Live from the ballpark, pondering life without Cox and Chipper
It’s a reflex: Something happens with the Braves, you ask the man in charge. So I sought out Bobby Cox on Wednesday afternoon, and I said: “If Chipper does quit, what do you do for a third baseman next year?”
Cox smiled. Then he said: “Not my problem.”
And that’s when it hit. For all the changes undergone by this organization these past two decades, nothing has or could prepare us for what’s surely coming next spring. We’ve seen the Braves without Tom Glavine and Greg Maddux; without John Smoltz and David Justice; without Terry Pendleton at third base and without Andruw Jones in center field … and we’ve heard them without Skip Caray and Pete Van Wieren … but we’ve never encountered anything like what’s apparently at hand.
No Bobby Cox in the dugout. No Chipper Jones batting third. No remaining touchstones to the era of baseball that made us care about the Braves in the first place.
Cox has announced his retirement. Chipper stands to announce his any day now. (After Wednesday’s game he said: “In good time.”) Yes, there’s symmetry there. As general manager, Cox drafted Jones No. 1 overall in June 1990, and since arriving in the big leagues to stay in September 1993 the great switch-hitter has known only one manager. And we on the periphery have come to regard them as a package deal.
We’re about to see the package unwrapped. We’re about to see the Braves work with two fewer numbers at their disposal. (Surely Nos. 6 and 10 will be retired along with their distinguished wearers.) We’re about to see the final holdovers from the run of excellence severed from the team they made great.
Think of it this way: Cox won division titles over 14 consecutive completed seasons managing the Braves, and if you credit Chipper as being part of the improbable 1993 NL West championship team — he was a September call-up — he was part of 12 first-place finishes. Only two other members of the 2010 club have been part of even one Atlanta division title: Tim Hudson and Brian McCann, each of whom arrived in 2005.
How would it feel, McCann was asked, to become the senior Brave among everyday players? Said McCann, who’s all of 26: “Until something happens [with Chipper], I don’t think that’s something I want to comment on.”
And what is there to say? We all knew the day was coming when the Braves would be without Cox and even without Chipper, but that won’t mean the day itself won’t hit us like a two-by-four upside the ol’ noggin.
Loading ...Back to the original premise of today’s exercise: What might the Braves do for a third baseman? I asked the ascendant Troy Glaus if relocation to first base is a permanent career move. He said no. “In my heart I’ll always be a third baseman. Actually, I’ll always be a shortstop, but we know that’s not going to happen. I could play third.”
For the Braves? In 2011? “Maybe,” Glaus said.
We’ll have plenty of time to bat this around these next few months. (Glaus, as we know, is working on a one-year contract and might be slugging his way out of the Braves’ price range.) But the question itself gives us pause: We’ve never had to ask what the Braves would do for a third baseman because we’ve come to expect Chipper to be standing on the left side of the infield, same as we expect to see Cox at the near end of the dugout.
Next year we might not see either. No Chipper at the hot corner. No Cox grousing about balls and strikes. No “Crazy Train” when the No. 3 spot comes up. No Cox with his awful nicknames.
No Bobby Cox and no Chipper Jones. And what, Bill Acree was asked, would that mean?
Said Acree, the Braves’ director of travel/equipment manager and a team employee since 1966: “The world would come to an end.”
And it might. It just might.
With that, we’ll open the phone lines. (Which have been open all along, but bear with me.) I’ll be here to chat during tonight’s Braves-Rays games, and I’ll let you know if anyone retires. Unless I’m the retiree. In which case I’ll just close the computer and walk away.
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228 comments Add your comment
DF
June 16th, 2010
5:35 pm
First!!!!
JJ
June 16th, 2010
5:35 pm
first?
chip1960
June 16th, 2010
5:36 pm
first
JohnSmith
June 16th, 2010
5:39 pm
The sky has fallen. There it goes, there it goes…
JJ
June 16th, 2010
5:39 pm
oh, close. closest ever!
Chipper and Bobby will be sorely missed.
Bobby for GM next year and Chipper as Hitting Coach (Oh, God, we’d be rid of Pendleton there)
BOBBY BOTTLESERVICE
June 16th, 2010
5:40 pm
IF you haven’t heard you can catch me on the youtube doing my thing! ED hArdy ! TYpe in BOBBY BOTTLESERVICE
AMG
June 16th, 2010
5:43 pm
It has taken me 10 years to realize how good we had it as Braves fans in the 90’s. I don’t think we will see that ever again. We may have a good year or two, but an entire decade? That many Hall of Fame players? Broadcasters? Television station to broadcast games all over the country?
Wow!!
Dawg and a brave
June 16th, 2010
5:43 pm
Man the braves need to do something with kk! It is starting to look like everyone of his starts can be marked as a loss for the braves! Hopefully they will try to trade him for SOME POWER IN THE BATTER’S BOX!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jamaaliver
June 16th, 2010
5:45 pm
Tis indeed the end of an era. But I think the loss of Glavine and then Maddux earlier this decade stung more. And seeing Mazzone and Smoltz leave as well, this season will and SHOULD be the final act in a great chapter of Atlanta sports history.
Dave in Buford
June 16th, 2010
5:48 pm
Like most things, we aren’t going to be truly appreciative of what we had until it is gone.
Hedley Lamarr
June 16th, 2010
5:50 pm
You didn’t give us the choice of ‘Neither’
Navigator
June 16th, 2010
5:55 pm
I have a different perspective, I don’t appreciate the Braves until they are gone.
