Presenting the thumbnail guide to the 2010 Atlanta Braves
This was Ejection No. 150. There has been one more since. (AJC photo by Curtis Compton)
One more season for a club, one last ride for the Thumb King. Bobby Cox is retiring as manager after the 2010 Braves, who are congregating for spring training, finish playing, and one of the summer’s subplots will be to see if the all-time ejection leader can lay claim to being the first (and surely the last) man ever to be thrown out of a full season’s worth of games. (Meaning 162.)
It will take determination and stamina and some luck, but I’m thinking Cox can do it. (He’s at 151 ejections and counting.) As for his final team … well, let’s let our own thumbs do the work.
Thumbs up for youth. Jair Jurrjens is 24 and nearing All-Star status. Tommy Hanson is 23 and finished third in the 2009 Rookie of the Year voting. Jason Heyward is 20 and might be named the 2010 Rookie of the Year. Freddie Freeman is 20 and might be named the 2011 Rookie of the Year. Arodys Vizcaino is 19 and might salvage the Javier Vazquez trade for Frank Wren. Put simply, the Braves can match prospects with any club.
Thumbs down for age. Chipper Jones is 37 and is coming off his worst season. Derek Lowe is 36 and is coming off his worst season since 2004. The Braves re-signed Tim Hudson, who’s 34 and who had arm surgery in 2008. They signed Billy Wagner, who’s 38 and who likewise had arm surgery in 2008. They signed Troy Glaus, who’s 33 and who had shoulder surgery last summer. They signed set-up man Takashi Saito, who’s 40. That makes two starting pitchers, two key relievers and two corner infielders on the far side of 30, three of whom have had surgery in the past two years. That’s a lot of risk.
Thumbs up for the bullpen. Even if some of them are old, there are a lot of arms here. It will be tough even for Cox to overtax this relief corps. Though he’ll try.
Thumbs down for the outfield. Heyward could turn this into a thumbs-up just by himself, but that’s probably too much to ask of a rookie who mightn’t even begin the season in the big leagues. Without him in the mix, the Braves are looking at some combination of Matt Diaz, Nate McLouth and Melky Cabrera. That’s substandard.
Thumbs up for the rotation. Hudson, Lowe, Hanson, Jurrjens and Kenshin Kawakami — that’s a good group.
Thumbs down for the rotation. With Vazquez, it would have been a great group.
Thumbs up for the farewell tour. Teams across the majors will line up to pay tribute on his final visit. Cox will hate it — after a career in the spotlight, he still gets antsy doing an on-camera interview — but it will be nice to see the rest of the sport acknowledge what too many of us locals have taken for granted or discounted entirely: That this is among the handful of greatest managers ever.
Thumbs down for winning one for the skipper. This is baseball. Rah-rah stuff doesn’t work. (If it did, Larry Bowa would have been Walter Alston.) The desire to send Cox out a winner might flare in September, provided the Braves are still in it, but it won’t be evident in April or June or August. These guys play 162 games. Nobody can stay geeked up for that long.
Loading ...Thumbs up for the Phillies’ flub. The team that has won three division titles in succession had a chance to assemble the best 1-2-3 array since Maddux, Glavine and Smoltz but traded Cliff Lee once they’d landed Roy Halladay. Asked about Halladay, Cox said: “At least we don’t have to face the other guy, too.”
Thumbs down for the feisty Fish. Over the past two seasons the Florida Marlins have won 13 more games than the Braves and have finished ahead of them both times. This winter Florida didn’t do as it traditionally does — sell off its good young players. On the contrary, the Marlins re-upped both pitcher Josh Johnson and second baseman Dan Uggla.
The all-thumbs forecast: Someone else will finish first in the East, but it won’t be the Braves. Florida will edge the Phillies. The Braves will win 85 games, one down from last season, and come home third, same as last season. And then the real fun will begin: Who replaces the Thumb King?
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202 comments Add your comment
Audience participation time! Rate Braves' offseason moves! | Mark Bradley
February 19th, 2010
9:40 am
[...] The Braves made some moves, as you know. (Say this for Frank Wren: He’s a movin’ man.) Here’s what I think of this club as currently configured, but I’d like a little audience participation, too. Tell me which transactions you liked, and [...]
can it be
February 19th, 2010
9:42 am
first!
can it be
February 19th, 2010
9:43 am
first again!
Mark Bradley
February 19th, 2010
9:45 am
It can be, can it be. Kudos again.
PMC
February 19th, 2010
9:54 am
Didn’t Kenshin Kawakami pitch really well and or beat Halladay last season? I seem to remember him matching up really well in the big games anyway. He just wasn’t consistant.
The problem with every other relevant team in this division is that even though many of the services wonder about the Marlins ability to score runs…. those of us who watch the Braves everyday Know how anemic they are. That’s why the hitting coach catches so much flack. Even the guys that can hit will have a scattered double here and there and the guys that hit behind them find it impossible to drive them in.
THis may well be another year when they lose 25 games by 1 or 2 runs and that is fairly depressing knowing that there really is nothing they can do to truely improve the lineup given the salary structure.
BuckCommander
February 19th, 2010
9:55 am
Late to the party again!!
1eyedJack
February 19th, 2010
9:57 am
Here’s hoping that everybody stays healthy and plays up to their potential. If so the Braves will be in the mix come Sept.
BuckCommander
February 19th, 2010
9:59 am
Serves me right since I was over on a JS blog fooling around. I feel like Tiger now having cheated on you Mark. I’m sorry, please forgive me.
MatthewH
February 19th, 2010
9:59 am
Sadly, I too think the Braves will finish third. But what will make the seaon a “win” for me is that the Mets will finish last-even behind the Nationals.
DawginLex
February 19th, 2010
10:06 am
The Marlins won’t finish first. The manager is arguing with management. He is next in line to replace Bobby.
Phils and Braves will fight it out.
Phils will win division.
Braves edge cubs for wild card.
Rockies win the west.
Cards win the central.
Dodger divorce takes LA to its knees and frustrates Torre.
giants finish 2nd because of pitching.
Braves lose in first round of playoffs.
Gonzalez announced as new manager.
Ted M
February 19th, 2010
10:15 am
If the Braves go with a 4 man outfield rotation of McLouth, Heyward, Diaz and Schafer we will surprise a lot of people.
Ted M
February 19th, 2010
10:16 am
Gonzalez who?
Wren Hater
February 19th, 2010
10:21 am
I have an enlarged thumbnail image of Frank “Wrong Again” Wren I have placed in my toilet and use for target practice.
Wren Hater
February 19th, 2010
10:25 am
I wish 2008 had been Frank ‘Wrong Again’ Wren’s “FAREWELL TOUR” with our beloved Braves.
Cal Ripken says “hello,” Wren. (No, not really.)
Barrington
February 19th, 2010
10:28 am
I wish I could truly believe the Braves will have a good year but Cox always increases skepticism. He just makes too many bone-headed decisions that make you want to pull your hair out. Cox doesn’t seem to know how to manufacture runs and the hitters seem a bit inpatient at times. The Braves will make the playoffs only if 3-5 guys have career years and Chipper stay’s healthy.
matt r
February 19th, 2010
10:32 am
So Mr. Bradley, when Vazquez regresses to his normal self this year, will you give us “I told you he was no good” based on your statements when we traded for him to begin with?
travis
February 19th, 2010
10:33 am
this article is crazy the phillies are going to win the east agian! The braves will win the wild card and will take the season series from the phillies and beat them in the playoffs due to deeper pitching. The phillies have no one great after holladay and happ who gave us issues last year and brad lidge is stil the closer. The older players on the braves are playing for there job next year wagner, soito, glaus all are free agents at the end of the year and they will be motivated for a new contract.
J-Bone
February 19th, 2010
10:36 am
the braves still have one of the best all around rotations in the league. If they can provide just a little offense they will improve on last years season, and you really think they’re going to finish third???
J-Bone
February 19th, 2010
10:37 am
I understand we have aging stars on the team, but it wouldnt be the first time an older team got to the playoffs.
JEZ
February 19th, 2010
10:38 am
Dawginlex, I think your assessment is prob dead on with all accounts!
jeffrey d
February 19th, 2010
10:38 am
Gonzalez who?
Fredi Gonzalez.
It’s funny because I’m usually a very pessimistic person, but I’ve only seen the bright side of the Braves’ moves
-Wagner and Hudson were great in limited time last season
-Troy Glaus was good in 2008, and the Braves examined him and deemed him healthy and in good shape to play baseball. Also, at $2 millon, it’s a low-risk, high-reward situation
-Compared to 2009 Greg Norton, Hinske is a Hall of Famer. So even if Bobby wanted to, he couldn’t kill important rallys by putting someone like Norton out there (but watch him pinch hit Moylan)
-I think the rotation is great (not good). 1-5 I think it’s the best in baseball. 1-3 I think it’s top five. And with a surplus in pitching, Wren bought low and sold sky high on Vazquez and got a top prospect (1 year of Vazques vs. 5 years of Vizcaino)
three jack
February 19th, 2010
10:38 am
replace the thumb king? that’s easy…he lives in atlanta, had a successful run as a manager and came up in the braves system…CALL NED YOST!
