Live from the ballpark: Braves put Bradley mojo to test!
I’m here at the ballyard to conduct a grand experiment. I’m here to see if the El Marko mojo still works. (”El Marko” was what Max Baker, who was so addled he nominated me for president of our senior class at Maysville High, occasionally called me.) And my mojo is mighty. From the AJC of Oct. 22, 1996:
“That the Braves are going to win this World Series is apparent. It is also, in the grand scheme, secondary. No longer is this team playing against the overmatched Yankees. The Braves are playing against history … This is the greatest team of the post-free agency era, among the best ever. You can trot out any of baseball’s storied assemblages – the 1927 Yankees, the Gas House Gang, the Big Red Machine – and wonder how these Braves would have fared, but that sword cuts two ways: Would those clubs have seemed so majestic if they’d had to hit against the Braves?”
That was, alas, the zenith — or the nadir — of El Marko’s so-called career. The Braves led that World Series 2-nil. They would lose it 4-2. The team I likened to the 1927 Yankees lost four straight to the 1996 Yankees. Talk radio in New York (and there’s a lot of it up there) had great fun with me for months.
I mention this because I just posted a little something about how I’m thinking the 2009 Braves will be playing in October. The 2009 Braves have won six of seven since the All-Star break and have closed within three games of the wild-card lead. They’re playing well. And I’m here today to watch them lose 15-2 and make me look silly for, oh, the 797th time this calendar year.
I’ll be happy to entertain any and all questions as we put my powers of hexation to the test, and I’ll begin with a couple of notes: The Braves announced today they’ll be moving to 680 The Fan and its FM affiliate Rock 100.5 next season, which affects me not one whit. (I’ve got Sirius XM.)
Loading ...And according to esteemed colleague David O’Brien, the Braves have recalled Kelly Johnson and sent Brooks Conrad to Gwinnett. And Bobby Cox has named Johnson his starting second baseman for every game the rest of this century. (Kidding about that last part.)
Oh, and one thing more: In the moments before we get going here — it’s overcast, by the way — you might take a look at another El Marko post from this morning, this one posing the musical question: Is Tommy Hanson the best Braves’ rookie pitcher ever? As ever, I thank you for your patronage.
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509 comments Add your comment
Greg Norton
July 23rd, 2009
2:35 pm
But alas, he grounds into a fielder’s choice.
Mark Bradley
July 23rd, 2009
2:36 pm
Kawakami gets Sandoval to tap to the mound. Good pitching there. One out to get out of this. Bengie Molina the hitter.
The_Superhoo
July 23rd, 2009
2:36 pm
Just 1 more guy KK. You can do it!
Scott
July 23rd, 2009
2:37 pm
MARK – anyone in the ‘pen??
K
July 23rd, 2009
2:37 pm
Can’t see the game. Is the home plate umpire being consistent with his strike zone?
Mark Bradley
July 23rd, 2009
2:37 pm
Nice running catch by Church ends the inning. Kawakami at 97 pitches. Probably one more inning, I’m thinking.
Not a bad outfielder, that Ryan Church.
Mark Bradley
July 23rd, 2009
2:38 pm
Logan was up, Scott. But he sat down at inning’s end.
The_Superhoo
July 23rd, 2009
2:38 pm
Phew quite a Houdini act there. Way to come thru KK/Church!
Mark Bradley
July 23rd, 2009
2:39 pm
You know, it’s hard for me to tell. From the press box, I mainly see the umpire’s back. But Cox hasn’t been ejected yet, if that’s an indication.
Geoff
July 23rd, 2009
2:40 pm
Noah… while i agree 100% with your comment about the 5th starter thing… Mark Bradley more less said the same thing right after me… out Bullpen gets taxed when he throws… averging 7 pitchers per batter just isnt going to cut it for the marathon season the Braves still have left.
Bank Walker, Texas Ranger
July 23rd, 2009
2:40 pm
1 more inning for a quality start
david
July 23rd, 2009
2:41 pm
I almost had a trade,but they wanted Bradley taken out of the deal,they wanted Boog instead!
Bama Aaron
July 23rd, 2009
2:42 pm
One more inning? I’m hoping we see Boone Logan in the 6th….
Mark Bradley
July 23rd, 2009
2:42 pm
Showing yet again I know nothing about anything, Diory Hernandez pinch-hits for Kawakami. And pops up. Logan will start the sixth.
K
July 23rd, 2009
2:42 pm
I’m seeing it on GameCast and there’s been several Strike(looking)s. I don’t expect him to argue balls and strikes unless it’s close and late in the game.
Scott
July 23rd, 2009
2:42 pm
hahaha PUT IN NORTON!!!
Bank Walker, Texas Ranger
July 23rd, 2009
2:42 pm
2 balls to DH looked like strikes
Noah
July 23rd, 2009
2:43 pm
Wish Bobby would have left KK in one more inning or at least pinch hit with someone else then Diory.
Scott
July 23rd, 2009
2:43 pm
stong inning fellas
Bama Aaron
July 23rd, 2009
2:43 pm
And that at bat brought up another question….don’t we have anyone on the farm that can be a back-up for SS and actually be able to hit more than .114? Hernandez is terrible at the plate…
squawks mcgrew
July 23rd, 2009
2:44 pm
What idiot came up with the quality start parameters? It produces a 4.50 ERA. How is that quality? That should get you demoted.
Mrs. Chanandler Bong
July 23rd, 2009
2:44 pm
Hey word on the street is Greg Norton will be leading “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” during the middle of the 7th.
