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.
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
509 comments Add your comment
DevilInLaw
July 23rd, 2009
2:55 pm
I love going to Medlen there. We need to get him involved in tight and winning games. He could be a huge key down the stretch, especially if Moylan continues to suck.
Mark Bradley
July 23rd, 2009
2:56 pm
Kind of weird. Bochy let Zito hit for himself with two on and two out. And Zito struck out against Medlen.
Noah
July 23rd, 2009
2:56 pm
My concern with O’flaherty and leaving him in there is his workload. He has already pitched 50 games. Braves could really use another decent reliever via trade..or maybe Acosta will turn into another reliable arm..he has looked good.
Scott
July 23rd, 2009
2:56 pm
Jeremiah, just because someone doesn’t actively participte in a profession doesn’t preculde that person from criticizing another. that’s a poor, tired argument.
Chris
July 23rd, 2009
2:57 pm
Remember when Bochy pitch hit for Sanchez, the flood gates opened.
Mrs. Chanandler Bong
July 23rd, 2009
2:57 pm
Mark, you could say he “BOCH-ed” that play. AH HAHAHAHAHAHAHA.
phar71
July 23rd, 2009
2:57 pm
Alright this is our inning! Lets go Bats
BamaBrave
July 23rd, 2009
2:57 pm
I like seeing Medlen in there in a tight spot. He should be getting used a little more often.
DevilInLaw
July 23rd, 2009
2:58 pm
Bochy let Zito hit for himself because Bochy’s bullpen has pitched way too much during this road trip (and over the last three games). He needs to steal one more inning out of Zito.
Jeremiah
July 23rd, 2009
2:59 pm
It should preclude those who obviously are idiots when it comes to managing a baseball team, such as yourself!
Greg Norton
July 23rd, 2009
2:59 pm
Martin lead off walk.
Mark Bradley
July 23rd, 2009
2:59 pm
Oh, there’s always a chance, GhostWriter. And I’d imagine if Prado goes 0-for-60 some folks on here might be calling for Kelly.
Scott
July 23rd, 2009
2:59 pm
in other words, just because I haven’t tried to hit a curveball since 7th grade doesn’t mean that i can’t criticize a player who’s job it is to get base hits and fails miserably to do so (40 times out of 45 at bats, to be specific)
Greg Norton
July 23rd, 2009
2:59 pm
jeremiah, why are people idiots just b/c they don’t think it’s a good idea to keep me on the roster? I even wonder myself.
Javy Vazquez/Lopez
July 23rd, 2009
3:00 pm
Jeremiah, are you a bullfrog or just a Booby Cocks azz kisser??? Let me say it clearly so your Donkey azz can understand, a .114 average is a joke, I dont care if his name is Norotn or Mickey Mantle, he sux & should have been released & kept Brooksie, hes alot better player that hustles all out & he has a coll name! Go Bravos
Bama Aaron
July 23rd, 2009
3:00 pm
Jeremiah in case you haven’t noticed this is a running blog. It is for opinions. You’re free to express yours, but making yourself look like an idiot yelling at others for theirs.
Also just because I didn’t have the breaks to become a big league manager doesn’t mean I don’t know baseball. Frankly if given the chance I fully believe I could handle a pitching staff better than BC. It’s the one part of managing I think he does poorly.
Jeremiah
July 23rd, 2009
3:00 pm
Forget it Scott, I am not responding to idiots anymore…You sir, are a JACK-A$$
Scott
July 23rd, 2009
3:00 pm
and i’ve never said a word about Bobby Cox in this entire thread, don’t know where you are getting that
Scott
July 23rd, 2009
3:01 pm
that’s a mature response.
Bank Walker, Texas Ranger
July 23rd, 2009
3:01 pm
I agree with Jeremiah, Bobby Cox has forgotten more about baseball.
John
July 23rd, 2009
3:01 pm
Mark, help me out with an arguement I am having at work with a dumb woman. She says that Bobby wants to move Chipper to 1st. Please tell her that is the dumbest statement ever made and as long as Chipper is a Brave he will be at 3rd, unless for some crazy reason he is needed in the outfeild which is unlikely.
Jeremiah
July 23rd, 2009
3:02 pm
Sure you could bama, WTF ever! Keep telling yourself that! It takes a lot of nerve to say you could do anything to do with baseball as well as HOFamer BC! Ridiculous!
Mark Bradley
July 23rd, 2009
3:02 pm
Not much of a day for Chipper. 0-for-3. Escobar up with Prado on first, one out.
Jeremiah
July 23rd, 2009
3:03 pm
I could see Chipper at first, but not for another couple of years…As he gets older..
