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.
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218 comments Add your comment
Bill
June 27th, 2009
8:53 pm
Thanks Mark for another top post. Man you never rest. I’ve asked this before but did you get to talk with Coach Mills and Farrell while in Red Sox clubhouse. I know you can’t ask certain questions but did you get any info of interest about them. Thanks again.
MIKE lump
June 27th, 2009
8:53 pm
i’m first.. somewhere the Braves won’t be for a LONG time!!!!
Rogers Nelson
June 27th, 2009
9:02 pm
I’m third. Still higher than the Braves in the NL East.
David
June 27th, 2009
9:06 pm
Why can’t our average players hit .275 like everyone else? You rarely hear it but why isn’t Terry Pendleton getting more heat? We have the pitching and we have enough offensive talent – i just don’t feel like we’re playing to our potential. As bad as the offseason was at times, Wren put a division winning team out there. Its just that our .275-type hitters are hitting .175.
mudcat
June 27th, 2009
9:06 pm
Don’t we have ANYBODY in our system that can hit? Big changes coming in July! This team is really hard to watch. Good post, Mark.
Shadetree
June 27th, 2009
9:07 pm
Tell it like it is. The Bravos are terrible and there is no hope in thinking they will get better. Will Johnson get better? No, he is what he is. He would not be playing with any other team. Will Francouer get better? No, steriods and crank aren’t there to help him any more. Anderson is an American league DH and not a National league player. Escobar is turning into a flake because they’re telling him he needs to play proper. Like a professional. Tell me now. A professional what? Loser? We have that covered. Chipper is no leader. When he gets a game winning hit he runs like a Bit$$ from the players he is to lead. Notice he has done nothing since then.
I guess I need to lower my expectations. They are just not that good. Diaz is a role player. Cox can’t manage any more. Pendleton can’t coach hitters. If that’s not true then that means the players can’t be coached. It’s one or the other.
No heart. No soul. Now that’s professional.
Come on Cox. Call up some players that would love to be here. We only need you to call up 7 of them.
How shocking to see Bennett in the dugout. Disgraceful.
But then again, that’s what this whole seasons been.
Disgraceful but professional.
Ken Stallings
June 27th, 2009
9:08 pm
Sums it up accurately. A very sad situation. Throughout the run in the 90’s it was rare that the Braves had an offense to match its starting pitching. But to review the order from that era, it was HOF worthy compared to what we have now.
I agree that the Braves have three professional hitters, Mark. But, their names are NcClouth, McCann, and Jones. Escobar isn’t a professional player, so he cannot be a professional hitter. His unprofessional attitude has benched him and you cannot hit from the pine!
Ben
June 27th, 2009
9:11 pm
If Vazquez pitched for a team that could hit the ball, I wonder what his record would be? This is a shame that Wren would put such a poor hitting team on the field. It seems this has to be one of the worst hitting teams since they moved to Atlanta.
Ross Copeeko
June 27th, 2009
9:11 pm
I’f I’m Jurrjens and Vazquez I am absolutely sickened by the Braves bats(or toothpicks). These guys pitch their hearts out and have no wins to show for it. On a real team, Vazquez would have 10 wins by now. These guys are worse than the Giants and Natinals. Are they trying to get Bryce Harper? Good luck the rest of the year Braves fans, it could be an ugly year. Can anyone say “Chipper for Sale”?
Rocket Rod
June 27th, 2009
9:14 pm
1st Step get rid of the hitting coach. Sit Johnson and Francour down. Play Prado at 2nd Diaz and Anderson can play the corners in the outfield. The midddle relief that is not being relief get rid of.
Signed
Frustrated
David
June 27th, 2009
9:14 pm
Escobar is a STUD. Who cares if he flips his bat or kicks the occational routine ground ball. The guy has all the potential in the world and i guarantee everyone that he will be an All-Star some day. Whether that is in a Braves uniform or not remains to be seen.
RT
June 27th, 2009
9:14 pm
Come on guys we all know, you must give up something if you want to get something.Time to trade CHIPPER,time to start over!
Billy
June 27th, 2009
9:15 pm
Please send Chipper somewhere that he can actually compete for a title!
Navigator
June 27th, 2009
9:16 pm
Let’s start with Chipper, who I have consistently said the Braves should have traded him (with his permission) last year (season a career year). But, they decided to give him the house, even though he can’t stay healthy (even with a career year last year, what 78 rbi’s). First base, second base and all of the outfield positions are manned by bench players. The pitching was suppose to be the strong point, but since Cox doesn’t know when to take a guy out, that has not been as good as it should have been. The Braves are in trouble for a long time, and now doesn’t have a minor league to produce future players. They’re management is one of the weakest in the Major Leagues.
Tucker
June 27th, 2009
9:19 pm
The time has come to unload the position players one by one with the exception of Brian McCann. The time has also come to unload Bobby Cox and Terry Pendleton. All of these are good guys, but the second, third, fourth, etc. chances given every one of them are sufficient tips of our collective baseball caps to their basic likability. So long and good luck, fellows.
brandon
June 27th, 2009
9:26 pm
this is a lost season.
azcat225
June 27th, 2009
9:28 pm
Hey, Mark. Are you finished deleting all of your prior comments about the Braves and Frank Wren from the archives? You know the ones—about how the Braves can win their divison and all those compliments on what a great job Wren is doing.
Bill (SC)
June 27th, 2009
9:29 pm
Can you tell me more about Chris Burke. Could he do a respectable job at SS on the major league roster if the Braves were to trade Escobar?
It seems interesting that Blanco and Hernandez had hits against pitches in the 60s but cannot seem to do the same against fast balls in the high 80s or 90s. Is their bat speed too slow?
bob
June 27th, 2009
9:30 pm
All the comments are correct.
BC was spoiled by the Braves of the past and really did not need to manage when there were three studs on the mound and at least three studs in the lineup.
TP has done nothing to help the hitters who are in slumps.
RM does not believe in pitch count. Too many starters are allowed to go over 100 pitches during their starts. Our arms will be dead in Sept.
CJ needs to be given the chance to play with a team which has a chance to go into the postseason.
BM needs to be moved to third before he gets hurt as a catcher. (remember joe torre did the move in his career)
KJ and JF need to be traded.
MD and GA are great bench players for situational hitting. They are not great outfielders. Get some speed in the outfield and the lineup.
But for now, the end of the season is happening and it will be over by the All Star break.
wes covington
June 27th, 2009
9:30 pm
It has been tough watching the Braves these past few games. Nothing but singles hitters except for McLouth, Yunel, Chipper , & McCann. Time to replace Anderson & Kotchman with Heyward and Freeman. Leave Prado at 2nd. Cody Johnson has 20 HR’s for Myrtle Beach but he strikes out too often.
Brownie
June 27th, 2009
9:33 pm
When professional athletes perform poorly, I typically will blame the player, not the coach/manager. In the Braves’ case, I believe the blame is spread out among everyone. Even the TV announcers noted outload how listless the team looks…these guys are not professionals.
Other than the fact that he played well as a Brave years ago, they like him, and believe that he might make a decent (and cheap) manager when Bobby steps down, can someone explain why Terry Pendleton is still employed?
Sometimes a strong message has to be sent, and in this case Pendleton needs to go. The Braves hitters are getting worse as the season progresses, not better, and TP is making no difference. A batting instructor’s job is to instill/refine the hitters’ fundementals AND to teach them the mental side of hitting. Evidence that he’s failing??:
Furcal: never understood his role, and wanted to hit home runs. TP and Cox should have locked him a the video room watching nothing but film of Ichiro and Rod Carew hitting a baseball.
Giles: never got rid of the uppercut swing – how many fly balls or topped grounders did we have to see from a #2 hitter???
Chipper and McCann: great hitters, but when they go cold they go to their dads. Couldn’t TP sit in on one of those bull sessions to learn what Dad is looking for?
Andruw Jones: what a mess, and waste of talent. TP failed completely here.
LaRoche: pretty swing, but technically flawed to the max.
Frenchy: it’s not little league of high school anymore, Jeff. You’re not the most talented guy out there anymore. A terrifically flawed swing mechanically, and a 10 cent head.
Bunting: a little better this year, but over TP’s tenure the worst bunting team ever.
There is not a shred of evidence that this team is suddenly going to become a group of professional hitters, so changes must be made, starting with TP.
Frank Wren: great job on the pitching staff – you quickly solved our biggest problem last year. Will you be able to work the same magic with the offense before 2010?
Billy
June 27th, 2009
9:34 pm
Vazquez should definitely sue the Braves for non-support!!! You can’t pitch much better than what he’s done this year.
NO MORE BOBBY
June 27th, 2009
9:36 pm
FANS NEED TO STAY AWAY
Gator in the Hootch
June 27th, 2009
9:37 pm
Francouer, Anderson, Johnson, and Kotchman should not be starting for any team in the major leagues…period. This team needs heart, attitude, and effort…oh, Bobby Cox does not like heart and attitude.
Terry Farkas
June 27th, 2009
9:39 pm
Why is Terry Pendleton still here?
ray k.