Stl Falcon
June 16th, 2010
5:57 pm
All the great names that i have heard about through baseball cards and from my father and grandfather were always associated with a team. Mantle and the Yankees, Williams and the Red Sox, etc. They dont make them like that anymore- Chipper’s legacy is written in ATL blue.
Navigator
June 16th, 2010
5:57 pm
Kawakami has no trade value, and soon the Braves will have come to terms with their mistake and release him.
Gumby
June 16th, 2010
6:02 pm
As far as Atlanta baseball it is a changing of the guard for sure. No Bobby, no Chipper. I’m not even going to start on stuff like losing other members of those past winning teams, losing Ted Turner, losing our flagship station TBS, Skip and Pete. Good gosh I miss the old days and Bobby and Chipper are still here.
Now on to what will remain. These OTHER guys we have aren’t something to forget about. Prado, Heyward, Huddy, McCann, Glaus, Hanson, Hinske, JJ, Omar, Diaz, Yunnel, Brooks, Venters, Lowe, (maybe Wags),O’Flarety, Moylan, Ross,etc. I am sure I have left out some but these are the guys playing everyday and playing pretty darn good.
Mark Bradley
June 16th, 2010
6:02 pm
Kudos, DF. In a heated race, I might add.
Pedro Cerano
June 16th, 2010
6:06 pm
It’s amazing how easily we forget the Chipper in Left Field days. It took him from being one of the top 3 third basemen in the game to somewhere between 15 and 20 among big league outfielders. I thought it would ruin his legacy but luckily his move back to 3rd worked great.
Tweets that mention http://blogs.ajc.com/mark-bradley-blog/2010/06/16/no-cox-and-no-chipper-is-the-world-coming-to-an-end/?cxntfid=blogs_mark_bradley_blog%3Futm_source%3Dpingback -- Topsy.com
June 16th, 2010
6:08 pm
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by . said: [...]
bruce
June 16th, 2010
6:09 pm
good story thanks…. I’m still hoping Bobby will change his mind.
Luke M
June 16th, 2010
6:09 pm
How are Cox’s nicknames awful? It’s a baseball tradition to just throw “-ey” at the end of every one’s last name. He’s far from the only person in baseball to use these nicknames.
I’ll miss the constant banter from Cox from the dugout.
“C’mon Esky!”
David, from Equatorial Guinea
June 16th, 2010
6:16 pm
This is my second time in the blog; I am working with an American Multinational in West-Central Africa (pay is great!). From here, there’s either a 5 or 6 hour difference with EST, depending on the time of the year. Its rough to follow the games when they start at 7:10 PM (EST) and its either 12:10 or 1:10 AM here. I have a regular, 8 to 5 job, but I am hanging on.
I am curious about something: Lets say that our beloved Braves win the National League and go to the World Series this year (I believe, otherwise I would not be sleep deprived). At the end of it all, Bobby Cox retires, as planned. With that scenario in mind, I pose a question: Who’s the National League’s All Star team’s manager? Bobby would be gone. Would Bobby be allowed to come back to manage in the All Star game, even if he’s already retired?
Just curious. Go Braves!!
RobertNAtl
June 16th, 2010
6:17 pm
Coxy was great with the nicknames, that’s for sure.
Mark Bradley
June 16th, 2010
6:17 pm
That’s a great question, David. I’m embarrassed to say I don’t know the answer. But I’ll try to get one.
RobertNAtl
June 16th, 2010
6:18 pm
@David: Per the rules, in that case, Mark Bradley would be the NL manager.
Luke M
June 16th, 2010
6:18 pm
As for life after Chipper, I’d be in favor of moving the kid Salcedo to the hot corner once he fills out a bit. He’s a few years away of course, but long term I’d love to see him at third.
Fat ladies in the cheap seats
June 16th, 2010
6:24 pm
Man…first the Fat Boys break up. Now this?
Why doesn’t Chipper take a breath and try out the American League next year? Just concentrate on one thing: hitting four times a night. He could do it. He could help someone, or at least try.
He’s proven his loyalty to us already. His legacy is intact. So go. Leave. Get out of here. Now run, Forrest, run!
doc
June 16th, 2010
6:26 pm
mark, better yet is the question of whether managers have to wait five years as players do to enter the hall. what a day ti would be if that happens and they are inducted at he same time.
as an aside when is smoltz eligible, is it when he plays his last game or actually declares he is retired which a i guess he hasnt done. could there be three on the same day?
Chop Chop
June 16th, 2010
6:29 pm
Glad to see Bobby making that comment about Chipper’s status. It shows that the decision has been taken to heart.
gbear1
June 16th, 2010
6:33 pm
Great story. It is a shame that some people can not recognize greatness.
Pedro Cerano
June 16th, 2010
6:34 pm
The only precedent I can think of as far as the All Star Game goes is ‘03 when Dusty Baker Managed the NL as the Cubs skipper even though he was with the Giants in 02. So the honor is bestowed upon the Manager and NOT the team so I’m sure Bobby would certainly be allowed to.
Mark Bradley
June 16th, 2010
6:34 pm
Thanks, gbear1.
Harry and The Hendersons
June 16th, 2010
6:37 pm
Go on Chipper! Get out of here! Leave! Go back to your home! Go back to the woods!
David, from Equatorial Guinea
June 16th, 2010
6:40 pm
Pedro Cerano, Thanks for the answer. Bottom line: It would be fun to see Bobby again, for one last hurrah, post-retirement.
Willy
June 16th, 2010
6:46 pm
I’m ready for a new coach, I can’t ignore that since the Braves have had an average team payroll they’ve had average teams.
