Live from the ballyard: Smoltzie and I avoid each other!
I spent about a half-hour in and around the Red Sox clubhouse, and I should tell you the Red Sox have a great vibe about them. Kind of like the old Braves, only a tad livelier, and nothing like the new Yankees, who come across as spoiled and surly. The Red Sox, I can report, have a splendid mix of guys.
And now you’re wondering: Amid this splendid mix, did I encounter My Favorite Pitcher in said clubhouse? Not really. (Nor did I go looking for him, or he, I feel sure, for me.) My Favorite Pitcher and I almost crossed paths when the Sox were preparing for batting practice, but we both turned our heads. (We’re really good at this, as you may know.)
I can also tell you I’m writing a little something for Sunday print — and for posting here later today — on Red Sox manager Terry Francona, whom I see as the New Bobby Cox. (And I mean that, Larry, as the highest possible compliment.) Francona is a delightful conversationalist, and we media types got to talking with him about Michael Jordan — whom Tito, as he’s known, managed in Birmingham in 1994 — and then we got around to Michael Jackson and Anna Nicole Smith.
And I’m thinking, “Gee, Bobby Cox never has that sort of conversation with the media.” But lo and behold, I walk across to Cox’s Batcave and he brings up Michael Jackson, and then John Schuerholz, who’s sitting there, asks Cox what was the first record he ever bought, and Cox says he never bought a record in his life and Schuerholz says his was “Rock Around the Clock” by Bill Haley and the Comets. And there we went.
I brought up the Temptations and the Supremes as my first recorded purchase. Dave O’Brien mentioned Wild Cherry. (I swear.) Then we got going on Kiss — O’Brien’s first concert, you should know — and Mark Lemke said something about Gene Simmons that I choose not to reproduce here.
And now you’re up to date on all essential baseball matters. And if you’d care to share your feelings about Michael Jordan or Michael Jackson or Anna Nicole Smith or Gene Simmons or even this afternoon’s Braves-Red Sox game … well, I’ll be happy to chat back all afternoon long.
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227 comments Add your comment
Mark Bradley
June 27th, 2009
6:19 pm
Actually, he’s not. He’s walking Ortiz intentionally to get to Mark Kotsay. Don’t get that one.
Shamus Thacker
June 27th, 2009
6:19 pm
Is Russ Minshew forecasting from prison (where he belongs) nowadays?
Mark Bradley
June 27th, 2009
6:20 pm
I know Big Papi has a zillion big hits in his career, but Kotsay is hitting .306 to his .220. Weird.
The_Superhoo (Montana by way of Virginia)
June 27th, 2009
6:20 pm
yeah Mark, not a fan of this move….
Gaijin
June 27th, 2009
6:20 pm
So – Vasquez couldn’t intentionally walk Papi? Bringing in a reliever and having him throw four intentional just doesn’t make a lot of sense.
Another quality start (4 this month) and Vazquez won’t get a win – guess he really does have to throw shutouts to win.
dawgfan1911
June 27th, 2009
6:21 pm
O Flaherity………lol what a joke! They bring him in to walk someone.Since when does a starter go 8 innings gives up only 1 run strikes out 8 batters and cant get a freekking win? This sucks!
Mark Bradley
June 27th, 2009
6:22 pm
But O’Flaherty gets Kotsay to pop to center. So maybe Cox does make the right move once in a while.
dawgfan1911
June 27th, 2009
6:22 pm
I am placing bets right now. The Braves inning will only last 10 minutes or less. A batter wont get past 1st base. All bets are on!
The_Superhoo (Montana by way of Virginia)
June 27th, 2009
6:23 pm
well, the move to pitch to Kotsay instead worked. Still think that move is highly suspect, but on we go to Bot 8, still only 1-0.
Mark Bradley
June 27th, 2009
6:23 pm
Vazquez threw 121 pitches on a 95-degree day. And can’t get the victory.
Ken Stallings
June 27th, 2009
6:24 pm
Other than Chipper and McCann, I don’t think any Braves’ hitter is capable of doing what Youklis did to Vazquez. That’s professional hitting to foul off that many quality outside pitches in a row.
The big difference between the Braves and the Red Sox, is the Sox have many hitters with that kind of plate discipline and bat control. The Braves have at best two. That’s why despite excellent starting pitching the Braves at best will back into the playoffs and get eliminated quickly by a quality central or west division champion.
This game is another sad stew in the Braves receipe this season! Great pitching, no offense, no situational hitting, leave guys on base, and see the opponent eak out a run and send us home bitter.
I must love this team dearly to keep coming back to watch each game!
dawgfan1911
June 27th, 2009
6:24 pm
the clock starts now its 625
Reid Adair
June 27th, 2009
6:24 pm
One run in 16 innings heading into the bottom of the eighth. If the Braves don’t pull this one out, they’re six games under .500.
And yet, people still believe this offense (to use the term loosely) can turn it around and get this team to the playoffs.