Al Beeski
February 19th, 2010
10:38 am
Hey Mark,
I really HATE all our corner options which should be your offensive production sans a healthy chipper & possibly Heyward. There is no way you can say you’re excited about the “potent” Glaus/Hinske & Diaz/Melky platoons. But if Huddy turns into the Huddy of old & gives us 15 wins, I’m ecstatic about the rotation, and our chances for a Division title.
jeffrey d
February 19th, 2010
10:41 am
I have an enlarged thumbnail image of Frank “Wrong Again” Wren I have placed in my toilet and use for target practice
Do you really need practice aiming? It’s not that hard, man.
Dave Northman
February 19th, 2010
10:43 am
Braves have to have a bopper to have a chance. Chipper comes back and hits 40 and they look good. He hits a cool .286 with 87 RBI and third place might look good. Some speed at the top wouldn’t hurt either.
McCann, by the way, is the man. And Mr. Cox ain’t no angel, but is he is a damn good guy and a great manager. How do I know? Just ask all the players who ever worked for him. What else do you need to know?
Jesse Stone
February 19th, 2010
10:46 am
Fredi Gonzalez is not a good manager. If you think Cox makes questionable moves, watch more Marlins games. The fans down here (all 12 of them) are ready to run this guy out of town. the semi-success of the Marlins is due to their scouting department, not Fredi’s managing skills.
SCDAWG
February 19th, 2010
10:48 am
Pitching is the name of the game people.Not saying the braves will win it all but because of the pitching they WILL be there in September.
Jesse Stone
February 19th, 2010
10:49 am
Dave- Managing a baseball team is easy to do from a sofa. All these little league baseball coaches and hindsight managers know much more baseball than Bobby Cox. Why listen to people in the industry when you can get all your baseball knowledge from these clowns?
Jesse Stone
February 19th, 2010
10:54 am
Imposter at 10:49. Why me?
Asheville Dawg
February 19th, 2010
10:57 am
Braves finish third, at best. They could make average lineup better by picking up Johnny Damon. Power get Russell Brynan (sp). two late additions that could make them “contenders”
JRM
February 19th, 2010
10:58 am
who are some of the pitchers who could get a call up when Hudson and Lowe need a breather? medlen did well, did we pick up anyone else or who would be the front runners now?
JEZ
February 19th, 2010
10:59 am
well if Fredi is bad look who he worked under for years! I still think it could happen cause he seems pretty good with his players.
Vulcan
February 19th, 2010
10:59 am
Apparently, because you are the blowhard, know-nothing of the hour.
TommyP
February 19th, 2010
11:00 am
Mark: Struggling to figure out why you think the Phils won’t win the East.
Whether you think they did the right thing in dealing Lee or not, they upgraded with Halladay, nevertheless. Where exactly are the Phillies worse this year?
Where are the Marlins significantly better?
TommyP
February 19th, 2010
11:01 am
Ned Yost shouldn’t be the guy to replace Bobby. The guy crumbles under pressure. (that’s why Milwaukee fired him when they did)
Sideways the dog
February 19th, 2010
11:02 am
I like it Mark, I love how you are trying to change our luck……last year you picked us to go to the playoffs…….this year you are saying no playoffs……..hoping to us reverse hypnosis.
Same here…….Braves are going to suck…….I hope………<—-reverse hypnosis
TommyP
February 19th, 2010
11:05 am
To replace Bobby, let’s steal a coach from the Twins organization. Player development and fundamental baseball are points of emphasis for them.
matt r
February 19th, 2010
11:20 am
The Phils still have the best lineup in the NL
All I'm Saying Is...
February 19th, 2010
11:24 am
Nice summation Mark and I hope you are wrong and that the Braves steal the wild card spot and make the playoffs at which point anything can happen.
Disparate pieces can gel and create a product greater than the sum of its parts–not much of a rallying cry but means that Diaz, Cabrera, and Nate combined with the geezers at first and third along with the talented misters Prado, Escobar, and McCann could surprise on many positive levels.
LET’S GO BRAVES!
Sugar Bear Blanks
February 19th, 2010
11:28 am
Nice article, MB. I will disagree with you on one point, though: there are a few crazies out there who CAN stay “geeked up” for the full 162 games. I used to be one back in the bad old days… praying for a Bob Beall pinch hit to tie up a west coast game in September running past 1 a.m. already.
But, there’s been a lot of Chattahoochee go by since then. There’s even a (very) faint memory of you with ‘Fro and a Shaft mustache on your column picture.
The one constant during that long, long road to the Braves’ relevance in baseball: Bobby Cox. Never fully appreciated, except by true baseball people who realize what he means to the game, and the Braves in particular.
Thanks for putting the 2010 edition Braves in a very understandable, concise nutshell, MB. I suddenly feel a little more geeky…. your fault.
travis
February 19th, 2010
11:28 am
hey mark do you work for the florida newspaper or atlanta newspaper?
TommyP
February 19th, 2010
11:29 am
matt r: And it’s not even close. I love the “they’re pitching isn’t very good” argument against the Phils. All they need are 4.50 ERA’s from their starters and they’re fine.
Mark: If Rollins is all you have as a reason for the Phils demise, I’m afraid that’s pretty weak (you mentioned him on a previous blog).
Ramblin Wrecker
February 19th, 2010
11:29 am
What kind of asinine prediction is that? The Fish don’t have the pitching staff to match either the Phillies or Braves. Offense is what kept the Braves in 3rd place. So if they can up the ante offensively, the Fish will fall by the wayside.
travis
February 19th, 2010
11:37 am
mark, the starting pitching will average 16 wins per starter there is 80 wins most sports projections are showing the marlins to win 81 game i think are bullpen can win one game for us to pass the marlins.
Anonymous
February 19th, 2010
11:42 am
Mark, I think you will be surprised this season. I talked to Bobby last week at dinner (I am dating one of his daughters) and he seems really pleased with what he has to work with this year. You are right about him hating the farewell tour, he is dreading it. Very humble guy!
george8661
February 19th, 2010
11:54 am
Please do what is nessiary to sign Johnny Damon, even if it is 4 two years to beef up outfield
JabboRockefeller
February 19th, 2010
11:55 am
Trading Vazquez put a kibosh on this season. Of Lowe, KK, and Hudson, two of the three will be sub-par. Which two? I’ll let ya know at season’s end…
The JV trade, coupled with our aged and crippled lineup, has us staring 4th place square in the eye…
T
February 19th, 2010
12:01 pm
The Marlins will win the east? Jerry Christ Bradley, you are officially off your rocker.
Walker, Texas Ranger
February 19th, 2010
12:01 pm
I agree george8861, not that the team will be any better but because my tickets are near the players wives section.
Don
February 19th, 2010
12:03 pm
As a long, long time Braves fan, the biggest mystery about the Braves is how so many fans think that Bobby Cox is a great (or even a good) manager. I am not even talking about debate over strategy moves – which can be a matter of opinion – and can be defended – at least to some degree. But the thing that I cannot understand is how his failure to understand/implement even the most simple and basic necessary procedures for winning that are used by every decent manager at every level of baseball (from little league to high school to college to semi pro to minor league to major league) are ignored/defended. Examples: Leaving a non productive player in the lineup for months when he has a much better option on the bench, not making batting order adjustments based on who is hot and who is not, using a completely ineffective relief pitcher game after game after game, now making batting order ajustments based on certain hitters being terrible or great against certain opposing pitchers, continuously overusing certain relief pitchers to the extent that they are worn out by the last 1/3 of the season, not moving a star player down from his preferred spot in the batting order when he is in a terrible prolonged slump, continuing to use a pinch hitter game after game in essential spots when he does not produce, and most significant of all – always failing to teach, emphasize, demand that his hitters be selecive, work the count, make the opposing pitcher throw a lot of pitches – which prevents your team from having any kind of consistant run proction – doing this enables the hitters to see what the pitcher has, adjust to the pitcher, get better pitches to hit, makes the pitcher make mistakes, wears the pitcher down both within innings and for the game, and gets you into the opposing teams weak middle relief. These are just a few of the simple, simple things that Cox does not do – that any intelligent manager should do. It is amazing that he can still be considered to be even an average manager – by many.
bravofan
February 19th, 2010
12:05 pm
anybody is welcome to join my streak for the cash game on espn its pretty fun the group is called Atlanta Braves.
Walker, Texas Ranger
February 19th, 2010
12:06 pm
It will be the Phillies in a run away. They have the best lineup in the east and the best rotation in the east. Phillies will have it sewn up by August 1 and clinched by Sept 5 when they have a 20 game lead. I also think the Braves will be sellers when the trade deadline approaches.
