8 reasons why these Braves will NOT squander this lead
This young man is about to get going again. Just watch. (AJC photo by Johnny Crawford)
They’d suffered a bad loss late Wednesday, and now the Braves had to play an afternoon game against the team with the National League’s best record on a sweltering day. (Heat index: 106.) They won so easily as to make you believe there’s no way the final 10 1/2 weeks of this regular season hold any danger for this dauntless band. The reasons why:
1. They can pitch. It never changes. As long as you can pitch, you can win. The Braves won breezing Thursday — actually, they did some sweating, too — because Tim Hudson never gave the Padres a chance. He worked seven innings and yielded six baserunners, one of whom was erased by a double play. This isn’t a team apt to lose five in a row because the rotation won’t let that happen. Jair Jurrjens looks hale and hearty, and even if Tommy Hanson and Derek Lowe haven’t been dominant they’re fine as Nos. 3 and 4 starters.
2. They’re buoyant. Not 15 hours after a sobering loss, the Braves had taken a lasting lead in the decisive game of a three-game set against an opponent they might well see in October. Said Billy Wagner, who blew a save Wednesday night: “Good teams are resilient. The heat out there today was awful; I guarantee you the Padres had never felt anything like that. We jumped on them early and kept them out there a long time.”
3. They’re daring. The key play of the first inning was the rookie Jason Heyward going first-to-third on Chipper Jones’ single to left field, which isn’t easy to do. (Heyward scored the only run the Braves would need on Troy Glaus’ sacrifice fly.) Said Bobby Cox of Heyward: “His instincts are off the chart, and he’s got some larceny in him. He’s not afraid to take a base.”
4. They’re clever. The 20-year-old right fielder is wise in the ways of older men, and there are a bunch of older guys to backstop him. Back to Heyward taking third: “You’d be surprised how many [left fielders] at this level can’t make that throw,” Jones said. “We’re a smart team. We steal bases at a very high percentage [69.5 percent, to be precise]. We’re very good at taking the extra base.” Then this: “We’ve got ballplayers. We’ve got guys with great instincts.”
5. They have a dependable shortstop. Alex Gonzalez, nicknamed Sea Bass, had four hits Thursday and made another series of deft defensive swoops. Said Cox: “Watching him play shortstop these past few days has really been special.” Jones likened A-Gonz to Ozzie Smith and Omar Vizquel, saying: “It’s great that he’s having a great offensive year, but what I want out of a shortstop is defense — to know that 99 percent of the time he gets his mitt on something he’s going to make the play.”
6. They have a healthier Heyward. He was hitting .251 at the All-Star break, but this is in no way a .251 hitter. He carried this team when nobody else could do a thing in April, and he’s capable of more heavy lifting. He hit .321 over the seven-game homestand. He will do even better very soon.
7. They have a working lead but they’re not impressed by it. Said Wagner: “We play as a team. Chipper has said it a million times, but it’s not one person keeping us going. It’s someone new, a new face in the bullpen, helping us win a game. And we worry about one game at a time, and that comes from the manager.”
8. They have it going in a way that makes you believe they’ll keep it going. They didn’t panic when they lost nine consecutive games in April. They didn’t wring their hands over the lost lead Wednesday night. They press on. They’ve won or halved 20 of their past 21 series. Said Gonzalez, on board only a week: “When you watch the way they play ball every day, you think, ‘This is a great team.’ ”
“Great” overstates. This is a good team that has come to maximize every resource. It isn’t without flaws, but after 95 games it holds the best record in its league. Gonzalez again: “We play hard. We do the little things you have to do. We want to put ourselves in position and see what happens at the end of the year.”
What will happen: The Braves will play beyond the 162nd game for the first time since 2005.
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247 comments Add your comment
NCBravesFan
July 22nd, 2010
9:37 pm
Well good for you for believing in this team, my fellow Braves fan.
As for me, I’ve been posting with this screenname for at least a year and a half. Can’t recall seeing you before, but hey … carry on. It’s a blog and the more the merrier I say.