Swamp Fox
June 16th, 2010
6:50 pm
Notice how after you picked Spain to win the World Cup they promptly lost to the Swiss who they hadn’t lost to ever in 18 previous meetings?
Good to see the Bradley curse is alive and well.
Mark Bradley
June 16th, 2010
6:50 pm
Lineups tonight: Jaso, 2B; Crawford, LF; Longoria, 3B; Pena, 1B; Zobrist, RF; Upton, CF; Rodriguez, 2B; Bartlett, C; Davis, P.
Braves: Prado, Heyward, Chipper, McCann, Troy G., Hinske, Escobar, Cabrera, Hanson.
Mark Bradley
June 16th, 2010
6:51 pm
I thought about that during the Swiss victory, Swamp Fox. But I don’t believe I’m alone in favoring the Spaniards.
Patrick
June 16th, 2010
6:53 pm
Great Article on Chipper and Bobby Mark!
Mark Bradley
June 16th, 2010
6:53 pm
Matt Ryan to throw out the first pitch. If he hurts his soupbone in so doing, Arthur M. Blank will buy the Braves and disband the team.
Mark Bradley
June 16th, 2010
6:53 pm
Thanks, Patrick.
Mark Bradley
June 16th, 2010
6:55 pm
Matty Ice and Huddy are playing catch
Mark Bradley
June 16th, 2010
6:57 pm
Ryan’s first pitch is wide. But he gets it to the plate on the fly.
Swamp Fox
June 16th, 2010
6:58 pm
Anybody seen Sonny Clusters recently. Was going to DQ later tonight and was curious what the Blizzard of the month was
Elmo
June 16th, 2010
7:00 pm
It will be better Mark.
william
June 16th, 2010
7:09 pm
Life without Chipper and Bobby will be like life without any great manager or player….it goes on. No one thinks about the past in baseball much. Its about whats coming at you right now. Hopefully everybody enjoyed these two through the past seasons…..and guess what they still have this year right? So forget the “pondering life without……” and lets kick butt this year.
gobraves
June 16th, 2010
7:10 pm
i hope tommy is on tonight!!!!!! we need to even the series
Mark Bradley
June 16th, 2010
7:11 pm
John Jaso flies to right to start the proceedings.
DawgDad
June 16th, 2010
7:14 pm
At this point Cox retiring is a far bigger deal than Chipper retiring. Interesting, a Hall of Fame player actually overshadowed by his manager! I wonder if this has ever happened before.
A baseball team lives on; players and managers come and go, regardless of who they are or how great they were. What is relevant for 2011 is who is ultimately on the 2011 roster, not who is playing for the team today. The really great organizations manage the transitions well. Think about it; we all hope the team WITHOUT Chipper and Cox is ultimately BETTER than it has been the past two years. It’s a cycle of life thing, nothing to fret about, and our hopes for a better future do not demean Cox’s and Chipper’s past accomplishments.
Mark Bradley
June 16th, 2010
7:14 pm
Nothing doing for the Rays.
Slick
June 16th, 2010
7:20 pm
“Not my problem.”
Man, Bradley, that resonates more than any other words in this piece. 6 is really gone? 10 is really gone? Wow.
JT
June 16th, 2010
7:21 pm
If the Braves make the World Series and Bobby Cox retires, he would probably come out of retirement for one day to manage the All Star Game.
The most famous example of this occurring is John McGraw in 1933 – the man BC passed for the ejection record.
Mark Bradley
June 16th, 2010
7:23 pm
Chipper Jones with a one-handed single to right.
Mark Bradley
June 16th, 2010
7:28 pm
Pena bunts for a hit and heads to second on Chipper’s error.
bob
June 16th, 2010
7:34 pm
Cox’s legacy goes back to his GM days when he managed and constructed an organization that is still pumping out players like Heyward and Hansen every year.
Life without Jones is here today. I was a big fan, but he is a liability on payroll now.
Mark Bradley
June 16th, 2010
7:35 pm
Tommy Hanson pitches around the error.
T-Bone
June 16th, 2010
7:37 pm
Great article, MB. I don’t think we realize how good we had it during those years of 14 straight championships. Sure, we should have won 1 or 2 more World Series rings, but I’ll take what we had for a 2 or 3 year flash in the pan. We’ll miss both of those guys in a big way.
Besides, how many people can say that they saw a Hall of Famer throughout his entire career? If you’ve been watching the Braves since 1995, you can.
Now . . . on to the future. Maybe Chipper will announce his retirement, then go on a tear and lead this team to a World Series championship in his and Bobby’s last year, then stick to his word and let Frank Wren use that money to re-sign Glaus.
todd grantham
June 16th, 2010
7:37 pm
Mark, did you have to stifle a laugh when McLouth told you he could still play third?
todd grantham
June 16th, 2010
7:38 pm
“nothing doing” shades of Skip. I heard his voice reading that.
Mark Bradley
June 16th, 2010
7:39 pm
I never stifle a laugh, Coach Grantham.
Mark Bradley
June 16th, 2010
7:41 pm
Yunel with a two-out double to right-center. Split the outfielders.
todd grantham
June 16th, 2010
7:41 pm
especially when speaking to McLouth?
todd grantham
June 16th, 2010
7:42 pm
how long did Bobby hesitate before answering “not my problem”?
Mark Bradley
June 16th, 2010
7:43 pm
Cabrera strikes out.
I don’t remember Bobby hesitating one millisecond.
Feeanch
June 16th, 2010
7:47 pm
Hanson’s got good stuff tonight.