Anonymous
February 19th, 2010
12:17 pm
Don, you are a moron. An average manager huh? He is only #4 all-time on the wins list. I am sure you could do much better right?
Score
February 19th, 2010
12:17 pm
Davey Johnson should replace Bobby Cox…now if you dont like that you can jump off the wagon…
Sugar Bear Blanks
February 19th, 2010
12:21 pm
Billy Wagne? French guy…. maybe a non-roster invitee, I’ma thinking.
I Swanee, you’re getting as bad as D. Orlando Leadbutt with your spelling.
ElBraggO
February 19th, 2010
12:21 pm
Dan you put it all in a cocconut shell. You are 100% correct sir on all counts about Bobby Sox.
ElBraggO
February 19th, 2010
12:22 pm
I meant to say Don not Dan.
ElBraggO
February 19th, 2010
12:24 pm
Enter your comments here
MitchC
February 19th, 2010
12:25 pm
Mark, I disagree with your prediction, buddy. I think that unless major injuries hit them, we have to concede the division to the Phillies going away. They will win close to 100 games, and have the division sewed up by summer.
As for the Braves: Yes, they are aging, and yes, we know Chipper wont play more than 120-130 games. However, we have Mccann, and two excellent young starters in Hanson and Jair, not to mention another guy, Tim Hudson, who is one of the best all time, and isn’t that old Lowe is showing some age, but I think he will win at least 15, and have a lower ERA.
The bullpen does unnerve me a bit. I would have re signed at least one of the Sori/Gonzo pair. Wagner is going to be 39, but he did look good late last year. I would have hoped we would have signed someone younger to set him up other than 40 year old Saito.
I think if everyone produces as they should, and health is fairly good, the Braves will have a win total in the high 80s, and either snare the wild card, or fight for it into the last week of the season. If I had to say an exact prediction, it would be 88 wins, and the wild card.
Maybe I’m optimistic, but this is how I see it. Oh, and the Sporting News Yearbook 2010 has the Braves picked to finish second in the East, by the way, with the Cubs as the wild card.
Sugar Bear Blanks
February 19th, 2010
12:32 pm
Anon……. Don is just another in the multitude of know-it-all TV managers.
For the last 20 years the Braves have been in or just missed the playoffs every single season. It has to be pure coincidence that Cox has managed the team that entire time. No other team in baseball can boast the same run, but if Bobby Cox was even half the manager Don fancies himself, They’da won the World Series at least every other year.
Managing (sometimes monstrous, sometimes fragile) egos and injuries over a long season is as much a part of running a team as any of the technical aspects of which Don is the unquestioned expert. Over baseball history, very few managers have ever done it better, or even as well.
I sure hope Donnie can find the time to help the club in their search for a quality manager after BC.
jojo
February 19th, 2010
12:36 pm
I think Fredi would be a great manager for the Braves. He has done a great job with very little talent and a lot of injuries to his starting staff. While I am not a Frank Wren fan he has added some pop to the lineup with Hinski and Glaus. If Chipper Jones can come back half way from his best season the Braves could be solid. Finish second and gain the Wild Card.
extremus
February 19th, 2010
12:36 pm
Just a crazy thought; what if somehow the Braves pegged Joe Torre (who is in the last season of his contract with the Dodgers) to replace Cox as Manager next season? Considering what happened the last time he did so (in 1982, the year the Braves became the MLB’s “America’s Team” and won the NL West), it’d be interesting to see if history repeated itself. Torre gave a lot of credit to Cox back then for developing the talent that helped him win the division back then, and it fostered a mutual respect and admiration between them from what I understand; could he take the Braves back to title contention again?
Like I said, just a thought. Kind of like Liberty Media selling the Braves to a competent and passionate human owner within the next couple of years once their tax write-off expires. Things COULD get better then, folks. A lot better. Here’s hoping.
P Rose
February 19th, 2010
12:37 pm
Bobby gets that thumb
When the strikes don’t come
And he wants those calls
But the ump calls balls
Derek Lowe can’t throw
Low enough although
He hopes they’ll chase
What’s above their waist
Bobby Cox gets sore
When he hears “ball four!”
So he tells that ump
That his mom’s a chump
And he gets that thumb
And he looks quite dumb
As he rubs his head
And his face gets red
And the fans all boo
As he says f@%# you!
To the guys in black
Limpin’ down that track
To the clubhouse door
And the fans all roar
But the fans can cheer
Only one more year
They can chop and chant
For the man that can’t
Let an umpire crew
Make a call or two
With a conscience clear
And without no fear
Of the man that raves
LET’S GO BRAVES!
Steve
February 19th, 2010
12:42 pm
P Rose please get a life.
ElBraggO
February 19th, 2010
12:47 pm
The Braves have been in and just missed the playoffs in most every season since Bobby Sox came back the second time, but they have had some powerfully good teams in that time, that should have went on further into the playoffs, than where they ended up. The Braves should have won at least 3 World Series under Bobby Sox instead of the one.A great or even a good manager could have accomlished this with the amount of talented players that Bobby Sox was afforded during his reign.
DESPIRATEBRAVESFAN
February 19th, 2010
12:47 pm
I suffered with the Braves from about 1967 until 1969, and then from 1970 to 1980; and then from 1981 to 1991. I love the Braves, but hate the ownership, who hamstring the day to day management of the team. There is NO WAY that the Braves will be a competative team so long as Liberty Media owns them. They purchased the team from Time Warner/AOL with stock so that they would have a no tax owed on the purchase if they kept the team X number of years. Message to Liberty Media: SELL THE FREAK’N TEAM to someone who really cares about putting a championship centender on the field! Until then, I don’t care who replaces Bobby Cox, the Braves will remain a mediocre team, at best.
?
February 19th, 2010
12:53 pm
ElBraggo- Bobby wasn’t running the bases for Lonnie Smith in ‘91 and he didn’t tell Wohlers to throw a slider to Leyritz in ‘96.
DV
February 19th, 2010
12:57 pm
Braves will win more than 85 games. Take that to the bank
ElBraggO
February 19th, 2010
1:02 pm
I would like to see the front office make Bobby wear mittens during the games so that we wouldn’t have to watch him make his harvest from that booger farm between his eyes. Or else ask the cameraman not to pan the dugout while he’s in the middle of his business.But he probably does it the whole game, at least it seems like every shot of him he is going to town on that nose.
Senator Blutarski
February 19th, 2010
1:05 pm
Braves could win 100 games if everything goes well…should win at least 85 games with the pitching, even if some of the “ifs” don’t quite pan out that well…
Steve
February 19th, 2010
1:08 pm
For all of you bashing Bobby Cox, you will miss him down the road.
Anthony
February 19th, 2010
1:13 pm
I’m using my thumb, along with my forefinger, to pinch my nose to stop the smell of this NL East third place team. The over under is 90 games for Chipee along with the rest of Wren/Bobby’s broken boys. The young guns with no coaching don’t improve, just develop bad habits. Going to be another year of empty seats/hollow sounds in the Ted with this bunch. I’ll pay attention (and buy tickets) when management gets serious about winning the World Series. Till then, I’ll watch the contenders, not the second tier where the Braves reside.
Daniel
February 19th, 2010
1:33 pm
Anthony- I am glad you won’t be there, because I certainly don’t enjoy going to the ballpark with a bunch of front running, whiney, what have you done for me lately fans who are only loyal to whoever is the chic pick that year. Plus those kind of fans tend to smell bad, too much AXE double pits to chesty.
ElBraggO
February 19th, 2010
1:35 pm
? Lonnie Smith not rounding third was a very strange play and very suspicious in my humble opinion. But Bobby
Sox put Lieberant in against Puckett in a game winning situation, in an earlier game, when everyone in Baseball knew that Puckett owned Lieberant.That was one of the many mistakes that Bobby Sox made in that series that cost them the championship that year.In fact Mr. Sox moves could be used in a course to teach managers how to lose a world series, because the Braves lost it because of his stupid managing. As for the 96 series, I believe that was the 3rd game,the Braves still had a 2-1 advantage with 2 more games to play at home, and they(the Braves) were consider(by many) to be the best team in baseball at the time(far superior to the Yanks back then).And still lost the series in 6 games.If I were the owner I would have to put that on the manager and he would have been unemployed very shortly after the Sixth Game.
Mark Biles
February 19th, 2010
1:38 pm
I’m sticking with my 92 win wild card prediction second place finish behind the NL East winning Phillies. I think Cox’s farewell gives the Braves the incentive to at least win the wild card.
I just hope we don’t lose yet another first-round playoff series on our home field as we did to the Giants, Cubs and Astros in 03,04, and 05.
?
February 19th, 2010
1:38 pm
Anthony- When did you become a Braves fan? If you want to be a frontrunner, just follow the Yankees. We won’t miss you.
