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
Steven L.
July 23rd, 2009
3:22 pm
3-0 win over Florida*
K
July 23rd, 2009
3:24 pm
Appreciate it.
He still should have been figured out by this point in the game.
Clemson538
July 23rd, 2009
3:25 pm
Mark i just keep reading that you think Kenshin is going to be moved into the set up role.. Im sorry but that is just ridiculous… he is getting paid WAY to much to be a set up man… that is one of the stupidest things i have heard in a long time.. sorry Mark.. The guy is making over 7 million a year.. way to much for a set up man.. especially one that has shown signs of being a very good starting pitcher in his first year with the MLB
Mark Bradley
July 23rd, 2009
3:25 pm
Zito has gone eight-plus innings twice this season. Once against Seattle (lost) and again against Florida (won).
Give him credit. He’s been good. Only three hits for the Braves — two in the second, Ross’ single in the seventh.
Gonzalez in to pitch the eighth. That’s four pitchers for the Braves in a 1-1 game.
And Schierholtz lines one off Gonzo’s back for a hit. It’s about to be five pitchers, I’d guess.
Roy Hobbs
July 23rd, 2009
3:26 pm
Nice at bat by Church. Did not turn out that great, but that might have been enough pitches to chase Zito.
nels
July 23rd, 2009
3:26 pm
infield single? what happended there?
Mark Bradley
July 23rd, 2009
3:27 pm
DOB thinks the ball hit Gonzo in the elbow. He’s out of the game. (Gonzo, not DOB.) Logan comes on. Five pitchers in a 1-1 game that’s only in the eighth.
Mark Bradley
July 23rd, 2009
3:29 pm
Left elbow on Gonzo. As they say on TV: We’ll pass along any update as soon as we get one.
Logan’s theme song: “Voodoo Chile.”
Jeremiah
July 23rd, 2009
3:30 pm
Crikey…I hope Gonzo is ok…
BamaBrave
July 23rd, 2009
3:31 pm
I agree with the Church at bat.
Mark Bradley
July 23rd, 2009
3:32 pm
Misplay by Kotchman, who doesn’t make many. Looked to second on Ishikawa’s bunt, threw too late to first to get the runner. Two on, zero out.
Steven L.
July 23rd, 2009
3:32 pm
Hey Mark,
Remember when I bitched about Bobby Cox using Gonzo in the meaningless situation last game of Mets series? Well he did it again the first game against the Giants with another 6 run lead. Now when we need him (Game 3 and 4 against the Giants) he struggles in Game 3 and gets beamed with a pitch in Game 4. Why we have this man pitching 4 times in 5 days is beyond me… but I do think this “freak” injury could have been avoided.
Mitchell
July 23rd, 2009
3:33 pm
Please take down the picture of that degenerate wife beating criminal.
I’d rather the Braves only have one World Series title than to have a bunch of October “heroes” who are a disgrace to their team*, a threat to society, embarrassments to their families (Daryl Strawberry, Cecil Fielder… ) and steroid users.
*Oh wait, the Yankees and their fans have no shame whatsoever. I forgot. They could care less that the guy in the picture is responsible for taking another person’s life. They should just give him a parade.
Actually that’s untrue. They feel sorry for him. They’re always like, “you hit a homerun in the world series and now you’re in jail again.”
“I know, I messed up.”
“It’s okay. We still love you.”
Mark Bradley
July 23rd, 2009
3:34 pm
And now Kotchman’s out of the game. Double-switch. Kelly to 2B, Prado to first, Moylan to pitch. Six pitchers in a 1-1 game. Yikes.
Bama Aaron
July 23rd, 2009
3:35 pm
What happened to Prado at 2nd?
Mitchell
July 23rd, 2009
3:35 pm
This is bulls***.
We’re going to win this game.
F* the Giants. F* the umps.
Robert Barron
July 23rd, 2009
3:35 pm
Mark you’re not a jinx. The bubble the Braves had that the Yankees popped may have be a prelude to all the bubbles we’ve had since then.
The_Superhoo
July 23rd, 2009
3:36 pm
WAY to go Kelly. Excellent work
goldglove?
July 23rd, 2009
3:36 pm
That’s at least TWICE Kotchman has screwed up a timing play to first…good grief! If you’re gonna SUCK at the plate…you can’t SCREW UP in the field!!!
Mark Bradley
July 23rd, 2009
3:36 pm
Can’t anybody here field a bunt? Juan Uribe drops one, Moylan throws to first but hits Uribe with the ball and Schierholtz scores on the error. Giants 2-1. Two on, nobody out. And Downs is trying to bunt again. I think I would, too.
Bank Walker, Texas Ranger
July 23rd, 2009
3:36 pm
I would say I hope this doesn’t go extra frames but it looks like we would be lucky to get past this inning
Mitchell
July 23rd, 2009
3:37 pm
Well done, whoever put Kelly into the game.
This is complete BULLS**T.
Chris from the Rock
July 23rd, 2009
3:37 pm
He was in the baseline. Worse officiating so far this year.