Greg Norton
July 23rd, 2009
3:04 pm
John, moving Chipper to 1st has been discussed. There was talk of acquiring old Scott Rolen earlier in the week. Plus, with Chipper having increased errors, some think 1st might be a good place to put him.
Greg Norton
July 23rd, 2009
3:04 pm
so may you should apologize to the dumb woman for only saying what some professional sports writers are saying.
Jeremiah
July 23rd, 2009
3:05 pm
Thanks, I like being mature. Truth be told, it is the BC bashers that make me this way…I simply can’t understand why so many hate such a good manager and for absolutely ridiculous reasons…Atlanta has been so lucky to have BC all these years and I just have to chalk it up, that BC bashers are idiots…there is just no other way around it!
John
July 23rd, 2009
3:05 pm
sorry dumb woman
Mark Bradley
July 23rd, 2009
3:05 pm
And now we have an argument. Escobar struck out looking and threw up his arms in protest, and Prado got thrown out trying to steal. Cox came out to argue, although I’m not sure over what. He can’t come out to argue balls and strikes or he’s automatically ejected. I think he was arguing the call on Prado, which was close.
As for the pitch to Esky: It was one of those big Zito breakers, and it might have been a tad high. But it might also have been Strike 3. How’s that for a definitive stand?
The_Superhoo
July 23rd, 2009
3:06 pm
Just no O today. I blame the MB jinx
Greg Norton
July 23rd, 2009
3:06 pm
Thanks, John… Bobby ejected. Now, I’ll never get in the game.
nels
July 23rd, 2009
3:06 pm
at least bobby tired to seal. thank you for being agressive.
Mark Bradley
July 23rd, 2009
3:06 pm
Your attention, please. We in the press box aren’t sure if Cox has been ejected or not.
Bank Walker, Texas Ranger
July 23rd, 2009
3:07 pm
Chipper is 37, high in errors, and injury prone. I think now is the perfect time for him to move to first. And when Freeman is ready, he will be ready to retire, hopefully more graceful than Glavine
Jeremiah
July 23rd, 2009
3:08 pm
That darn Randy Winn….
nels
July 23rd, 2009
3:08 pm
watchi out, here come medlin with his 5+ ERA!
timthebrave
July 23rd, 2009
3:08 pm
I wish we were facing Lincecum instead of Zito.
Greg Norton
July 23rd, 2009
3:09 pm
Why was the ump barking at our sweet Esky?
Mark Bradley
July 23rd, 2009
3:09 pm
Sometimes we’re the last to know.
But I’m guessing now he has been, or he’d have come out to argue just now. Medlen came close to picking off Randy Winn at second base.
Another great AB for Fred Lewis. Man on second, nobody out, tie game. He pops to center.
And here’s where Medlen pitches around Sandoval, I’d surmise.
nels
July 23rd, 2009
3:09 pm
i dont know greg, your supposed to be in the dugout paying attention why dont you ask. maybe this is why you struggle.
Mark Bradley
July 23rd, 2009
3:10 pm
Nope. Went right at him. Got Sandoval to pop to left.
By the way, Randy Winn is the most underrated player in baseball.
BamaBrave
July 23rd, 2009
3:10 pm
ol’ Sandoval ALWAYS swings at the first pitch. No patience at all
Greg Norton
July 23rd, 2009
3:11 pm
Nice work, Medlen. Time to Sing!!!
Mark Bradley
July 23rd, 2009
3:12 pm
Official announcement comes from publicist Adrienne Midgely: “Bobby Cox was ejected by home plate umpire Jeff Kellogg.”
I remember Cox going wild over a Kellogg call at third base in Cincinnati on a Sunday in June 1992. When you get old, you remember the strangest things.
K
July 23rd, 2009
3:14 pm
Don’t understand how the Braves aren’t winning by 6? Why can’t they hit Barry Zito? He’s got one plus pitch……so sit on a marginal fastball.
Rick
July 23rd, 2009
3:14 pm
I felt like I was watching the Braves (circa 1st half ‘09) hit in that last half inning. Leadoff double followed up by really bad ABs. Playing fundamental baseball is so important in close games like this.
nels
July 23rd, 2009
3:15 pm
come on krotchmam!
Steven L
July 23rd, 2009
3:16 pm
This game reminds me of Game 3 against the Mets that we lost. We are finding ways not to score.
K
July 23rd, 2009
3:19 pm
Mark, can you tell me the last time Barry Zito went 8 innings in a game? Has he done that since his Cy Young days?
Steven L.
July 23rd, 2009
3:21 pm
This season Zito has gone 8 innings twice, most recently in a 309 win over Florida on July 7th when he gave up only 4 hits and a walk.