June 27th, 2009
9:42 pm
Mark, great post.
You are dead-on accurate about the importance of the Phils series. Take 2 of 3–hell, sweep it–or good night, sweet prince.
Here’s my water cooler take on Pendleton and Cox.
I wish you guys would leave a comment from time to time. My buddy, who is getting more hits than me on his awful Dallas Cowboys blog (and making some dough), and I have a bet whose blog is more popular by the end of the year…
I’d hate to see my $62,000 dollar English Degree go to complete waste.
http://tomahawktake.com/
Mitch C
June 27th, 2009
9:42 pm
Mark, an excellent blog as always.
Do you remember the 1970s Mets, Mark, after the 1969 miracle championship? Those teams would have great gamea pitched for them, for nearly a decade, by guys like Seaver, Koosman, Gentry, and Ryan in his early career, and finish at or below 500 every year, due to lack of hitting. This Braves team is beginning to remind me of them.
Our lineup should produce more than it has.
We are now two and four on this “make or break homestand” Unless we win tomorrow, and win at least two of three from Philly, you are most rorrect that 2009 then becomes a lost cause, and you have to wonder what happens next?
I hope we can right the ship, but things are looking very bleak now.
Mitch
RufinoLinares
June 27th, 2009
9:42 pm
I think it’s safe to say you can start getting rid of some of the players and the production couldn’t be any worse. I have said for months that there are too many gimme outs in this lineup. 1B, 2B, LF & RF are just about guaranteed outs. With this pitching, Atlanta should be in first place, that is, if they got ANY offense. Chipper Jones hasn’t done any better of late. I know he’s the favored son in Atlanta but he hasn’t hit his uniform number in the last month. I would say that the position players owe this pitching staff an apology. I would also say that if management doesn’t do something before too long to address the offensive woes that management has some explaining to do to the pitchers.
Bill
June 27th, 2009
9:43 pm
Good job MB.It is not Pendleton’s fault,it is not Bobby Cox’s fault.You can’t even blame Frank Wren.
Everything starts at the top.Until someone who cares about winning buys this team from Liberty Media expect this.
I told you folks back in March they would go 77-85.
Mark how many AAA players are currently on the Braves roster?
Medlen,O’Flaherty,Moylan,Acosta and Logan,and Kawakami.That is 6 pitchers
Francouer,Hernandez,Johnson,Prado.Blanco, and Diaz.That is six position players.
12 total.
That is almost half the roster.
NO MORE BOBBY
June 27th, 2009
9:43 pm
Thanks by the way for posting about the Braves and it not including lyrics or how your cool riding home on your bike again from Turner. I like DOB but sometimes he seems more like a fan instead of a writer covering what we need to know. You also don’t sugar coat whats wrong.
And there is a lot wrong starting with our manager.
ray k.
June 27th, 2009
9:47 pm
Brownie –
I concur. T.P. is in over his head. Talented as a player, but he may be the Magic Johnson of hitting coaches.
RufinoLinares
June 27th, 2009
9:50 pm
I don’t know if spending more money is the answer in the long run. The players you have just have to produce. Ask the New York Yankees. I would be surprised if moves aren’t made one way or the other before too long. You can’t just sit back and allow this team to just continue to flounder when they get outstanding pitching. If anyone reading this were the GM of the Atlanta Braves, there is no way you could say that you would stand pat with this lineup. Over half of your lineup is just pitiful. I mean they have Rafael Belliard numbers and at least Raffy could catch the ball. Garrett Anderson has been a disappointment. His average may have risen but where’s the production? Casey Kotchman just doesn’t get the big hit at any time. We all know Frenchy’s stuggles full well. Kelly Johnson is just wretched! I can’t wait until Greg Norton gets back in Atlanta! Did you pick up on the sarcasm?
Jan
June 27th, 2009
9:51 pm
I’m not sure who CJ is watching but there are guys on the field who are not “busting thier humps”. There is a lack of professional pride and effort for some players on the field. Garrett looks like he would rather be anywhere but on the field for the Braves. Bobby pulled AJ but not Garrett for visible, obvious lack of effort. He crawl on Yunel but not Francoeur? Yea, Diaz is not the smoothest player but he will step up. Garrett is a disappointment, JF is a headcase and ham hands Johnson just shows no interest or intensity. Our men who hold bats (can’t call them hitters) with the exception of the big three are just disgusting and pathetic. My sympathies to the pitching staff.
Skeezix
June 27th, 2009
9:51 pm
It was over before it started. How can any objective baseball fan be surprised at this? After that ridiculous Wren preseason sideshow was finally done… by March, if you matched us up with the Mets, Marlins or Phillies, this was a third or fourth place team before the season started. This string of games against the Red Sox and Yankees, shows just how far we have to go to get back to a major league championship caliber team. In comparison to the best ML teams, our offense is only slightly better than AA/AAA minor league. That is why the Braves struggle so much against major league pitching. I do feel for the starters like JJ and Vasquez who are pitching their guts out, but have to rely on too many AAA/AA quality hitters for run support. I mean Vasquez holds the Red Sox to one run and still loses? Against Wakefield? That is a pathetic bunch of hitters. A major achievememt for the rest of the season would be to get back to 500. That won’t be easy with this offense…and let us not forget that other anchor – weak middle relief.
RufinoLinares
June 27th, 2009
9:52 pm
Bill, I disagree with you on Prado and O’ Flaherty. I think they had done relatively well. Prado has some spark. I wish they would play him instead of Kelly Johnson. Everyone else, I concur.
The Braves Stink
June 27th, 2009
9:53 pm
Get rid of Francouer, Kotchman, Johnson, Prado, and whoever else plays in the outfield………..unbelievable how poor this team is with their bats……………i would (reluctantly) keep McCann, Jones, Escobar, McLouth, and Diaz, but would designate every other OFFENSIVE player for assignment………….you couldn’t trade this bunch and get anything for them……SIGN SOME GUYS WHO CAN HIT THE BALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
country boy
June 27th, 2009
9:54 pm
Mudcat at 9:06 is 100% right. This team is hard to watch. Our starting pitchers have done well but with our hitting it’s kinda like the old saying about a one legged man in an @ss kicking contest. Hope football season hurries up and comes to us soon.
RufinoLinares
June 27th, 2009
9:56 pm
Bring back Barbaro! At least he hits the ball.
g kelly
June 27th, 2009
10:00 pm
the are the most boring team in MLB. when they show the dugout, i get sleepy. there is no enthusiasm, no leadership. i have always considered myself an optimistic fan. those days are over.
Skeezix
June 27th, 2009
10:02 pm
It is so bad, instead of watching the Braves, I’ve found myself watching those home decorating shows with my wife.
Ken Stallings
June 27th, 2009
10:03 pm
Something else negative to consider. Seems a lot of people want to focus on the Braves being just 4 now 5 games out of first in the NL East.
But, here’s the larger truth. The Braves now hold the fourth worst record in the National League! Only Washington, Arizona, and San Diego are doing worse. And in the cases of Arizona and San Diego, not much worse!
Want more sobering news? The Pittsburgh Pirates now have a better record than the Braves! They traded their best player to us for prospects!
Teams that folded their cards are playing better than the Braves!
Larry
June 27th, 2009
10:05 pm
Mark….oh MARK! It’s your buddy Larry calling you Mark!
Can you hear what I’m thinking? When are you going to come out and say it, Mark?
Herschel Talker
June 27th, 2009
10:07 pm
You’re all over it, MB. DOB, the blind homer, will come up with any number of reasons why the Braves are really still in it. Probably something like, “Hey guys, look how badly the Braves have been playing and they’re only 5 out.” Some kind of BS like that. You’ve nailed it, Mark. Their bats are weak and will get them nowhere.
Shamus Thacker
June 27th, 2009
10:09 pm
Fine and very accurate piece Mark.
Mr. Price
June 27th, 2009
10:10 pm
PLEASE BRAVES – FIRE TERRY PENDLETON! He is the worst hitting coach I have ever seen. So, terrible that Jeff Francour went to Texas to try to get better this past offseason. None of the younger players have gotten any better under TP and the older players just don’t listen to him anymore. The Braves have LOST FIVE SERIES IN A ROW. The time to part with TP is now. If Bobby won’t do it, then it is time for him to step away.
By the way, did anyone see the dugout the other night at the end of the first game against the Red Sox? After McCann hit his home run, the Braves got two outs and the camera went to the bench. The Braves were only down by three with a man on second in the bottom of the ninth and every single Braves player was sitting back on the bench. It was as if they expected to loose, or didn’t care. These Braves lack heart and a desire to win. If they can’t get excited about a bottom of the ninth against the Red Sox, then they are not going to be enthusiastic about playing anyone and the season was over a long time ago.
