t mean much – most of the runs he’s given up this year have been charged to other pitchers, because Bobby keeps putting him in under the incorrect assumption that Bennett can actually clean up those pitchers’ messes. Instead, Bennett makes it worse and the other pitchers get the runs tacked on to their ERAs.
Larry
June 26th, 2009
2:39 pm
“But why is he the most loved skipper if he sucks at his job!?”
You’ve got to be kidding me?
Remember, the great majority of baseball players are goober looking, tobacco spitting, crotch scratching, poorly educated Latinos or dumb old farm boys. The only thing keeping these guys from either picking up your garbage or mowing your lawn this week is that the can throw a baseball harder or swing a bat faster than your average human being. I mean really, could you ever envision two people as stupid looking and stupid sounding as a Manny Ramirez or Sammy Sosa being Multimillionaires if they couldn’t hit a baseball? So, if you were handed millions to play a game you’d play for free, and you could have an old, fat, nose picking grandpa like fellow who’ll allow you to pitch or bat until the season is lost so you can have more fun you’d probably like playing for old Bobby Cox too!
I keep hearing people like these vanilla sportswriters keep justifying Bobby’s job by referencing surveys that most players would prefer playing for Bobby Cox. No kidding! I would too as regardless of my performance he’ll just sit there and let me keep playing as long as I want to!
A much better survey would be to ask all players with more than double digit IQ’s this question:
“If everyone had the identical players–clones, if you will–and the payoffs started today, what manager would you predict would most likely finish the playoffs winning the last game and thus the World Series?”
With a 1-14 record in the last game of the postseason, only an absolute idiot would pick Bobby Cox!
braves70
June 26th, 2009
2:41 pm
One plus for Brad Mills is that he, Francona, and Frank Wren were all team mates on the 1980 Memphis Chicks – Montreal AA team.
Adam
June 26th, 2009
2:48 pm
Now I am getting excited. Actually, Wren had a better average for that team (.222) as he has had in his dealings as a GM.
welikebaseball2
June 26th, 2009
2:49 pm
I’ve also been wondering what Cox’s fascination with Acosta is. I know his numbers aren’t necessarily the worst (not exactly stellar either) but it seems as though he has a knack for giving up a run or two or three when we’re only down down by a couple. He’s an official rally-killer.
Larry
June 26th, 2009
2:50 pm
Paraphrased, I do not want players that want to play for a manager; I want players that WILL play for a manager!
Braves73
June 26th, 2009
2:51 pm
The problem is and always will be…Bobby Cox. He consistently puts in the wrong guy in a clutch situation. He did it again last night. Boone’s farm did a decent job in the 6th, but WHY IN THE HE!! did Bobby blunder leave him in to pitch the 7th. Isn’t that Peter Moylan’s inning???? I am know completely done with watching this sh!!!!. I will not watch again until Bobby retires or they decide to hire another manager. My wife will especially like this, now she won’t have to worry about me screaming & breaking stuff and she will be able to watch some crap on TLC….it’s been real!
KT
June 26th, 2009
2:52 pm
Please Bobby retire after this season. PLEASE!
Eric
June 26th, 2009
2:52 pm
Jeff Bennett = Blaine Boyer. It took two years for Bobby to realize Boyer couldn’t get my three year old out and yet he led (or was near the lead) in appearances last year. Not sure why Bobby can’t let go sometimes. Alot like the KJ experiment at 2B. It’s not working. Hasn’t worked the last two years. Put Prado in and move on.
Old Blue
June 26th, 2009
2:55 pm
Bobby Cox should never again curse an umpire who has a brother that is a witch doctor.
lagnamor
June 26th, 2009
2:57 pm
I’d bet that anyone of the three would do better than what we got. 14 great years was not all Bobby’s doing but he gets credit. If who follows Cox succeeds or not depends on who they hire. You don’t have to have Mgr exp. to be successful. If you hire crap, that what u get.