T-Bone
June 16th, 2010
7:47 pm
So here we are in first place . . . can you imagine what is could be like if Chipper and McCann and Yunel start hitting like they are capable of, and if we could get real, consistent production fom center field and left field?
todd grantham
June 16th, 2010
7:49 pm
what’s the Ted on-site blogging won-loss record?
Feeanch
June 16th, 2010
7:49 pm
Hanson’s got good stuff tonight. We’ll probably get 8 runs since it’s the day after a KK start.
Herschel Talker
June 16th, 2010
7:50 pm
Pondering life without an imbecile running the Braves and a 3B five plus years past his prime. Perish the thought.
Roy Hobbs
June 16th, 2010
7:50 pm
Tommy pitching around the error is part of what makes him different than KK. Last night KK just seemed to totally lose concentration after the error in the 1st.
Tami
June 16th, 2010
7:50 pm
I’m thinking that the Braves will have to get used to retiring a few numbers in the next couple of years. Greg’s #31; Tommy’s #47; John’s #29; Chipper’s #10 & Bobby’s #6. I believe only Greg’s has actually been retired and is already up in the outfield.
I guess I wouldn’t be too surprised if Chipper goes when Bobby goes. I’ve been wondering the last couple of years how soon Chipper would go out when Bobby did. Of course, I expected Bobby would go out first. I’m just mildly surprised that they’d go out at the same time. I guess how I envisioned it would go for Chipper would be that he’d just follow Bobby after his current contract ran out.
Very intriguing scenario that David from Equatorial Guinea sent in. But, I agree. Unless someone comes up with a specific rule/regulation buried deeeep within the baseball handbook, I believe Selig would ask Bobby to come back for one last hurrah and manage the NL team.
Mark Bradley
June 16th, 2010
7:52 pm
Hanson is throwing well. Breaking ball is outstanding.
Tami
June 16th, 2010
7:54 pm
Yep….Hanson is smokin’ tonight. Much, much better than last night. The Braves have a fighting chance tonight, IF they can manage a few runs against THEIR pitcher.
LuisG
June 16th, 2010
7:55 pm
Nice picture! Chipper could use it as inspirational for tomorrow’s game, since Mr. Hohn will be the home plate umpire for that game.
JASon
June 16th, 2010
7:57 pm
Funny article. I assume it was meant as a joke.
Mark Bradley
June 16th, 2010
7:59 pm
Prado with an infield hit. Then Heyward with a single off the second baseman’s mitt. First and third for No. 10.
Mark Bradley
June 16th, 2010
8:00 pm
Chipper strikes out. Cox to argue the checked swing.
Elon Brave
June 16th, 2010
8:00 pm
I can get my head around Chipper retiring, but I can’t get my head around Chipper not being a part of the organization. Glavine not being around would have been no big deal (he left before), but gosh, it is super hard for me to not see Chipper until he is a guest in the commentary booth for an inning or something.
Now I know he said he could never manage or something like that, and he probably wants time off, BUT
I think Chipper would make a GREAT hitting coach. He could tailor to lefties, righties, switchies, phenoms and veterans because he has been ALL of those things. He’s also a student of the game the way every hitter should be. He’s lead by example for so long, it seems like a natural transition for him to keep passing on that knowledge as a job.
Mr. Turnip-Green Jeans
June 16th, 2010
8:00 pm
Love the pic and caption. LOL
Mark Bradley
June 16th, 2010
8:01 pm
Plate umpire Paul Emmel said Chipper tipped the ball. Couldn’t tell.
todd grantham
June 16th, 2010
8:01 pm
foul tip?
todd grantham
June 16th, 2010
8:01 pm
perhaps the worst call in the history of baseball
todd grantham
June 16th, 2010
8:02 pm
i think Bobby accepted the call or he would have gotten tossed.
Mark Bradley
June 16th, 2010
8:03 pm
McCann with an RBI double over the shift.
todd grantham
June 16th, 2010
8:04 pm
how does Heyward only get 2 bases when McCann even gets 2?
Drexel Gal
June 16th, 2010
8:04 pm
If the New York Yankees could get along without Casey Stengel and Yogi Berra, then the Braves can sure as hell get along without Bobby (”Wife Slapper”) Cox and Chipper (”Goober”) Jones. Hmmm .come to think of it, the loss of Stengel and Berra signalled the Yankees’ decline that lasted more than a decade. Have a nice trip, Braves fans!
Mark Bradley
June 16th, 2010
8:04 pm
Glaus with a two-run single. He’s unbelievable.
Mark Bradley
June 16th, 2010
8:07 pm
Hinske with a two-out bunt for a hit. Also against the shift.
Mark Bradley
June 16th, 2010
8:08 pm
Just saw a flash of lightning.
Mr. Turnip-Green Jeans
June 16th, 2010
8:09 pm
how does Heyward only get 2 bases when McCann even gets 2?”
McCann’s legs are still growing. Was reminiscent of Rickey Henderson last night.
Tami
June 16th, 2010
8:14 pm
MB…did you see the stats that they put up on TV for Glaus’ RBIs with 2 outs? Outstanding. Update: RBI total is now 25. [Well...add 2 more. I'm sitting here trying to watch the game without my glasses....LOL. Maybe I should fix that.]
And…speaking of lightning: We just experienced quite a soaker in north Cobb County (Kennesaw). Been raining for nearly an hour now. Sideways downpours. No hail, and some lightning. Mostly thunder.