JASon
June 27th, 2009
10:10 pm
Lets look at the bright side: we have a very talented pitching staff. Believe me, many teams would kill to have that. Who would have thought we would have had such a huge deflation on the hitting side, though. I am going to be make a brash prediction: braves surprise everyone and make a playoff run in the second half. (I also predicted the magic in 4 or 5, so this could be a stupid prediction)
mudcat
June 27th, 2009
10:11 pm
I keep buying the $6 seats and I feel like I’m still getting ripped off. My boss is a big Red Sox fan. Next week is going to be hell. Give me Alex Rios in RF and Mark Derosa at 2B. Bring up Freeman at 1B, start breaking him in. Anyone got a better suggestion?
LSU
June 27th, 2009
10:12 pm
MB,
The Atlanta Braves baseball team, snooze………Exciting, snooze……Bobby Cox, snooze…….
Tomahawk Tide
June 27th, 2009
10:13 pm
BC + World Series Calibre Rotation + (BM+CJ+NM) / TP – (YE+KJ+JF+GA+CK) =
Season’s Over……..
I hate it for our pitcher’s. They have been amazing (even with Lowe’s recent slump factored in).
Bottom line is that this is it people……
The “Baby Braves” (with the exception of McCann), and liquidation of the farm the past couple of years, has dramatically altered this once proud franchise. When Ted sold the team, and the dollar’s dried up because of owners who could give a rat’s ass, the dominant era of the Braves ended. There is no hope for this team this year even though they are five games back. There is no hope for the future because of the Mets and Phils abilities on the payroll side for future acquisitions.
Both teams have stud players in the lineup, their backups are actually 5 games better than our starters right now, and unfortunately the NL East has turned into a two pony show for years to come.
Please give the fans a reason to believe by the trade deadline or the second half will be the longest half this city has seen in 20 years.
eastbound and down
June 27th, 2009
10:14 pm
Mark, the important point to remember in all of this is none of this is Cox’s fault. he never has, and never will, make the wrong decision. forget the fact that he has been fired before, he has a lifetime appt. to lose 90 games a year for the foreseeable future. nice job if you can get it.
Shamus Thacker
June 27th, 2009
10:16 pm
Baseball is going to lose loads of popularity if a salary cap is not implemented soon.
Small-market teams are absolutely losing the ability to compete. The playing field is as level as Mt Everest.
Paul
June 27th, 2009
10:18 pm
OK, I have to defend G. Anderson. This guy is coming on and people continue to act as if he is inept at the plate….he has 2600 career hits. Any player that plays in one league for 15 years and abruptly switches to the other league will have or need time to adjust. Remember how he only had about 15 ABs in the spring? He is warming up and the results are consistent with his career, about a .280 hitter with marginal power, but the guy knows how to pitch.
If you want to fix this lineup, you need to replace the second base position or at least give Prado several consecutive starts to prove himself. Frenchy is done in Atlanta, we need a new RF (preferably one with power) and Kotchman has had trouble since his return from the DL.
Long-winded answer made short: Get rid of Frenchy and KJ…get power in RF and let Kotch bat about eigth.
Paul Lentz
June 27th, 2009
10:19 pm
Wait. I thought that Francoeur was “swinging the bat better”? What happened to him “turning it around”?
Many of you got “excited” when Francoeur hit that homer against the Cubs in early June. However he went 3 weeks before he hit another one on Wednesday night against the Yankees. It looks like it will be at least another 3 weeks before he hits another.
This line-up has a lot of holes in it. Without Escobar and McLouth, the holes get deeper. As much as I would like to see Frank Wren make a trade to improve the Braves “this year”, I’m beginning to think that it may be in the Braves interests to be “sellers” at the trade deadline, get some prospects who are “almost ready” to play in the Major Leagues………and then acquire a slugger or two after the season either via free agency or the trade route.
The key to improving the team in the off season is to decline the option on Tim Hudson’s $12 mil 2010 option. That money could be better used to get a free agent slugger.
Paul
June 27th, 2009
10:22 pm
*pitch*= hit, my bad….
Shamus, the ‘97, ‘03 Marlins, the ‘08 Rays, ‘09 Jays and the ‘05 Cards would be a few examples to the contrary…the Yanks and Sox don’t win every year…
LSU
June 27th, 2009
10:25 pm
Here’s a thought…..Chipper had 1 spectacular Met killer MVP year, but doesn’t make the players around him any better…..Seems to me that he’s been riding that 1 spectacular Met killer year into the ground, and has forgotten how to perform like the All-Star & team leader that he seemed to be in that 1 & only Met killer season.
jake
June 27th, 2009
10:30 pm
I love Brownie’s comments. I suggest we let him run the team, and maybe we can get Skeezix and his wife to make over the clubhouse.
Shamus Thacker
June 27th, 2009
10:30 pm
Paul, you’re exactly right, but they have a vastly better opportunity to put a winning team on the field. If a player doesn’t live up to expectations, they can also trade for/sign any player they desire at any price. That makes a HUGE difference, and discourages fans rooting for teams that can’t do likewise.
LSU
June 27th, 2009
10:32 pm
Every player on this team with the exception of Jair, Hanson & possibly that overrated fatty McCann should be considered expandable. That’s if, Bobby “clueless” Cox is gone….As long as Cox is the manager, nevermind.
Mark Bradley
June 27th, 2009
10:38 pm
You know, I wonder if Bobby Cox ever suggests to his players that it would better if they got a hit now and then.
I don’t think any other manager or any hitting other coach could make any more of this lineup. This is a bad batting order.
Shamus Thacker
June 27th, 2009
10:40 pm
Just thinking the same thing Mark…
Biff Pocaroba
June 27th, 2009
10:40 pm
This team is embarrassing and tonight was the last straw for me and my family. I’m tired of dragging my kids and wife to games, dropping $100+ every time and watching this garbage. Not an ounce of effort was shown today. This team doesn’t even care. No chance will we be returning to Turner any time soon. What you see now is what you’ll be getting for a long time; likely beyond this year as well. There is no sense of urgency or pride with this club. It’s a total joke. Good ridance Braves.
Shamus Thacker
June 27th, 2009
10:42 pm
Corporate ownership sux.
jake
June 27th, 2009
10:42 pm
PS…And I’ve said this before, but I’ll say it again: the Braves are stale and have been for the past three years. Cox may be a great guy, but he’s not a motivator. And he’s Typhoid Mary to relievers; see the ‘09 Baseball Prospectus take on how he’s burned out so many relievers. And TP may be smart, but he’s not a communicator.
It’s hard to tell if the talent is there or not, because everyone’s sleepwalking. OK, Escobar’s got it, but he’s a knucklehead. It would be interesting to see what a new regime might do with these guys. One thing’s for sure: they’re not performing now.
Sonny Clusters
June 27th, 2009
10:45 pm
When we was playing ball together me and Jeff would sometimes batting slump. But the gloves were always good. These Braves batting slump and the gloves are no good too. Speed dont slump but the Braves dont have much speed just average and not much hitting. When we was playing we could always hit a little bit even when we was facing real good pitching. I think coaching is too lacks and Bobby Cox should retire, this is coming from a state championship so I know what Im talking.
Mark Bradley
June 27th, 2009
10:47 pm
I do remember the 1970 Mets, Mitch C. Their pitching coach, Rube Walker, called it the greatest staff ever assembled. And they didn’t win the division. The Pittsburgh Pirates did.
big dog
June 27th, 2009
10:50 pm
Get rid of chipper and get a bat
brian
June 27th, 2009
10:52 pm
I was at the game today, and i am huge sox fan seems like alot of atlanta fan have jump on the sox bandwagon there is noway, most of these girls were sox fans. Braves fan are just horrible, and the fan always have. The game was so boring kotchman is so boring he make me sick i wish i could still play i am better then half the team. Cox needs to go tp is horrible braves needs to make moves there pitching is the best there offense i s like a little league team. Alot of boring play and jeff fran is horrible braves never score runs bye bye atlanta.
Turtsnap
June 27th, 2009
10:57 pm
This lineup is beyond bad! Holes everywhere!! OF has no power. Your two best hitters can’t play everyday (one because of age, the other because he is a catcher). No power anywhere!! No speed to manufacture runs!!
OH THE PAIN!!
Mark Bradley
June 27th, 2009
10:58 pm
To answer Bill’s question from a while ago: No, I didn’t talk to Brad Mills or John Farrell, and I’m not sure exactly what I would have said if I had. “Hi, I’m Mark Bradley from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and I was just wondering if you’d like to manage the Braves”?
In my experience, every coach wants to manage, same as every assistant coach wants to be a head coach. But I can’t imagine Mills or Farrell, neither of whom know me from Adam Ant, would tell me their career aspirations.
But I do think Mills will be a good manager one day.
