Don’t look now, but a playoff drive has come out of nowhere
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The Braves handed out “Believe” signs to those who entered Turner Field on Monday, not that a lot of folks deigned to enter. (Attendance was generously — very generously — announced as 25,046.) But we can’t blame anyone for being slow to catch on. Not this team. The Braves themselves weren’t sure they were in a playoff drive until … oh, about five minutes ago.
We’ve seen some Septembers in this city. We saw the worst-to-first’ers chase down the Dodgers in 1991, and we saw the Braves pass the Giants in the final six hours of the 1993 regular season to conclude what many claim was The Last Great Pennant Race. But we’ve never seen one quite like this, and neither has Bobby Cox, who has seen everything twice.
“We got in it a little bit late,” he said Monday night, and by “a little bit” he means “at the last possible instant.” But here Cox’s team is, two games back of Colorado in the wild card chase with six to go, and that’s not all!
Cox again: “We’re only four behind Philadelphia [in the NL East]. With six to go. But that might be stretching it. That’d take a little miracle.”
We’ve already seen the 2009 Braves work a mini-wonder. They were 8 1/2 games behind Colorado on the morning of Sept. 10, not even in fourth place in the wild card standings. (San Francisco, Florida and the Cubs were ahead of them.) They’ve lost twice since. They’re 15-2 and playing so well they don’t even have to hit to win: On Monday they mustered three hits and beat the Marlins 4-nil.
“We’ve got a chance to do it,” Cox said. “We’re watching the scoreboard every inning.”
There wasn’t much to watch Monday night. The Rockies were off, and the Phillies lost big to the Astros. And the Braves were otherwise occupied watching Jair Jurrjens do his best Russ Ortiz tap-dance — remember Russ Ortiz? — as he worked into and out of trouble. And then it was done and the Braves had gained a precious half-game and everybody was left to wonder: Is this really happening?
Terry Pendleton has been in pennant races galore. He hit a massive home run off Norm Charlton to help the Braves overhaul the Reds in 1992, five years after he’d hit a massive home run to help the Cardinals fend off the Mets. (Who was the Mets’ pitcher that night in Shea? Roger McDowell, who now coaches alongside Pendleton.) But even the grizzled T.P. hasn’t seen one quite like this.
Loading ...“The latest [point of pennant-race entry] was in August,” Pendleton said. “But we’d been up and down … We came home [over Labor Day weekend] and got swept by Cincinnati, and everybody else around the team — maybe not the guys themselves — thought it was over. But we went back on the road and played well and we showed signs.”
That was the pivot point. The Braves took two of three in Houston, then swept the Cardinals in St. Louis, then swept the Mets here. They lost two of three to the Phillies in what seemed another clear reversal, but they haven’t lost again. And they’re closing in on Colorado, which itself reached the World Series by winning 21 of 22 dizzying games in 2007.
“Guys have continued to battle,” said Pendleton, who was the battler’s battler. “We all believed we were capable of playing better than we’d played.”
It took them 5 1/2 months to figure out it, but they’re figuring like mad now. They’re two games out with six to play. They’ve got the softer schedule. They’ve got the wind at their backs. This can happen. It really could. As the signs said …
Believe.
(And here’s a little something about Monday night’s attendance, or the lack of same.)
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118 comments Add your comment
Here we go again
September 28th, 2009
10:59 pm
I’ve NEVER been first!
Here we go again
September 28th, 2009
11:00 pm
And if we do make the playoffs, who knows? The reason Bobby Cox only has one WS is because baseball’s post season is about who’s hot at the right time, not whose team really had the best year.
Mark Bradley
September 28th, 2009
11:01 pm
You have now. Kudos!
Here we go again
September 28th, 2009
11:05 pm
I now live in LA, 3 time zones over, which means I get to still be awake at all of the weird times you blog, MB. So maybe this won’t be the last time I’m first, either. It also means I would LOVE to see some braves playoffs games in Dodger stadium!
Mark Bradley
September 28th, 2009
11:06 pm
And that hot part is funny, too. You couldn’t have been any hotter than the Braves were in 1993, but they lost to the Phillies in what was then Round 1.
But more recent history has shown that’s it always better to be playing well down the stretch. The White Sox nearly blew their division in 2005 but rallied in the final week. And then they sailed through the postseason, losing only one game, as I recall.
Bill
September 28th, 2009
11:07 pm
The eye of the Tiger………..what took them so long to put it together? Mark keep up the good job. This is fun.