Mike
June 26th, 2009
3:08 pm
Only get rid of him if you can attach Esco-error to the deal. Or just use the “Glavine option” and release them both.
Adam
June 26th, 2009
3:08 pm
I’m just saying the odds of success following a legendary manager — a guy who is mentioned in the same breath with Joe McCarthy, Casey Stengel, Sparky Anderson and Tommy Lasorda — are not that great. Doesn’t matter how many buttons he pushed or not — he won. And for those of us who endured all those 100-loss seasons in the 70s and 80s — extra baseball in October was phenomenal even with only one Series title.
So the next guy coming in here will be lucky to last 2 years without a winning season. And by the looks of the Gwinnett and Mississippi clubs, help is not on the way until 2011.
If anything has exposed Cox to a degree it is the MUCH WEAKER coaching staff he now has.
Larry
June 26th, 2009
3:11 pm
Braves73,
Worry not my friend as Football Season is fast approaching and at least Mike Smith has the courage and willingness to put in the best player on a given play in order to win the game. As we know, Bobby will stick with player or choose a player at a given moment without regard for the outcome and this is why he is the worst postseason manager in the game.
Further, I’ve been buying these darn season tickets for over 20 years and the only reason I’ve continued the past few years is they are such great seats (”Hank Aaron,” behind the plate) and I keep hoping he’ll just finally retire and let someone else have a shot. However, this is it! If the Braves renew him again there will be a few more empty seats in 2010 to go along with so many others who no longer choose to waste their precious time and money for the most boring and predictable baseball management style in the game today. I mean how fun is it to watch a bunch of streaky hackers play error filled, poor fundamental baseball? I’d rather take my kids camping, hiking or to the mountains or beach during the summer than continue to fight the traffic from Turner Filed all too often in a rage!
paul
June 26th, 2009
3:30 pm
simple issue here, simply put, cox was a good man, and a solid manager of one of the best pitching staffs ever assembled… he should have had atleast 3 rings. The braves are a AAAA team that should admit it and go through the process of growing again. if we make the playoffs it won’t be because we are good, it will be because the other teams are just as bad. that is not the way to go….
simple things…..this may get me banned from the blog, but we need a fire sale…. Lowe, Vasquez, Gonzalez, Soriano, Chipper, Yunel, Kawakwangi, Anderson (is anyone else tired of seeing him loaf?) kotchman and johnson (pick up huddy’s option and plan on dealing him as well) should all be dealt to highest bidder. we could rake in some solid prospects to rebuild around, mccan, jurjens, hanson, medlen, francouer, (yes keep him…25 yrs. old he is solid and should be a solid 7 hitter. if we are counting on him being a cleanup we are stupid) mcclouth, prado, freeman, the big minor league outfielder,, my bad name escapes me… and schafer) we will be solid in 3 years…
if we accept this as our fate, get back to treating the fans the right way!!!! then they will come out and watch this team grow up and win… if we keep lying to ourselves about what kind of team we have we will all go insane.
random thoughts – anyone else think we are idiots for not playing prado everyday? I for one sure like the big firstbaseman we brought up last we week…. they said his defense was poor… we freakin crap, what is chipper’s and yunel’s? we have one of the worst left sides in major league history right now… and now that hoss can’t hit for power he is not helping.
TIME TO REBUILD BRAVES…. GET A MANAGER THAT WILL TEACH THESE GUYS HOW TO PLAY AND REBUILD!!!!!! OR YOU MAY LOSE WHAT FANBASE YOU HAVE LEFT.
Mark Bradley
June 26th, 2009
4:16 pm
I see a meeting of Bobby Cox Chowder and Marching Society has again been called to order. Let’s read the meetings of the last meeting, shall we?
“Bobby’s got to go … Fire Bobby Cox … et cetera.”