Thunderbull56
June 27th, 2009
10:59 pm
Let’s lose the rose colored glasses folks.Braves have always been pretty much smoke and mirrors.BC was proven a fraud by Cito Gasten way back when.Clutch players, players with a mean streak,(not malice but, the burning desire to win), are not welcome or long tolerated in our fair city.One championship would not have happened, except for a guy our fans gave a reason for a grudge.Yep, even ‘ole David was soon changing his zip code.Pitching, GIMME A BREAK.More smoke and mirrors.Lack of intimidating power pitching and BC’s bizzare and head scratching moves in our playoff after playoff opportunities doomed the best efforts of our players. We enjoyed halcyon days as fans, but if you believe for one minute that another intimidator on the mound along with another braintrust in the dugout would not have made for multiple WS wins,you are delusional.So, this current “underachieving”, is just more chapters for a soon to be “Hall of Fame” managers bio.Seems not many are aware that baseball is not only a game of fundementals, situations, awareness of aforesaid, but it’s also a game of intimidation.Same reason jawja cain’t beat flawda. They in they head,Get IT.2007,2008′2009 Braves, keep doing the same things, expecting different results.Wait, I may be amiss, it may be the lack of aluminum bats in MLB.
NO MORE BOBBY
June 27th, 2009
11:00 pm
Cardinals get DeRosa.
Mark Bradley
June 27th, 2009
11:00 pm
Turtsnap makes a great point. When one of your big bats is 37 and the other sits out at least once a week, your offense is flawed in theory. When those two bats are essentially your only bats … well, you’re sunk.
NORRIS
June 27th, 2009
11:04 pm
something has to be done to light a fire under this bunch. A major trade, a firing, something.
I would start with the problem. We are not hitting the ball. Terry Pendleton has to be fired. There is no one else to blame. You fire the man and see if it ignites some feeling into your players.
If not then at the end of the season you clean house. But something has to be done to show an effort to the fans that hey we know and we are doing something about it.
Wolf
June 27th, 2009
11:07 pm
The front office put this team together. These front office guys have been overrated for YEARS. They rode the backs of three Hall of Fame pitchers but were never the brilliant baseball “brains” that they pretended to be. It was OBVIOUS that this team was NOT going to score runs. Garret Anderson was released by the Angels for a reason. Jordan Schafer was nowhere near ready. Kelly Johnson will never hit enough to make up for his defensive weaknesses. Escobar seems just plain NUTS at times. Chipper Jones has seen his power diminish markedly, and nobody really expected Francoeur to bounce back, did they? This is a team with a B-plus pitching staff and a D-minus offense, and it was there for all to see over the winter. With the Big Three pitchers gone, we now see that the Atlanta front office is not up to the job.
IlliniBrave
June 27th, 2009
11:08 pm
Mark – great post. But if I was feeling really bummed and down before, now I’m downright depressed and hopeless.
You tell the truth and the reality is that this lineup is just not a major league worthy one. I feel like we are the Royals or Pirates of the last decade. Wow – how totally depressing. I guess the best thing we fans can do is stay away from Turner Field. What do you think? Would that send the message? If we vote with our feet maybe mgmt will get the picture and undertake a total housecleaning. That is what we need.
Reality
June 27th, 2009
11:09 pm
I’m at the point where I get my hot dogs and beer while the braves are at bat…I know I’m not going to miss anything.
Mark Bradley
June 27th, 2009
11:12 pm
Don’t feel depressed and hopeless. This starting rotation is under contract for next season, and Tim Hudson could be back in 2010, too. It’s a lot easier to find two bats over the winter than to find three arms, which is what Wren managed this past offseason.
This lineup was going to have to step up big-time if the Braves were to have a chance in 2009. So far it hasn’t.
DCBrave
June 27th, 2009
11:20 pm
Mark,
Good article, and indeed, Bobby Cox is likely mentioning getting hits to his team. This isnt all Bobby’s fault, necessarily, but it does make one wonder what it might take to get rid of any or all of the following:
1) Kelly Johnson and Jeff Francoeur: .220 for an everyday guy is unacceptable. Francoeur is only slightly better. This lineup has way too many easy outs and these are the two easiest. Just chalk out a ground-out to a middle infielder.
2) Terry Pendleton: He is the hitting coach and this team doesnt hit a lick. What more evidence do we need that TP is helpless to get this team to hit better. He cant get it done. This team is what it is and the coaching is incapable of changing that.
3) Frank Wren: He put together a good staff, but other than that has been a massive disappointment both in terms of the talent he has brought to the lineup and in the way he has represented this franchise. His handling of both Smoltz and Glavine was atrocious. Not arguing with the decision to get rid of either one, but why did we have to poke both guys in the eye on the way out the door? There’s a right way, a wrong way and the Wren way. Atlanta deserves better than the Wren way.If an organization as deeply flawed as the Orioles could figure out that this guy was not good at what he does, then why cant one with the pedigree of the Braves?
Ultimately, this is a major league staff with a lineup that would not be particularly good in Gwinnett or Greenville. Its a minor league team, with a bush-league GM trying to compete in the show.
Maybe Hanson will throw another shutout tomorrow. He will have to if he wants to win.
tohellwithgeorgia
June 27th, 2009
11:23 pm
alright i’ve said this before i could care a less at this point but we need to trade prospects for matt holiday. this would really bring a true power bat in the lineup plus he would be coming back to the nl which was where he could rake the ball the past couple of years, resign him… braves will get better if they do this. i’m just so frusrated at this point, we need to do something, hell we could have the posibility of getting juan pierre he’s showing all star #’s.
mr baseball
June 27th, 2009
11:28 pm
When sports teams under-perform as consistently as the Braves have the last 3 1/2 seasons, the manager/coach typically pays the price. Not here.
Cox benefitted immensely from the talent he had in uniform during the team’s 15-year run of success. Other than maybe the first two seasons of the run, the Braves have won in spite of — not because of — the manager.
Now that the Braves’ talent level is not as great as before, there is no way this team is going to contend with Chance the Manager in the dugout.
He is utterly incapable of doing anything to awaken his somnambulent team, and his abject lack of intelligent strategic thinking that might occasionally turn an L into a W is more and more obvious every day.
With a team struggling to score runs to the extent the Braves are, it is just plain stupid to give up an out to gain a base (Prado’s bunt), when the chances were 80-90 percent (at least) that Blanco could steal 2nd on Wakefield.
Stuff like that happens just about every night the Braves play, and as long as the Nose Picker in Chief is making the decisions in the dugout, this team is going to flounder.
It would be nice if the Braves could get themselves some new folks to play RF, 1B and 2B like they did to play CF. Highly unlikely.
Also unlikely that they can get 6 out of the dugout. But it would be a great benefit to the team if they did.
tohellwithgeorgia
June 27th, 2009
11:28 pm
i just saw this rumor on espn. jeff francoer to the royals for carlos guillen. bad move maybe
tohellwithgeorgia
June 27th, 2009
11:37 pm
sorry jose guillen who’s batting .257 with 8 home runs and 33 RBI’s
Herschel Talker
June 27th, 2009
11:39 pm
tohellwithgeorgia: Getting anything for Francoeur in excess of bats and balls is a victory.
Branch Rickey
June 27th, 2009
11:41 pm
TRADE VAZQUEZ OR LOWE TO A CONTENDER FOR A TOP HITTING PROSPECT; PUT MEDLIN IN THE ROTATION; GET A HEAD START ON 2010 ! THIS SEASON IS OVER ! ONLY DREAMERS CAN’T SEE THE BIG PICTURE ! STOP TRADING OFF THE FARM SYSTEM !
old fashioned ray
June 27th, 2009
11:43 pm
They’re vs. Their
You’re vs. Your
It’s not that hard,folks,to use the correct words and be less distracting with your thoughts. Just think first.
Bobby Cox
June 27th, 2009
11:43 pm
Eventually one of these boogers I pull out of my nose will be a doozie. Pick a winner ! Man I miss Reitzma and Remmie !
rabiddawg
June 27th, 2009
11:47 pm
It’s official, Dero traded to the Cards. STL also on the verge of acquiring Matt Holliday… according to espn. Thats what a f’n team that WANTS to win does. They address their needs and make it happen. Imagine Puljos (sp) sandwitched between Holliday and Dero.. Ouch. Must be nice to have ownership willing to make changes and to not accept mediocraty ie.. (BC,TP, JF, KJ, GA, and so on)…
Melvin Flowers
June 27th, 2009
11:49 pm
Some got to give either you a pro baseball nplayer are not. Hey these guys can’t hit neither can they win at home. I have pride does the Atlanta Braves have pride. Go back to the farm system and get some players that can hit the ball. The Braves look so much like a AAA team on the field this year. Send this team to Gwinnett and let Chipper and company play AAA for the rest of the year. Move the Gwinnett Braves Players up to Turner Field. The Braves are playing bad baseball I am serious mad how this season is going right now. Get some players up here that can hit please. The Braves make good pitchers look bad.
Melvin Flowers
Macon Georgia
Pete
June 27th, 2009
11:49 pm
Braves done.
Ward
June 27th, 2009
11:52 pm
Fire Pendleton to make an immediate statement to the team. 34-40 with all the offensive negatives is truly sad.Make things change by dumping someone up top. Colorado made such a change at the very top and it “rocked” the Rockies. Changing Pendleton would have the same effect here–for now. Failure to respond the 9th shutout will prove management is mired in a “slump”. Ward
NO MORE BOBBY
June 27th, 2009
11:59 pm
If the Cardinals get Holiday it will be them or the Dodgers in the series this year. Thats a great playoff if it happens. Torre v/s LaRussa. Two managers that still know how to win.