Benjamin
February 19th, 2010
1:40 pm
This team is almost too unpredictable at this point, with Chipper’s age, Troy’s health, Tim’s health, and the main two guys of our bullpen combining at a ripe age of 78.
A lot will depend on how ready Jason Heyward is for stardom — and everything from two months – September in Gwinnett to Opening Day impact player in right field are possible with him — and how healthy the above-mentioned folks can be. If all things turn up rosy, we’re not just a division winner, but a legitimate contender for the World Series. If Chipper or Glaus fall, and Huddy’s arm isn’t quite ready for prime time, and Melky Cabrera is our Opening Day right or left fielder… we might be lucky to finish third.
Time will tell.
Benjamin
February 19th, 2010
1:44 pm
For the record, I picked “Third or worse.” In part because I’m a glass half-empty sort of guy…
It’s much nicer to be pleasantly surprised than bitterly disappointed.
?
February 19th, 2010
1:47 pm
Melky = Luis Polonia
Skeezix
February 19th, 2010
1:50 pm
Ain’t buying this offense and pitching is no better, maybe weaker, than 2009….most Likely finish = third (again; but it’s possible we could move into second. Phillies, assuming they stay healthy, are first again. I think the Nats will be better this year and the Marlins not as good as 2009.
Herschel Talker
February 19th, 2010
1:51 pm
MB:
I love your writing, but this is ridiculous. The Phillies are supremely more talented than the Marlins. And they have the winning streak in their blood thanks to the last two years. On what could you possibly be basing your prediction of them beating the Phillies, other than the desire to be a charming contrarian?
Oh, and by the way, you can book Freddie Gonzalez as Braves manager in 2011. It is a done deal.
HT
Jesse Stone
February 19th, 2010
1:51 pm
I thought our OF was putrid, then I checked out the Padres depth chart. OUCH!
ElBraggO
February 19th, 2010
1:53 pm
? Bobby didn’t run the bases in 91,but he did make enough mistakes in the previous 6 games to let it come down to that play making the difference in game 7. Like, putting Lierbrant in against Pluckett in a tied game in extra inning in minnesota, which led to a walkoff win for the Twins.In 96, that was the 3rd game, which still left the Braves up 2to1 with 2 more to play in Atlanta. You have the best team in Baseball and still lose the series in 6 games.Yeah, I would say the situation had a lot to the managing in 96, and if I were the owner, Mr. Sox would have been sent down the road kicking beer cans looking for another job then.
Matt the Brave
February 19th, 2010
1:58 pm
NONONONONONO on Ned Yost. You don’t get fired with like a month left in the season when you’re in the pennant race. It means he’s poison. Notice that not even the Braves have hired him as an assistant coach? Do you REALLY think that we need this guy? I say no.
Now, I know everyone is going to call me crazy on this one, but the Braves need to at least interview Ryne Sandberg. He’s stuck with the Iowa Cubs because Sweet Lou is saying he’s not going anywhere. Sandberg has stated that he wants to manage at the MLB level, and honestly, he’s won at every level he’s coached at in the minors. I think that he’s holding out for the Cubs job, but I think that he would be a superb manager here.
J-bone
February 19th, 2010
2:03 pm
WS: Braves over NYY in 7; CJ wins game 7 in the bottom of the 9th with a, yes that’s right, 3-run homer.
Jeff
February 19th, 2010
2:17 pm
Anyone who thinks we will make the playoffs this year needs to put the bottle down and sober up.
Chris
February 19th, 2010
2:26 pm
Mark the one area you touched on that is going to be the down fall of this team in the outfield. McLouth will steal bases and hit with some power but its all downhill from there. To pin the hopes that Heyward is ready is a long shot. I see him being like Shaffer, he comes up and his a decent start, pitchers adjust and he tanks.
Johnny Damon may help but I don’t think we need two leadoff men and yes I am referring to McLouth is the other leadoff man. He will do just fine in that spot. I think we need someone like Dye who can give us some pop during those times when Chipper or Glaus is on the shelf and we all know there will be that point in the season when that is going to happen.
John
February 19th, 2010
2:30 pm
Best additions for the Braves are all by subtraction. Looks like it’ll be a phased approach and start no earlier than next year.
Phase One – 2011 – Good by Bobby. Enjoy your retirement. Now let’s get a real field manager in here.
Phase Two – Whenver his doggoned contract expires – Adios Larry Chipper, you over-paid, injury prone, choke artist.
Phase Three – the sooner the better – Liberty Media sells the Bravos to ownership that’s acutally trying to win a world championship of major league baseball. It’s called spending a little mone to retain your talent. We look more like the damned Pittsburgh Pirates every day. Or is that the Kansas City Royals?
?
February 19th, 2010
2:31 pm
ElBraggo- “If I were the owner….”. But you’re not. Puckett was 0-2 with 2 K’s against Leibrandt to that point. Leibrandt also had better success against righties than against lefties.
No mention of Cox taking out Wohlers in the 9th for little used Borbon? Borbon set down Thome, Alomar, and Lofton in order.
People in the business know that Cox is one of the greats that is destined for Cooperstown. I think I’ll side with them.
?
February 19th, 2010
2:33 pm
That Borbon move was in the ‘95 series. Borbon hadn’t pitched in nearly 3 weeks to that point.
chasjons
February 19th, 2010
2:35 pm
Bobby Cox is a great manager and the Braves have received and retained talent that they never would have had if it weren’t for Bobby. How many times have you heard a player say, “I really want to play for Bobby Cox”. If you didn’t suffer through the 70’s and 80’s with the Braves then you are most likely spoiled and expect the Braves to be in the World Series every year. Sure, I question his game strategy from time to time and think he overused the bullpen last year. Given the financial constraints I think Frank Wren has done a great job assembling a team that has the potential to be in the playoffs. As a fan, that is all I ask for. Other than the Lowe contract the Braves have some flexibility going forward and aren’t overly constrained by expensive, long term contracts. Sure there is risk with some of our injury plagued players, but how much risk is there to an affordable 1 year contract with much upside? Plus, for those of you that think Frank Wren is an idiot do you not realize that he consults with Schuerholz and Cox before making decisions? Go Braves! Sincerely, 30+ year Brave Fan
?
February 19th, 2010
2:35 pm
John- What “real field manager” are you speaking of? Show me a “real field manager” and I’ll show you good players.
raleighbravefan
February 19th, 2010
2:36 pm
Jeff – you must be talking about the Pirates, because anyone who thinks we have NO reasonable chance, if not a good chance to make at least WC isn’t paying attention.
raleighbravefan
February 19th, 2010
2:47 pm
We may have some injuries. Every team does. Just ask the 2009 Mets, and most of those were to young guys with no history of problems.
A good portion of the Braves playoff/world series problems during the glory years was due to our great pitching staff (except Smoltz) often not being great. Glavin and Maddox were both sub-par during many playoff appearances (partly due to umpires changing the strike zone), and JS never invested enough in the bullpen. How many of those years did we have a dependable bullpen, especially closer? Of cours, all of that was also Bobby’s fault.
John
February 19th, 2010
2:47 pm
Cox has had a strangle-hold (literally) on the Braves for darn near two decades. His pitching rotation at its best will stand as the Mount Rushmore of modern baseball. He had all the talent in the world at his disposal this side of the Yankees.
What the heck do we have to show for it, ?? That’s a question to you, ?.
I’ll answer my own question, ?. One world championship and fourteen other years of opportunity sqandered to build a legacy as an all-time great team. it was right there for the taking.
Rarely can a body of work speak more loudly than Cox’s does. Give him great talent, and it will get him to the post season, where 14/15 times, he leaves with a scratch of his head and his tail tucked between his legs. Give him respectable talent and he’s a .500 manager. It’s time for him to give somebody else – ANYBODY else – a chance.
Hillbilly Deluxe
February 19th, 2010
2:51 pm
It will be tough even for Cox to overtax this relief corps. Though he’ll try.
I have faith in him; he can do it.
Give them a chance
February 19th, 2010
3:05 pm
Our outfield is going to be Heyward, Schafer and Mc and our 1st baseman will end up being Freddie while Gloss goes over to play 3rd. We will take the National League East. Heyward and Schafer will tear it up, Freddie will be great at 1st and Chipper will sit on the bench. Prado will hit 25 home runs and our pitchers will be very very good. I see Hanson winning the Cy this year. Anyone want to doubt me. Wait and see. This will be a killer year for all braves fans. Lots of excitement when they move the rookies in to replace the old and tired.
Steve
February 19th, 2010
3:06 pm
John, you are a fool. Yes, they have sucked in the playoffs but at least they have BEEN THERE EVERY YEAR until recently. I would rather that happen then them not go to the playoffs at all.