BnB
September 28th, 2009
11:07 pm
Concerning the Pendleton HR off of McDowell…Ron Darling was the Mets’ starting pitcher that day and he was already showered and walking out to his Mercedes in the parking lot thinking he had a win when that exact HR ball came bounding out of the stadium and hit his car leaving a dent in the door. He kept the car until he retired. True story.
cHARLIE
September 28th, 2009
11:09 pm
Win Lose or Draw, these Braves have shown heart. I havEn’t seen pitching this good in Atlanta sinced 1996
Mark Bradley
September 28th, 2009
11:09 pm
Hadn’t heard that one, BnB. That’s a dandy.
That home run is considered one of the low points in Mets’ history, and they’ve had several.
Bill
September 28th, 2009
11:11 pm
Frank Wren please don’t trade any pitchers this winter. Sign a good relief pitcher.
deja vu
September 28th, 2009
11:12 pm
Enter your comments here
Let’s just hope if they get in Bobby goes with the hottest arms and leaves Derrick Lowe in the pen. Vasquez, Jurgens, Hanson and Hudson looks like it would match up with about anyone, but Bobby will probably run Lowe out in game one and kill the momentum that got them there.
BnB
September 28th, 2009
11:13 pm
Just finished Darling’s book called “The Complete Game.” It’s quite good. I laughed out loud when I read that part. Even though they were thrashing us with regularity back then those Mets teams of the mid-80s were fun to watch. One of my all time favorite MLB ABs was when Nolan Ryan knocked down a pesky L. Dykstra and stared back at him as if to say, “Yeah, I did it.” Next pitch Lenny took him downtown!
Will
September 28th, 2009
11:13 pm
MB — I, too am on the west coast, in California. Born and raised in Atlanta … I can hardly contain my excitement right now, watching this from about 3,000 miles away. Yet — I’m SO ANGRY at the fans back in ATL. Seriously, show better for these games. This miraculous winning streak is really happening! I know it’s a football town, but the Bulldogs, Yellow Jackets and Falcons still have three months to go. These Braves need the fans NOW.
Robbie
September 28th, 2009
11:13 pm
This is almost making me as happy as BAMA rolling right along!!!!!!! BRAVES WIN THE SERIES (WORLD that is)……… BAMA WINS THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP!!!!! My life would be complete!!!
Keep it Rolling
September 28th, 2009
11:13 pm
I believe Braves… I just wish more fans would show and support our home team
ACE OF HEARTS
September 28th, 2009
11:14 pm
Enter your comments here Wouldn’t it be nice to have some of those blowed games back. Only look to the first series of the season in Philly that one hurt then and still hurts now. Factor in the blown saves and the infamous we were waiting on the ground ball game of Lowe and where would be now? Even if we only picked up half of those games we would be in front in the WC and very close in the division. There is reason to believe, if for no other reason than the Braves have made this last week of the season mean something and when was the last time we could say that.
BnB
September 28th, 2009
11:15 pm
Always easier to lose by ten runs than one where you think back over every booted ball or missed pitch. Would be awful to come up one half game shy!
Robbie
September 28th, 2009
11:18 pm
BnB that IS a great freakin story!!! I was a Brave at heart, but I LOVED the Mets during that time. So fun. So entertaining, and what GREAT entertainment they were!!!
Brett
September 28th, 2009
11:20 pm
EDITOR’s CORRECTION: Rockies off (not Marlins, they were playing Braves)
Gemini
September 28th, 2009
11:22 pm
I gotta keep doubting the Braves’ chances. Every single time I get my hopes up the Braves lose, so for now, I’m staying negative.
Michael
September 28th, 2009
11:23 pm
I think the race is really great, but I just have serious doubts if the Braves can make the playoffs. Take a look at every second-half series against the Phillies. The Braves were either swept or lost 2 of 3. I think there have been 4 series in the second half. Just notice where the Braves would be had they just won one of those series and not been swept once.
The postseason is a whole new game, but the Phillies will probably crush Atlanta if that matchup occurs.
VanMan
September 28th, 2009
11:25 pm
I think you meant “The Rockies were off.” Not the Marlins. The Braves were playing the Marlins, so they couldn’t be ‘off’. Unless you meant another kind of off, like ‘off their game’.
BnB
September 28th, 2009
11:25 pm
Roger that, Robbie. I’ve been a Braves fan since they came to ATL but how could you not like the Mets back then? I always loved that guy named Wally Backman. He could have played with Ty Cobb. A scrapper. Doc Gooden, Darling, Strawberry, Hernandez…they were cool. The 86 league championships and WS were arguably the best ever played. 91 wasn’t too bad either except the way it ended…;)
BnB
September 28th, 2009
11:27 pm
Heck, if we would just walk Ryan Howard every time he comes up we probably win half the games we lost to Philly.
