Braves’ solid-gold arms are undone by dime-store bats
If pitching is 75 percent — or 90 percent; estimates vary — of baseball, why are the Braves further under .500 than they’ve been all season?
Because the other 25 (or 10) percent of their team is worth about 10 cents.
Without meaning to say it, Brian McCann said it perfectly: “We’ve got to start playing better baseball.” Then he checked himself. “Not better baseball — we’ve got to swing the bats better.”
The Braves swing the bats just fine. It’s the hitting part that bumfuzzles them. They’ve scored one run in two games against the Red Sox, who have managed only five but have already won this loud and steamy series. Jair Jurrjens was rather good Friday night but wound up the loser. Javier Vazquez was nigh-great Saturday and got beaten 1-nil by a 42-year-old who throws about 42 mph.
The Braves mustered three singles against Tim Wakefield, who was knuckle-dusting the Braves in October 17 years ago, and Garret Anderson’s two-out double off the heat-bringing Johnathan Papelbon. Their biggest threat, such as it was, came when Matt Diaz walked in the eighth, took second on a wild pitch and moved to third on a groundout.
McCann again: “This team should win more games. You win with pitching.”
And usually you do, provided you have anything approaching a big-league batting order. The Braves have three only real hitters, and one of them (the increasingly peculiar Yunel Escobar) didn’t play Saturday because of what was described as a twitchy hip. McCann went 0-for-3 but walked and stole a base. Chipper Jones went 0-for-4 and saw his average dip to .290.
The Braves keep marveling about how lucky they’ve been, having not won a series since Memorial Day but still hanging within five games of first place. They can’t expect to be lucky much longer. The Phillies come to town Tuesday, and if the Braves lose that series we can bid adieu to 2009.
“We’re not out there trying to get shut out or stay only four or five games back,” Chipper said. “We’re busting our humps. But we seem a little offensively challenged this year for some reason, and I’m not talking about the front or the back of the lineup. It’s the whole lineup. Nobody’s exempt.”
This could well be the best these Braves can do, and there’s no real reason a team with a right fielder, a left fielder and a first baseman who have managed 10 homers as a triumvirate should bust any fences. We can credit Frank Wren for getting half his offseason spectacularly right — the Braves can really, really pitch — but having whiffed egregiously on the other half.
Still, unless you’re the Red Sox or the Yankees, there’s only so much you can fix over one winter. The good news is that these Braves should be pitching well for a nice long while. The bad is that 70 games’ worth of deft pitching has positioned them fourth in a five-team division.
The feeling in the Braves’ clubhouse Saturday was of reality descending like the crack of dawn . They can’t hit. They’re not apt to hit. You can only be shut out so many times — the number is now at nine — and still retain hope. “We’ve got to keep plugging away,” McCann said, and that, sad to say, is the trouble.
Plugging the Braves can manage. Hitting they cannot.
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
218 comments Add your comment
Malted Falcon
June 28th, 2009
9:54 am
I pray for the day when Kelly Johnson and “Your Love” are gone. Is that the worst batter up song ever? It’s a sign that the rest of the team doesn’t beat the crap out of him for that and other indiscretions, but I don’t think a Code Red is the answer. 2B, RF, LF, are crippling the team. We’re watching Chipper dissolve, right before our eyes. He’s at the age when most non-steroid players are no longer able to play at peak level. As many have said, this team is hard to watch and by the seventh inning, Chip Caray usually has me so beaten down that I can’t think anymore. How did we get stuck with the worst announcer in all of sports? Can’t we give him back to the Chicago that he so loves? That’s the one thing the Cubs have done right, getting rid of that Bozo. Chip Caray ruins my summers.
Braves73
June 28th, 2009
10:02 am
I am blogging against my wife’s wishes, so I better make this quick. The Braves are in need of a “makeover”, ok, that’s what watching TLC over baseball will make you say (I was banned from b-ball by youknowhow). No really, they need to start thinking about the future.
This team/management needs to make some tough but correct decisions in regards to their position players and quite possibly the coaching staff.