Scott
July 23rd, 2009
2:44 pm
Bama– i think just waiting for Infante… MARK – any timeline for his return?
Greg Norton
July 23rd, 2009
2:44 pm
I could have done as well as Diory there.
Bank Walker, Texas Ranger
July 23rd, 2009
2:45 pm
Give them John S instead of Boog S.
Cutler
July 23rd, 2009
2:45 pm
Why send Conrad down?? I don’t understand bringing KJ back although I know he’s out of option. However, if we had to do it, why not send down Diory instead. Escobar has a stronghold on short and we have no use for diory. I am sure Conrad could handle third or short if needed or prado could move to short for a game or 2 if escobar was hurt or needed a break. Diory Hernandez is a sure out every time he comes up to the plate. Sometimes I just can’t understand the moves this team makes.
I don’t even want to comment on Norton.
Greg Norton
July 23rd, 2009
2:46 pm
Hey… that Hernandez really stinks. We should option him back when Infante returns.
Bank Walker, Texas Ranger
July 23rd, 2009
2:46 pm
Bama, the answer is no, the farm is empty at SS for a while
Mark Bradley
July 23rd, 2009
2:46 pm
Whoops. Wrong lefthander. O’Flaherty in. Maybe I should just shut up and watch the game.
Josh
July 23rd, 2009
2:46 pm
Mark, in all seriousness, why do you think the Braves are hanging on to Norton? He played well in AAA, but by all indications, he’s been a extremely ineffective player for a long time now. He’s a veteran player as well, so it’s not like we’re waiting on him to come around. I guess it’s because he’s such a well-liked guy?
Bama Aaron
July 23rd, 2009
2:47 pm
Yeah you’re right Scott, but Diory is like giving up an out every time you send him up there. Just frustrating…
Bank Walker, Texas Ranger
July 23rd, 2009
2:48 pm
Who is pitching, gameday say O’flatley. Hey he was pretty good in Lord of the Dance
Jeremiah
July 23rd, 2009
2:48 pm
Scott…You’re hopeless…There is no pleasing you, nor can I make you understand the reason for keeping Norton…You don’t understand baseball…Once again, I will take the decision making of a HOF Manager like BC, who chose to keep Norton…He obviously knows what he’s doing…
Mark Bradley
July 23rd, 2009
2:49 pm
I just asked DOB for the official word on Infante. He says he’s a ways off — August at the earliest. And DOB knows. He does a great job, especially for a guy from KU.
NY Frenchy
July 23rd, 2009
2:49 pm
Hey Lars, Prado is the other first baseman you dummy, Conrad & Norton are both switch hitters, one can run the other is slow, one is hitting over .300, the other is hitting over .100, one busts his azz & the other is just old, slow, & done so guess what , Booby keeps the wrong player again, of course we all knew he would cause he’s loyal even if you cant hit your weight, saw it coming but its still sad. Lars if you think Norton is a better player than Brooksie then dont whine when his average dips below .100 again, he was hitting .098 LMAO
Bank Walker, Texas Ranger
July 23rd, 2009
2:51 pm
Hope this doesn’t go extra frames if we are using righties vs righties in the 6th
david
July 23rd, 2009
2:51 pm
They will only take Boog and a bag of new balls!
ghostwriter
July 23rd, 2009
2:52 pm
MB:
Is there any threat that KJ will start at 2B over Prado? Even if Prado struggles for a bit?
Scott
July 23rd, 2009
2:52 pm
Jeremiah – your arguments thus far have been “he’s a veteran so he’ll eventually hit,” “he’s not getting enough chances” (although any bench player won’t have many chances), and “scott thinks it’s easy to hit big league pitching”… neither of which is a cogent argument supporting the idea that Greg Norton provides value for the team this year.
Bama Aaron
July 23rd, 2009
2:53 pm
Agreed Bank… can’t believe Cox thinks he has to do that all the time. If a reliever comes in throwing strikes and getting outs leave his butt in there…
Jeremiah
July 23rd, 2009
2:53 pm
Unbelieveable the number of idiot BC bashers on here! If you morons could do better why are you not managing in the bigs?
Greg Norton
July 23rd, 2009
2:53 pm
Frenchy, I feel the love. Thanks, man. You make a good case for why I should be gone. Honestly, I didn’t think I would make it back off the DL.
phar71
July 23rd, 2009
2:53 pm
I think Medlen will go until the his turn to bat. We should be ok.
Tami
July 23rd, 2009
2:53 pm
I agree with Panties In A Wad!
Noah
July 23rd, 2009
2:53 pm
Could have PH McCann or Anderson if you didnt mind using them. Of course I don’t know who is the emergency catcher then if there is an injury and McCann has already been used.
Greg Norton
July 23rd, 2009
2:54 pm
Jeremiah, take it easy, man. COX isn’t always right.
Jeremiah
July 23rd, 2009
2:54 pm
You are wrong SCOTT!! Go further back, I have made plenty of good arguments as to why Bobby kept Norton, You and a lot of like minded idiots, actually think you are smarter about baseball than BC, which you are obviously NOT!
Bank Walker, Texas Ranger
July 23rd, 2009
2:54 pm
I think he does that so he has to use Moylan in the 7th. He wants to see if his arm will explode from over use
The_Superhoo
July 23rd, 2009
2:55 pm
BUNT SINGLE?? Ugh
Jeremiah
July 23rd, 2009
2:55 pm
Not always GN, but like I’ve said before, he has forgotten more about baseball than these armchair managers on this board!