Frank Bolling
July 22nd, 2010
9:47 pm
Fan Since 1977. I keep agreeing with you. Up to a point. If you have played the game — you have to be solid and strong up the middle. Defensively. Catcher, pitcher,short stop, second base, and — OOPS — center field. All those play-off teams you noted — ALWAYS had a player who could play THAT center field position. Marquis Grissom. Otis Nixon. Andruw Jones with his SOLID gold glove! Nate McLouth?? This is a joke; a pox; and the Archilles heel of this Braves team. Here’s my question for everybody on here who cares. Where is it written that Jason is a right fielder?? WHERE?? On every team I’ve played on, we always put our fastest guy with a cannon for an arm in center field. It’s a no brainer. Cover lots of ground — left and right. Turn would be doubles — into outs — and guys trying to go to third from 1st on a single — into automatic outs. Here’s my simple plan to WIN — not just get there — WIN — this year’s World Series. Pick up a guy who can hit, with a strong arm, to play one of the outfield positions. Pick one Wren. There are several good ones out there. Give up a couple of young pitchers, even old pitcher Lowe if necessary, and throw McLouth in for free. There goes part of that ridiculous salary. Addition by subtraction. Diaz/Cabrera platoon in left according to pitcher. Jason in center. New guy — (Willingham, Ross, fill in the blank here — some of those Brewer guys who might be in a fire sale mode!) It will work. Whom ever it is. Case in point. Look no further than Alex Gonzales. Get a good to great player — buried on a team going absolutely nowhere — and bring ‘em here. They’ll think they died and went to heaven! We are really in a pennant race? A shot at the World Series?? Like my old granny used to say, “It’s Katy bar the door!” I don’t think even Bobby could screw this one up, and believe it or not — I’d like to see the Old Goat go out a WINNER!!!! Roll Braves!!
Larry
July 22nd, 2010
9:51 pm
Wow! A blog fight between the real and imposter “NCBravesFan!” How much to watch on Pay per View? Another “Larry” want to take me on?
Keith
July 22nd, 2010
9:52 pm
Re:Chris.
Yes, i agree with you that it is better for Philly to land Oswalt than the Cardinals. THat team scares me enough as it is and if they were to land another #2 starter, then they would be very difficult. I know there’s a lot of baseball left and injuries to unfold, but if they land oswalt, I say we need another piece….probably a powerhitting RH bat. But please, don’t let it cody ross..corey hart, sure.
Frank Bolling
July 22nd, 2010
10:01 pm
I just wrote a short novel here full of insight. Where did it go? Too long, MB?? Doesn’t matter…
Frank Bolling
July 22nd, 2010
10:08 pm
Ah, back up again! Here’s the Cliff Notes version of how to win it all. Deal whom ever for a power hitting outfielder. Move Jason to CF where he belongs. Forget McLouth. Not even on the bench. Move him, some young pitchers, for that one critical piece. DEFENSE UP THE MIDDLE. We are set everywhere but center field. Where is it written that Jason has to play right field? Move him. Put new guy where ever. Every problem area solved and World Series back in the ATL in October. Thanks for the memories Bobby. Glad to see you go — but may as well — go out a winner!!!
Jacket Backer
July 22nd, 2010
10:10 pm
Good team. I’m glad Cox has this team to go out with. Maybe something special will happen in October!
Herschel Talker
July 22nd, 2010
10:27 pm
NCBravesFAN at 9:25:
I must say that we all though this team was going to suck. The Glaus signing was a joke or so we thought. We all hated the Vazquez trade (and maybe still do). So I applaud MB for not being a blind homer at the time and telling it like it was, namely that those transactions sucked. But we were all terribly wrong (though Glaus has resumed sucking as of late, but that’s another topic for another day). And MB admitted it. Is he supposed to continue bashing them? So like I said, there’s no shame in changing one’s stance in the face of changed circumstances and facts.
HT
Ed
July 22nd, 2010
10:33 pm
I love the 10 reasons the BRaves will win, however, there are a couple of reasons they might not:
1. The Phillies get Oswalt.
2. The Mets dump Franceur (sp)
But I do like their chances today.