I don’t believe that one player/trade alone will change the complexion and or identity of this team. Making a trade would not change the overall attitude of the players and as constituted we don’t have “winners” on the team. What I mean is we don’t guys that play the game the right way…they don’t do the little things well, don’t bunt runners over into scoring position, don’t back up throws in the field, don’t take pitches at the plate, and overall just don’t seem too enthused. That could possibly be the players, but most likely the managing style.
I say it’s time for a “makeover”. We need a breath of fresh air, which can only be done by making wholesale changes. We have the foundation in pitching, but we need to go ahead and bring up our “future stars” and start the clock now. I can’t think of any good reason to shi!can the rest of the season when you can go ahead & start the learning process. At this point, I am ready, willing, and able to consider anything else…can’t live with this TLC crap anymore!
doc bailey
June 28th, 2009
10:09 am
I moved to Destin, Fl 4 years ago after growing up and living in the Atlanta area most of my life. I remember when the Braves came here in 1966. I have been a fan and watched the Braves since then. The best was the John Scheroultz years. They were the present day Yankees of the National league. Players wanted to come to Atlanta. I remember reading an article by another player that hated the Braves because they would have a “winners swagger” about them, and he wanted desperately to have that. We don’t get the braves very much here, and after watching last night, I regretfully am glad. if you are a true fan and have lived and died for 43 yrs with the braves, this group breaks your heart. the only thing that resembles the past years of glory are the uniforms. Its not just the players and coaches that have changed, its the attitude. The Braves are dead, long live the Braves
Fred Pennington
June 28th, 2009
10:15 am
It’s time to become sellers. Javier Vasquez will fetch a king’s ransom in the trade market. This guys is one of the 10 best pitchers in baseball right now.
Trade Lowe as well. Try to trade Yunel if at all possible. Would be nice to have Andrus waiting to take over SS right now
This season is over. We suck. Jeff Francouer is NOT A MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL PLAYER, neither is Kelly Johnson. We need to unload the decent players we have and build for 2-3 years from now.
Hanson, Jurrjens and McCann are the only good pieces we have. Hell, trade Chipper. We should be able to get 4 top prospects for him from an AL team needing a DH. We have got to get some power pitching arms for the bullpen.
Did you see Boston bring in 25 year old after 25 year old who can throw 95-98 mph? Yes, they win because their payroll is over twice the Braves, but they also win because the guys that they have that get paid the minimum make major contributions.
We are paying Francoeur $3 million and he is HOT GARBAGE. He is simply not a MLB player. If we could get ANYTHING for him in a trade, please, please dump him now.
Also, it’s time to clean out the clubhouse. Bobby Cox is clearly lost at this point. He brought in a lefty yesterday to INTENTIONALLY WALK a batter. Is he on crack? You never bring in a reliever to intentionally walk someone. That is busch-league stuff there. He is done.
The Colonol
June 28th, 2009
10:16 am
First off the Braves are done…they have NO chance to win anything this year unless they start taking steroids again, which they should do. Wthe worst that could happen, we lose Francour, Johnson, Kothchman or Anderson for 50 days? That might be an improvement. Folks can you believe these guys make MILLIONS!!! I would fire them all out of principal. If you’re going to play like a bunch of little leaguers, get the minimum wage guys up here, at least they will play with some fire.
Larry
June 28th, 2009
10:23 am
Mark,
Calling Francona the “next Bobby Cox” and your continued reluctance to address or admit that which now nearly all of your readers (Customers, Mark, get it? CUSTOMERS!)can see and continually say: Bobby Cox is one of the problems!
Now, for whatever your motive, be it fear, dishonesty, denial, or utter, unabashed idolatry, you’d better start addressing this to some degree or soon you will develop the reputation on here as a complete wuss! You may continue to state, imply, or through your continued decision to avoid this, that Bobby Cox is just fine and he is completely devoid of any responsibility here but if you choose to do so you’ll continue to slowly and slowly lose the respect of these men and women here who aren’t paid to discuss this as you are. This is your duty and responsibility, Mark, as a compensated writer! Otherwise, you’re no better than a player who continues to collect a check while dogging it on the field.
Good God man…are you reading these blogs? For once have the courage to open up and tender an honest debate about Cox’s abilities or shortcomings, even if you disagree. Get your darn head out of the sand and be a real man! Myself and others may agree or disagree but we’ll darn sure respect your willingness and courage to discuss the recent noise level about the coaching, direction and motivation of this team on the field!
