Comments on: The Braves are still hangin’, but Howard’s still hammerin’

By: BlueEdwards

BlueEdwards — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 17:34:09 +0000

The Bobby Cox signs of showing senility by pitching to Ryan Howard instead of intentionally walking him makes no sense to me. But do you know the tragedy of Bobby’s stubborness to continue to pitch to Howard: You may not believe it…..but had Bobby Cox decided to walk Ryan Howard instead of continuously pitching to him, the irony is that the Braves would have won their division and that alone wouldnt have been enough for Cox to do it anyway. If Cox had known that the Braves would have won their division plus get into the playoffs and WIN THE WORLD SERIES, Cox is so stubborn and senile that he still would have pitched to Ryan Howard. Cox has to go.

By: larry roberts

larry roberts — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 05:44:33 +0000

Enter your comments here I feel if we can win tommorows game wih hanson and sweep the mets and washington on the road next week we will be right in the thick of the wildcard race the last week of the season and may be fighting it out with the marlins in that series sept 28–30 for the wildcard. the next 7 games will be very crucial.

By: BIGGATLDAWG

BIGGATLDAWG — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 22:56:17 +0000

BOBBY COX IT’S TIME TO GO!!!!!!!! HELL YES I WALK RYAN HOWARD EVERY TIME HE HAS JUST KILLED YOU AND YOUR PLAYOFF CHANCES OVER AND OVER AGAIN…. I WALK HIM EVEN IF IT MEANS ONE RUN, I ‘LL TAKE MY CHANCES AGAINST THE REST OF THE TEAM.

By: Legend of Len Barker

Legend of Len Barker — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 22:35:33 +0000

I agree with the person who says Cox is running the risk of alienating Escobar. The talking to earlier this year was warranted and Yunel responded well. The kid is putting up great defensive numbers and has hustled every play, except that one. Joe Simpson initially noted that Escobar was mad at himself on the grounder. I don’t think it was as much lack of hustle as it was self-frustration. Hasn’t Bobby noticed that Yunel talks to himself after some at bats?

LaRoche didn’t hustle on the pick off attempt later in the game. He was not benched. Garret Anderson has dove for a ball exactly once this year. He hasn’t been benched. Chipper turned in some awful at bats and has had some defensive slips. Is he benched because of it? Never.

Yunel Escobar isn’t perfect, but he strikes me as the type that could be dealt with with positive reinforcement. Instead, he can’t dig his way out Cox’s doghouse with two shovels and a ladder.

By: Born2Buzz

Born2Buzz — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 20:52:11 +0000

Wow, i turned the game off after the 8th inning Medlin/Acosta show. They actually cut it back to 2 and Bobby runs Nunez out there?

Mark, I think even you have to admit Bobby has slipped.

By: Born2Buzz

Born2Buzz — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 20:38:09 +0000

OK MB, you are pro Bobby Cox and I know all the arguments both sides but last night is the 2nd time in the last 2 weeks a move by BC has With his team only down 3-1 going to the 8th inning, Bobby puts Medlin out there, a guy who obviously has been demoted, only pitching once in the last 10 games (i think) and what’s the kid do, walk the first batter and gives up a hit. And then, with the game still on the line, BC tops himself and brings in Manny Acosta. I turned the game off at that point.
This team has miraculously rallied of late to avoid completely dropping out of the playoff chase and every game from here on out is extremely important. And Bobby has to only put the best guys out there, Medlin is a good kid and I like his stuff. I think he’s going to be important, NEXT YEAR. And doesn’t everybody just wince a little whenever Acosta enters the game.
I’ll even give Bobby the pass on sitting his 2nd best run producer. I guess Escobar just doesn’t get it. Someone tell him that the fans pay a lot to allow him to be paid even more. We don’t expect the players to be perfect but we do expect every player to try their hardest every second they are out on the field. Wouldn’t his teammates expect the same.
But I expect Bobby Cox to give his best effort as well. And I’m just not seeing it.

By: Mark Bradley

Mark Bradley — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 17:42:50 +0000

Thanks, Hillbilly.

By: Hillbilly Deluxe

Hillbilly Deluxe — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 17:09:16 +0000

Mark, congrats on racking up another birthday, I’m not far behind you.

And then, asked how a player could fail to run hard in a game of such importance: “He just has lapses. I think he forgets.”

It’s admirable that Bobby tries to protect his players but damn. I’ve seen T-ball players forget and run to 3rd base instead of 1st; that I understand. I can’t understand a Major Leaguer not hustling. And that’s what it is, not hustling, not that something is forgotten. The guy has a world of talent but it’s time he got his head on straight.

Slightly off topic: Earlier in the summer I kept saying I expected the Fish to make a run, which I did, but they haven’t done it. I’ll violate all the rules of blogging here and admit I was wrong.

By: dub

dub — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 16:54:53 +0000

why was Chipper in the lineup anyway.you on a 7 games winning streak without him,an he’s hitting 3 for 69 still batting third,an Diaz & LaRoach hitting 7&8 what sense do that make. I told you Bobby Cox need to go he don’t have a clue of what he’s doing.

By: brent a.

brent a. — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 16:45:15 +0000

Dear Bobby Cox,

“With two men on?”

No Bobby, with no men on, or with one man on. You blew those two opportunities, and then Logan hits him with 2 men on on a 1-2 pitch.

Don’t play stupid Bobby; unless of course . . .