Drexel Gal
July 22nd, 2010
10:38 pm
You are right … Bradley IS far ahead of Schultz. If the Braves lose the Division this year, Schultz will blame it on George Bush.
Gwalk
July 22nd, 2010
10:44 pm
That last sentence made my heart melt. What an awesome year we are having…Go Bravos!
thunderbull56
July 22nd, 2010
10:44 pm
.667, .280,3.50, Scares all the mules who come to play.We are close.That’s what is so cool about the game.Individual contributions make up a team’s success.Win 2 of 3 week in and out, .667 is the WP line.Research the games history and to obtain that a team generally has to bat close to .280 and it’s pitching has to maintain a little below .400.Yeah, I’m guilty,I’m gloating a little,while sweating how much better we could be.
Yunel the fry cook
July 22nd, 2010
10:45 pm
Would you like some fries with that order, sir?
bruce
July 22nd, 2010
10:55 pm
9. Braves are doing it right now with Martin not having his at-bats turn into on-base as often as he has been. Going through a time then the hits will start falling in again and he will pick up someone else who is not as hot.
IlliniBrave
July 22nd, 2010
11:09 pm
Interesting comments MB – very revealing with respect to the Gonzalez-Yunel trade. Note the following attributes of the Braves from your article:
“they work hard”
“they do the little things”
“they are resilient”
“they play baseball the way the game is supposed to be played”
“they play as a team”
NONE of these can be said about Yu-smell. The guy just didn’t fit in with the Braves. Wish him well, sort of, but glad as hell that we no longer have to deal with all the distractions.
Yunel Escobar
July 22nd, 2010
11:36 pm
Yo quiero hombres
Nevada Roy
July 23rd, 2010
12:44 am
How about offering Kawakami straight up for Francoeur? On his arrival, option him to Gwinnett and non-tender in October. Saves Kawakami salary for 2011.
DB
July 23rd, 2010
1:25 am
Mark,
You really need to do a story on how the Braves and the Atlanta PD treat senior citizens that come to a game by bus. I took a bus group there Thursday and following the game they were forced to stand out on the curb for over an hour with the heat index at 105 degrees before I could pick them up. They were not familiar with the stadium or the area and were physically unable to walk to the lot across the interstate to reach the bus. I talked to everyone possible trying to get permission to drive to them and pick them up, the only response I received was that it couldn’t be done. I questioned a number of officers about a location for handicapped seniors to be dropped off or picked up by the stadium and the response was the same, one even told me to “:have them write their congressmen.” I am not certain but it sure seem like this may be a violation of the Americans With Disabilities Act. The Braves do provide a golf cart that will carry 3 at a time to the bus, with 50 passengers, this still takes over an hour. It’s a shame that senior groups are discouraged to come to the games after being treated like this.
edmaster
July 23rd, 2010
1:46 am
hey what about bautista from the blue jays is he available? and can the braves actually make a push for him ?
Headley Lamar
July 23rd, 2010
2:08 am
anybody seen my rubber duckie?
Baldemar Huerta
July 23rd, 2010
3:13 am
From Liebrant to Gant, The Choke-o-matic is warming up for the post season.
Mike in LA
July 23rd, 2010
3:59 am
I think some of you guys are nuts fire blaming Bobby Cox for the Braves postseason losses. The players have something to do with that as well. It wasn’t Bobby’s fault that Lonnie Smith forgot how to run the bases in the seventh game and failed to score in the 91 series, it wasn’t his fault that Wohlers gave up the homer to Leyritz that changed the entire series, and it wasn’t his fault that Maddux and Glavine were mere mortals in the postseason. Fact remains that if you look at pure stats, he’s right up there with the greatest managers of all time. And if you look further than numbers, at qualities such as loyalty to players and consistent optimism there’s no one in his class. Hell, I think they should change the Braves name to the Atlanta Bobby Braves, he’s meant that much. I will miss seeing him in that dugout, that’s for sure.
Larry
July 23rd, 2010
5:17 am
Mile in LA,
“The Atlanta Bobby Braves?” Seriously?