I’m truly not “baiting” you as one imbecile previously suggested, as I’m am willing to be man enough to say that Cox previously did some great things by being the glue that held this developing new team together in the early 90’s, is a nice man, and apparently is adored by many past and present players. However, I’ve noted my utter displeasure of his ability to manage key games, his bizarre in-game decisions, his infatuation with the 3 run homer and worse, for me in particular, a wait and hope approach versus an aggressive and calculated, strategic, momentum changing decision. Does he EVER give McClouth the sign to steal, like the last game against the Yankees with Chipper at bat?
How about you Mark? do you have the gonads to discuss anything about the on the filed coaching and leadership of this lifeless, lethargic, indifferent group of players? Anything, Mark?
Anything?
Glenn
June 28th, 2009
10:25 am
make every one but McClouth @ McCann expendable, Keep the young pitchers we have and start rebuilding from there. Do not get sentimental about Chipper, get some value for him while we can. Do not keep this team togeather, they are just a horrible hitting team.
The_Superhoo (Montana by way of Virginia)
June 28th, 2009
10:29 am
Braves season is over. If they had showed up against the Yanks/Sox then we’d have been in business.
They didn’t. Other than pitching. Which as you say, isnt enough.
The Colonol
June 28th, 2009
10:31 am
Another thing, Bobby please retire. PLEASE!!! The game has totally passed you by. When you bench the only guy who CARES about his performance, you have lost touch. Escobar may be immature and unprofessional but we could us 25 such guys on the team. I’ll take 4 losses out of 10 from stupid mistakes, if we are beating your brains in the other 6. Bobby has turned into an embarrassment who not only is loyal to underachievers (Francouer, Johnson) and incompetants (Pendleton), he doesn’t play the game anymore. Folks its the 70’s and 80’s again and you have to manufacture runs, ie, bunt, steal, hit and run, and sacrifice. Is there a worse team in MLB at those fundamentals than the Braves? The answer is no. Time and again I see the Braves fail in these situation, mainly because Cox keeps expecting some .240 hitter with 4 hrs to hit a three run homer with one guy on. And on the rare occasion they do try and fail, there are no repercussions from Cox for such poor performance. These guys not only don’t perform, they don’t appear to care about doing the right things. I have played and watched baseball all of my 41 years and Cox and the Braves are a horrible team at the fundamentals. Someone needs to kick some butts because these are fixable issues and could have us in 1st place if we were competant. Unfortunately Cox is not a leader, Chipper is not a leader and the rest of the guys are either too young or too mired in failure to be taken seriously as a leader. We need to turn over the organization and start over.
Larry
June 28th, 2009
10:33 am
Also,
I wish you guys would back off the blame for the ownership and payroll for this team’s lack of production and put it squarely where it belongs–the manager and players!
The Braves rank 11 out of 30 teams in 2009 with many, many good teams around or well below them in payroll so this is a lame excuse for what we’ve seen the past few days and seasons. Plus, throughout the 90’s this team was routinely in the top 3-5 in payroll and this still didn’t keep Cox from going 1-14 in the last game of the postseason while being often handed the best talent in the leage by the GM and Farm System.
Link: http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/salaries
Stop making excuses! We’re paying too much for this performance already. Check out the Marlins’ payroll (last).
Dan
June 28th, 2009
10:34 am
I have been a Braves through the likes of Ralph Garr, Rowland Office, Darrell Chaney…you get the idea….one thing those guys had in common, they may not have been the greatest players but seems like they always palyed hard. Can’t say the same for this group. We have way too many guys in this lineup that always seem to be turning things around. I know it’s a long season and even the best players hit slumps but not over and over. I have been a Bobby Cox guy forever but even I think it is time for a fresh voice……As far as this season the Braves have no shot when the Phillies come to town Johnson will drop a pop up and he and Francoeur and Blanco will strike out 40 times. These guys just do not have the guts to stand up and beat those guys
tmac
June 28th, 2009
10:38 am
To steal a line from Denny Green “they are who we thought they were!”