Woo Hoo
September 28th, 2009
11:29 pm
The more recent home series sweep by cincy is what really stings. Losing 3 to them? Just win one and you’re only one back now. Win 2, which they should have and you’re tied. Then again, we swept SL in their yard so I guess it evens out.
BnB
September 28th, 2009
11:31 pm
Right, WooHoo. In all honesty that’s when I wrote them off.
Mitch C
September 28th, 2009
11:35 pm
Mark, I think the Braves have a legitimate shot to pull it off. The question may be: How hard are the Dodgers going to play to win games over the weekend, having already clinched the West? If L.A. wins another game or two, they end up with the best record, but one would think that L.A. would want to play the Braves in the first round, because the Braves would be the wild card team, if they make it, instead of having to play one of the division winners, Philly or St Louis.
The schedule says the Braves can pull it off. Hopefully, the Brewers and Dodgers can give us help.
I’m very proud of how we’re playing now.
Knuckle Sandwich
September 28th, 2009
11:35 pm
Believe Baby! ONE HEARTBEAT!
Herschel Talker
September 28th, 2009
11:51 pm
MB – very exciting stuff, but let’s not anoint them yet. If the Bravos lose one to the Marlins, and the Rockies take 2 of 3 from the Brewers, it will be very difficult; almost no room for error at that point. But you gotta love the schedule going forward.
That Cardinals-Rockies game yesterday really hurt. Why do I have a feeling that the one they let slip away in Colorado the day before the all-star break is going to really be a painful one? That was a 2-game swing. We’d be tied right now.
Rick in Big "D'
September 28th, 2009
11:53 pm
Enter your comments here
Note Error “The Marlins were off”. While they brought no bats. The Marlins did play. Go Braves!!
Steve
September 28th, 2009
11:58 pm
Keep chopping, guys! I remember all the titles as well as the years prior. I’m out of state now and miss the boys of summer, but my heart is right there at Turner Field. Go Braves! Believe!
JP
September 29th, 2009
12:05 am
Lets get Geeked up Braves fans….Bobby and Chipper are going to will us in to the playoffs. and there is no team that wants us, hot as firecrackers and with experience. No one wants to see these Bravo’s get in. Lets make it happen,,,,,I am Jacked
Ryder
September 29th, 2009
12:09 am
It’s just refreshing to say Braves-playoff chase once again. They have the best overall pitching in the National League, and who knew that the offense would finally begin clicking? As much as I loathe the Dodgers, I am firmly in their corner the last weekend of the season.
Kelly Johnson Fan Club
September 29th, 2009
12:10 am
If we can just handle JOSH JOHNSON tomorrow, I feel like we’ll be in good shape. Speaking of JOSH JOHNSON, another Johnson has had some success against him. KELLY JOHNSON is 4-for-10 (.400 batting average) with a triple and a walk (.400/.455/.600/1.055) against JOSH JOHNSON in his career. KELLY could be a nice pinch-hitting threat if TIM HUDSON is outlasted by JOSH JOHNSON.
Braves Fan
September 29th, 2009
12:10 am
I long to hear BRAVES WIN, BRAVES WIN, BRAVES WIN again!!!! Lets get behind this team and will this team into the playoffs. I never wanted something so bad in my life. Just one game at a time boys, thats all it takes! LETS GO BRAVES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Kelly Johnson Fan Club
September 29th, 2009
12:12 am
Considering the run we’re on, the Braves need a theme song for this stretch. I suggest BORN TO RUN by the Boss. I mean, the way they’re playing, they were BORN TO RUN!
Joe Johnson
September 29th, 2009
12:13 am
Hopefully the Dodgers can help us where the Cardinals failed: sweeping the Rockies.
That is, of course, assuming the Dodgers don’t get, you know … tired.
Billy
September 29th, 2009
12:14 am
It’s been incredible to see this team win like this. If we make it, I would be horrified to bet against us in the post season. Remember the Marlins in ‘97??????
Brandon Heat
September 29th, 2009
12:21 am
With a late run like this, I like our chances in the post-season, where, as they say, “anything can happen.” Wow, since 2007, we’re seeing much more playoff atmosphere in Atlanta.
Next step: playoff WINS!! (Glares at Thrashers and Dream … and Falcons)
Mark Bradley
September 29th, 2009
12:23 am
There’s no room for error, that’s true. But the Rockies have to be feeling the same pressure. The Braves have gained 3 1/2 games on them in a week.
Antonio Gramsci
September 29th, 2009
12:24 am
Bi-polar Mark Bradley’s pendulum swings back to the “they can do it” side! Yay!