Bobby Cox
June 28th, 2009
12:03 am
I tell all my guys to swing at the first pitch; that’ll be the best one they see. Why work the pitcher and tire him out? Man, if the Red Sox want to do that, let them. Not me, not the old legend, the manager all the players want to play for. No sir ree. Time for another drink …
Bill
June 28th, 2009
12:06 am
Mark, I know you couldn’t ask if they wanted to be manager of Braves. I did believe you were smart enough to talk with them and just get a idea what type person they are etc. I didn’t need a smart answer. Sorry I asked.
turkey
June 28th, 2009
12:07 am
You have just seen two of the premier teams in baseball. Now ask yourself, except for the pitching staff and Brian McCann who on this team would either the Yankees or Red Sox want?
ShutUpMutt
June 28th, 2009
12:11 am
The Braves are like the University of Georgia. Everybody hopes they do well, but they dissapoint every year.
PMC
June 28th, 2009
12:14 am
what we need is just TV/News Paper/Web medium/Radio Blackout.
This team is terrible. This team is a bad watch, they are uninteresting, they are frustrating beyond belief, and they have utterly no hope of even being a .500 team. They simply are not a major league quality franchise this year, it would be more interesting frankly to hear articles about the minor league clubs this year. It is painful and mostly sad watching them go through the motions at the plate night in and night out. They just aren’t good enough to even compete on the major league level.
PMC
June 28th, 2009
12:17 am
The lineup was a wing and a prayer and has been for several years. They just whiffed big time a variety of moves. They are too proud to admit it publically but I bet it’s even harder for the front office and the scouts to watch this team play than it is for us.
John
June 28th, 2009
12:17 am
Gawd fans are dumb. Unload the whole team? What are we the Pirates? There’s a winning attitude.
Kotchman is not very talented and should be upgraded, Francoeur should be replaced with Diaz permanently. I have fading hopes that Kelly Johnson can turn it around.
McCann needs a break, Infante is missed. Anderson is a total dud in my book. Who are the team leaders? They look like a bunch of guys who don’t care, or only care about themselves.
Packerman
June 28th, 2009
12:35 am
Maybe by trading Kotchman we could get a near-ready outfielder or utility infielder. Then we bring up Barbaro to man first. We know he can hit, and he’s got power. If we’re going to struggle, we might as well get more ML experience for our AAA guys who are almost there.
Once Schafer is ready to come back up we’ll have a great defensive outfield, and we’ll have no need for Anderson or Diaz. We can let them go and/or get some farm talent for them if anyone comes calling. Or let them hang around as bench players. Moving Frenchy will be tough, so letting him hang around to shore up the defense isn’t the worst thing in the world. There are a lot of poor 8-hole hitters around the league, and at least Frenchy helps save runs with his arm.
So with these changes, the team looks like this:
1B-Barbaro, 2B-Infante/Prado, SS-Escobar, 3B-Chipper, C-McCann, OF-McLouth, Frenchy, and Schafer.
The bench looks like this: Prado/Infante, Anderson, Diaz, Kelly, and Blanco.
These are moves that can be made from within the organization to strengthen the lineup and build the farm (however slightly). They add speed (Schafer) and power (Barbaro) to an anemic lineup. If our season is already sunk like so many believe it is, then why not give this a shot? Are we going to score less than we already have? No, so as long as we’re on the selling end, what can this hurt?
Herschel Talker
June 28th, 2009
12:37 am
Bobby Cox likes men
ShutUpMutt likes men
JEFF
June 28th, 2009
12:41 am
well people i totally have been saying this for a past year but people bash me for it and NOW in front of national TV on Fox this team AGAIN lays a goose egg against a guy who throws 60-70 mph. wow is that Just embarrassing or what.. We watch the yankees and redsoxs prove to the world what a joke this ball team truly is.. you have javier vasquez on the mound against tim wakefield and this trash cant even score a run off of him.. wow just wow. They all should taken out back and mocked.. Im so Glad I sold my tickets on EBAY for 600$ to a yankees and redsoxs fan who wanted my tickets.. I didnt and will not purchase anymore for a veryy long time. Im done and tired of it.. Us Braves fans have nothing to be proud of and thats a shame.. I was in the Car on the way home from the ball fields where My little league braves won first place and the championship out of 16 teams in there league. and was listening to the announcer on XM and was saying what a shame and embarrassment that the redsoxs fans there today out number the braves fans by a 3-1 margin… people thats a joke…again no one at all cares one bit about this team . The owners to the worst GM to ever manage this team to a manager who shouldnt be managing at all anymore to the players.. they show no heart and no passion for this city and that uniform.. until liberty media bobby cox and frank wren are told to hit the Road.. get used to it.. oh and to see the Cardinals who DANG CARE About Winning goes out and gets mark derosa and on the verge of matt holiday and we sit back and watch this happen. Theres no urgency or care in the world in that front office to have some balls and stones to do something to fix this team… I will not waste another cent on anything with the braves logo on it until there are serious changes to the mindset and the way this team does business.
Average Joe
June 28th, 2009
12:43 am
What a sad state of affairs for this ‘09 Braves team. We have a manager who was a tired act at least 3 years ago, and whose stubbornness is of an epic degree. We have a hitting coach who is either inept or oblivious and clearly not doing the job. We have a more than capable starting pitching staff (of which Lowe is CLEARLY not the ace, by the way) who apparently are going to have to throw shutouts every night to make up for our comatose offense. We have certain players (Escobar) who seem like they’re in it only for themselves. We have players like Chipper and Garrett Anderson who make me hold my breath every time they move(and that isn’t often for Anderson, even if a ball is hit in his general direction) for fear of seeing them sustain one of those pesky bruised big toes, or hyper-extended pinkies. We have Kelly Johnson and Jeff Francoeur who, well, never mind. And we have good ‘ol Jeff “Left Hook” Bennett who gets the award for the greatest contribution to his team by breaking his hand, thereby eliminating the possibility of blowing yet another game for at least a month.
This is sad, really sad. From where we were to where we are…wow. Just wow.
The will to win just doesn’t seem to be there anymore. And that’s wholly unfair to the guys like McCann who give it their all each night.
Drago
June 28th, 2009
12:58 am
It maybe time for Pendleton to get the ax for General Purposes. I know he can not hit for the team and many probably do not listen to him, IE Francouer, however he is part of management and leadership and they have to make a statement that poor play should have consequences.
hang on a minute
June 28th, 2009
1:06 am
Releasing Pendleton might be a good move. I don”t think he’s the reason Kelly and Jeff can’t hit, I think they are just not good baseball players. Don’t think either of them would hit if they were playing for Texas and their acclaimed hitting coach, either. It’s killing us, however, having three virtually automatic outs in the lineup, counting the pitcher. I’m ready for Bobby to move on, too, but discounting his teams in the 90’s because he had great players is ridiculous. All great managers have great players, regardless of the sport. Players play, don’t forget that, and right now the Braves have two, maybe three everyday guys that are even major league quality offensively and defensively.
Be-little, BeBOLD
June 28th, 2009
1:09 am
I agree with all the posts about new management . . . Cox has no fire and that’s why everyone loves him. Who wants a kick in the A$$ when they fail to produce? Just keep sending us out there and maybe we’ll get lucky. COX is the GREATEST at what he does . . . nothing! Stupid moves abound in every game he manages. YES, I know he’s won 14 straight pennants and one WS . . . that does not mean he’s a great manager. It means he had a GREAT TEAM that he screwed up a lot or there would have been more RINGS!! Cox has fooled the media for years but now it’s beginning to realize the truth.
Ash
June 28th, 2009
1:14 am
Sounds like a lot of fair weather fans out there.
Be-little, BeBOLD
June 28th, 2009
1:23 am
BOOGER MAN, BOOGER MAN, please please retire!
Mark McGwire
June 28th, 2009
1:34 am
Can anyone name one Atlanta Brave, or even a former Brave, that has said “Man that Terry Pendleton really helped me learn how to hit”?
Anybody remember a Brave, current or former, say “I really appreciate what Terry Pendleton has done for my swing”?
Can anyone remember how many times Bobby Cox has hurt this team by sticking with a player or a coach, or a starting pitcher, too long ?
Can anyone suggest how bad the offense would have to be before Bobby Cox would fire Terry Pendleton ?
I have great respect for Bobby Cox, but there are no more excuses. Fire Pendleton Bobby !
Pretend Hero
June 28th, 2009
1:54 am
I dont know how anyone can watch this team hit night after night and still think Terry Pendelton deserves his salary.
Not only is it ruining this season, but he is ruining careers. How many more players does he have to destroy before he gets fired. Andruw Jones and Jeff Francouer should have been enough.