Mr. Turnip-Green Jeans
June 16th, 2010
8:15 pm
Did it strike you? HELLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO?
Tami
June 16th, 2010
8:16 pm
Darn Phillies are beating the Yanks 6-1 and the darn Mets are winning already as well. The Braves must win this game tonight to stay atop the NL East. So far, so good.
Mark Bradley
June 16th, 2010
8:16 pm
A big cloud has just passed overhead. Another en route
a
June 16th, 2010
8:17 pm
stat they just gave on TV: braves first basemen at this point last year had 26 RBI. this year they have 86. wow.
Tami
June 16th, 2010
8:17 pm
uh-oh….can the Braves speed things up a bit to make it official before the bottom falls out of the sky??!!
curtis jones
June 16th, 2010
8:18 pm
This is a revolutionary idea I know. But as for how to settle Chipper’s ridiculous contract when he retires: when he stops playing, stop paying him. Kind of like the real world.
annoying
June 16th, 2010
8:20 pm
you r a loser if you type first and at least have nothing of substance to say.. LOSER
Chipper and Bobby will be sorely missed. Although Chip was by no means a clutch player (IE championships) he was a class act and a 1st ballot HOF and Bobby’s resumes speaks for itself.. I will miss them both..
Tami
June 16th, 2010
8:20 pm
LOL…Ernie Jr sure does sound like Ernie Sr, doesn’t he?
curtis jones
June 16th, 2010
8:20 pm
I know this is a revolutionary idea, concerning how to settle Chipper’s contract when he retires. How about this? When he stops playing, stop paying him. Kind of like the real world.
Mr. Turnip-Green Jeans
June 16th, 2010
8:20 pm
Did they dump the rule requiring the first rain delay last a mandatory length of time?
curtis jones
June 16th, 2010
8:20 pm
More Ernie, less Chip!
annoying
June 16th, 2010
8:22 pm
DB stop encouraging loserville please
Mark Bradley
June 16th, 2010
8:23 pm
I don’t know, Mr. Turnip-Green Jeans. I think you have to wait at least an hour and a half before calling the game once it’s started, but you can resume it whenever its stops precipitating.
Mr. Turnip-Green Jeans
June 16th, 2010
8:23 pm
Loved Ernie Sr.
The excitement in his voice was real.
Mr. Turnip-Green Jeans
June 16th, 2010
8:24 pm
Oh, OK, makes sense. Thanks Mark.
Coulda sworn though.
a
June 16th, 2010
8:25 pm
I hate Ernie Johnson. So the fact that I’m enjoying this broadcast means I REALLY must hate Chip Caray.
todd grantham
June 16th, 2010
8:25 pm
Mark! precipitating?? Surely a play on words!!!!
Mark Bradley
June 16th, 2010
8:26 pm
Just trying to make conversation, Coach TG.
Tami
June 16th, 2010
8:28 pm
“Hate” is a strong word there, “a”. They’re just walking in their dads’ footsteps, and not doing too badly. While their dads certainly are irreplaceable, it’s nice to hear their sons’ voices –helps us remember their dads.
I agree Mr. Turnip-Green Jeans! Ernie Sr — now there’s the epitome of a “legend”.
todd grantham
June 16th, 2010
8:29 pm
like Pres W mixed up perpetrated and perpetuated and Calvary for cavalry.
CaptainMudderland
June 16th, 2010
8:30 pm
Yes sir, E.J., Sr. was the best…always polite and took the time to meet with fans–great person…happy birthday Mr, Johnson.
Geezer
June 16th, 2010
8:30 pm
Thank God KK can’t pitch tonight….I don’t even want him in the bullpen…..if he was we would be sure to lose…..Designate him for assignment somewhere in the deepest darkest part of Japan.
Bob Horner had a sweet compact swing
June 16th, 2010
8:34 pm
late post here…I think Heyward scores from 1st base on McCanns double..?? I know…I’m crying over spilt 2% milk….just sayin…
Tami
June 16th, 2010
8:34 pm
OK, MB….it’s an official game now. Let the rain fall down there over Turner Field!
Jim Ragan
June 16th, 2010
8:35 pm
I say promote Cox back to the GM role he held in the late 80’s, because as the GM back then, he drafted many of the cornerstone players that became part of the Braves during the 1990s into the early part of the 2000s.
CaptainMudderland
June 16th, 2010
8:36 pm
Difference between last night and tonight is huge, really a gamble to pay that kind of sum for a pitcher from outside the AL/NL.
Tami
June 16th, 2010
8:36 pm
@Bob Horner….I agree. But I think Snitker (whatever his name is) stopped him as they don’t want the last out to be at the plate. It evidently worked as Glaus batted both Heyward & McCann in.
Mark Bradley
June 16th, 2010
8:36 pm
I was surprised Snitker stopped Heyward at third base. But he scored on Glaus’ single.
Jim Ragan
June 16th, 2010
8:37 pm
Would be quite a show if EJ would bring Charles Barkley to sit with him on a game……
todd grantham
June 16th, 2010
8:38 pm
me too.
Tami
June 16th, 2010
8:38 pm
@Jim….sure. However, Bobby’s what, 68. I think he’s done with baseball, period. I believe it’s already been arranged, though, that he does some consulting for a few years where every once in a while, he’ll pile into his pickup truck and mosey down to the Ted for a little MLB biz. But, he gets to go back home when he’s through. Ahhhh…semi-retirement. I can only dream as I’ll literally have to work until I drop dead.
Mark Bradley
June 16th, 2010
8:39 pm
It’s raining here.