JT
September 29th, 2009
12:28 am
Oh man! I kept watching and watching even after that bad Cincy trip. Total payoff. But where are the fans? Im in NY and I made it to Citi Field. If I was in ATL Id be there every game now.
Also, MB, can you please do a spotlight on Moylan. He has been the definition of clutch. The one hold that really stands out is Huddy’s first game back when he came in bases full w/ one out. Threw 2 pitches and got a DP. Havent seen many talking about it but he has been money for a long time now.
BugKiller
September 29th, 2009
12:29 am
People, stop making excuses for Bobby Cox’s epic failures in October. You sound like the people who try in vain to defend the indefensible Willie Martinez.
If the Braves somehow make the playoffs, does ANYONE actually trust Bobby Cox to make the right moves, to pick the right pinch hitters and know when to use them, and to actually handle his pitching staff well?
Who wants to bet Bobby would have Derek Lowe and NOT either Vasquez or Hanson, is two best pitchers, pitching in the first game?
Who wants to bet Greg Norton would make the playoff roster?
Bobby Cox is simply unable to make the right decisions in October because he flat out refuses to change his management style when the situation demands he does so.
He manages October as if it were April. And him refusing to retire this year will destroy any chance an excellent team next year has of winning it all.
Selfish and a terrible post season manager. Great combination.
Schulz
September 29th, 2009
12:36 am
Can the AJC please put out an APB to all Braves fans on the cover tomorrow! Im at school in NC and its hard to imagine that no one is at that stadium! I might just drive the six hours down and go to one of the games this weekend if its tied or a one game difference. So, all of you who live 5-55 minutes from the stadium (my parents included) should get down there and make the stadium a little more intimidating than a high school soccer game.
Joey
September 29th, 2009
12:42 am
“The Marlins were off, and the Phillies lost big to the Astros.” I think you meant Rockies, MB.
Turlock Brave
September 29th, 2009
12:47 am
I’m hoping the Braves can avoid the Bradley curse (no offense). It seems like every time the team got on a streak this year, a post like this is published, and everything goes to pot. Whatever happens, this is the most fun I’ve had in years watching the Braves.
Kelly
September 29th, 2009
12:54 am
Something about this just feels really strange. Just like 1991 and 1993 did. The ends of those seasons were pure magic. I hope and pray the return of that feeling means some true, pure magic is coming our way this year too. I haven’t been this excited in years about September baseball.
And I really want them to win it for Skip. I would give almost anything to hear him calling these games and hear his take on it all.
Coach (2010-Mr.Overrated retires)
September 29th, 2009
12:55 am
Don’t look now but our Braves playoff chances just took a huge hit. Josh Johnson, who was held out of Sunday’s scheduled start due to a 101.5 degree temperature has been cleared to start today’s game. The Marlins Ace is 15-5 with an ERA of 3.12 and has never lost at Turner Field.
We are gonna need a miracle.
Fred
September 29th, 2009
12:56 am
Quit whining at the “fans.’ We didn’t leave, we were THROWN OUT. Remember when there was a change in venue from Fulton County to Turner Field? The wonderful Braves management decided that they didn’t really need there long time season ticket holders and wanted their ‘corporate sponsors” instead. When the change in venue was made, they gave OUR seats to Corporate sponsors and their “not from Atlanta’ executives and told us to like it or leave. I for one left. Oh and you can get my old seats from a scalper, the “corporate sponsor” sells them the tickets that they aren’t using now that going to the Braves games isn’t the “in” thing anymore.
Basically they turned Turner Field into baseballs version of Chastain Park. The good seats all go to folks who go to be “seen’ not to see the game.
Ostrich Racer
September 29th, 2009
1:02 am
BuzzKiller, save it for the post mortem, if it comes to that. Try to relax and enjoy the ride — that’s what baseball is about. You’re missing out on a lot of fun by obsessing over Cox. We’ve all been wishing for meaningful late September baseball for several years — here it is. Live it, love it.
Mark Bradley
September 29th, 2009
1:02 am
Thanks, folks, for playing copy editor. The Marlins weren’t off; the Rockies were. Although the Marlins could easily have been off, if you watched them half-attempt to play.
The error has been fixed. Too late for the print edition, alas. But never too late for the ol’ Web.
Kelly
September 29th, 2009
1:05 am
Fred, I wasn’t aware of that. Don’t hear stuff like that when you live hundreds of miles away. That’s really too bad, and depressing to hear.
I know out of all the times I’ve been to Turner Field, I was only able to get seats behind home plate (maybe 15 rows back) one time, and that was the very first game I ever went to back in 1997. They always said they were “reserved,” and then naturally when you get there, hardly none of the seats are taken.
Now, of course, they’ve been priced way out of my budget (and the budget for any non-millionaire).