Kevin
June 28th, 2009
2:19 am
well after watchin Braves roll over n play dead(again),It comes to fact BC is soft on players Chipper jones acts as ooh i won a battin title last year i do not.Number 1 was he was out so much should have never been his…As for french horn fellow francoer he like Mark bradley of cubs…great talent stubborn to….I see francoer n AJ traded to cubs for Mark Bradley n 4 minor leaguers to braves.way bradley is now he may sign 3 year deal but Cubs may rid anyway!Lowe just sign a 4 year deal remember free agent now hurt…and why was jeff bennett in dugout with his rage of hittin door n break hand Bobby cox should said stay home!But not cox only thing he good at his nose pickin are beatin his wife at times! i see Bobby n TP fired at all star break also fired be the indians Manager to….and nats mananger we need ed yost here as mananger n gerald perry as hittin coach
J-MAN
June 28th, 2009
3:11 am
Braves needing offense geeze we known that for 2 months now DUHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!
Just you writers dont come out and attack them about it and mabye it would hurt your relationship and hurt you down the road but we have nobody that will have 30 hr this year. We have a 2b that is hitting around .225 a right fielder (Who I’ve defended because of his defense) thats slumping. An aging superstar who gets injured too frequently, and no one other McCan will hit .300 sorry but thats the truth. No I know we been spoiled with a #4. hitter since McGriff that can hit 40 hr but we aint getting those players no more and wont get one until mabye 2011 when Jason Heyward and Freddie Freeman are called up so the offense will be offensive for at least another 2 years so get used to it.
bigstack19
June 28th, 2009
3:13 am
There are no quick fixes. The offense blows. Terry Pendleton has to go. He is the hitting coach of a team that hasn’t hit in three plus seasons now. The only real job he seems to have is being a fat waste of a paycheck sitting in the dugout.
TPM
June 28th, 2009
3:25 am
David Ortiz was under a lot of pressure in Boston due to his very slow start. He now has more RBI than Chipper Jones. He is also tied with Oblique Jones with 8 home runs. This is a very bad Braves team
NO MORE BOBBY
June 28th, 2009
3:34 am
How can we think about getting rid of Francoeur? He leads the team with 4 Stolen Bases!
HA!!!!!
Coach ( 2010 or Bust)
June 28th, 2009
3:35 am
Think what you want Bradley, this season is in the damn tank already. No way in hell can our Braves recover. It’s impossible.
I’ll add to what Brian McCann said. You win with pitching, defense, fundamental baseball and timely hitting. The pitching is there, the rest is non-existent.
Adding one big bat is like putting a band aid on a bullet wound. It won’t work. This team like any critical patient needs major surgery. We are sellers, period. It’s time to trade for some defense, youth, outfielders and somebody who run the damn bases.
Mark Bradley
June 28th, 2009
4:03 am
Bill, I wasn’t trying to be a wise guy. I was just going through my, shall we say, thought process. Because I did think about going up to Mills and saying, “Hi, you don’t know me, but nine days ago I nominated you to manage the Braves.”
Then I thought … Nah, he’d probably call security and have me carted outta there.
Don’t be mad, OK? I really wasn’t trying to be a jerk. (Comes naturally, I suppose.)
THWG
June 28th, 2009
4:40 am
I’m not one for outlandish trade “possibilities,” but I’d like to see the Braves go after Mark Teahen. Give the Royals Frenchy (since Dayton Moore seems to love him more than Joe Simpson loves him) and whatever scraps of pitchers we’ve got (KC has a knack for getting our leftovers: see Davies, Mahay, et al).
richbrave
June 28th, 2009
5:38 am
A-h-h-h, reality sets in. As I said in the BRADLEY-SCHULTZ face-off, I side with DUTCH. The BRAVES are further out of the wild-card than they are the division lead. At least, they were as of yesterday. Today’s paper hasn’t yet arrived.
They need 32 losses at this point to be in the lead for the play-off. They would have a sizable advantage with that number in the NL East. Too many teams to climb over at this point.
But the problem can be fixed by having a home-run basher like ORTIZ, PUJOLS, HOWARD etc. FRANCOUER won’t make it in that role, the job he was supposed to assume by now. He still could develop a good stroke, but never will have a super-star one.
No, we are watching the demise of the season in this home series. BTW, I want to thank the BRAVES for giving WES TIMMONS a cup of coffee last year, good soldier that he is, and BARBARO CANIZARES this season. Nice of them to reward their troops. Too bad BARBARO wasn’t ready for prime-time at this point. We could have used him to smash down some fences around the nation.
The Real Fan
June 28th, 2009
6:04 am
A prime example of our manager’s style: Score 1-0.
Leadoff hitter get’s on base for second time in game. Player has a stolen base earlier in game.
Does runner get the okay to steal a base? No.
Manager has gives up an out to move the runner to second bringing up a hitter batting .161 and 1 RBI over last 16 games.
Batter’s out.
Last batter of inning out.
We lose. Our manager runs games as if we are in the American League.
mighty mike
June 28th, 2009
6:11 am
No speed. No power. Great pitching. Also rans.
Steve
June 28th, 2009
6:24 am
It is time for Frank Wren to step in and say we need a new hitting coach because Bobby is so loyal he would never do that. The Braves infield defense has been pretty poor Glen Hubbard needs to be replace also. When Garrett Anderson did not hustle the other day there is no excuse for that. I hope things change because the Braves are so fustrating to watch.
Charlie
June 28th, 2009
6:27 am
What DOES a hitting coach do? I used to think that question had an obvious answer. I’m not sure any more. Obviously, it’s not what I thought. If it was, Terry P. would have been fired long ago. In his defense, he is working with a group of no-talent bums (and faded stars…Chipper & Anderson). I feel terrible for the starters…to pitch so well, and lose, due to the LOSER POSITION PLAYERS that surround them. In all my years around this sport, I never seem a collection of losers brought together on the same team. They take a brainless approach to each at bat, with predictable results. They may be “busting their humps”, but when you have very little talent or ability, and the mental toughness of a perpetual choker, the results are again predictable. This team can not compete at a major league level. It is the Peter Principle. The Braves have reached their level of incompetence. I can’t watch them any more. It’s like watching high school boys hitting against Koufax and Ryan every night. Too bad. The position players should return their pay checks, and get honest work. Before July is here, the Braves, for all their “We’ve got to hit better…We’ve got to get the bats going…” will be finished, to the point that even they have to admit it. Keep the seats at Turner Field empty folks. Don’t encourage such an inferior product, as whatever 8 the Braves put on the field. (Of course, whatever team they are playing might to fun to watch. They may even play at a major league level. Heaven knows the Braves hitters don’t. I’m still wondering what a hitting coach does…at least one that achieves positive results. Terry P. should be wondering the same thing.)
willieg
June 28th, 2009
6:31 am
itold you all last week this team would go on a 8game losing streak after hanson this team is not any good brad penny will show this again today ,hes not that good anymore after today the braves will be 6 out so the phillies series is if the braves sweep which isnt going to happen they will be 3 out on the 3rd unless braves get NEW OWNERS IN A WEEK THIS TEAM IS SUNK UNTIL THEY SELL TO AN OWNER IN GEORGIA THAT CARES,this team needs to send everybody to aaa on this roster except hanson,jurrgens,vasquez,and mcann although the way he batted yesterday maybe he needs more glasses because he looked stupid batting against wakefield,and chipper needs to be sent to the fern farmforever.
Najeh Davenpoop
June 28th, 2009
6:53 am
The Braves hit .250 the year they won the World Series.
Now granted, their pitching that year was spectacular, whereas now it’s just good. But you don’t have to be an offensive powerhouse to win games. That team won by getting clutch hits and stringing together baserunners, which is something this team is unable to do even though they are statistically better offensively.
Sdidst
June 28th, 2009
6:55 am
One of the things that seems to be missing in this discussion is why are the Braves not trying more to manufacture runs. I would be happier if I saw a few guys thrown out trying to steal, or getting pop ups trying to bunt. Other than McCann or Chipper, there should be no sacred cows when it comes down to laying down a bunt or trying to make a good out.
jimmy a
June 28th, 2009
7:15 am
when are they going to FIRE WREN
yogi2
June 28th, 2009
7:21 am
Franqeor needs to go He gets away with being a bum and no one holds him accountable, so the rest of the team becomes complacent. Release Frenchy and show everyone that we are serious about winning. Cox loves Frenchy
BuzzBomb
June 28th, 2009
7:30 am
Cox should be let go. A new manager could bring in his own hitters coach. A new manager would’nt put up with some of these players. Either produce or else.
Be-little, BeBOLD
June 28th, 2009
7:30 am
To answer your post Sdidst, the manager and his coaching staff!!! There are several guys faster than McCann, yet he is the only one that steals bases. I don’t think it’s because Cox gives him the signal though, I think he just does it because he’s a REAL baseball PLAYER! I even saw McLouth bunted to second by Cox when he’s only been caught stealing 3 times (once by the catcher) . . . now that’s stupid!!!!
Atticus
June 28th, 2009
7:34 am
Mark this season was done WEEKS ago. This team has good pitching, AAA hitting at best.