You may want to mention the GM and and the Farm System too! It was Mr. John Schuerholz who acquired Mr. Bream, Mr. Billiard, Mr Pendleton, Mr. Pena, Mr. Leibrandt, and Mr. Nixon to compliment the youth and kick start the 1991 team, adding Mr. Maddux and Mr. McGriff in 1993 and adding Mr. Grissom, Mr. Devereaux and Mr. O’Brien in 1995. It was the Braves farm system that produced too many players for Bobby to mention.
I’ll agree that Bobby is a loyal, optimistic and a really nice guy and this bodes well at keeping players happy and content for the nine months of February through September. However, those same players, the media, and, perhaps, people like you, were in a state of “shock and awe” earlier this season when Bobby Cox came out of character and ordered a squeeze play to win a game. Me? I thought this is the kind of strategic, situational, in-game decision making that has so many times been absent from Bobby during so, so many tight, one run games during the postseason.
You see, Mike, in my opinion, a baseball manager is the easiest managerial job in professional sports when it comes to decision making. Really, how hard is it to fill out a lineup card, set up a five man rotation, and call for a relief pitcher or a pinch hitter over a 162 game season? The most talented pitchers and players will win the majority of 162 games! However, during a 7 game series in the NLCS or WS, you expect to also be facing the league’s best pitchers and players and this is when a manager can shine. This is when a manager’s key, in game decisions are critical! This is when the best managers of a must win game surface!
Bobby Cox is a great 162 game season manager; however, Bobby Cox has also been the worst and making the right call at the right time in the postseason and a 1-14 record in the last game of the postseason is overwhelming and convincing evidence of this!
Maybe, just maybe, should we get into the postseason this year, Bobby will appoint an offensive coordinator to make the calls at key moments of a close game. Otherwise we fans will at some point watch yet another opposing team’s players and their manager celebrate on the pitcher’s mound again–and I’ve been watching this since 1995!
Stuart Smalley
July 23rd, 2010
5:47 am
If I had managed the Braves instead of … Bobby … um … Cox, I would have fifteen championship trophies instead of a downward shame … spiral. Why would I have been a better manager than the current manager? Because I’m good enough, I’m smart enough, and, doggone it, people like me!
*Sarcasm-Identification gene required*
Dr. Kenneth Noisewater
July 23rd, 2010
7:23 am
phillies won’t get oswalt, going to the cards per MLB. barring any setbacks/injuries, braves should clinch 1st place and start the postseason.
Just Me
July 23rd, 2010
8:00 am
Only hole we have is in Centerfield and it needs to be addressed now. Give him time to fit in with Braves. McLough is not the player we thought we were getting, he didnt hit before the crash in the outfield and he will not hit now. Hes a inning killer and we need that hole done and gone if we are to go all the way.
We need a right handed batter who can be productive in the lower end of the lineup and thats not McLouth. Time to turn that position over to a real hitter and we have the team that can go all the way. Dont stall, just go get us that hitter and were as good as gold.
GO BRAVES!
Shug
July 23rd, 2010
8:17 am
Yesterday’s game doesn’t erase the fiasco on Wednesday. Championship teams don’t blow multi-run leads in the ninth inning.
Paddy
July 23rd, 2010
8:23 am
In the age of hugh MLB salaries, it is unheard of for a team to play with no selfishness. The Braves ar playing Old Thyme Baseball. One reason, Bobby Cox knowns what he is doing. Brought up in the Yankee tradition under Ralph Hoak(sp). We will miss him when he is gone because he is a once in a lifetime manager. Just ask any professional baseball man their impressions of Bobby. Every team in baseball wishes they had someone with his qualities.
mowreck
July 23rd, 2010
8:27 am
Mark, I really enjoyed your article. One of the best articles you have written about the Braves. Congrats, you hit the nail right on the head.