Hawk01
June 27th, 2009
6:24 pm
Blanco gets a hit and is on 1st base and Bobby Cox does not have him steal 2nd with Wakefield on the mound. Knuckleball pitcher who has topped out at 74 mph on his pitches today and he does not have Blanco to steal. Even the announcers for FOX thought Prado should have been taking instead of trying to bunt so that Blanco could steal 2nd. If Blanco steals 2nd then Prado can bunt him to 3rd. Now instead of 3rd base, Blanco is at 2nd where he never moved. Face it Braves fans, Bobby Cox is over the hill and needs to go. It is very sad to see this team not make the playoffs for the 4th straight year. We need a Jim Leyland type of manager that will get in their faces and tell them to play hard or get released or sent down. Francouer (Corner outfielder with 5 HR), Bennett, Kotchman (1ST baseman with zero power of 2 HR), Anderson (No power, slow, can’t throw, can’t run), Norton,Carlyle (Why is he still in the MAJORS), Campillo all must go along with the Skipper Bobby Cox.
Jman
June 27th, 2009
6:26 pm
Is there a chance Yunel gets moved? If the Braves officially (and yes by officially I mean 8 or 9 games out) fall out how about Vazquez? Seems like the Braves could pretty much name their price since no other pitchers of his caliber are likely to be available…
John
June 27th, 2009
6:27 pm
how is it that the TV always seems to zoom in on Bobby when he’s -um- saying “something.” Happens every Fox broadcast.
BT
June 27th, 2009
6:27 pm
I would keep the bats away from Vasquez he could understandably go bezerk.
Necromancer
June 27th, 2009
6:27 pm
Mark,
didn’t you used to have a beard? I swore you used to have one..or am I confusing you with Steve Hummer?
BraveCat
June 27th, 2009
6:27 pm
Most of the Braves fans I know do not give a f*** what Smoltz thinks or does. He is an old over the hill loser who has an ego that got put in his place in the lowest of lows Washington DC (Liberal capital now!!! yeah) The Braves Management did not think he had nor did they think Tom Glavine have it!!! I am so proud of the Braves Management for ridding this team of losers like Glavine and Smoltz. I get sick of hearing from stupid fan who do not understand baseball is a business. Oh, they must be union reps in their respective fields (NOT) to think Glavine should have been kept. I watch the 1995 World Series tapes frequently. Smoltz………….you got pulled buddy. Go Braves. I hate that Bostonians live here amongst us. I may get knifed later.
Mark Bradley
June 27th, 2009
6:27 pm
Not “people,” Reid. Just dumb Bradley here. (Although I did say they needed to trade Vazquez for Adam Dunn. Don’t know about that, either.)
dawgfan1911
June 27th, 2009
6:28 pm
ok it will only last more than 10 minutesbecause of the pitching chnge but there will not be a runner past 1st base
Mark Bradley
June 27th, 2009
6:29 pm
I would say the Braves’ patience with Escobar is nearing its nadir.
Oh, and to answer the question from a little bit ago: There are more Braves fans here, but the Red Sox folks are louder. I’d say it’s 65-35 Braves fans.
All I'm Saying Is...
June 27th, 2009
6:29 pm
Red Sox have Pedroia at 2B, Youkilis at 1B, and Drew in RF.
Braves have KJohnson, CKotchman, and Francoeur.
Given the play of KJ, CK, and JF, is there any wonder why we stink? These three everyday players are killing us, especially at the plate.
And folks want to say its Bobby Cox fault?
Mark Bradley
June 27th, 2009
6:30 pm
I would note that Drew is 0-for-4 with three K’s.
NCBravesFan
June 27th, 2009
6:31 pm
Mark – on the Bravo flip-flop: I prefer to think that you drew the “Shana straw” in the Point-Counterpoint pool with Schultz this week.
Ken Stallings
June 27th, 2009
6:32 pm
I’m not one of “those folks.” You give Bobby the Sox’ lineup, and we’d be world beaters. However, the dude they got is doing a pretty fine job himself!
But we used to have a lineup like this one. Then Liberty started writing the checks and they got a lot smaller!
Sigh!
BugKiller
June 27th, 2009
6:32 pm
Mark, I’m no one’s comrade. Better dead than Red!
Haha.
Seriously. I think I’m a tad less… eccentric (putting it nicely) than Larry.
More prone to bouts of logic, as it were.
I like to look at trends, and verifiable statistics which confirm certain arguments.
Particularly those arguments pertaining to the perpetually overrated Bobby Cox and the in-over-his-head Willie Martinez.
You can take numbers and stats, twist them this way and that, and make them try and fit any argument.
But a verifiable, irrefutable trend? You can’t fake those.
I need to be like Ross Perot and draw me up some graphs and charts and show up to a Mark Richt press conference as he continues to defend the indefensible (in more ways than one, natch!) Willie Martinez.
Haha.
Enjoy the drive home, Mark!
Mark Bradley
June 27th, 2009
6:33 pm
Terry Francona. Really good manager. But he just took out Manny Delcarmen, a righthander who hadn’t yielded a baserunner, to summon Justin Masterson, another righthander who just walked Matt Diaz and wild-pitched him to second.
dawgfan1911
June 27th, 2009
6:33 pm
WOW a runner at second!
All I'm Saying Is...