Craig "Speedy" Ehlo
July 23rd, 2009
3:37 pm
The work Bobby just did this inning alone on the lineup card convinces me that he still has it – It takes a serious Wonderlicht score to arrange the lineup with substitutions like that…
Oh wait, it’s not Bobby Cox anymore. Chino?
BamaBrave
July 23rd, 2009
3:37 pm
and why exactly did we take medlen out? for this?
Scott
July 23rd, 2009
3:38 pm
Mitchell – When you said “wife beating criminal” i thought you were referring to Bobby Cox
goldglove?
July 23rd, 2009
3:39 pm
Medlen should still be in. He was cruising and I do believe he has a starter’s arm? HELLO? And for the love of God can we EVER get a freaking call when someone is in the baseline?????
Crazy Trades McGee
July 23rd, 2009
3:40 pm
Is Booby going Crazy? why is he changing pitchers after every out?
Jeremiah
July 23rd, 2009
3:41 pm
Another example of how Scott is a jerk….BC never beat his wife! They had a verbal argument and he yelled at her, that’s not the same as “beating your wife”…
BamaBrave
July 23rd, 2009
3:42 pm
welp, put this one in the books, braves haven’t hit ALL day.
Craig "Speedy" Ehlo
July 23rd, 2009
3:43 pm
Can someone explain what just happened better than mlb.com? My guess is Moylan threw it into right field – was the runner in the base path? What did Kelly have to do with it?
Chris from the Rock
July 23rd, 2009
3:43 pm
I hate Randy Winn. He’s a Punch n Judy hitter against every team but the Braves.
arif11
July 23rd, 2009
3:43 pm
Good grief.
Jeff
July 23rd, 2009
3:43 pm
Mark, glad you are still taking responsiblity for one of your worst columns. I still bring up your ridiculous comparison to the ‘27 Yankees to my friends.
Angus
July 23rd, 2009
3:43 pm
Yep – the stars don’t seem to be aligned.
Bad luck in the 1st.
Crazy strike zone that only Zito has been able to take advantage of.
Short end of all the close calls (don’t you have to make the call when the runner’s in fair territory and there’s a collision?)
Didn’t get to finish……4-1.
The_Superhoo
July 23rd, 2009
3:43 pm
Game. No way today’s O can come back.
Mark Bradley
July 23rd, 2009
3:43 pm
Moylan has been charged with a throwing error on Uribe’s punt. On the bright side, he has struck out Downs and Bowker. But that man Winn drives in one run with a single and Uribe scores after Church’s throw skips past Chipper Jones at third base. It’s 4-1. And who was the idiot talking about the Braves’ great defense?
Why, yours truly. I am a jinx. No question.
Will
July 23rd, 2009
3:43 pm
Mark, yes you still know how to jinx a team. I know there may be an obligation to the AJC, but please ease up on the pieces about the Braves getting it together to make an October run. It always seems to be the cue for them to lay an egg. Three hits through seven and a Bad News Bears-esque 8th. Surely you’re not surprised.
Bank Walker, Texas Ranger
July 23rd, 2009
3:43 pm
Downs can’t even bunt, Johnson to SF
EW
July 23rd, 2009
3:43 pm
MB, wasn’t it you who stated earlier this year that KK would be a way too expensive bullpen option??
Bama Aaron
July 23rd, 2009
3:43 pm
hallelujah we got someone out and we’re done with Zito! maybe we can get a hit off their relievers…
Scott
July 23rd, 2009
3:44 pm
shouldn’t a run that happened because of a pitcher’s error be an earned run?
Mark Bradley
July 23rd, 2009
3:44 pm
And now Bad At-Bat Fred Lewis singles in Randy Winn. It’s all gone pear-shaped, as they say in England. And folks are leaving.
37YrBravesFan
July 23rd, 2009
3:45 pm
Wrong move to send down Conrad. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it…
GO BRAVES!!!
NC Braves Fan
July 23rd, 2009
3:45 pm
Mark B.: it may not be a good idea for you to buy lottery tickets, become an economist or a tee-vee weatherman anytime soon. Just sayin’.
Mark Bradley
July 23rd, 2009
3:45 pm
Acosta up in the pen, if anyone cares. And Lewis steals second.
Jeremiah
July 23rd, 2009
3:46 pm
Well SHIZZZZZNNNNIIIIT!
Joey
July 23rd, 2009
3:46 pm
Welcome back Kelly. I predicted this around noon. Chemistry. Brooks Conrad was right in the middle of this good run, and Bobby had to get KJ back up hereto mess up the chemistry. For what? He can’t hit ( one month per season), and he can’t field.
rusty
July 23rd, 2009
3:46 pm
I dont care if this has been asked or not I havent read all the posts….. WHY ISNT PRADO in the game? There is no reason for Kelly Johnson to be ahead of him.
Bama Aaron
July 23rd, 2009
3:46 pm
ok…this inning stinks… and my network is bogging down… gamecast is 2 batters behind on my computer and i’m late on my posts…..not a good afternoon