Kelly
September 29th, 2009
1:07 am
MB, I really don’t mean to add to your troubles, but the headline of the article shows up as “Den’t look now…” at the top of my browser. On the actual article it’s fine.
Mark Bradley
September 29th, 2009
1:12 am
Thanks, Kelly. When you write headlines on a post, you actually have to do it twice. The second time — the one that goes to search engines — is the one that had “den’t.” Took me a while to find the error, but I fixed it, too.
Thanks again.
Fans seemingly uninspired by inspired baseball « Rowland's Office
September 29th, 2009
1:13 am
[...] may take all six remaining games to match that figure. According to Mark Bradley, Monday night’s attendance was “generously — very generously — announced as [...]
Steveo
September 29th, 2009
1:16 am
Just bought tickets for Wednesdays game against the fish. Can’t wait to go. We need some sell outs! Hopefully we will be one game back that night! Thanks for the articles Mark good stuff. I think the baseball gods owe colorado a collapse after that amazing run in 07. I love this chase. At the least i hope we keep it close till the end. I have to admit i jumped off the bandwagon after the cin series. But I am back on till the end! Go Braves!
OptimisticInTexas
September 29th, 2009
1:19 am
I’m really looking forward to making my first trip to the Ted and watch some playoff baseball. Eagerly watching the race unfold in South Texas… Let’s GO BRAVES!
Steveo
September 29th, 2009
1:22 am
Just bought tickets for weds game against the fish! Can’t wait to go. Get up Atlanta and get into this race. I am fired up I am probably one of the few people who think postseason baseball is better than any other sport event out there. You get into every pitch! Hopefully we force a playoff game against Col. I love our chances against them with Javy pitching! Go Bravos! And thanks mark for the blog and column. Hopefully we can get atlanta fired up. I love our playoff chances if we get in. Hot, with great pitching and timely hitting? This is the first braves team in a long time that i can remember doesn’t rely on the long ball.
Jack
September 29th, 2009
1:25 am
The atlanta braves faithful are a joke. We are possibly putting together one of the greatest late season playoff runs and no one in atlanta seems to care. There’s a reason David Justice went off on braves fans in 95, but he did get a response from them. That game six was probably the loudest game ever in fulton county. I wouldn’t mind if someone on this squad sent a little message to the fans. they need it. sorry to hate, but its deserving.
Drew
September 29th, 2009
1:45 am
As a ATL native now living in truly BEAUTIFUL Denver, it’s embarrassing to explain to my friends here why the Ted was only half-full for this game. How is it the Rockies drew over 40,000 Sunday even though the Broncos-Raiders game (the Broncos’ biggest rivals) was on TV at the same time? Denver is full of transplants from other cities just like ATL, so what gives?
UGA75
September 29th, 2009
1:54 am
Drew as it has been pointed out so many times Atlanta and the surrounding area are more college and even high school fans than Major League Baseball. With the economy so poor people have to make decisions about where to spend their money, and until now the Braves were not much of a consideration. If they sweep the Marlins or even win 2 of 3 then I expect full houses this weekend.
Stormchaser
September 29th, 2009
2:14 am
Miracles happen every day and I hope the Braves get their’s. This is the most fun I have had watching baseball since Smoltz, Maddux, and Glavine were all still on the team. Can you give them a nudge, Skip?
dave
September 29th, 2009
2:15 am
I can’t sleep; just got up to see what I could read about the Braves . . . my Lord, I’m 57 years old and I feel like I’m 7 and goin’ to see the Crackers play at old “Poncey” with my dad again (are you there Mr. Bisher?)!! I just bought 4 tickets for tonight’s game, I can’t miss another one as long as they are in it! Man-o-Man MB, I wish Grizzard were alive for this final week of the season!!! GO BRAVES!!!!!
Drew
September 29th, 2009
2:34 am
UGA75,
That still doesn’t answer my question.
Denver is 100% a Broncos town, even more than UGA is in Atlanta; they have sold out every home game for over 30 years and were playing the Raiders, which is far and away their most hated rival. The area surrounding Denver is chock-full of outdoor activities. The economy has affected Denver almost as much as it has affected Atlanta. And yet the Rockies drew well over 40,000 for the game Sunday, even though the Broncos game was available for free on television at the same time.
I’m sorry, but there’s no excuse for only drawing 20,000 for a game of this magnitude.
Ken Stallings
September 29th, 2009
2:49 am
I keep saying it folks. The economy has made a serious dent in the attendance. With school back in session, the attendance must come entirely from the metro Atlanta area. And the metro Atlanta area has been especially hard hit by the recession. The unemployment rate in the Atlanta area is well over 13 percent now and that doesn’t include the people officially off the roll because they been out of work too long.