Be-little, BeBOLD
June 28th, 2009
7:41 am
BRAVES SPECIAL . . . all opponents . . . get one of us out and GET TWO FREE!!! We make your team look UNBEATABLE . . . GUARANTEED by the “best” manager in baseball!!
GeorgiaVol
June 28th, 2009
7:44 am
Oh, but it just CAN”T be TP’s fault! (sniff, sob). He, he’s so great! (sob again). After all HE’S JUST THE FREAKING HITTING COACH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The Braves will suck offensively until he leaves. BTW, Andruw seems to be doing pretty well now that he is away from TP. Just a coincidence, right? RIIGGHHTT.
Milesarcher33
June 28th, 2009
7:54 am
Why all the negativity? Thie season is less than half over. This team is a real good team and has the proper chemistry. It just takes time. Be patient. They’ll wind up hitting near the top of the National League. If I was Frank Wren, I wouldn’t make a single move other than to play the lineup we have everyday. Be patient, don’t give up hope and come to the Ballpark to support our team!!!
Tell It Like It Is
June 28th, 2009
8:04 am
Most white guys cannot run. They cannot even hit on this team. How about integrating the team to win more games. This is not a call for affirmative action. It’s a call to get some speed, power and swagger. The Braves have not had this since the days of Gant,Nixon, Sanders, Justice, Pendleton, McGriff, Jordan, Furcal, Dye, Lofton, Grissom,etc. They are boring to the nth degree. Some of you nerds in this blog can check it out by going to your databases. If I am wrong, then show me.
joel
June 28th, 2009
8:06 am
The Braves are bottom 10 [often bottom 5] in: {offense} Runs, Avg, HR, RBI, SB, Slugging %…..
Top 10 in {pitching} ERA, SO, WHIP.
We have a pennant winning team if we can find a hitter or hire a hitting coach. Pendleton is a great guy, but was a career .270 hitter who in his 15 years hit below .270 more times than not. He had 2 good years in ATL that got his career avg to there. I vote to keep him on in some capacity, but we need a hitting coach…and a left fielder with power…and a second baseman….at the least. We don’t have to remake the whole team to win. The pitching is so good that a couple of guys hitting make all the difference.
Josh M
June 28th, 2009
8:17 am
Adrian Gonzalez! Adrian Gonzalez? Adrian Gonzalez.
bull-gator
June 28th, 2009
8:22 am
I think I’ve read similar articles several times over the past few months. My answer to the problem remains the same: somehow, somewhere, pick up three players that can hit; right field, 2nd and 1st base. Oh yeah, fire Pendleton.
Sonny Clusters
June 28th, 2009
8:24 am
When we was playing ball together Coach would sometimes pick his nose. We won a state champion and I think managers that pick there nose are sometimes the best manager for the team. I wonder why a 68 year old man would pick his nose on television like Bobby Cox but hes the manager and he may be looking for a way to score some runs. Jeff was 0-3 last night and is hitting .243 but the real story is that Jeff can’t bring in any runs and I think that is because he dont know the signs. A finger in the nose means get a hit.
Hawk01
June 28th, 2009
8:42 am
Face it. This is not a good team. No speed, no power. You can not and will not win. Liberty media needs to let Bobby Cox go. Terry Pendleton is the problem. Here is my analysis of the team:
1.McClouth…….Decent player but will never hit 300. Made All Star team in Pitt only because the National League needed a Pitsburgh representative.
2.Cjones………..You do not know if he will dislocate his shoulder while putting on his jersey. Looks very old this year. Can not field, can’t run, and now he can’t hit. He got his huge contract and now he is happy and Fat.
3. Jeff Francouer………..Can not run. How did he ever play defensive back in High School ? He could have never played in the NFL. Can you see him trying to cover Randy Moss, or anyone. Can not hit, no idea of what the strike zone is. Will be a 250 avg, 15 hr, 60-70 rbi hitter for the rest of his career. Spoiled as any player can get. Still upset because he was sent to AA last year. Will never be an All Star. Look at his interview on the trade rumors……………….he could care less because he knows he is a goner either this year or next.
4. Kotchman……………….If it were not for his glove, he would be a utility player. You can not have your 1B hit maybe 10 hr for the year.
5. Garrett Anderson………………He can still hit, but he can not run, can’t throw, and is a total liability. See if you can get something for him now, even a minor leaguer will do. He would serve well as a DH. I have seen 2 plays recently where if Anderson hit the cut off man instead of throwing to 2nd base the Braves could have gotten the runner headed to the plate.
6. Escobar………..Needs to stay. Say what you want about him, but he can hit. His numbers are not an embarrassment for a shortstop. He just needs a Lou Pinella or Jim Leyland to jump him on occassions.He needs to stay a Brave.
7. Kelly Johnson………….Why should I bother. Booby Cox is enamored with him. Could not play the outfield due to injury so they switch him to 2B. He cannot field with his back hand, can’t hit, decent speed but will not steal a base, can not hit. He must go.
8. Prado/Infante………………….Why aren’t these guys starting ? Bobby Cox/Wren/Schurholz are insane.
9. Blanco………….It is time to play him a little more to see if he will produce at this level. He had 2 hits yesterday, but knowing Bobby Coz he will probably be on the bench today.
10. Diaz…………no strike zone, but he always hustles and that counts. Give him another chance to see if he can produce or he will always be a good utility player.
11. Ross………………Excellent. Has as many HR as Francouer and he plays once a week.
12. McCann…………..Excellent. Nuff said.
13. Norton…………….Time to be released. Nuff said.
14. Carlyle…………….Why is he still in the major leagues.
15. Jo Jo Reyes……..He will produce if he gets away from the Braves I believe. He will never produce in Atlanta. Trade him for something or try him in the bullpen.
16. Hernandez………..He is not ready for the major leagues. Batting under .100
17. Bobby Cox…………Time for him to resign if he cares anything about this team. Anderson on 2nd with tying run and he does not pinch run for him. Blanco on 1st and he does not have him to steal. If he steals 2nd on Wakefield with a topped out pitch speed of 74 MPH then we can have Prado bunt him to 3rd and we have a better chance of scoring. He makes managing mistakes that a teenager could do better than he can. All coaches need to be let go after this season along with Frank Wren. We need to replenish the farm system after bad trades. Texiera has been involved in 2 bad trades for the Braves that we lost our shirts on.
Final analysis of the Atlanta Braves: Good pitching, no hit, no speed, bad manager. TP is not the problem. We have a very bad team, Nothing can repair Francouer, Johnson etc. We need Leyland, Pinella, to light a fire in them. Saw how Pinella lit into Milton Bradley recently. I doubt if this group finishes at 82W-82L.
mikey 101
June 28th, 2009
8:42 am
I live in Florida. I have been a braves fan for 40 years. When TBS gavae up the Braves for reruns of Everybody Loves Raymond (I don’t) I purchasef the Exstra Inninhgs Baseball package every year just to see my team. It cost $200 this year. This team has let me down and I can’t get my money back. It may be the last year for me.
Hawk01
June 28th, 2009
8:51 am
Correction on my prior comment at the beginning of my last post. TP is not the problem. These are major leaugue hitters who make more in one year than most of us make our entire lifetime. They are suppose to hit, field, run. If we had a performance like they have given, we would hear those famous words of ” YOU’RE FIRED”.
Steve From Dalton
June 28th, 2009
9:05 am
Unless the Braves take 2 out of 3 from Philly, the season is over. (As Mark Said). The Braves need to trade Kotchman. This is a power position and he is a Table Setter. Time to bring some folks up from the minors. Frenchy has proven he is no longer a power hitter. Bring up Brandon Jones. Time to think about prolonging McCann career and move him to 1st base next year. This team is close all it needs is two legit power bats in the line up.
Tim
June 28th, 2009
9:21 am
What is Frank Wren waiting for pull the trigger on Bobby and his staff. This isn’t a one year fiasco. Lets unload Chipper for talent i hate to loose him but there has got to be some AL teams that would mortgage the farm to have him as DH. Then lets cut ties with dead weight,Johnson,Anderson,Kotchman,Blanco,and Francouer bring up the kids and let them play. This season is done it is time to start rebuilding
tee
June 28th, 2009
9:26 am
TRADE CHIPPER JONES!!!!
Justafan
June 28th, 2009
9:29 am
Steve- Hubbard and Perez are the two best Coaches on staff. They’re the only ones I’d keep.
Coach 2010 or bust- I agree its time to rebuild.
jacket3
June 28th, 2009
9:31 am
Braves are wasting away again in Turnerville…looking for that lost shaker of salt!
Mike
June 28th, 2009
9:32 am
Why is everyone so tied to Chipper? He was close to great for a long time. He hit well last season (when he wasn’t out with a toe, hand, oblique, etc). He has moderate value now and it will surely go down by the end of the season. If the Braves were willing to part with Smoltz and Glavine (whom they got nothing for since they were released/unsigned), then why wouldn’t they trade Chipper to get something of value? There is nobody else in the lineup (save McCann) that would draw any interest…..and I include our much talked about new center fielder in that group.