Bill Stanfill
June 16th, 2010
8:39 pm
glaus is an RBI machine.
todd grantham
June 16th, 2010
8:39 pm
well, let’s talk UGA football.
Bob Horner had a sweet compact swing
June 16th, 2010
8:40 pm
point taken Tami….I’m happy the Braves are winning….but I’m jaded….I look for the negative….and usually can find it…….
Tami
June 16th, 2010
8:41 pm
MB…lightly raining, or picking up? Just wondering if you’re getting what we in north Cobb County had over an hour ago.
Mark Bradley
June 16th, 2010
8:41 pm
It’s a light rain.
todd grantham
June 16th, 2010
8:42 pm
Richt will certainly be on the hot seat if Georgia loses to South Carolina and gets blown out by Florida
Tami
June 16th, 2010
8:42 pm
Wow…amazing stats on Hanson: 17-7 is his record since he was called up a year ago, and has not had more than a 2-game losing streak. He’s bringing IT tonight!
todd grantham
June 16th, 2010
8:43 pm
light rain. near miss. just passed.
todd grantham
June 16th, 2010
8:43 pm
a twist of fate there!
Bob Horner had a sweet compact swing
June 16th, 2010
8:43 pm
todd, you had me at “lose to Florida”….why did keep typing..???
Delbert D.
June 16th, 2010
8:44 pm
So, did Matty throw a spiral?
What the heck does it matter that Bobby is 68? That’s really young these days. His knees might be a problem if he took my Honda for a ride, though. I’m 6′4″, and it doesn’t bother me.
Tami
June 16th, 2010
8:44 pm
LOL@ Bob: Yeah, I guess the negativity finds its place from time to time, right?
HA-HA! Nailed at the plate! Good job, Braves!
Light rain, MB? Maybe things will work out & there’ll be a complete game tonight.
HE’S OUT!!!! Throw Madden out of the game, ump! LOL
who cares?
June 16th, 2010
8:44 pm
One world series championship? Who cares. Cox beat his wife and Chipper got a divorce because he had a child with a Hotters weaitress. Maybe there judgement is a reflection of there inability to make good decisions?
todd grantham
June 16th, 2010
8:44 pm
Hemmell having a bad night for both sides
Delbert D.
June 16th, 2010
8:45 pm
todd grantham – I like my fate with a twist.
Mark Bradley
June 16th, 2010
8:45 pm
Break for the Braves. Hank Blalock called out at the plate after Hanson threw one to the screen. He was safe, replay indicates. Looked safe to the naked eye.
CaptainMudderland
June 16th, 2010
8:45 pm
Dude clearly safe…Madden incensed,,,tough!
todd grantham
June 16th, 2010
8:46 pm
bob, i’m getting tired of the blowouts in jacksonville.
Bob Horner had a sweet compact swing
June 16th, 2010
8:47 pm
My bad…I meant “poultry”….I used to be buddies w/ a chicken farmer….I helped him pick up 6wk old dead birds..(in July/August)
true story….Go Dawgs…!!!!
todd grantham
June 16th, 2010
8:47 pm
del, i do too, but only late.
who cares?
June 16th, 2010
8:48 pm
Hooters Waitress? Sorry the orange shorts and plastic surgery distracted me!
Tami
June 16th, 2010
8:49 pm
@Delbert….age in Bobby’s case (or any other) wouldn’t normally matter. But, I think the age combined with the knees and his constantly promising his wife he’d retire all played a factor.
If my eyes (without the glasses …still) missed seeing the Rays runner was safe, sorry. He looked out to me on the replay I saw. But then again, the TV is to my back as I type.
Braves’ Jones Says No Decision on Quitting - Bats Blog - NYTimes.com
June 16th, 2010
8:50 pm
[...] is as much a face of the Braves as Manager Bobby Cox, who is retiring after the season. They are what is left of the club that won 14 consecutive [...]
todd grantham
June 16th, 2010
8:50 pm
bob, i’ve got chickens named hazel, gladys, prissy, hubert and george. i think they’re crazy because they talk back to me.
Mark Bradley
June 16th, 2010
8:50 pm
Tampa Bay still without a run.
Tami
June 16th, 2010
8:50 pm
whew….got out of that 6th inning still scoreless!
Mark Bradley
June 16th, 2010
8:51 pm
Tool Race. I’ve got Saw.
Mark Bradley
June 16th, 2010
8:52 pm
Saw wins! And I cheated! I waited until the race was half-over to make a pick.
todd grantham
June 16th, 2010
8:56 pm
4-0
Kane337
June 16th, 2010
8:56 pm
I luv me some Hinske!!!
Mark Bradley
June 16th, 2010
8:56 pm
Hinske hits this one over the shift. And the wall.
curtis jones
June 16th, 2010
8:56 pm
Hinske in the lineup, and the Braves are winning. If only Cox would put him in the lineup more often…why are the fans the only ones who see this?
CaptainMudderland
June 16th, 2010
8:57 pm
There’s my boy…great, great job Eric!!!
Kane337
June 16th, 2010
8:58 pm
Will the Braves just please go ahead and sign Hinske to long term deal! His contributions to the team ar e just invaluable.
CaptainMudderland
June 16th, 2010
8:59 pm
When you pitch him in–he’ll get under your skin…and you’ll get skinned by Hinske!
Atlanta Native
June 16th, 2010
9:00 pm
Mark FM Bradley! I think you interact on blogs more than anyone else at the AJC!
Great job.
curtis jones
June 16th, 2010
9:00 pm
Biggest upgrade from 2009: Norton to the scrap heap, Hinske in the lineup.
