Is it time for Braves’ fans to panic? Nah, I say bravely
Melky Cabrera's not giving up. Who's with Melky? (AJC photo by Johnny Crawford)
The lead’s down to 3 1/2 games, and Nate McLouth had nothing to do with the most recent failure. The Braves were set to oppose Stephen Strasburg on Tuesday and wound up getting shut out by Miguel Batista and some Nat relievers. And now you’re asking: Is it time to panic?
And I’m saying: Nah.
Esteemed colleague Tim Tucker said something profound 20 years ago. (Tim says something profound pretty much every day, but this pearl of wisdom is particularly germane.) Quoth Tim: “When you think about it, it’s never time to panic.”
And that’s true. All panic brings is hyperventilation, and who needs that? Panic is what drove the Braves to trade for Len Barker in 1983 — they were desperate to see and raise the Dodgers’ acquisition of Rick Honeycutt — and we know how that worked out. The Braves wound up missing the playoffs and, owing to loss of Brett Butler and Brook Jacoby, hurt their team for years.
Here’s where we take a deep breath and say: This is baseball. Teams get hot and teams get cold. The Braves were fine as of last Thursday, when they completed a series victory over the first-place Padres. They’ve since lost three of four, two of the losses being walk-off jobs in Florida.
And the Brave can do nothing about the Phillies. (Who were, let’s recall, barely above .500 this time last week.) If Philly wins every game from here on, the Braves aren’t going to finish first. But nobody’s going to win them all. It’s baseball, remember.
What the Braves have to do: Keep playing the way that built them the lead. Keep stringing quality starts and good at-bats together. Keep grinding, as they say. They’re still 3 1/2 up (four in the loss column). They still have the biggest lead of any division front-runner save Texas.
If Frank Wren can consummate a useful trade, that’s great. If not … well, the guys here were good enough to have constructed a seven-game lead only six days ago. These guys are still good enough. And it would be folly to try and match Philadelphia if it should land Roy Oswalt. That name again: L-E-N B-A-R-K-E-R.
You’ll recall that a certain correspondent with a penchant for being wrong last week offered eight reasons the Braves wouldn’t blow their lead. You’ll note that I didn’t say they’d win by 15 games; I just said they’d hold on. I believed that then. I believe it now.
See, I’ve come to believe in these Braves. Three losses in four games haven’t changed that. They’re still in front. They’re still the team to catch.
And even if they should get caught by the Phillies, all would not be lost. The Braves have never availed themselves of it, but I hear baseball has this thing that gets you into the postseason even if you’re not a division champ. I believe it’s called the wild card.
There’s a lot of baseball to be played, and the Braves have played inspired baseball for more than two months. There’s no reason to think they’re about to stop. Have a little faith, I say.
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248 comments Add your comment
emo
July 28th, 2010
10:47 am
The dye has been cast, bradley emoted, braves are doomed….
BC
July 28th, 2010
10:48 am
I am optimistic but will admit that today is a must win. The Phillies have Halladay going and it seems like every team they are playing right now is playing their worst baseball of the season. The Braves players need to realize that if it is a first pitch fastball right down the middle belt high, they are allowed to swing.
Chief Nocahoma
July 28th, 2010
10:49 am
Mark,
You and Steve have to have some of the thickest skin available. No where do I know of a profession where one has to put their opinions out there while everyone with access to a computer can second guess you, call you an idiot or otherwise publicly flog you for your opinions daily. With talk radio, the hosts have screeners to weed out the nut cases. Politicians have secret service and handlers to keep the nay sayers away. But you and Mr. Schultz, have no net and no filters. Just put your opinion out there and let the masses throw rocks all day without fear of retribution or someone finding out that everything they’ve ever done or said wasn’t exactly perfect either. I applaud you. Just wish when one of my teams was going good you wouldn’t write about them so glowingly. Lest I want them to fall flat on their faces. For future reference my teams are the Yellow Jackets and Braves. Thanks for your cooperation in this matter.
Chief Nocahoma
July 28th, 2010
10:49 am
I meant Jeff. But Steve Hummer should have a blog as well.
Ranger Randy
July 28th, 2010
10:49 am
Not panic……but a little urgency might be a useful thing. Ya gotta win the close ones. Ya gotta SCORE. And Glaus’ bat has been pathetic for quite awhile…..popups, groundouts, routine flys. Where is Joe Adcock or Fred McGriff when you need them>
Stephen
July 28th, 2010
10:50 am
This is when the Braves need to start managing players’ playing time and put the right lineups out there to get a good balance of rested guys and fresh guys. Bobby Cox has never been good at this, and he’s going to mismanage this, too.