June 27th, 2009
6:33 pm
Oh, yeah. We should definitely lose all patience and get rid of Escobar. The last thing we need is a young, everyday player who can field one of the toughest positions out there (SS) and hit close to .300 as well as hit with RISP. But don’t worry, it will be okay because Francoeur, Johnson, and Kotchman will save us.
Mark Bradley
June 27th, 2009
6:34 pm
Actually, NC, I pretty much got to write what I believe. Which says something about me, huh?
Man on third, two outs. Prado at the plate.
All I'm Saying Is...
June 27th, 2009
6:35 pm
“I would note that JD Drew is 0 for 4 with 3 Ks.”
I would note that Francoeur stinks.
Gaijin
June 27th, 2009
6:35 pm
0 – 15 w/runners in scoring position this series – oops, 0 for 16!
Necromancer
June 27th, 2009
6:36 pm
Good grief..the Braves wreak…
dawgfan1911
June 27th, 2009
6:36 pm
Same results NOTHING!
Mark Bradley
June 27th, 2009
6:37 pm
Prado flies gently — and I mean gently — to right. The Braves have scored one run in 17 innings. But, on the bright side, they scored it against Jonathan Papelbon, whom I’m guessing they’ll be seeing momentarily. And Chipper is leading off the ninth.
And Soriano is pitching.
Curtis Jones
June 27th, 2009
6:37 pm
This dud of a game would be entertaining only if Joe Buck and Artie Lange were in the booth.
Jman
June 27th, 2009
6:38 pm
all i’m saying is… You absolutely cannot afford a guy in the field with as short a fuse as Yunel has… Not to mention his utter inability to play the field at times. If we’re giving up on the season anyway he might as well be traded for a some decent future talent. Yunel is well on his way to becoming Milton Bradley. Get rid of him while you can Braves.
Curtis Jones
June 27th, 2009
6:38 pm
Cox must have a really, really low opinion of Matt Diaz if he can’t crack that outfield.
Ken Stallings
June 27th, 2009
6:39 pm
Remember Junior Samples and Roy Clark from Hee Haw? It was the “Empty Arms” hotel! Well, we got the shack down the road … “Cracked Bats!”
Gaijin
June 27th, 2009
6:39 pm
What is really irritating is I only get to see the Braves anymore when they are nationally televised and THIS is the kind of game I get to see.
No offense, absolutely no fire shown – the TV just showed some of the ‘faces’ of the players in the field – they look bored to death.
StingerSplash
June 27th, 2009
6:39 pm
The Braves are only 4 1/2 out (though that may be 5 1/2 in a few minutes). But the two questions from the weekend are:
Just how bad are the Braves?
And did Atlanta just run into the 2009 world champions, because the Sox look really, really good. Good pitching, good hitting, decent fielding, power, speed and lineup flexibility.
Necromancer
June 27th, 2009
6:40 pm
This team needs an overhaul..
I think an actual owner who cares and doesn’t use this team as a tax write-off would be a welcomed change.
Someone with the intensity of Mark Cuban..but not actually Mark Cuban.
Curtis Jones
June 27th, 2009
6:41 pm
Just realized that we’re almost at the midway point of the season, and our first baseman has only 2 more home runs than I do.
All I'm Saying Is...
June 27th, 2009
6:41 pm
“I would note that JD Drew is 0 for 4 with 3 Ks.”
I would note that JD Drew has a .264 batting average (lifetime .283)
I would note that JD Drew has 9 homers, 2 triples, 15 doubles, & 33 RBIs
I would note that Francoeur has a .249 batting average (lifetime .266)
I would note that Francoeur has 5 homers, 2 triples, 8 doubles, & 32 RBIs
No matter, I would still trade Francoeur for JD Drew straight-up despite Drew’s awful day at the plate.
NCBravesFan
June 27th, 2009
6:41 pm
That’s cool, Mark. These Braves can seduce for prolonged three game or so stretches. I thought the column made some good points about how the Braves could play, especially with Dunn in the lineup.
I worry that we haven’t seen nearly the best of the Phils yet and that’s clouded our judgment about the division a bit – and I suspect they will load up soon with an arm or two and make reservations for October.
Mark Bradley
June 27th, 2009
6:41 pm
Don’t get me started on Junior Samples, the pride of Cumming, Ga. A great hero of mine.
It’s hard to get excited when you can’t hit, Gaijin.
Mark Bradley
June 27th, 2009
6:43 pm
OK, people! I feel a rally coming! Who’s with me?
BugKiller
June 27th, 2009
6:44 pm
Bobby Cox had a similar low opinion of Ryan Klesko.
Who then showed the kind of production in San Diego that the Braves COULD have gotten out of left field as Gant’s replacement if they had a competent manager.
Yet another of Cox’s humiliating multi-year terrible decisions which negatively impacted the team.
Gaijin
June 27th, 2009
6:44 pm
Ok – here’s a chance to really salvage my day – Chipper and McCann against a quality fastball – nobodies in scoring position, so….maybe like last night – bases empty – no pressure HR???
Vazquez deserves NOT to be the losing pitcher – just hoping I guess.