Swamp Fox
June 16th, 2010
9:01 pm
why are the fans the only ones who see this?
They arent. Hinske cant hit LH pitching.
Mark Bradley
June 16th, 2010
9:01 pm
Thanks, Atlanta Native. We try.
Mark Bradley
June 16th, 2010
9:03 pm
Bobby Cox responds to the cries for more Hinske by removing him from the game. Gregor Blanco now playing center field. Melky Cabrera moves to left field.
Swamp Fox
June 16th, 2010
9:04 pm
Bigger question to me is why Hinkse cant seem to find a home. He is usually a productive player but he never seems to stay in one place very long. Economics I guess.
Delmar
June 16th, 2010
9:04 pm
I reckon we should keep Gregor Blanco around for the season. He’s a good helmet remover.
heartofdarkness
June 16th, 2010
9:05 pm
It’s been a great era for Braves baseball. Worry about tomorrow when it gets here.
Swamp Fox
June 16th, 2010
9:06 pm
Bobby Cox responds to the cries for more Hinske by removing him from the game. Gregor Blanco now playing center field. Melky Cabrera moves to left field.
Id say more than that he is trying to win the game. Getting his better defenders on the field. I love Hinkse bat but he is a brick in the OF.
Mark Bradley
June 16th, 2010
9:07 pm
You’re right, Swamp Fox. I was just joshin’.
Being Human
June 16th, 2010
9:09 pm
Michael Jenkins didn’t drop Ryan’s first pitch, did he?
CaptainMudderland
June 16th, 2010
9:10 pm
My boy is .222 vs. lefties, point well made, defensive move is smart–Eric doesn’t chase the gappers intrepidly…but as long as we win–ok
Mark Bradley
June 16th, 2010
9:11 pm
No, Being Human. Tim Hudson made the catch.
Mark Bradley
June 16th, 2010
9:11 pm
Cox pulls Hanson. Brandon Hicks pinch-hitting.
Swamp Fox
June 16th, 2010
9:11 pm
You’re right, Swamp Fox. I was just joshin’.
I knew that. Problem is some of these knuckleheads wont and will get upset and then Bobby’s an idiot and blah blah blah.
Being Human
June 16th, 2010
9:12 pm
Sweet. Hudson just earned himself a side job for the fall.
lee
June 16th, 2010
9:14 pm
my only regret is that chipper is waiting it the end of the year to retire. like i have said before, it is not like he will play many more games before now and then anyway because he will be injured like he always is!! somone needs to be at third base that will has some hunger and appreciation of being out there and not the ENTITLEMENT that chipper always seems to feel about himself!! i think the comments brian jordan made a few months ago were spot on–but of course when somone started questioning “the entitled one” all @#@% broke out and even Jordon backed off his words!! chipper needs to retire now–he can’t hit water if he fell out of a boat, he stops running half way down the baseline while he is running, and falls all over himself in the field. I personally am so tired of what seems like his sense of entitlement!! go now chipper go now!!
Swamp Fox
June 16th, 2010
9:18 pm
i think the comments brian jordan made a few months ago were spot on
No they weren’t. Brian Jordan missed about 100 times more games due to injury than Chipper has over his career. Jordan was a decent player but not even in Chippers world. He should have kept his mouth shut.
Swamp Fox
June 16th, 2010
9:18 pm
I guess Chipper was entitled to walk.
Mark Bradley
June 16th, 2010
9:19 pm
Heh, heh. I laughed, Swampy.
The Ghost of Greg Norton
June 16th, 2010
9:20 pm
Maybe Brian should put his glasses back on.
OldTimer
June 16th, 2010
9:21 pm
Life goes on Mark. Perhaps you should join them. I’ll still be around.
Mark Bradley
June 16th, 2010
9:22 pm
Hanson threw 101 pitches. Strong game.
Moylan in.
Omar! Omar!
June 16th, 2010
9:22 pm
“Great Balls of Fire” seems over done (is “overdone” one word?).
Mark Bradley
June 16th, 2010
9:25 pm
Attendance is 26,207.
The Ghost of Greg Norton
June 16th, 2010
9:26 pm
Moyland looking better than he has of late
Mark Bradley
June 16th, 2010
9:27 pm
Here’s Willy Aybar. Traded for Wilson Betemit, if you remember.
Mark Bradley
June 16th, 2010
9:29 pm
Cox goes to Johnny Venters after Aybar walks.
The Ghost of Greg Norton
June 16th, 2010
9:29 pm
I spoke too soon.
Mark Bradley
June 16th, 2010
9:29 pm
I always speak too soon, Ghost of Norton.
Bobby Cox
June 16th, 2010
9:30 pm
I am fat.
And a wife beater
Omar! Omar!
June 16th, 2010
9:30 pm
I do recall the Betemit trade. But what did we get for Aybar when we traded him?
Mark Bradley
June 16th, 2010
9:31 pm
The Braves got Jeff Ridgway from Tampa Bay.
Omar! Omar!
June 16th, 2010
9:33 pm
Jeff Ridgway. Hadn’t thought about him in a long time. His name always reminded me of Jeff Treadway, though.
Mark Bradley
June 16th, 2010
9:34 pm
I don’t know that I’ve ever given Jeff Ridgway a thought.
Omar! Omar!
June 16th, 2010
9:36 pm
So nice not to hear Chip yelling loudly when that flyball was hit.
Mark Bradley
June 16th, 2010
9:40 pm
Cabrera with an RBI single. It’s 5-nil.