RGP
July 28th, 2010
10:50 am
I agree with you Mark, lots of games to be played. I remember a month ago Philly was in a funk and losing lots of games. Now they are hot and we have cooled off. The Braves need to RELAX and keep playing hard.and SMART.(Like moving runners over by bunting instead of hitting into double plays!) Or how bout stealing a base once in a while!
Don
July 28th, 2010
10:50 am
Mr. Bradley:
The TIME for the Braves fans to “PANIC” is long past. It was when the Braves annonced that they were going to let Bobby Cox manage again this season.
robdawg08
July 28th, 2010
10:51 am
Even if the Braves got Hart,Dunn,A.Jones,DeJesus,etc. Bobby would want to platoon them… I wonder if Bobby has two garderners,two chefs,two caddies,two women at home that he also platoons ?
robdawg08
July 28th, 2010
10:53 am
Capps made Glaus look like a little leaguer last night.
Tyler NJ Brave
July 28th, 2010
10:56 am
Alright……….everyone who is saying Infante should be starting everyday because he’s an all star, needs to stop talking. He was on the all star team for doing just what he’s doing right now. That is, coming off the bench, making spot starts, getting clutch hits. He was an all- star because he’s a very valuable utility player. He makes this team a lot stronger on the bench.
Chipper is valuable in the 3 hole. Even though he may not hit bombs like he used to, he’s still a presence in the line -up. Pitchers still walk him and pitch around him. I’d like to see him in the 2 or 6 spot but batting 3rd is not the worst thing.
pick up podsednik! We don’t need a big bat….we have pop 1 through 8 as is. It’s not all about the longball ladies! We got where we are by having great obp’s and timely hitting.
robdawg08
July 28th, 2010
10:56 am
He probably platoons the grand kids to cut the corns off his feet…
Bobby's Cox
July 28th, 2010
10:58 am
robdaw08-At least Bobby isn’t a “Switch Hitter”..But, if he doesn’t get himself in better shape he may need a “Designated Hitter” in the home though..Wondering how the pinch hitter and pinch runner would come into play as well…Almost forgot-We are in a National League city and the DH may not be allowed..
robdawg08
July 28th, 2010
10:58 am
Pitchers don’t fear Chipper they just strike him out or allow him to hit lazy flies to the OF…
Ty
July 28th, 2010
10:59 am
first?
robdawg08
July 28th, 2010
11:00 am
Bobby probably goes to a Toby Keith concert and half way thru asks if they could switch him for Keith Urban…
ScBravesFan
July 28th, 2010
11:01 am
Mark,
I’m hoping for the best but I fear this team is a little overrated. They were 29-10 from May 10 – June 20 but are 28-32 outside of that one hot stretch. How many teams win the World Series with a #3 hitter who is averaging 10 rbi per month? And the #5 hitter has 5 rbi in July? This team is so dependent on McCann and Glaus producing because Chipper doesn’t drive in runs anymore and when Mac or Glaus is struggling, the offense is terrible. I don’t think they can get it done with Chipper and Glaus clogging up two of the run producing spots in the lineup. I don’t have all the answers but maybe moving Heyward to 3 spot in the order and moving Hinske/Diaz to 5 spot in the order could help.
robdawg08
July 28th, 2010
11:02 am
Diaz hits 3 homeruns to win 3 games then gets benched. WTF ?
Bobby's Cox
July 28th, 2010
11:03 am
robdawg08-The only people fearing Chipper are the insurance administrators that have to constantly fill out the paperwork for Chipper’s claims.
Tyler NJ Brave
July 28th, 2010
11:03 am
Diaz isn’t hitting right handers…
BC
July 28th, 2010
11:05 am
On the bright side, at least Billy Wagner has had a chance to rest his arm/ankle….hopefully he will come back re-energized when the Braves decide they want to start winning games again
robdawg08
July 28th, 2010
11:05 am
Diaz can’t hit right handers but McCann,Gonzalez,Glaus,Prado,etc. can hit lefties and righties ?
Nice way to label Diaz as “can only hit lefties”.
Too tough 44
July 28th, 2010
11:05 am
I just b SH#T! What a depressing outting…I mean, the Braves get a scrub pitcher, get shut out…Pretenders! Cant beat the teams you are supposed to! Chipper in NOT an everyday player anymore…Gluas, trade him while we can…please! get us another pitcher and CF…Do it now, or The Braves are done. Mr. Wren, dont sit here on your thumbs and think this team can win the divison or a wild card with this INCONSISTENT group of players…The future belongs to you Mr. Wren! Please, the Fans deserve it!