A team is who they are based on record and years of performance (or lack there of in this case). This is year 4 of lack of production of this team. Management has traded away a lot of minor league talent for top MLB players who do not stay with this team. Coaches are not improving their teams production. Players are not improving or showing the signs of fundamental baseball adjustments.
“THEY ARE WHO WE THOUGHT THEY WERE!”
The question now becomes, will the Braves management make the necessary changes to this staff & lineup? Or will it become year 5 of this miserable poor play?
My bet is the latter. How Francouer/Anderson/Kotchmann/Johnson are still in the everyday lineup blows my mind. You can have one or two of them, but not all four. They are all back up players. Then you have Prado/Diaz/Infante(when healthy)/fill in a player… are all better than then the above 4, but are still back-ups in MLB.
I would rather see young players with potential develop in the lineup than see this horrible group flounder year after year.
DHD
June 28th, 2009
10:44 am
Dan…when those guys played here, we were losing 100 games a year. How soon we forget. Back in the 70s and most of the 80s, we would have been elated to be 5 games back going on July.
One week from now, we could be a game back having won 6 out of 7 with the offense stepping up a bit and everybody will be talking about the playoffs. It is a LONG season. We are not even half way through. We will make a deal or 2 and be competitive. Let’s face it. NOBODY here thought we would have a shot at the playoffs this year anyway. We are playing for2010 with Freeman, Heyward and Schafer. A pitching staff with an experienced Hanson and Huddy back. Soriano and Gonzales are 2 of the best one-two punch. We’re going to be OK if we don’t trade away young players trying to win this year.
agrivated
June 28th, 2009
10:47 am
First off, Mr. Turner, PLEASE buy the Braves back! Second spend some money and pick up some good players, send the junk away “Frenchy, KJ” Dunn would be a good start since DeRosa has already been traded to the Cards. Bring back Mazzone to manage Bobby’s management of the game.
Frank Wren
June 28th, 2009
10:52 am
TO: The Braves Suck……..Your right lets go ahead and release 75% of the team. There are at least 15 bats out there waiting for us to call and sign them. When others offered them contracts this past winter they said no thank you I’ll wait until July so I can play for the Braves and Bobby Cox.
Wilburiv
June 28th, 2009
10:53 am
We might as well get over it. The Braves are not going to get rid of BC and TP will be the next manager when BC croaks. LM does not want to win, they want to break even or better yet take the loss for the tax break. The Braves are going to be a mediocre team for a very long time.
agrivated
June 28th, 2009
10:53 am
Mr. Turner, Buy the Braves back and clean house, spend some money and get some real players. Bobby, start calling Gwinnett, let’s see if any of those Braves can hit any better
Robert
June 28th, 2009
10:55 am
What will the excuse be in today’s version of The Hoss and Donk Show?
Frank Wren
June 28th, 2009
10:55 am
Our olny hope is that Freeman and Heyward can somehow amass 3 years of expirence in one minor league season. Oh yeah how about the 15 million this off season when I don’t exercise that option on Hudson. I almost forgot liberty media just told me that I already spent that on Chippers extension.
Frank Wren
June 28th, 2009
10:57 am
I told Bobby that we need to move Pendleton to bench coach. He said he didnt think he could coach the bench. Look at what hes done with the hitters.
Dan
June 28th, 2009
11:05 am
This team with this group will not win 81 games..the Pirates have a better record than the Braves right now! The teams of the early 90’s were hungry and went after people.. this team has lost it’s edge..right now I am a lot more concerned with the Nats…they have a better chance of catching the Braves than the Braves making a run at the playoffs
The Colonel
June 28th, 2009
11:07 am
How to fix the Braves? First, get rid of Cox. He can’t win without a stable full of Cy Young winners and 3 guys that can hit 40+ homeruns a year. Seriously, did a guy ever benefit more from the steroid era more than Cox? Spend 100 million on talent, turn a blind eye and keep the egos in check, thats all Bobby ever did. He certainly couldn’t win with strategy. He never beat anybody that wasn’t seriously overmatched by our pitching.