Mitchell
February 19th, 2010
3:08 pm
Teams across the majors will line up to pay tribute on his final visit. Cox will hate it — after a career in the spotlight, he still gets antsy doing an on-camera interview — but it will be nice to see the rest of the sport acknowledge what too many of us locals have taken for granted or discounted entirely: That this is among the handful of greatest managers ever.
With the exception of the last five years and every year in the playoffs except one. The fact is there’s no reason the Braves can’t win the wild card at the very least if not the division if not the World Series. None.
John
February 19th, 2010
3:14 pm
Name calling? How rude. The question, numbnuts, is not whether we made the playoffs, but whether, given the talent advantage the Braves had, knot-head, that just getting to the playoffs was sufficient.
Obviously to you and those like you, just getting there was good enough.
And lets not forget that many of those post-season appearances were earned winning a five-team race. I think the Braves ignoble performance once in the playoffs proved the value of being the best-of-five. It’s called S-Q-U-A-T.
Baba O'Riley
February 19th, 2010
3:14 pm
I see the armchair managers are out in full force. Reminds me of the dads at high school football games that stand around and 2nd guess every move the coach makes.
Cox manager of year
February 19th, 2010
3:18 pm
Wait till after this season is over and the off season begins. The braves will trade JJ, Hanson and KK. They seem to love giving up on our young great talent. JJ and Hanson. Find one more and you have a rotation that would be better then Glavine Smoltz Maddux. Try and keep these guys together for 15 years. Not going to happen.
Play them while you can because they will leave as soon as they are free agents. Probably to the Yankees who will offer a trillian dollar contract.
Oh and by the way, players no long want to play for Bobby Cox. If they did we would have players and not chump change.
John
February 19th, 2010
3:19 pm
If that’s addressed to me Baba – I don’t want to flatter myself – then let me be the first to say I’m no arm-chair manager. I don’t know the first thing about baseball.
I’ll offer the opinion that Bobby Cox’s managerial mediocrity is so self-evident, expertise isn’t required to identify it.
I’ll give you an example. You have any idea how a bull’s gastro-intestinal system works? Me neither, but I expect we can both agree that his dung stinks.
raleighbravefan
February 19th, 2010
3:21 pm
John – No comment on my 2:47 about pitching during the playoffs? Oh yeah, that would weaken your anti-Bobby rant.
raleighbravefan
February 19th, 2010
3:31 pm
Cox m of year – Yea, you are right. We gave up on KJ and Frenchy too soon. How much more time did they deserve? Who else have we “given up” on? Who have we traded of top prospects since the Tex trade?
In fact, we have been accumulating young talent, and are rated amoung the top for prospects. They havent given up on Shaefer yet. I don’t know what you are talking about. If you mean Vazquez and LaRoache, those were money moves dictated by payroll restraint.
John
February 19th, 2010
3:35 pm
Raleighbravefan, yeah, I’m scard to death of you – and your posting name is too long. As an astute indivual, you’re obviously aware that a rant is fueled by emotion with self-serving facts tossed in to reinforce the delusion.
Fourteen years out of fifteen years. Fourteen out of fifteen. The same job. The same boss. The same bed every night. The same parking spot at work. The best rotation is baseball at his disposa. Heck, the Braves #4 guy in the glory days (under-achieving as they may be) woulda been the starter on 2/3 of the teams in the majors. All stars stacked the batting order.
The Braves were loaded. They flamed out year after year after year after year. What’s the one constant? Do I really have to tell you?
What I like about the “Cox sucks! Cox is great!” debate is that reasonable people can disagree. I’m just a bit more reasonable then you are. – in my reasonable opinion.
blazerdawg
February 19th, 2010
3:40 pm
I agree with GTAC, this team will at least have more energy/speed/enthusiasm. I predict 88-90 wins and a wild card – and if they get in, watch out! GO BRAVES!
Baba O'Riley
February 19th, 2010
3:40 pm
Not a very good analogy John. Maybe if you were talking about someone like Eddie Haas, but Bobby’s a Hall of Famer.
However, I am inclined to agree with your first paragraph.
Mitchell
February 19th, 2010
3:45 pm
“Mitchell
February 19th, 2010
3:08 pm
Teams across the majors will line up to pay tribute on his final visit. Cox will hate it — after a career in the spotlight, he still gets antsy doing an on-camera interview — but it will be nice to see the rest of the sport acknowledge what too many of us locals have taken for granted or discounted entirely: That this is among the handful of greatest managers ever.
With the exception of the last five years and every year in the playoffs except one. The fact is there’s no reason the Braves can’t win the wild card at the very least if not the division if not the World Series. None…”
…
Didn’t mean to finish there…
The reality is we most likely will not. The Braves with Bobby Cox are incapable of performing to their full potential.
You know, why do I have to see Bobby every night on MLB Network making excuses about losing to inferior teams like the Cubs and Houston in consecutive years in the playoffs? That show Baseball Seasons, they do 2004 followed oddly enough by 2003 the next week. The other night they played them back to back.
Did anybody at all expect the Marlins to beat the Yankees in the World Series? No, but they did anyway. But to Bobby it’s all a crap shoot. Obviously you’re not going to win if you think that way.
If Bobby Cox is so great, tell me who would be lining up to hire him if he decides he wants to manage again in two years? Nobody.
We had a window last year, we had one team to beat and we blew it. We couldn’t even win the wild card. There’s no excuse for that. Bobby and Terry Pendleton just are not doing their jobs. And now we’re probably going to have a legitimate reason for losing to the Nationals this year because they’re probably going to be a .500 team. The Marlins are way better than us offensively and after all finished in second place in case anyone forgot.
That still doesn’t mean we can’t win this thing. I just don’t believe it’s going to happen.
Imagine what Turner Field is going to look like on the last day of the season when we’re out of the race in early September. He better step it up this year or no one’s going to be there.
Kashi
February 19th, 2010
3:50 pm
Hire me to replace Box cox in 2011.
John
February 19th, 2010
3:50 pm
Raleighbravesfan,
Yeah, you scare me to death. And your posting name is too long. As an obviously astute individual, you’re aware that rants are fueled by emotion and supported by self-serving facts to support the delusion?
Be that as it may, fourteen times in fifteen years, dude. Fourteen times in fifteen years, the Braves flamed out. What was the constant in all that time? Who always waddled from the dugout an inning too late to pull the pitcher? Who always played for the five-run homer? Who’s had the same boss, the same job title, the same parking space? Who got his head handed to him time after time after time? Do I really have to answer?
The one thing I like about the “Cox sucks! Cox is great!” debate is that reasonable people can agree to disagree. I just happen to be slightly more reasonable than you are.
John
February 19th, 2010
3:53 pm
Good one Baba. You can definitely hit a slow, lazy pitch when it’s thrown right down the middle of the plate – and I tell you it’s coming.
Baba O'Riley
February 19th, 2010
3:55 pm
John, Mark did a great blog on this subject on 9-25-09. It’s a good read.
Baba O'Riley
February 19th, 2010
3:56 pm
I agree John. I play slow pitch softball. I also pick the low hanging fruit and aim for the fat kid when I play dodgeball.
raleighbravefan
February 19th, 2010
3:57 pm
I like your “reasonable people” attitude, John. I love to debate, but I hate to argue.
All I’m saying is that a lot more went into those losses than Cox and his decisions. If all the wins were due to great talent, how come great talent didn’t take them all the way. I challenge you Bobby haters to compare the performance of the entire pitching staffs, especially the starters during regular season vs playoffs during those 14 years.
Conyers Braves Fan
February 19th, 2010
3:58 pm
Mark: I agree with your prediction on the Braves finishing third but I think it will be the Phillies again in first place. The Braves did not get what they needed to win the division or finish second that being a real power hitting outfielder. The also missed at first base with Glaus and by singing Wagoner and the 40 year old.
John
February 19th, 2010
3:59 pm
Baba, that fat kid was me! Damn, I can’t get away from you.
Baba O'Riley
February 19th, 2010
3:59 pm
Maddux was off in the ‘93 NLCS.
Baba O'Riley
February 19th, 2010
4:00 pm
Sorry John, another kid said it was you that swiped my ice cream sandwich. I was out for revenge.
Baba O'Riley
February 19th, 2010
4:02 pm
I’m not sold on Saito. The last 40 year old Japanese guy that was any good was The Great Kabuki.
SPS
February 19th, 2010
4:09 pm
raleighbravefan: you are correct sir. Only Smoltz showed up big consistently in the playoffs every year. The other “hall-of-famers” were shaky under the brightest spotlight, even though they put up better numbers than John when the games counted less.
For every game 6 clutch-type performance of the ‘95 series, there were several mediocre outings.
John
February 19th, 2010
4:17 pm
Raleighbravesfan, you are correct that Maddux and Glavine (save 1995) were not their regular-season selves in most post seasons. And good as Scheurholz (sp) was, he always seemed to get short-armed when it came to reaching for the wallet to pay for a relief pitcher.