Drew, the information I have seen doesn’t bear out that the Colorado area is as hard hit as the Atlanta area. You are also comparing a weekend game to a weekday game and that’s a totally different situation. The Braves will draw well this weekend because folks can travel from outside the metro area.
I live in eastern New Mexico now. If I still lived in Douglasville like I did years ago, I’d be at the games. It is unfortunate that this magnificent last-minute playoff run has taken place at the worst economic time in the entire history the Braves have been in Atlanta. But, it has, and folks cannot lose sight of that hard reality.
UGAKev {true dawg fan}
September 29th, 2009
3:00 am
Look if the braves make the playoffs I will be there and I am sure over 50,000 would show up. Braves fans just think negative and still dont believe we can make the playoffs this season because the Braves have let us down so much.
Ross
September 29th, 2009
3:29 am
There are several reasons people don’t go to the park and it has nothing to do with support for the team – which, judging by the volumes of comments over on DOB’s blog, is very strong.
1) The stadium is in the worst possible location. There are no vistas, parking is pain, access is down one clogged artery. WHY did they put the new stadium there? If the stadium were in Atlantic Station it would be full every night.
2) The stadium nazis. There are so many Braves’ personnel watching everyone and every move that it feels like being in a prisoner of war camp. I feel like tunneling under the wall to get out of there.
3) Food – ghastly and expensive.
4) Seats – too closely packed and no leg room. I’m 6′2″ and I can barely fit. I end up out of my seat for most of the game, watching from some cubby hole until a Braves nazi runs me off.
5) That horrible TV in center field. Real baseball fans don’t want to see a giant TV and stupid fan tricks.
6) The generally DIsneyland atmosphere and fake plastic tree approach to the whole thing.
7) The PA announcer. Someone make him stop.
It’s a bad baseball experience at the Ted no matter how the team does.
-drl
Ross
September 29th, 2009
3:33 am
Enter your comments here
Ross
September 29th, 2009
3:36 am
There are several reasons people don’t go to the park and it has nothing to do with support for the team – which, judging by the volumes of comments over on DOB’s blog, is very strong.
1) The stadium is in the worst possible location. There are no vistas, parking is pain, access is down one clogged artery. WHY did they put the new stadium there? If the stadium were in Atlantic Station it would be full every night.
2) The stadium gestapo. There are so many Braves’ personnel watching everyone and every move that it feels like being in a prisoner of war camp. I feel like tunneling under the wall to get out of there.
3) Food – ghastly and expensive.
4) Seats – too closely packed and no leg room. I’m 6′2″ and I can barely fit. I end up out of my seat for most of the game, watching from some cubby hole until a Braves n/\zi runs me off.
5) That horrible TV in center field. Real baseball fans don’t want to see a giant TV and stupid fan tricks.
6) The generally DIsneyland atmosphere and fake plastic tree approach to the whole thing.
7) The PA announcer. Someone make him stop.
It’s a bad baseball experience at the Ted no matter how the team does.
-drl
Coach (2010-Mr.Overrated retires)
September 29th, 2009
4:23 am
There are several reasons for the fans who are “missing in action”
So much postseason failure in recent years has jaded many who follow the Braves, they don’t generally show up unless the team is in the World Series.
Ever noticed how the Ted is packed when the Cubbies, Red Sox and other big drawing teams come to town? It’s because they live in the area but are non-Brave baseball fans.
The economy is in the worst recession since World War II which takes most of the disposable income away from the middle class. They simply cannot afford to attend the games right now.
From what I have read and seen, the recent flooding has devastated the local infrastructure and left many homeless. Baseball is the last thing on the minds of many of these people.
Then there are those who simply walked away after the baseball strike of 1994 and never returned, coupled with the move from Fulton County Stadium to Turner Field which priced out some of the loyal fans.
………………
I have a few suggestions for the Braves brain trust.
Build a Marta spur connecting the Ted to the rail system in Atlanta. Ted Turner no longer has anything to do with the Braves, why can’t the place have a proper name like ” Aaron Field House” ???? Lower the ticket prices, parking and the cost of amenities like hot dogs and such. The players are the biggest marketing tool the organization has, make them more accessible to the fans on a regular basis for autographs and pictures. A retractable roof would have avoided rain outs, and some of those boiling hot summer games but too late now!
Oh yea, if the Braves management showed as much loyalty to the fans as the have to Bobby Cox, maybe there wouldn’t be so many empty seats.