Fan since 1977
July 23rd, 2010
8:32 am
Just Me -
To address your concerns over CF, I strongly believe we have showcased McLouth and Mike Dunn the last 2 games for the Florida advance scouts in attendance, because Florida IS interested in dealing Cody Ross and they specifically mentioned Dunn. Why else would McLouth pinch run for Diaz? Diaz is one of the faster guys on the team. Dunn did not help his cause yesterday, though, as Moylan had to come in and save his butt. Stay tuned because some kind of deal may get done. Florida is not out of it, and they won’t have another fire sale since they get a new stadium next year (or they would have dealt Hanley Ramirez by now), but they do want a RP.
mowreck
July 23rd, 2010
8:35 am
p.s. Are they gonna take my favorite pitcher (Chris M) out of the starting rotation?
Kenny J
July 23rd, 2010
8:37 am
Bradley, good one. You’ve offered us a rounded perspective and 8 clear reasons to “think October.” #9 is Frank Wren. i am not sure what’s with this town when it comes to its sour view of him. He’s done a great job, including cleaning up the messes Scheurholz made his final 3 or 4 years on the job after making the Braves the great franchise they were for 14 years. Frank, since then, has put together a solid team and restored the minor league system, and for a payroll that’s $40 million less than the Phillies. The Yunel deal was another example of the soundness of minor tweaking that makes a major difference. The national beat says the Braves sold low on Escobar, which from a raw talent standpoint may be true, but not from a professional one. Also, I’d be surprised if another smart deal doesn’t show up before the July 31 (or August 31) deadline. Either way, for the 8 reasons you gave us MB, I still like the team’s chances a lot. Here’s hoping the 2010 post-season is special.
One last thing on Post-season-Cox. To me his biggest, most repeated flaw has been to pitch his starters on 3 days rest in October, and it hasn’t worked. Let’s all hope he doesn’t do that again this time around. We all really enjoy this team and would love to fly the championship flag in a final celebration of his remarkable career.
bad brad
July 23rd, 2010
8:41 am
One thing I dont’t understand is how they are dealing with Medlen. The Braves win 10 of his 11 starts and put him in the bull pen/relegate him to 5th starter status. I think this will mess up his head; re the late inning loss to SD.
Also have heard the rumor from Chuck Dowdle on the radio that the Braves are considering trading Medlen for Florida’s Ross. I, for one, do not want to see that happen. Enjoy watching Medlen attacking opposing hitters and think he is the real deal for years to come.
Maybe D Lowe should be the 5th starter until his contract is up.
Dan
July 23rd, 2010
8:49 am
But… But…,But the Fillies are so much better than the Braves how will the Braves keep ahead of them?
Curious George
July 23rd, 2010
9:05 am
Wouldn’t the concept of building an actual T-E-A-M based on a strict No-Thugs policy be a reason as well?
Anyone see Yunel?
Let's Go
July 23rd, 2010
9:06 am
9th reason: The schedule is in the Braves Favor. 4 game series coming up against Giants, Dodgers, & Cardinals are all at home. Have to go face the Reds next week and the Rockies & Cubs are on the road. Also 7 of the remaining 10 games with the Mets are in Atlanta.
Kenny J
July 23rd, 2010
9:07 am
brad brad — so right on. Kris Medlen is the man. All heart, grit and over-achievement. A great example of the soul of this team. I’d hate to seem him get traded.
crymeariver
July 23rd, 2010
9:11 am
What does no-thugs policy refer to?
crymeariver
July 23rd, 2010
9:17 am
I’m not an expert, but I don’t think that the Braves really need to trade for anything.
And a Medlin for Ross to Fla. deal, is way to much to give away for Ross. I don’t think Ross is that valuable. I don’t believe Wren would ever do that.
They were trying to advertise Dunn yesterday, but he had the hic-cups.
Mr. Obvious
July 23rd, 2010
9:25 am
crymeariver @ 9:11am
If you HAVE TO ask that question, then that is probably one reason why you have not been asked by Bobby Cox to join this year’s team.
Enjoy your Carlos Zambrano, Lastings Milledge & Hanley Ramirez basbeall card collection.
Mr. Obvious
July 23rd, 2010
9:26 am
BASEBALL card collection
j
July 23rd, 2010
9:28 am
Great article MB! You are the man. I love watching these Braves! That is a huge win, bouncing back from some bad luck.