Some argue that talent will win out over the long haul of a 162 game regular season. So Bobby’s roll-the-ball-out and let ‘em play style worked – I’d contend in spite of itself – or more due to the talent on the team than to his leadership. But in the compressed timeline of a seven game playoff series every game is 27.1428 times more important than it is in the regular season. So the impact of Bobby’s managerial short-comings were magnified.
And if “Cox is great!” supporters point to his regular season record to justify their positon, can’t we “Cox sucks!” proponents point to his record of post-season futlity with the same level of credibility?
Is Cox the only reason the Braves underachieved during the glory years? No. Is he the main reason? He’s neck and neck with anybody else in my opinion.
You guys have a good weekend.
Alaska Braves Fan
February 19th, 2010
4:21 pm
From the thirty thousand feet level, the Braves will leave Florida with a solid team. Injuries, or lack of them, will be a critical factor this year, but if all goes well we will be into the playoffs. This team has a chance to make the Series. Why? Deep rotation, strong bullpen, and several unlucky players of whom we have every reason to expect a very good year. One final word: Bobby Cox is one of the best managers ever to hit the field. His biggest shortcoming has been that HE doesn’t play, and his players just haven’t always produced as they should. Five years from now, I suspect almost everyone will be wishing he could return.
Baba O'Riley
February 19th, 2010
4:24 pm
I just saw Mark McGwire shun about 30 fans dressed in red down here in Jupiter. 2 things haven’t changed: Cardinals fans love of McGwire and McGwire’s disdain of dealig with the public.
sweet jebus
February 19th, 2010
4:25 pm
welcome back baseball… you are a dear friend. Go Braves!
RC in ATL
February 19th, 2010
4:42 pm
John…I agree with you. I don’t hate Bobby Cox. I just think that we have to point to one WS title in 15 tries and say that is not an acceptable return. We could have…should have won more.
Ex Fan
February 19th, 2010
4:50 pm
The Braves Suck and they will continue to suck until they get a real owner and their senile manager is gone.
Ex Fan
February 19th, 2010
4:51 pm
Anyone who thinks that this team will contend this year is living in a serious delusion.
Ex Fan
February 19th, 2010
4:55 pm
I followed the team since the year they came to Atlanta, all the way up until last year when I “divorced” them. I just got tired of being disappointed season after season, 1995 being the only exception.
Jellybeanball
February 19th, 2010
5:11 pm
we will be good this year and this is why, A chipper jone yall, a chipper jone yall, hit the ball off the wall, in to score for some more, a chipper jone yall, a bobby cox yall, in the hall yall,
Robert
February 19th, 2010
5:16 pm
The thing about baseball is that there is always change. Consistancy from any position is rare. Injurys are unpredictable. The best you can do is predict who will be competitive. The Braves have pitching depth and prospect depth. They will be competitive; however they will also have to overcome the injurys they will certainly experience. Our outfield is one guy short of being just OK. Melky brings nothing to the team other than a body with experience. We need to trade him while he still has some value. Frenchy at his worst is better than Melky at his best. I think by the end of the season we’ll have a new 1B, LF, and starter and at least three players we have now will be traded or released. One rookie will exceed expectations and another will meet them. The Braves will win between 80-90 games and with a little luck squeeze into the playoffs only to lose in the first round. Our MVP’s will be Prado and Jurgens. Our flops will be Saito and Cabrera… and our next manager will be Tom Glavine.
Mitchell
February 19th, 2010
5:41 pm
I wrote a really long post a while ago but it disappeared for some utterly unexplainable reason. Regardless, my sentiments are more or less in line with my boy Ex Fan.
I’m still a “fan” to a certain extent but I just don’t believe in any team managed by Bobby Cox anymore. I was fooled for the last time in ‘09 into thinking we would ever actually rise to a challenge, exceed expectations or play with heart. Seriously, how does anybody not get fired after winning only one playoff series out of seven in a decade followed by three third place finishes? It just doesn’t happen anywhere else. We’re stuck with this crap.
Didn’t we also finished 4th in ‘08? Oh yeah, almost forgot about that. Not! Huh huh. Hilarious.
Recent history tells us we’re in store for another third place finish in twenty-ten. It’s that whole averge thing. It’s tricky math but I got it under control.
Basically, I want to believe. Our pitching is still pretty damn good, our middle relief is probably going to be really damn good (closer? iffy), we have an potential MVP in our catcher, we might have a Rookie of the Year on our hands, we have a solid bench… but we still can’t steal bases, bunt, hit and run, run the bases, get clutch hits, score runs in the 9th inning, etc.. TP and Bobby Cox aren’t getting the job done.
I want to believe but I can’t, or don’t.
Happy pitchers and catchers day!
Mitchell
February 19th, 2010
5:44 pm
Didn’t we also finished 4th in ‘08? Oh yeah, almost forgot about that. Not! Huh huh. Hilarious.
I was trying to be sarcastic. That was dumb. I realize.
Robert
February 19th, 2010
5:49 pm
It is amazing that he can still be considered to be even an average manager – by many.
Indded it is. I challenge anyone to name me a worse baseball manager – (I’ll grant you that Bobby Valentine and Mike Hargrove come close)
Robert
February 19th, 2010
5:51 pm
“And if “Cox is great!” supporters point to his regular season record to justify their positon,”
So basically what it takes to be great is to have Maddux, Glavine, and Smoltz pitching for you
Jeff R
February 19th, 2010
5:51 pm
“Thumbs down for age.”
You’re right, Mark. The older ages of some of the Braves’ key players should be a big concern.
Think the Phillies are the likely division again in 2010. Braves are contending for the wild card.
Hoosier Aaron
February 19th, 2010
5:56 pm
Thumbs up to another season of Braves Baseball. (I’m very tired of snow and below freezing temps) Play Ball!
Thumbs up to the Bravos trips to “New Commiskey” in Chicago and new Targer Field in Minnesota….I will be at both!
Thumbs up to interleague play….I’d love to see more.
Sg
February 19th, 2010
5:59 pm
Predicting who will win the NL East in February is like predicting when the first hurricane will hit Florida this summer. Injuries are such a huge part of sports as well as team chemistry. Look at CO last year after they canned their mgr. With Glaus and Heyward in the dugout, who knows how that will pan out.
The best thins is BASEBALL IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER!!! THANK GOD!!!
LA
February 19th, 2010
6:15 pm
Nothing, and I mean NOTHING will change until Bobby Cox retires.
Harry the Hat
February 19th, 2010
6:24 pm
Third. They’re no more competitive than that, despite all the millionaires on the roster. Under-performing millionaires, I might add.
Harry the Hat
February 19th, 2010
6:26 pm
Bobby Cox is not the biggest problem. Overpaid, under-motivated players are the real problem. Picking up a fat paycheck is their main concern.
Notso Fast
February 19th, 2010
6:54 pm
Too many “old folks” to have to depend on to really think we will do well.
Skeezix
February 19th, 2010
6:59 pm
My prediction for 2010—- The Braves’ season will be far better than Tiger Woods’ staged apology. Why would anyone but a warped egomaniac go on TV to apologize to his friends, family and business associates? I don’t get it. He owes me no apology and frankly, I really don’t want to hear about his messed up personal life. I guess next he’ll go on Oprah’s show, then then View, then Ellen….geeezzzzz……………
JabboRockefeller
February 19th, 2010
7:57 pm
I agree that the Braves shoulda won more WS with the embarrassing talent they had. You can’t blame being in the hunt 15-times and getting just one title, on just dumb, blind, bad-luck. The only constant through the entire run was Bobby. Different, equally-talented players, came and went on a yearly basis. There was LOTZ of turnover. Bobby, unfortunately, was the difference-maker once post-season rolled around. And not in a good way.
Keeping his players happy and on an extremely even keel made him one of the great in-season managers of all time. Those things don’t matter much in a short series. Emotion and tactical superiority win WS. Neither of which our beloved Braves possessed…
Bill
February 19th, 2010
7:59 pm
My list to replace Bobby Cox:
1. John Farrell Boston pitching Coach
2. Jose Oquendo Cards 3rd base coach
3. Greg Walker White Sox batting Coach
4. Ron Roenicke Bench Coach LA Angles
All are great working with players and know the game inside and out. Braves need someone from out of the system to bring new ideas and theory to the system.
Thanks Mark for info, keep up the good job.
JabboRockefeller
February 19th, 2010
8:07 pm
Bet Jose Oquendo know his way around a manufactured-run. He’d be a good choice.
dangerousdan87
February 19th, 2010
8:12 pm
Mark you deleted my post about Omar Infante and continue to ignore him in your Braves previews. I said he hit .350 before his injury last year. Sorry, hit hit .349. He will be a factor this year and Bobby Cox will give him ABs since he can play infield and the outfield. Do you know something we don’t?