Don
July 28th, 2010
11:06 am
The Braves don’t have the money for Oswalt because the fans don’t show up for the games. Given the team is in a top 10 metro area and has the whole southeast to draw from – nearest teams are Nationals, Rays, Astros and Cardinals – they should sell out most games, particularly given the low ticket prices, excellent stadium, and recent performance. Another 10,000 fans for 81 games at $15 a pop is Oswalt money….
Dave
July 28th, 2010
11:06 am
Okay, guys, let’s look at this logically.
Last night the Braves just got beat; that happens in baseball for at least one-third of your games.
In the loss to San Diego and BOTH losses to the Marlins, the Braves win those games if they get a base hit (and in two cases just a deep FLY ball) with men in scoring position. Had that happened, they would be 8-3 after the break instead of 5-6.
These are games that the Braves SHOULD have won, but did not. There have been many MORE games that the Braves should have LOST, but won because they got the clutch hit or the strategic strikeout.
And did ANYONE out there REALLY think the Phillies were going to roll over and play dead??
That said, it would be nice if Frank Wren could trade for another right-handed bat without giving up the cream of the crop in the Braves minor league propsects.
robdawg08
July 28th, 2010
11:06 am
Glaus can’t hit period…But starts every game.
Herschel Talker
July 28th, 2010
11:07 am
Don at 10:50am
Indeed. Our manager is an imbecile. That game Sunday was the last 15+ years in a nutshell. That game couldn’t have been managed more poorly. What a disgrace.
HT
Too tough 44
July 28th, 2010
11:08 am
Hey robdog….Diaz 3 homers and benched…..LOL! thats Bobby Cox baseball….disgusting!!!!!!!!!!!!!! uggghhhhhhhh!
robdawg08
July 28th, 2010
11:11 am
In every big game Cox manages poorly. Remember when Carlos Beltran was hitting like .700 for the Astros in the playoffs hitting homeruns left and right. Bobby brings in Chris Reitsma to face him with 1st & 3rd in the 7th inning. Instead of walking Beltran, Reitsma serves up a 3 run dinger. Game over. Bobby’s fault for not walking Beltran on 4 straight.
jimmya
July 28th, 2010
11:11 am
when was the last time we brought up an outfeilder besides heyward that could make the team is there no one in the minors how about a new 3rd baseman down there to train
Too tough 44
July 28th, 2010
11:12 am
Sundays game ws typical of BC…! So, disgusting….to let the game get away…and as for last nights pathetic performance…I look for the Braves to go back to loose 9 or 10 in a row…they are making little league throwing errors….uggggggghhhhhhhhh Sh#T!Fire!
Jake Wolfe
July 28th, 2010
11:14 am
Did someone say Josh Willingham?
jimmya
July 28th, 2010
11:17 am
whitch outfeilder besides heyward could start for any other team in baseball time to make a couple of trades im thinking wren waiting for next year
Matt the Brave
July 28th, 2010
11:18 am
Panic, no. Worried, yes.
Matt the Brave
July 28th, 2010
11:21 am
Oh, and random comment. MB, did you know that you’re in a book called “The Experts Speak” which is all about wrong predictions. Sadly, it’s your quote after the first two games of the 1996 World Series stating that we were going to win a lot more WSs in a row. I think that you would have been correct had not every last Yankee been pumped up on ‘roids between 1996-2005.
reason
July 28th, 2010
11:25 am
The Braves should enjoy first place — for a upcoming downfall, if Cox doesn’t put his best players into the game, and play his
favorities , Bench Glaus, for more than a few game, he haven’t help the Braves win a game in quite a while, Bring up a rookie.
Arlo
July 28th, 2010
11:26 am
First! (sic) Go Braves!!! I’m not panicked.
JIM
July 28th, 2010
11:30 am
for one thing when they say that’s baseball, well that’s something that losers say and I think the braves are playing like they did in april
Too tough 44
July 28th, 2010
11:31 am
Hey RobDawg…why bring that up…H#ll, Im still trying to get over him bringing in ole Charlie Liebrandt in the WS to face Kirby Puckett. I, mean, Im sitting there thinking OMG…his best pitch is the circle change…and I KNOW KIRBY PUCKET KNOWS THAT…”CRACK” HOME RUN KIRBY PUCKET, BRAVES LOOSE GAME AND EVENTYALLY THE WS! UGGGHHHHH!!!!!
Bill Donohoo
July 28th, 2010
11:35 am
The Braves best bet for a first baseman is catching. Move McCann to first, he is getting beat up too often and if not behind the plate maybe his average would return to the 300+ level. Find some one else to share the duties with Ross.