Omar! Omar!
June 16th, 2010
9:42 pm
Where did all the blog folk go?
Mark Bradley
June 16th, 2010
9:43 pm
Another three-hit game for Prado. And an RBI.
Omar! Omar!
June 16th, 2010
9:43 pm
I love Martin almost as much as Omarteen.
curtis jones
June 16th, 2010
9:47 pm
Blanco’s a keeper! 7 hits in a week. Did McLouth get 7 hits all year?
Swamp Fox
June 16th, 2010
9:50 pm
Where did all the blog folk go?
Braves are winning. Not much to complain about.
curtis jones
June 16th, 2010
9:50 pm
Be sure to watch tomorrow’s game. Idiot umpire Bill Hohn will be behind the plate, so at least one Brave will be tossed. Why MLB lets this hot-tempered, attention-seeking clown keep working is one the great unsolved mysteries of sports.
Swamp Fox
June 16th, 2010
9:51 pm
Ready for the Jinx. According to TV the Braves have won 38 in a row when scoring 5 or more runs.
Mark Bradley
June 16th, 2010
9:51 pm
There’s something to complain about. The Braves dropped the ball twice but still got one out.
CaptainMudderland
June 16th, 2010
9:52 pm
Knuckleheads is not a friendly term boss!
Mark Bradley
June 16th, 2010
9:54 pm
Venters fans Pena. One to go.
coachx
June 16th, 2010
9:54 pm
Good article Mark !
Jon Koncak
June 16th, 2010
9:55 pm
This Kid Johnny Venters is a keeper! This manufacturing runs is reminesent of the 90’s. I Love it!!!!!!!!! This year could get very interesting.!!!!
Mark Bradley
June 16th, 2010
9:55 pm
Shutout lost on a seeing-eye broken-bat grounder.
Omar! Omar!
June 16th, 2010
9:55 pm
Goodbye shutout.
Mark Bradley
June 16th, 2010
9:56 pm
Then again, the shutout should have been lost in the sixth inning. And it’s now 6-2.
Jon Koncak
June 16th, 2010
9:56 pm
Dang, no shut out!!!!!!
frank james
June 16th, 2010
9:56 pm
Best Braves announcers to me have been Ernie Johnson Sr., Skip Caray and Pere Van Wieren. I think Joe Simpson is close. We got get Heyward to let that ball travel and use the whole field. When Jurigens comes back the Braves will have the best starting rotation in baseball. I hope they can stay healthy for the stretch. Get Wagner loose!
Mark Bradley
June 16th, 2010
9:57 pm
Braves win. They’re still in first.
Kane337
June 16th, 2010
9:57 pm
Yanks have the tie run at the plate in the Bot 9th. Down by 3, 2 out, Posada up.
Jon Koncak
June 16th, 2010
9:57 pm
That does it!!!!!!!!!!
Omar! Omar!
June 16th, 2010
9:57 pm
Way to bring home the win, MB. Maybe you should attend a KK game!
Jon Koncak
June 16th, 2010
9:58 pm
I really like our team this year!!!!!!!!!!!
Kane337
June 16th, 2010
9:59 pm
Lidge strikes out Posada.
curtis jones
June 16th, 2010
10:00 pm
Good game! No Chip Caray, no cringe-inducing moments.
Swamp Fox
June 16th, 2010
10:01 pm
Mets gotta lose sometime.
Omar! Omar!
June 16th, 2010
10:01 pm
It’s amazing what a better, more pleasant experience watching the game is on Peachtree versus listening to Chip.
Kane337
June 16th, 2010
10:02 pm
ESPN’s 30 for 30 is on. Documentary on June 17th, 1994. Should be interesting.
CaptainMudderland
June 16th, 2010
10:03 pm
10 over .500 that will work!
Confused
June 16th, 2010
10:11 pm
Venters fans Pena?
The Braves are letting people who post in the AJC Vent pitch in relief now? I know the AJC had a first pitch contest, but I think that’s taking it a little to far.
Joshua
June 17th, 2010
3:23 am
Seriously? Did someone suggest we trade Kenshin Kawakami for a good hitter? Holy smokes what a brilliant idea. Might as well get them to throw in a few prized prospects and pay that player’s salary as well while we are at it.
Seriously what we need to do is acquire Cliff Lee. Yea we could use another solid bat but just look, even with Chipper not performing up to standard, the Braves have one of the best offenses in the league with a remarkably deep bench. Lee is a flame throwing, top of the line starter who also happens to be a left hander with a vendetta against the Phillies. Not only that, but I feel it is about 100% likely that if we don’t acquire him, the Mets will. GET CLIFF LEE.
turkeycaller
June 17th, 2010
4:12 am
Braves minus Cox and Jones equals a chance for a better team. Both individuals will continue to drag this team down if continued to have the chance. Braves win despite them. FACT.
BaseballRun - Braves’ Jones Says No Decision on Quitting
June 17th, 2010
6:07 am
[...] is as much a face of the Braves as Manager Bobby Cox, who is retiring after the season. They are what is left of the club that won 14 consecutive [...]
Tweets that mention No Cox AND no Chipper? Is the world coming to an end? | Mark Bradley -- Topsy.com
June 17th, 2010
6:36 am
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by ajc sports editor, akihiro. akihiro said: Like the rain stops, the reign will end soon… No Cox AND no Chipper? Is the world coming to an end? http://shar.es/mz40C #mlb #braves [...]
Lindsay
June 20th, 2010
10:56 pm
I hope Chipper doesn’t retire and Bobby needs to change his mind!