Mutley
July 23rd, 2010
9:32 am
To all the fans who wanted to fire Frank Wren please say, “I am sorry.”
j
July 23rd, 2010
9:35 am
Medlin will be a stud. we can’t afford to trade him. Blanco has an OBP of .400 and hitting. Get his @$$ back up here Wren!
Galen Hall
July 23rd, 2010
9:43 am
Cody Ross ain’t all that good. Trading Medlin for him would be a mega mistake.
Meanwhile, the L.A. Times quotes Larry Drew as saying Josh Powell to the Hawks “is a done deal,” yet the Atlanta paper, as far as I can tell, only has this new reported by fans on the blog of the vacationing beat writer. Is this any way to run a railroad?
crymeariver
July 23rd, 2010
10:00 am
curious george@9;05 or mr. obovious@9:25 or whatever other handle you use on this blog……….Your 9:25 post, still doesn’t explain what you were trying to say in your 9:05 entry.
What is a no-thugs policy suppose to be referring to? Or do you, even know what you are talking about?
crymeariver
July 23rd, 2010
10:22 am
I guess that you didn’t know what you meant either, bye.
schmeckdawg
July 23rd, 2010
10:32 am
Sorry everybody, I know this is a Braves site, but remember when Boise State rolled into Athens for the first game in 2005, they were done by the end of first quarter due to THE HEAT!!!!!!!!!
MitchC
July 23rd, 2010
10:36 am
The same Mark Bradley who said the Braves were going to finish third in April, is now saying in late July, that the Braves are going to the playoffs. From your blog, to a higher being’s .. ears, my friend.
I’m cautiously optimistic, but far from cocky. I remember 1983, when the Braves blew a 6 1-2 game lead in August. I remember the Mets in 2007, 7 games with 17 to go, blew it all. I remember the 1969 Cubs, 9 1-2 up in August, only to finish eight back.
I’m not saying any of those disasters will happen. On the contrary, I think the Braves SHOULD win the NL East by a decent size margin. It’s just.. as good as they’ve been, there are so many games to go, and its only July.
Hopefully, your prediction will be 100% right. It will be nice to see them play beyond Game 162 for the first time in five years.
Don
July 23rd, 2010
10:41 am
EIGHT Reasons Why The Braves WILL Squander This Lead:
(1) Bobby Cox blew who knows how many games in the first 1/4 of the season by playing McLouth full time (at the same time as Melky) when he was producing almost nothing. Who knows when he will do something just as stupid again.
(2) Bobby Cox lost who knows how many games in the first 1/4 of the season by playing Melky full time (at the same time as McLouth) when he was producing almost nothing at that time. May do something just as stupid again.
(3) Bobby Cox has kept Chipper in the 3rd spot in the batting order all season when he was hitting in the .230s or below most of the time with bad RBI production – causing the loss of who knows how many games. Will probably continue this even if he goes back to hitting poorly.
(4) Heyward was hitting great, being selective, being patient. Then Bobby Cox said he should be more aggressive. Soon thereafter he started not being selective or patient, swinging at bad pitches, overswing, trying to pull too much and his hitting went in the tank. Coming of the DL will he go back to his original form or will he continue the results of Cox’s comments????
(5)Like most seasons, Cox is probably going to have some of his best bullpen pitchers unnecessiarly overused and ineffective before the end of the season.
(6) Cox is likely to continue to show little or no understanding of playing the “hot hand” and will have players who are hot hitters sitting on the bench.
(7) Cox will probably follow his usual pattern of using some player who is not producing on and on and on – with a productive player on the bench.
(8) The bullpen is talented and deep, but Cox may follow his habit in past seasons of finding a relief pitcher who is very ineffective and using him on and on and losing game after game.
THE LIST could go on – and we didnt’ even get into questionable in game strategy moves.
TRUE – Pitching is the name of the game, and with their Pitching, the Braves should win the Division. But the BIG QUESTION is – Is the Pitching great enough to overcome the management procedures and lack thereof of Bobby Cox? One positive factor – the overall talent on this roster (the number of duds being limited) limits his potential for blunders.