Ron Roberts
July 28th, 2010
11:37 am
That’s nice and all, Mark, but with Glaus sucking, Matty D. ailing, Prado “only” hitting in the .250s this month, we’re left with Brian McCann and Jason Heyward having the hot hand, offensively, and it’s not enough without people on ahead of ‘em.
I think we all knew we weren’t going to walk away with the division as easily as it looked a week ago, but if the Phils pick up an Oswalt, they match us, rotation-wise, and exceed us offensively, with only our small cushion seperating us. The NL has TOO many good teams (Phils, Braves, Reds, Cards, Pads, Giants, Dodgers) to presume the wild card is ours for the taking, either.
We need Glaus raking (but it’s starting to look like May was a fluke – most of our games were against Houston, Milwaukee, Pittsburgh, Arizona and the Nats, mind you…) or a 1B who WILL (LaRoche for another 2nd half surge?), and for Chipper to find some of his old magic, and for Diaz to get well and back at it. We need Tommy Hanson to to pitch better – more consistently, and for Billy Wagner to get back on-track. We should still have a 5.5 game lead, if you ask him…
Melky’s fine, as is Alex G., and I know Martin, J-Hey and B-Mac are gonna be alright. The rest of that lineup….. ehhh.
JASon
July 28th, 2010
11:39 am
Isn’t it interesting how for 14 years you knew this team would end up winning the division. Now, we all know that, one way or another, this team is going to choke.
Love the Braves in NC
July 28th, 2010
11:41 am
Mark, I enjoyed your optimistic column…it certainly isn’t Doomsday.
Let's Go
July 28th, 2010
11:41 am
People can panic all they want but the 2 keys are Wagner & Glaus. The Braves can go out and get whoever but these 2 players have to produce for this team to win. If Glaus had not lost his power and Billy had not blown 2 ninth inning leads last week then Mark does not write this article and no one would be using the word panic around here.
Let's Go
July 28th, 2010
11:42 am
I also agree with Bushwacker. I HATE THOSE BLUE JERSEYS. Don’t really like the red ones either.
The Wad
July 28th, 2010
11:45 am
Not time to panic, just time to get serious about the game again. This team was unpredictable in how it played key situations for two months. Now they have gone back to playing “by the book” and it has cost them games. We don`t work the count at the plate, don`t run to surprise the pitcher/catcher, don`t bunt or suicide squeeze. All these and more were staples of the Braves as they surprised the world in May/June to have the best NL record.
At all cost Infante should play somewhere everyday! Glaus should platoon with Freeman starting right now! Blanco in center with Melke platoon and Diaz ppalying 5 out of 6 games.
WORK THE COUNT!!!!!! EVERY AT BAT!!!!!! BUNT YOUR WAY ON!!!!!
Sutton's Fro
July 28th, 2010
11:47 am
Glaus needs a rest; Chipper needs a rest. Diaz and Conrad need to play! How about this?
1. Prado 2B
2. Infante CF
3. Heyward RF
4. McCann C
5. Hinske 1B
6. Diaz LF
7. Gonzalez SS
8. Conrad 3B
9. Hudson P
FrankTheFalcon
July 28th, 2010
11:53 am
Tommy Hanson is a big wuss! There is no hustle or get up and go in him! He needs to warm up longer so he will be ready to pitch in the 1st and 2nd innings. We only need 6 innings out of him. It should not take to the 3rd inning before he starts pitching!!! What a big goofball, and Troy Glaus is not far behind. If Troy’s legs hurt, give him some rest, because he is hurting us right now!!!!!!
Puppet Please!!
July 28th, 2010
11:56 am
Well its never time to panic, but it is time to realize this team is not good enough as currently constructed to make the playoffs. If by some miracle they DO make it, they will get blown out in 3-4 games by INSERT TEAM NAME HERE. First, Bobby has got to be the worst playoff manager ever…thats not even a debate anymore. Second, we need to worry more about the future, we have no less than 5 field positions to fill by 2012 and NOBODY other than Freeman, scheduled to come up to help. We are going to need a 1st baseman, SS, 3b, LF and CF, and all we have right now to deal from is pitching strength and only Hanson and Medlen could get you a package of prospects that might help the situation. We aren’t winning this year no matter what so don’t blow the farm out trying make a run that won’t amount to anything. Like my boy Obama says, HOPE AND CHANGE, people.
Bob Horner's perm
July 28th, 2010
12:01 pm
Sutton’s Fro….I like that line-up…don’t let anybody give you crap about your hair…..