Sadtoseeitthisway
September 29th, 2009
4:33 am
A message to Drew: We all feel braves fans have let down their team by not showing up. It`s disappointing yes, especially to those far away and cannot be there. Tomorrow`s newspapers will list well over 20,000 fans. Huh? What? Not that many! Who`s doing the counting? Somewhere, the need to tell the truth in attendance figures went out the window. Look around and you see a lot of empty seats. A LLLOT of EMPTY seats. That`s the reality here folks. Don`t say they are empty because season ticket holders didn`t show up. We have seen Turner Field when it is full. Tonight`s crowd if we generously say was over 20,000. Oh, they must be including the people who work there. And, maybe the people who work outside including parking lot workers, souvenier vendors, and many unofficial ticket sellers. THEN! Maybe the numbers add up. CLOSE, but STILL NOT the numbers they say are there.
#2 BAMA FAN
September 29th, 2009
4:49 am
GO BRAVES AND YES WE BELIEVE!!
Hooter Girl
September 29th, 2009
6:10 am
How “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart” for the theme song?
Hooter Girl
September 29th, 2009
6:11 am
Excuse me, that is how about “Dont Go Breaking My Heart”
Marc in FL
September 29th, 2009
7:07 am
Attendance is down cause Georgia is a football state. Same reason why no other teams have tried to start up in any of the surrounding states (other than FL, also a football state, and you see how the Marlins and Rays just bring them in in droves).
People blame it on the economy and transplants, etc. What’s ATL’s population? More than enough to sustain a baseball team and draw a big fanbase every night even if half the city was broke. And don’t even bother with the “transplants” argument. I live in FL, there is no state that has more transplants than where I live. But I’ve also learned that around 20-30% of transplants pick up the sporting teams of where they move too, so people moving to ATL should actually increase the number of Braves fans in the area.
The problem is this area is mostly football fans who live in the suburbs outside of Atlanta and getting in and our of the ballpark is a pain in the rear. Put a Marta stop next to the stadium and make is possible for people to be at the game by 7 and at home by 11 on a typical game night and people will come.
luvthosedawgs68
September 29th, 2009
7:18 am
I believe!!!!!!!!!!!! Just win, BABY!!!!!!!
Mark Bradley
September 29th, 2009
7:22 am
How about “Rocky Mountain Way”? (Joe Walsh.) Or “Wild Thing”? (Troggs.) Or “Fever”? (Peggy Lee. Pennant fever.)
the Truth...
September 29th, 2009
7:23 am
Yep….just imagine what might have been if Bobby had not insisted on pulling Hanson two weeks ago when he had an 8 inning shutout…there’s one behind….
How many more of those have there been?
BDubs
September 29th, 2009
7:25 am
I BELIEVE.
Mark Bradley
September 29th, 2009
7:25 am
Not to be a contrarian, but Cox removed Jair Jurrjens last night after seven innings. And the Braves won. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t.
BraveCat
September 29th, 2009
7:44 am
To to folks out there dumping on the Braves “faithful” i.e., FANS. If I am home…..Braves are on my TV. If I am not home, I am at a game. I AM a fan. But I am scared to get excited because I don’t want to jinx them. But I do BELIEVE they can do it.
tiger297
September 29th, 2009
7:45 am
Mark not sure that is a fair comparison…Jurrjens was battling without his best stuff last night and had to work out of trouble the previous 2 innings while Hanson was still cruising…I’m confident you can come up with a better example to support your position
Matt
September 29th, 2009
8:07 am
The excuses about the economy are laughable. I guess you folks haven’t noticed what’s going on in Detroit with the Tigers. If any city in the country has the “economy” excuse, it’s Detroit, but they are still cramming people into the park.
gayle
September 29th, 2009
8:10 am
Good call Ross – I agree. Going to Turner Field is like going to Six Flags. They have ruined the baseball experience.
And I also agree with other bloggers who suggest that the poor attendance at these “crucial” games is because this team has gone to the altar so many times and come away empty all but once.
Win a post season series for the first time since 2001 and maybe some of the faithful may come – but until you do, don’t expect a full house – not unless you’re playing the Cardinals. Then the stands will be a sea of red.
Wynn
September 29th, 2009
8:13 am
It’s all pretty exciting, if the Braves can keep it up. What I remember is the four game series with Colorado right before the all-star break. The Braves led all those games in late innings, but blew two of them before Gonzalez went on the DL. I guess he was pitching hurt. Wouldn’t at least one of those games be big right now? But, why look back now?