2nd its time to deal any and everybody, whose name is not Jurrjens or Hanson. Francouer and Johnson, should be dealt for A or AA, prospects. Diaz, Kotchman and Kawakami could fetch some good AAA talent. Vazquez Chipper and Lowe (if he isn’t injured, as I fear), could get us some immediate young replacement bats. Escobar, McClouth and McCann could get stock our farm with great prospects or bring immediate pitching or offensive help. You have to give something to get something and McCann, McClouth and Escobar are too enticing to teams in contention to not listent to offers. They are cheap and have serious talent, so they will get the best return. Besides our best player can’t be somebody you rest every 5th day (McCann). I would love to get somebody to give us something special for Chipper, but with his salary and him also being a 10/5 guy, we are likely stuck with his sore toed, leaderless rump.
If we got rid of all those guys and stocked the farm for years to come, would it really look a whole lot worse out there if you had the following lineup? P)Jurjjens C) Ross – arguably 4th best hitter on team 1b) Canizares 2b)Infante 3b)Prado SS)Hernandez LF)B.Jones CF)Blanco RF) Schaefer or the unloadable Francoer? Heck, this team plays every 4-5 days as it is? Why pay for the other no talent buch and get the same results? As Ted Turner once said about Bob Horner, we finished last with him, we can finish last without him. Time to apply the same logic to these Braves.
LSU
June 28th, 2009
11:11 am
The Braves need a passionate owner to come in and inject some enthusiasm into this lifeless team…Furman Bisher was right.
a643dp
June 28th, 2009
11:22 am
Billy Mays just died that makes 4 celebs in a week.
The Colonel
June 28th, 2009
11:26 am
The problem with doing nothing is that these Braves are not fun to watch, at all. As bad as they were in the 70’s,8o’s. They had characters and could hit. As Maddog and Glavine said in their commercial, “Chicks dig the long ball”. You can suck, but still be entertaining as long as you lose 8-6 instead of 2-1. If you want to drum up attendence, WE NEED HITTERS!! Nobody wants to watch pitch and catch…they want action!! This Braves team is about as exciting as a healthy breakfast of egg whites and Mueslix. If you think attendance is bad now, just wait until football season cranks up, mid week games will have about 5,000 fans or less. Way worse than it was in the 70’s, when our population was 20% of what it is now. Wake up Frank and get rid of Babby and the dead weight, trust me John Schuerholz does not want his Braves legacy to end up with comparisons to the 70’s-80’s Braves but unfortuanley that is where they are headed.
Dawgtime
June 28th, 2009
11:36 am
As a diehard Braves’ fan for more than 30 years, I think we all must admit that it is time to accept that the Braves are not championship contenders. At present, they are boring to watch. We need to make some changes. I’m calling for major changes. I would like to see the Braves go young. Chipper grew up a Dodgers fan, hence I would trade him to the Dodgers. Package him and Javier Vazquez for Josh Bell, Ethan Martin, DeVaris Gordon, and Scott Elbert. That trade would help put the Dodgers over the top. It would also restock our farm system in areas of weakness. Josh Bell could replace Chipper at third base. I would them move Derek Lowe and the Japanese pitcher, and Jeff Francouer to Boston for Michael Bowden, Nick Hagadone, Josh Reddick, Anthony Rizzo, and Kris Johnson. That move would give the Boston the deepest pitching staff in baseball along with an outfielder with great talent. I love Jeff but a move may help him. The Braves would be loaded with young pitching. A developing rotation with Jair Jurrigens (R), Tommy Hanson (R), Michael Bowden (R), Ethan Martin (R), Julio Teheran (R), Kris Medlen (R), Mike Minor (L), Cole Rohrbough (L), and Nick Hagadone (L) to select from would be incredible. Throw in Tim Hudson and it could really be special. Keep Mike Gonzales and Rafael Soriano in the bullpen and we could be on to something special. My lineup would be L Nate McLouth (LF), L Kelly Johnson (2B), R Yunel Escobar (SS), L Brian McCann (C), R Josh Bell (3B), L Casey Kotchman (1B), L Jason Heyward (RF), and L Jordan Shaffer (CF). That would provide a lineup with more balance and much more speed. Shaffer would not have so much pressure on him. He is loaded with talent. That would be a lineup that would have mulitiple players that could steal 20 to 40 bases. That would create a lot more excitement and runs. The constant pressure on pitchers would help a great deal. With the big hole between 2B and 1B with Nate on 1B, Kelly would increase his average by 30 points. Kelly would become a much better hitter. He is not a homeroom hitter and that is what gets him in trouble. Bell has the potential to hit 45 homerooms a season. At present, we pray for homerooms from a team that is not loaded with homeroom hitters. Think back to Ron Gant, Otis Nixon, Marquis Grissom, and Deon Sanders. I would love to see some 20 20 or 30 30 hitters with speed.