The "Skipper"
February 19th, 2010
8:12 pm
I don’t understand all the bloggers on all these sites who are saying that the phillies are the best team in our division….didn’t the Braves win the season head to head series with them last season? And frankly, if not for ryan howard, the Braves would have sweeped them last year!!!! Who was cliff lee? Oh yeah, another hyped up pitcher that the Braves dominated!!! As a long time Braves fan, I’m excited and optimistic this year and believe that we have one of the best rotations in baseball (despite losing Vasquez), we are only one clutch hitter away (could it be Heyward?) from seeing another title!!!! GO BRAVES!!!!
"Chef" Tim Dix
February 19th, 2010
8:47 pm
Mark, should your prediction be correct, he won’t upstage him but on the tuesday following the season while cleaning out his locker, Chipper will look into a camera and say “I’m done too, thanks for letting me be a Brave.”
bravesfanbob
February 19th, 2010
9:24 pm
I’ve said this before, and I’ll say it again. The best candidate to replace Cox is Roberto Kelly, 1st base coach for the Giants. All he did for the Giants organization was to go 258-157 with 3 completely different teams. His teams led the league in runs scored 2 of the years, and out of 16 teams in the league those 2 years, they were 14th and 16th in home runs. He was 2nd in runs scored the other year, and his team was 15th in homers. The guy is the best manager I’ve ever seen in his ability to teach kids ABC baseball, living by the phrase: “Get em on, Get em over, Get em in!” He told me “If you get a man on 3rd with one out, and you are leading by one or more in the 5th inning or later, the infield will come in over 80% of the time. When this happens, because of the drawn in infield, you will eventually score 2 or more runs that inning over 40% of the time. If you walk the batter, he will be able to steal 2nd over 88% of the time, and you will have 2 runners in scoring position. If they don’t walk him, the drawn in infield will make a .200 hitter a .300 hitter. You use EVERY opportunity to make your hitters have a better advantage. This is the way to score in baseball.” He is an incredible teacher of the art of baserunning, and his teams led the league all 3 years in stolen bases, sacrifices, and getting a runner on 2nd with no outs to 3rd base. Cox may be the best off the field manager that the game’s ever seen, but Roberto is a better on the field manager. WHOEVER gets him as manager, and that will be the Giants if Bochy doesn’t succeed this year, will see Kelly receive Manager of the Year honors at least twice in his first 4 years. I would love that to be the Braves, especially with so much young talent coming up to soak up his knowledge. FW, if you’re reading this, pay attention!
bravesfanbob
February 19th, 2010
9:26 pm
For those wondering about Kelly, here’s a link to his record with the Augusta Greenjackets.
http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Augusta_Green_Jackets
bravesfanbob
February 19th, 2010
9:32 pm
And also, Andy Skeels, who managed the Greenjackets in 2008 when they won the title, was the asst. manager under Kelly for 3 years. He told me he learned more about baseball from Roberto than anyone else he had ever played for. All he did was win a championship his only year.
Paul Stanley
February 20th, 2010
12:14 am
How did Leo Mazzone get on the radio and if he was as good of a “manager” that he thinks he is, why doesn’t anyone hire him?
Robert
February 20th, 2010
12:26 am
Wait a minute. Mr Bradley, in the same article, you acknowledge that Cox overuses his bullpen, but then make the claim that he is surely one of the all time greatest managers?
That is ridiculous.
Robert
February 20th, 2010
12:28 am
“Keeping his players happy and on an extremely even keel made him one of the great in-season managers of all time”
No, having rosters loaded with future HOFers made Cox one of the winningest managers of all time, despite his frequant and pervasive blunders
Robert
February 20th, 2010
12:30 am
“The one constant during that long, long road to the Braves’ relevance in baseball: Bobby Cox. Never fully appreciated, except by true baseball people who realize what he means to the game”
What he means to the game is probably about negative one run per
UGASlobberknocker
February 20th, 2010
8:14 am
If the Braves go injury free, they would still not be a contender as they do not have enough offensive firepower. Where are the runs going to come from? I love Chipper but he may be done; Glaus and Cabrera? I dont think so.. I think Mark is right on with his prediction as the team stands today. Hopefully we can stay in contention and add someone in July. Otherwise, we need a career offensived year from every single player and thats isnt going to happen.
Still, Im ready for the season Go Braves!!.
dead on the money
February 20th, 2010
8:14 am
dead on the money
Robert
February 20th, 2010
8:32 am
Bobby Cox kept my interest and hopes alive through almost every season he has managed the Braves. Even though he only brought us one World Series, the Braves were usually playing in October. Having been a fan from the Bragan to the Tanner years it was great to feel you had a chance to win it all with Bobby there. If you don’t like Bobby Cox as a Manager then you obviously never played for him. I’ll miss Bobby just like I miss all the future HOF players he coached as well as Pete, Ernie, and Skip. (note: I became a Braves fan in 1965 when the Braves played a few exhibition games prior to moving here… I was at the first game selling popcorn in the stands for 15 cents a box.)
bobby cox bye bye
February 20th, 2010
8:37 am
Oh u really think we can be with the phillies i though the Ny Mets were in same as is fla n washington….u want a real suprise will be the Nats in east as they finally win East and phillies 2nd fla 3 Ny mets 4 and guess who in last Cox’s Braves….ah yes i a great supporter of team i do but bobby cox n TP can’t even find a jock strap n pick nose best….now if cox wakes up n manage and wins east he stop n lose in wild card…..But that not look for 1st…washington nats…2..phillies…3..Ny mets….4 fla marlins….and last as always can u guess as cox go’s out as a loser the 5th place braves under Wren n friends…(oh n to rub it in he the don waddell of GM’s both stink while we stay thrashers be in winnipeg in 2012..
Larry
February 20th, 2010
9:12 am
The Braves will win 90 games and win the wild card this year. The Phillies will win the division again. The Cards will win the Central and the Rockies will win the West. In the American League, the Yanks will win the East, the Twins will win the Central, and the Angels will win the West. In the league championship series’, the Braves will lose to the Cards and the Yanks will beat the Angels. In the WS, the Cards will upset the Yanks and win the WS. And LaRussa and Cox will retire in the same year.
Cecil34
February 20th, 2010
11:44 am
Lots of bailing wire and duct tape on this 2010 bunch – hope it works!
todd grantham
February 20th, 2010
12:22 pm
Mark, shelf life of this blog has expired. todd
annoyed
February 20th, 2010
2:19 pm
Mark, where are your comments? all you have done is say kudos to the guy who got first. Calling first on here is for retards who have nothing better to do than see if MB has his new blog up where he is gonna bash on the 2010 world champion atlanta braves!!!
annoyed
February 20th, 2010
2:22 pm
Mark, where are your comments? all you have done is say kudos to the guy who got first. Calling first on here is for retards who have nothing better to do than see if MB has his new blog up where he is gonna bash on the 2010 world champion atlanta braves!!!
you been wont even read this you lazy “bloggin fool”
JabboRockefeller
February 20th, 2010
2:23 pm
Could we please refrain from invoking the name of Bobby Valentine. Seeing his name is nauseating. Bout to yap-up lunch from typing it.
I’d rather have Ted Turner back as manager than Bobby ValYAAAAARGGGGGRRRUUOIT
annoyed
February 20th, 2010
2:25 pm
bobby cox bye bye
you are dumb, is there even one gramatically correct sentence in there? and you’re predicting the nats to win it? Dumass!!!
JabboRockefeller
February 20th, 2010
2:25 pm
annoyed, your redundant comments are annoying.
also annoyed
February 20th, 2010
2:28 pm
annoyed has said some brilliant things
jabborockefeller…not so much
he is a lesser human being than the rest of us
annoyed as well
February 20th, 2010
2:29 pm
ya i dislike jabborockefeller as well
he smells funny…and is annoying
JabboRockefeller
February 20th, 2010
2:33 pm
all of you annoyed people are correct. I concede, i do smell funny. and i am horrible at life, i wish i was as good as all those annoyed people, im going to cry at eat honey nut cheerios!!!! yay!!!
JabboRockefeller
February 20th, 2010
2:36 pm
OK, I smell funny, but annoying, I am NOT!
JabboRockefeller
February 20th, 2010
2:37 pm
the 2:33 Jabbo is an IMPOSTER! Ban him/her at once I say!
JabboRockefeller
February 20th, 2010
2:40 pm
i suck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
male genitalia!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
steve
February 20th, 2010
2:41 pm
JabboRockefeller is really weirding me out
george
February 20th, 2010
2:41 pm
me too, he must really stink
Nicholaus
February 20th, 2010
2:42 pm
I agree with steve and george. what in the world is wrong with jabbo
MB is lame too he has yet to read any of these blogs
Jeffrey
February 20th, 2010
2:43 pm
jabbo is soooo annoying!!
hahahahahaha
Jeffrey
February 20th, 2010
2:44 pm
i want to stab-o jabbo!!