Larry
June 26th, 2009
4:33 pm
Mark,
We all know you’re a vanilla sportswriter who likes to throw soft tosses at the mention of Bobby Cox, and perhaps this has been dictated to you so the AJC can continue to collect those Braves sponsorship checks to pay you, but for goodness sakes man can’t you work on hiding this a little better! You’re sarcastic attempt above with the “Bobby Cox Chowder” comment is sophomoric at best.
Yuck! At least try not to sound like a girly man! You’re a veteran writer in a major city not writing for the Unadilla, Georgia Gazette!
Larry
June 26th, 2009
4:43 pm
Mark,
To be fair, at least you had the courage to mention yesterday, I think, that this year under Cox seemed a little different, unlike that Martha Burke loving Jeff Schultz or that silly song lyric peer of yours, DOB, who’s so perfectly politically correct with everything so he’ll keep getting invited to speak on the radio while chomping on a chocolate chip cookie during a live interview. Ask John Kincaid what I’m talking about. It was embarrassing!
Of the three vanilla flavored writers, I’ll give you credit for at least having some sprinkles in the mix!
kool$kat
June 26th, 2009
4:46 pm
Larrrryyyy….who do you hire to replace the manager that won 15 division titles????????
Nobody is available that is qualified.
Mark Bradley
June 26th, 2009
4:56 pm
Let me reiterate: We mightn’t have Mr. Bennett to kick around much longer. To a team’s way of thinking, it’s better for a guy to fail on the field than to be sidelined due to something preventable.
turkey
June 26th, 2009
4:57 pm
Looks like Bennett has come down with a bad case of Kolbitis. I wonder what Kelly Johnson has?
Einstein
June 26th, 2009
5:13 pm
Cox has been and will continue to be the problem. Also, the way MLB figures ERA for relievers skews in favor of the reliever. Bennett can come in with the bases loaded, give up a triple, and not be charged for a run. Time to change managers, attitudes, and ERA calculations…andput some fun into the Braves. Peace.
shortcircuit
June 26th, 2009
5:45 pm
My daughter and I have a running joke. she would call me when Cox put Blain Boyer in to pitch now I call her and tell her Boyer is going in when bennett is put in. I can’t tell the difference. Both are not major league pitchers.
BradInHuntsvegas
June 26th, 2009
6:03 pm
Bennett pitched decent last year, workhorse middle reliever, fewer hits than innings, but too many walks. His results so far this year were not quite so good, WHIP quite high. And granted he is not the guy you want to depend on to get a critical out. But in the modern game, the guy who CAN get the critical out can only pitch the 9th inning with a 3 run lead, so he can tally an S.
lagnamor
June 26th, 2009
6:12 pm
To reiterate maybe someone will step on Bobby’s toe, which could have been preventable and he’ll be gone…like Bennett.
Where you like it or not your #1 subject is going to be Bobby Cox. Do you believe 60% or more fans are stupid and your 40% is so smart.
softball guy
June 27th, 2009
4:02 pm
why is everyone killing Jeff Bennett?? this guy gets put in the game in the worst situations. He is always inheriting other pitchers base runners. I would probably punch something too! Look at the stats before you post some stupid joke of a comment! This guy throws 95 plus! what other middle reliever can you consistently count on to get outs?? The braves need more base runners not middle relievers!
Kevin
June 28th, 2009
7:12 am
why yes and jeff bennett best pitch to journyman Nick green who braves had let go cause Bobby cox could not stand him/Well cox Nick green is back n givin u hell now franceour tryed to break his right hand other day but he swung on and miss strike three…Kelly johnson has hemmoroids in his bat…TP and bobby cox have that maloxx movement at times..Oh wait bob horner hurt his wrist by pickin up a pizza one time must been the extra sauce on it!
The Braves' best (but mostly the worst) of 2009 | Mark Bradley
July 8th, 2009
1:18 pm
[...] little finger on his left hand by punching a door. This revelation prompted Blindog to offer this on the ol’ blog: “When I read that Jeff Bennett had broken his non-pitching hand, I thought … which [...]