JASon
June 28th, 2009
11:39 am
If you’re going to just say “the braves are done” then you might as well not write anything. The season is not even half over, we just played two of the top three teams in baseball, and the reality is the braves are only 5 games out. This season is far from over.
Braves73
June 28th, 2009
11:44 am
Dawgtime- You had me interested in your team overhaul until you mentioned keeping Kelly Johnson…uh, like, no & stuff. KJ is not an everyday starter in the majors and at best, a utility outfielder (he is clearly not a 2nd baseman).
The proposal of trades are nice in theory, but those teams are not going to give up their “future stars” for the players mentioned. If the Braves become sellers, they are going to be in the exact opposite position then what they are accustomed to…meaning, other teams would be looking to lowball their offer to Braves and wouldn’t so willing to restock us. We would be lucky to unload our key pieces for equal, future, value. Unfortunately, we are on the other side of the spectrum.
Average Joe
June 28th, 2009
11:47 am
The thing that’s the most disturbing to me about the Braves’ situation is that there’s hardly anything postive to build on. The only bright spots on the team are JJ, Vasquez, and McCann. Beyond those three, it’s pretty bleak. The supposed leader of the team, Chipper, risks injury with every breath he takes, our left-fielder seems to have taken a year-long sleeping pill, our right-fielder is pretty much a joke, our shortstop is a showboat with no brain, our second baseman needs to be released, our first baseman is no Mark Teixeira, our bullpen couldn’t pitch their way out of a paper bag, and our manager needs to go back to his farm and milk a cow.
Other than those things, we’re good.
RJB in DC
June 28th, 2009
11:50 am
Notwithstanding the histronics, I agree that it is time for TP to be fired. Not because of his performance (he doesn’t stand at the plate for these guys), but because management has to spill blood. TP is going to have to take one for the team. And as a player who once walked off because a pitcher refused to protect his team-mates, I trust he would understand that. Cox is untouchable, and TP is big enough that his firing will make an impact on the players who’s lack of performance made this necessary.
P Rose
June 28th, 2009
12:05 pm
I’m so depressed over the Braves lack of hitting I can’t even think of a song to write.
WestPalmDawg
June 28th, 2009
12:09 pm
As a former pitcher, this really gets to you after the 3rd or 4th time out there with no run support. Kudos to Vasquez for keeping such composure. If this lack of run support continues, there may be times within the next few games that he just ends up grooving a pitch to let a hitter make a deposit in the LF seats.
Javy’s pitched out of his mind so far this year. Pitching with a lead allows room for error, so when you consider he hasn’t had much of anything to pitch with, you can appreciate exactly how good he’s actually been.
Reid Adair
June 28th, 2009
12:19 pm
I really have to admire how well – at least publicly – Javier Vazquez, Jair Jurrjens and company are taking this.
Someone posted why the Braves don’t have more guys hitting .275 or higher and wanted to put that on Terry Pendleton. I’m not sure there are many (if any) players in the everyday lineup who are realistically capable of hitting .275 for the season, other than Chipper Jones and Brian McCann.
This offense (again, I use that term loosely) is horrible. There is no consistency at all. Nine shutouts against the Braves already this season, and it’s not even July yet.