Pittsburgh Al
September 29th, 2009
8:34 am
Let’s face it folks. We had all thrown them under the bus. Fire Bobby! Trade Chipper! Crucify Wren! Pretty amazing rally on the Braves part. Unfortunately, all they can do is win 6 more games and hope. That would make 13 in a row. Pretty unlikely, but then this whole push was unlikely. Even then the Rockies have to lose 2 games. The other unfortunate piece is that the Braves have lost a good bit of their fan base after a very up and down season. Most have gone on to football and little attention or effort to attend games is being given to the Braves.
Finally
September 29th, 2009
8:37 am
Finally! A race issue we can ALL talk about!!!!
GO BRAVES!
brandon
September 29th, 2009
8:42 am
and now, the jynx is in place.
BnB
September 29th, 2009
8:43 am
Enter your comments here
Does anyone think we are here if we hang on to Glav and Smoltz one more year for old times sake? No one really liked the way either of these moves went down but they were both the correct move. Change can be harsh. I wonder about Chipper’s re-signing and how many games we might have won if we had not felt compelled to start him with his myriad of nagging injuries. And i think you have to call the signing of LaRoche as the–no pun intended–master stroke of in season moves. He loves the Braves and has been a catalyst all summer. Watching Kotchman weakly ground out to second.with men on is probably the indelible image of the our offensive woes prior to the Great Cleansing.
David
September 29th, 2009
8:46 am
Here’s the problem I see. Football has changed the American sports fan. In football, one game means so much more than in baseball. Baseball is a patient sport for patient fans, and I don’t think there are too many of those around these days. Yes, the Bravos have taken us on a roller coaster the past few months, but it just goes to show anything can happen with so many games involved. And it also shows us what Bobby is great at, navigating a team through the 162-game marathon. I agree he can be criticized for single-game decisions, but he knows how to get a team from game 1 to game 162 better than anybody.
David
September 29th, 2009
8:49 am
Seriously ATL’ers…get to the stadium. That turnout what pathetic last night. Who knows the next time the Braves will be pushing for a playoff spot.
Rob
September 29th, 2009
8:55 am
Just had a bad thought; what if it comes down to where the Rockies/Dodgers series and the Braves are 1 game back? If the Dodgers beat the Rockies to where the Braves make the playoffs, the first team the Dodgers will most likely face is….the Braves! Chances are the Dodgers won’t want to face a flamin’ Braves team that won the season series against them first round of the playoffs, so its possible that they might just lay down and throw the last 3 games for an easier first round playoff. I’m kinda hoping that the Braves can at least tie up the Rockies before the weekend so it doesn’t get to that point.
Mark Bradley
September 29th, 2009
8:57 am
I wouldn’t want to face the Braves. I know that.
Braves Mom
September 29th, 2009
9:00 am
I am more nervous about tonight with Hudson on the mound. I feel much more comfortable with Hanson, Vazquez, and J.J. Hopefully Huddy will have a good outing and the offense will be good.
When does Lowe pitch again? He makes me more nervous than Huddy.
I still believe though, crazier things have happened.
At least this week will be fun to watch!
Chef montuer
September 29th, 2009
9:01 am
Braves will next 2 games to Marlins. It’s over nuckelheads
Mike
September 29th, 2009
9:05 am
It isn’t the Marlins that will cost the Braves……..Cincinnati.
Mike Lum
September 29th, 2009
9:08 am
I’ll call MARTA and see if they can put in that spur in time for tonight’s game. Yesterday there were plenty of “Chipper’s got nuthin” posts…good thing Cox didn’t bench him or lower him in the lineup!
David made some points with his 8:46 post.
Don
September 29th, 2009
9:10 am
Obviously, the team cannot look back, but must concentrate on winning every game and hope for the best from the Rockies results. But from a fans view, Don’t the people who are not praising Bobby Cox realize that every single one of the games Bobby Cox blew earlier in the season – counts just as much as the games being played now.
Coach (2010- Mr. Overrated retires)
September 29th, 2009
9:11 am
I’ll second my Marta suggestion as a rail spur would do wonders for the fans.
EXAMPLE: I went to two Vikings games at the Metrodome last season. Getting to the dome was so damn simple. Ride a free shuttle from our hotel to the Mall of America, jump on the light rail at the Mall and ride it right to the Dome which is two blocks away from the rail stop.
Getting out of the dome after both games and to our hotel room took all of an hour (the light rail tickets are round trip), then back to the Mall of America with the whole family for a sit down dinner. The only time we had to drive was coming into and out of Minneapolis.
This is what a Marta spur could potentially do for many Braves fans.
Mike Lum
September 29th, 2009
9:14 am
I’ll call MARTA and see if they can get that spur in place in time for tonight’s game. Yesterday there were plenty of “Chipper’s got nuthin” posts…good thing Bobby didn’t bench him, like all the “experts” would have.
David made some good points with his 8:46 post.