JabboRockefeller
February 20th, 2010
2:45 pm
the 2:37 jabbo is an imposter!!!! ban him/her immediately!!!!
JabboRockefeller
February 20th, 2010
3:10 pm
jabby jab jab jaboooooooooooooo!!!!!
Delbert D.
February 20th, 2010
5:32 pm
“Chipper Jones is coming off his worst season…” Add “so far” to that. Trade the guy now to an American League team that is desperate for some semblance of a gate attraction.
Bark Mradley
February 20th, 2010
6:32 pm
way to kill the excitement of opening spring training with a downer blog on how our hometown team will fail. thanks for the support, bradley, you assbasket. leave the braves blogging to dob, since he actually cares about the team and wants them to do well.
JabboRockefeller
February 20th, 2010
8:29 pm
Folks who impersonate other folks should have their IP addresses banned from the site…….
pryguy
February 20th, 2010
8:41 pm
I’ve already wasted my time reading your stuff Bradley, and this is the last straw. It’s February 20, and you are already calling it a season for the Braves. I’m not sure how you write professionally as you contradict yourself consistently. You talk about the drag of a long season and then you just straight out make a call that the Braves will finish third in 2010….look toward Cox’s replacement. What if injuries strike the Phillies? What if Glaus gives us a power bat in the middle of the order and…..just maybe Chipper returns to form (Which all evidence points to YES considering his career). What if the pitching staff is anchored by two veteran aces and 2 future if not already ace-like young arms? I always tell myself to just stick to O’Brien’s pieces, and then I accidentally click on yours and get sucked into the stupidity and negativity. Please write something of substance with some sort of reasoning behind it. In contrast, you ramble….similar to this post except I don’t get paid and I have reason behind not typing Braves 3rd place, let us move on to 2011.
dawg 4 u
February 20th, 2010
11:12 pm
The Braves win 99 games and baely nose out the Phils in the division race in a very exciting regular season from start to finish and then lose in the first round of the playoffs. Sound familiar?
bake
February 21st, 2010
12:44 am
SCHAFER CAN’T GET ON THE FIELD WITH OUR OUTFIELD OPTIONS!!! GET REAL! AND NO BS WITH HEYWARD LIKE WE PULLED WITH HANSON. IF THE KID IS GOOD ENOUGH TO PLAY HE’D BETTER BE IN ATLANTA COME APRIL. BOBBY CAN GO PICK HIS NOSE FOR ALL I CARE LIKE USUAL! LOTS OF REGULAR SEASON WINS…LAST I HEARD THOSE DIDN’T COUNT…I COULD HAVE WON 1000 GAMES WITH MADDUX SMOLTZ AND GLAVAGINA
bake
February 21st, 2010
12:46 am
PRYGUY IS A SOURPUSS. QUIT WHINING.
CTim
February 21st, 2010
1:38 am
MB, are you serious? The Braves franchise is done…done. The closest example is the Dodgers, who were dirt as long as they were owned by FOX. Only when the McCourts bought the team did they become relevant and return to the playoffs…same thing, even more so, for the Angels. Under Disney, dirt. Under the present individual owner, perennial contenders, one WS championship. There will be no more playoffs for the Braves until some future owner buys them from corporate ownership. Liberty could care less about playoffs, championships. They only care about profits, avoiding losses, and programming.
sarfdawg
February 21st, 2010
2:18 am
Sorry, but I can’t get excited about this team.
They had some possibilities after last season, but every move that Wren has made since last all-star break has been a disaster. After releasing Church, that basically just means that we lost Francoeur for nothing. Then to let go of Vazquez, Gonzalez, Soriano, and LaRoche only to replace them with Glaus (holy crap, is he still playing baseball?), Saito, and Wagner.
Where exactly is that improvement? Chipper is stealing money yet he fits right in with the rest of the antiques on this team that are nearly 40 years old.
This season could be brutal. I’ve never been a Cox fan, but this is no way to send him out.
Michael
February 21st, 2010
8:28 am
Last year was an aberration. I cannot forecast a team losing so many one run or maybe even two run games two seasons in a row. Hanson, Vasquez, and Jurrjens were raped! Either Jurrjens or Vasquez could have been Cy Young winners and Hanson Rookie of the Year . The Braves foothold is in the pitching. I am not Nostradamus so I have no idea how well Wagner will hold up, but sense tells me the scouts have must have seen something to believe he has rebounded…same goes for Glaus. Lowe may have had a fluke season last year and by all indicators Hudson is healthy. Kawakami seems to rise to the occasion when called for. Chipper too, although getting a bit long in the tooth is still very capable of serious damage to the opponents. The middle infield is as solid as any in the NL East…yeah, I said it. I will take Prado and a more mature Escobar any day. The outfield has little power, and I am not counting on Heyward yet (knowing the Braves history). But they can still manufacture runs. McCann is as solid as steel and has no eyesight problem to contend with this year. I feel the one factor nobody seems to mention is the key set-up man that will surface this year…Medlen. He will shine given the opportunity, I believe.
Oh yeah, they also have one of the best managers in the history of the game. This one is for you Bobby!
Ted
February 21st, 2010
10:34 am
No HR pop in this offense. No speed – Melky brings 10 SB last year. Will have to win the 3-2 and 4-3 games to stay in it. That will be the bullpens job. We will see.
mike
February 21st, 2010
11:12 am
trading vasquez will come back to hurt braves….bad move
reason
February 21st, 2010
11:33 am
One of the main problem with the Braves, is Bobby Cox let’s to many early games get away by not managing the way he should, There quit a few he won’t manage figuring there are still a lot of games to go, and the game behind at the end of the season are mostly the ones the gave away.
Mike C.
February 21st, 2010
12:11 pm
The Braves must have a productive spring training. They have come out of the gate woefully lacking in fundamentals the last few years and the blame for that lies primarily on Cox and the coaching staff. I hope they work on base running, hit and runs, bunting, cut-offs, rundowns, working the count and hitting behind the runner. Without much speed or power, it is imperative that they grind out runs and play “little ball”. They lost too many well pitched games last year due to lack of execution of these time honored basics of the game. So, cut back on the golf and fishing and stay at the ballpark longer!
pryguy
February 21st, 2010
2:25 pm
Bake,
You’re right. Bobby Cox is the worst manager in baseball and the Braves might as well stop wasting their time and forfeit this season and go right into the 2011 Offseason.
bill
February 21st, 2010
2:55 pm
Truth is for many years of our division win streak the remainder of our division was weak. 88 io 90 wins would have won the division most years. Now its good for 2nd or third place and no wild card. The braves won 100 games many times but that meant they were 15 to 18 games ahead.
Bravezilian
February 21st, 2010
4:51 pm
Here’s what’s gonna happen:
Wagner’s arm is gonna blow up mid season. Smoltz will be either unsigned or mediocre as a starter with some lame team. We’ll get smoltz to close for us. We’ll win the World Series.
Then Bobby retires. Smoltz retires. Chipper retires. Everything comes full circle and the Braves start anew.
Jeff
February 21st, 2010
6:11 pm
You made some very good points Mark… but the best one was when you listed our rotation and then mentioned how AMAZING it would be if Vazquez was still part of it!!! I’m sorry, having six quality starters is NOT a problem, it’s an opportunity. Because in my opinion, Hudson will not stay healthy for 8 straight months and Kawakami would be an EXCELLENT middle reliever or spot starter. That way your rotation is Vasquez, Hudson, Hanson, Jurrjens and Lowe, with Kawakami and Moylan and Medlen and O’Flaherty as your middle relief guys.
I just think we should have kept every freakin’ quality arm we had, because this team will NOT score runs. We will have a helluva lot more 2-1 and 3-2 games than 9-6 games. This batting lineup is too old and too devoid of power. So we needed to keep Vasquez and try to dominate with our pitching.
As for prediction, I agree with you… until this team either loosens up its purse strings to sign a mega-watt free agent or can develop some decent power hitters of the Pujols-ARod-Hanley Ramirez caliber, we will be a middle-of-the-road club offensively who can only hope for 82 to 86 wins a year. And that’s not good enough for the playoffs and definitely not good enough to win a World Series.
Championship teams have 4 or 5 guys who are silver-slugger, All-Star caliber hitters, not just ONE like we have in McCann.
Frank Wren are you listening? or do you even care?
dogsbrekky
February 21st, 2010
6:30 pm
Saito will be , how’s your mother, good night, hoorooo and good luck
sub 1.2 WHIP, sub 2.5 era…… lights out at eleven stuff (again)
JB
February 24th, 2010
4:51 pm
Leading the majors in ejections sets a terrible example for our youth and for amateur coaches. Of those 151 protests, how many calls did umpires reverse?
Bradley's Buzz: Optimism abounds around the Braves! | Baseball News Update
April 6th, 2010
3:50 pm
[...] whiz. Faced with all this optimism, I’m almost sorry I picked the Braves to finish third behind Florida and Philadelphia. [...]