I’m curious what all of the fans who think Frank Wren is a genius are predicting he is going to do to fix this problem. I’m not sure that trading/getting rid of Jeff Francoeur is the only issue to be resolved, either.
bvillebaron
June 28th, 2009
12:23 pm
FWIW my opinions are as follows:
(1) The WORST thing Wren could do is panic and “overhaul” the team, especially if that means trading MORE minor league prospects in yet another ill-advised attempt to try to catch lightning in a bottle (with all due respect to the critics including Furman Bisher, the Braves’ farm system isn’t failing to produce top prospects; management just trades them away in stupid moves like 5 for Mr. Mercenary, 1 year rental Mark Texeira). Mark is right; this was a 2 step process with the most important step–rebuilding the staff being essentially accomplished;
(2) I agree with many of the commenters that it is time to do something dramatic to try to shake up this team. What really should be done is to send Cox out to pasture (good in season manager when he had 3 Hall of Famers in his staff, lousy post-season manager; 1 Series win in 14 tries with those teams is all that needs to be said). Since unfortunately that ain’t happening, TP is the candidate (for those who support him, tell me what players have become better hitters during his tenure? Also why did Francouer consult with the Rangers’ hitting coach in the offseason?) No doubt TP is knowledgeable, but sometimes players stop listening to the same voice after a while and need to hear it from someone else;
(3) Be sellers, not buyers at the deadline (Stop gaps like Hart for 2 or more promising prospects will only set the rebuilding process back more); and
(4) Be patient as fans. As a fan for more than 45 years, no one is more frustrated than me by this inept offense (ask my wife), but the future of this team is 2 years away and will be built around names like Heyward, Schafer, McLouth, Freeman, Hanson, Jurrjens, etc. (if Wren doesn’t panic and trade these guys away).
dtanner
June 28th, 2009
12:39 pm
when cox (and mazzone) had smoltz,glavine and maddux in their prime,they looked like a couple genius’s,neither has looked to bright since .
61 year Braves Fan
June 28th, 2009
12:40 pm
What a shame to waste such great starting pitching! Fire Cox now and banish Pendleton from this
team for life. Even the awful Braves of the 70’s & 80’s had a few players who could hit. Trade C. Jones to an A.L. team for prospects (hitters & middle relief) – Release those two bums French & KJ.
Can Ross play 1st. base? At least he has some pop in his bat. Any players with speed & desire in
our farm system? Bring them up now and send our anemic hitters down. Maybe then we could score
at least 3 runs per game.
Carl
June 28th, 2009
12:41 pm
FIRE Terry Pendleton!
Carl
June 28th, 2009
12:42 pm
FIRE COX!
RufinoLinares
June 28th, 2009
12:51 pm
With Mark DeRosa being dealt to the Cardinals, other names are being bandied about at MLBTRADERUMORS.COM. Among them, Garret Atkins. Also, they say that the Nats are interested in Jordan Schafer. Who in the world would Atlanta want in return from that team?
Bill
June 28th, 2009
12:52 pm
Mark, I understand and its cool. Keep up the good work.
RufinoLinares
June 28th, 2009
12:54 pm
Dan, I remember those days well. I think I have forgotten most of the pitchers except Phil Niekro. I remember the Andy Messersmith fiasco, the Bruce Sutter fiasco and numerous others like Nick Esasky. I have tried to forget, but you jogged my memory.
d herring
June 28th, 2009
12:57 pm
offensively you got to be able to do something well to win. look around the league. you got teams with power. you got teams with speed. you got teams with great on base %s. you also have teams with some of all three. the braves have none of the three. they don’t hit for power or steal bases or take alot of walks. hell they can’t even move runners over and play the same baseball that little leaguers play. professional. yeah right. they can’t even field the ball like a major league team. i see better fielding at my local double aa stadium than atlanta. remember when atlanta had base stealers at the top of the lineup and then behind those base stealers they had gant, justice, mcgriff, jones, pendleton, gallaraga, javy lopez, and others. yes they had great pitching, but they also had great defensive players at key positions and great hitters at other positions. look at it like this. when your key defensive positions are also your best hitters, your in big trouble. i.e. shortstop, catcher, second base, and center field. 3 of those positions are where the braves best hitters are. you have to have big time players at first, third, left, and right. for as long as i’ve been watching baseball this has been the case. so far the braves have one of those covered. 3b sometimes. i’ve also watched nearly every game this year and i’ve seen crappy fielding and poor decision making cost them at least 10 games.
agrivated
June 28th, 2009
12:57 pm
As much as I loathe George Steinbrenner, I wish the Braves had an owner who was on his level. Steinbrenner ran Joe Torre out of town because he could not win CHAMPIONSHIPS. He dosen’t care about division pennants. If we had an owner like that, Cox would have been gone years ago, and we would probably be talking about the Braves being the team of the 90’s/2000’s. Instead we’re stuck with inept leadership and owners who only care about the bottom line.
agrivated
June 28th, 2009
1:04 pm
Why waste your money downtown on THE BRAVES? Go to Gwinnett and have a good time. It’s a lot cheaper and if they lose, you won’t be as mad off because you didn’t spend $100 + for you and the family. Plus I’m sure they show some hustle in Gwinnett.