Sonny Cluster
June 28th, 2009
9:33 am
Tim- what is Wren waiting on to fire BC and staff===BALLS!!!!
Bigeasy830
June 28th, 2009
9:49 am
Jeff Francouer is the weak spot on the roster, get rid of him and replace him with a good power hitter and the it will give the rest of the line-up a boost. Plus the Braves are simply not good. They are being beaten by very good Boston and were Yankees teams. Why do you people expect the below average Braves to beat these two good teams. It serves them right though, they should have never traded away, Marquis Grissom, David Justice and Jermaine Dye. The Braves would have won multiple World Series if they would not have broken up that outfield. Do you all also still give Jordan Schafer the benefit of the doubt that he was not on steroids. The kid was on it. Look at his poor performance and the nagging injuries. Bobby Cox is a great manager he nor Terry Pendleton cannot squeeze water out of a rock when it comes to Francouer, Schafer and some of the others. Trade Francouer and get rid of the steroid wonder and bring in some real players.
mike
June 28th, 2009
9:52 am
Wouldn’t it be nice if the Braves actually had a legitimate hitting coach!!!
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).
Jeremy
June 28th, 2009
2:04 pm
The Braves have three good three-hole hitters without the power of a third spot hitter- AND NOTHING ELSE. Chipper is not as good as his reputation – there are guys all over the place with better numbers than him. The Braves don’t need him to hit .364 (which he’s not going to do again), as much as they need 120 RBI’s (which he hasn’t done in a LONG time). McCann doesn’t have the power to hit 4th – at least not yet. And in most line-ups he’d hit 3rd. And then there’s Escobar. He doesn’t have the patience to hit 2nd. So 5th is probably the best place for him. At least that way he can drive in Chipper and McCann with some of those 2-out singles and doubles.
I’ve had to face up to the fact that this team SUCKS and has absolutely no chemistry – mostly because their best players are sorry leaders and there’s no other talent in the line-up. Seriously, how long do you let Francouer and Johnson stink without pulling them. And if I have to keep watching Anderson and his lazy, sorry attitude I may puke.
There’s always next year.
bigcooterb
June 28th, 2009
2:15 pm
Who cares whether the Manager is a players manager or not. They need someone to chew A&& and get results.
Sonny Clusters
June 28th, 2009
2:20 pm
When we was playing ball together Jeff got beaned like he did this inning and the ball bounced way out to the pitcher and he caught the ball and throwed it to first base. But Jeff still got to go to first and run for hisself. We was state champion and thats why the Braves will get better when Jeff gets it going again at the plate. For now its just good that he can get hit now and then so he can get on base. I was on base more than Jeff but he had all the power and most of the girls except the ones that thought he was a little slow in the classroom they seemed to like me best.
Non Hockey Loving Thrashers Fan
June 28th, 2009
2:21 pm
How about integrating the team to win more games. This is not a call for affirmative action. It’s a call to get some speed, power and swagger. The Braves have not had this since the days of Gant,Nixon, Sanders, Justice, Pendleton, McGriff, Jordan, Furcal, Dye, Lofton, Grissom,etc. They are boring to the nth degree
AMEN! Tell It Like It Is!
The Braves don’t seem to keep many players that don’t : 1)hunt; 2)fish; 3)listen to country music; 4) marry as soon as possible.
The Braves do need to integrate more, and that includes more Latins who can play and not just the ones who are docile because they are barely talented and are desperate to keep a major league job anywhere they can get one.
Yunel Escobar would not be such a big deal outside of Atlanta. And why is it we only have seen Heyward as the only promising African-American player in over a decade?
The Braves need to learn to draft athletes instead of just the big tall mediocre passionless types they seem to have an abundance of now.
The Braves need to learn what the SEC learned decades ago if they want to get..and stay…good. And if Bobby Cox cannot deal with today’s hip hop, reggaeton loving Latin and African-American player then it’s time for him to move on.
Sonny Clusters
June 28th, 2009
3:41 pm
Jeff may get him a RBI with Anderson on second and nobody out. Wait, never mind Jeff just grounded out but the runners moved and nobody scored like when we was playing ball together.
Disappointed
June 28th, 2009
3:42 pm
Many of you are calling for TP’s head, and I agree that a change needs to be made. The only explanation for TP not having been fired this year, or last year for that matter, is that Braves brass has already determined that TP will replace Bobby as the next manager. Kind of hard to fire the guy you intend to use to replace the current guy, and still expect him to be available when Bobby retires, dies, etc.
Javier Vasquez
June 28th, 2009
3:53 pm
The pitchers on this team pitch their guts out and take the loss nearly everytime, and you cannot consistently hang your pitchers out to dry like that. And for all that Bobby Cox does well, and for all his short comings, his biggest mistake is that he has cultivated a culbhouse attitude that finds this anemic offense acceptable. Moreover, its reached a point where it is expected, and one that happens, its hard to come back. But here is the scary part: these five guys in the rotation are all going to bolt out the doors first chance they get–and no free agent pitcher is going to sign with the Braves when he sees all the other guys running out the door. The Braves stock is lower than it has been in 20 years, and trending downward.
Sonny Clusters
June 28th, 2009
3:55 pm
Well Francoeur wasnt running in on that ball very hard but when he seen that the runner was going to second he turned it on like it was a state champion game like when we was playing together back in school. If the Red Sox score it wont be JEffs fault with Kelly J out there kicking the ball around like he never played any high school ball.
Bless you
June 28th, 2009
4:07 pm
Disappointed, TP will not be the next manager. Frank Wren will hire his own man, that goes with the GM’s job. It will be someone that Frank likes and can work with.
PMC
June 28th, 2009
4:27 pm
Too bad they didn’t find a way to bring Jason Bay here last year instead of McClouth and keep Tex. All it really would have taken is money… and a solid prospect or two. Oh well.
Pretend Hero
June 28th, 2009
5:06 pm
Cant remember his name, but hopefully the next manager will be the guy running the show at Gwinnett
bigcooterb
June 28th, 2009
5:10 pm
It must be tough being a Braves pitcher and knowing you have to throw a shutout to have any chance of winning. The “Hitless Wonder of 2009″.
35YrBravesFan
June 28th, 2009
6:16 pm
Watching the Braves pitch is fun. Watching the lack of hitting to go with it is miserable. I have hope Mark when you say it’s easier to get a couple of hitters over the winter than pitchers. So I hang on to my pre-spring training thoughts which are that it will take another year to get the team really rebuilt, and we have a lot of talent still in the minors.
But this is hard to watch lately.
GO BRAVES!!
Ralph
June 28th, 2009
6:23 pm
Until we can find a solution to the lack of power problem why not move either McCann or Ross to first base and bring up another backup catcher. McCann and Ross are two excellant bats both with power and one of them is sitting everyday. Next we should put KJ on the first train out of town and make Prodo the everyday second baseman. When Infante returns put him in right field and Francuer on the first bus out of town. Next plutoon GS and Diaz in left field. Use Kotchman as the primary pinch hitter instead of Norton or Blanco whom niether can hit a lick.
LSU
June 28th, 2009
10:20 pm
Can someone explain to me why Hanson was not on the opening day roster? Not that it matters though, because it’s sad to see someone like Hanson get stuck playing with the Braves at least for the time being…You know he’s gonna bolt for the $$$ and go play for a quality baseball team whenever that opportunity arises down the line.
Kelly Johnson was 0 for 3 today….Nice job by Bobby Cox of not being able to see the forest for the trees by continuing to insert Johnson in the lineup …The love affair between Cox & Kelly continues to amaze me. Can someone explain that to me too?
Ken Stallings
June 28th, 2009
10:47 pm
Mark, when Schultz returns from his vacation, you might want to remind him of his column where he said Hanson, “could not slip through the back door,” and “crashed” in his first game.
All he’s done since is win four straight games, go 20.1 scoreless innings consecutive, and beat the Yankees and Red Sox in consecutive starts!
The debate Schultz tried to inflame about Glavine being released turns out to be a senseless exercise. You were absolutely right in pointing out the objective indications that Glavine was released because Hanson was the one to fill that position, and he’s removed all doubt it was the right choice.
Perhaps the next time, Schultz should consider being a bit more balanced in his coverage of a rookie’s debut appearance!
agrivated
June 29th, 2009
3:39 am
Don’t get too excited, so the Braves took one from the Sox. Isn’t that what they should be doing? Winning? I mean they still hit terrible. The only reason they won was because of pitching, again. Ship CJ to the AL, dump GA, KJ, French, and get some of our minor league guys up to the show for experience. Like some of ya’ll said before, they can’t be any worse than the position players that are out there now. No playoffs this year, just get used to it until someone who cares buys the team and dumps the GM on down to coaches.
agrivated
June 29th, 2009
3:43 am
E: C Jones (13, ground ball); K Johnson (6, ground ball)
Somehow I’m not surprised to see CJ and KJ on the box score for having errors. Isn’t it time for CJ to retire?