Morris
June 28th, 2009
1:23 pm
Haven’t most of you guys missed it about our Braves. We have a great team. All we need is a right fielder, left fielder, 1st baseman, 2nd baseman and a shortstop that can keep his head out of his A-hold. Seriously, I’m being serious.
I love Bobby Cox and what he’s meant for the Braves, but it’s time for him to retire after this season. We need new blood which includes a new hitting coach. I think Frank Wren is a good GM. He’s done a great job with the pitching and getting McClouth. I think if Bobby’s gone it will be easier for him to retool the position players on this team. But, it’s going to take time; maybe a couple of years at least because the sad part is chipper is going to be too old by then.
cdog
June 28th, 2009
1:26 pm
I AGREE WITH YOU RABIDDAWG THE BRAVES DON”T CARE ABOUT WINNING. SO WHY SHOULD WE FANS EVEN BOTHER TO WATCH OR LISTEN AT THEM? any time a player hits .215 and continues to be an every day player, that tells you the braves are not caring about winning.PLAYERS LIKE KELLY JOHNSON WOULD HAVE LONG BEEN SENT DOWN WITH ANY OTHER TEAM. HE CONTINUES TO BE A STARTER WITH THE BRAVES.
Lee
June 28th, 2009
1:28 pm
When are the Braves going to get a new manager?
jgon
June 28th, 2009
1:34 pm
I hope the pitchers don’t feel bad. They have to accept this when you pitch for the Braves. Just ask the last three Brave pitchers.
All I'm Saying Is...
June 28th, 2009
1:58 pm
Hello all and it’s great that so many of us still care about the Braves despite their mediocre season and offensive ineptitude. What’s incredible is WE COULD STILL WIN OUR DIVISION! Now, before that can happen, we have to overhaul the lineup. We have to do the following and I’d do it prior to the all star break so we can come out the second half with fresh faces and hopefully a new attitude.
Step 1: Kotchman must go.
Step 2: Kelly Johnson must go.
Step 3: Francoeur must go.
And, if no other team will take them off our hands, then bring up some kids from AAA and AA and let them play 1B, 2B, and RF—they cannot do any worse!
GA is starting to hit so he gets a reprieve. Nate is a player and fits our payroll needs so definitely keep him. And layoff Yunel as this is only his third season in the majors and if we are going to give Francoeur (his fourth full season in the majors) this much time then that’s the least we can do with Yunel especially given how crappy these other clowns have been at the plate.
If we can get some folks to take pitches, hit, and hit singles and doubles from the RF, 1B, and 2B positions then we have a chance because I’m fine with Chipper, McCann, and Escobar and like I wrote GA and Nate are solid. It’s the other three everyday players that are killing us and have been all year.
Paul Lentz
June 28th, 2009
2:00 pm
Meanwhile, Matt Harrison, the “prized” lefty that the Braves gave up in the Mark Texeria trade in July of 2007, is once again on the disabled list. He is 4-5 in 11 starts with an ERA of 6.11. 63 innings pitched, 81 hits, 23 walks, 34 strikeouts, 1.64 WHIP, and hitters are batting .316 against him.
His CAREER numbers are 13-8 in 26 starts with an ERA of 5.76, 147 innings pitched, 181 hits, 54 walks, 81 strikeouts, 1.60 WHIP, while hitters are batting .307 against him.
Horatio Ramirez anyone? Both are left handers who cant stay healthy, give up lots of base runners, low strikeout to walk ratio, yet got lucky on occasion with good run support. Yet both are guys who end up taxing a bullpen.
Nice rip there by Chipper. Now that was a hanger that he deposited the opposite way in the cheap seats. I’m pretty sure that it wont be 3 more weeks before he hits another homer (unlike Francoeur).