Somebody Up There must really like the Atlanta Braves
The Braves are 10-14 in September. They’ve won one of the past seven series. They’ve gone from three games ahead of Philadelphia on Sept. 1 to six games back with six to play. And you know what?
They still should win the wild card.
They start the week a half-game behind San Diego, which is a half-game behind San Francisco in the National League West. The Braves play the Marlins these next three days. The Padres have four against the Cubs. The Giants have three against Arizona. But here’s the catch:
The Padres and Giants finish against one other. One of them has to lose each of the season’s final three days. The Braves end against the Phils, who have already clinched a playoff berth and a tie for the East title. That quirk of scheduling should be enough to get the Braves into the postseason. Provided the Braves remember what it is to win a series, which is, as we know, not exactly a certainty.
The Braves have lost three series to last-place clubs in three weeks. Of their 10 victories in September, four have been posted by Derek Lowe. Their rotation is coming unglued. Their batting order fell to pieces a while back. The wonder isn’t that this team is losing but that it still holds the chance to win something. The Braves are most fortunate.
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
423 comments Add your comment
BaseballBuff
September 27th, 2010
3:05 pm
Bobby Cox after losing his second straight series to the LAST PLACE Nationals while trying to secure a playoff berth: “We’re still right in the middle of it. We just need to go on a little streak.” Okay, Bobby. Let’s see it. I would say that your team is due. They are professionals, after all. And you without question inspire confidence in all of them. They wouldn’t choke it away, would they?
The Abs Man
September 27th, 2010
3:05 pm
Hey Chris Chance: Maybe wife was bereting Cox for all his bonehead late-game flubs.
“Did see Nate’s weak-ass throw from corner” resulting in lone run in Philly finale….POW…….
Christopher Chance
September 27th, 2010
3:06 pm
D-Nice………..dude, the Braves ARE NOT going to get out of paying Lowe, Chipper and Kawakami (as well as McLouth) a COMBINED $42 mil in 2011. Chipper IS NOT going to retire and walk away from $26 mil ($13 mil in each 2011 AND 2012).
Quit dreaming and come back to reality.
BaseballBuff(usedabufferonmybrain)
September 27th, 2010
3:08 pm
if you look, Livan Hernandez frequently pitches well against the Braves. Last time I checked, Bobby and the coaches weren’t taklng ABs for the players.
ward
September 27th, 2010
3:09 pm
YOU HAVE TO LOOK AT THE OVER ALL PICTURE! IV;E BEEN A BRAVES FAN SINCE 1983,AND WATCHED JUST ABOUT EVERY GAME ON TBS, AND PROUD OF IT.87 WINS IS BETTER THAN LAST YEAR! GO!!! BRAVES!!!
The Abs Man
September 27th, 2010
3:10 pm
I’m the last guy who wou;d ever defend Cox, the Fredo Corleone late-game tactican ….Cox is so ripe and overdue and should’ve been kicked to the curb many, many seasons ago….
But it seems like his personal side with media cuts him way too many breaks in press, and they take that into account when failing to cal him a boob in print or on internet.
Christopher Chance
September 27th, 2010
3:10 pm
The Abs Man……..I’ve been seeing all these “tribute” articles from former players and coaches who will “fondly” remember when Bobby Cox was patient with a struggling player.
I wonder what his wife would say if she were to “reminisce” the days that Lord Bobby used to play “whack a mole” on her face after a touch loss?
The Abs Man
September 27th, 2010
3:13 pm
Those tributes to Cox tantamount to a funeral….whether someone was an SOB or incompetent numbskull professionally, people send them off with a fairytale kiss…..some of these hollow tributes also sales-pitches for jobs in next Braves’ adminstration.
BaseballBuff
September 27th, 2010
3:13 pm
To BaseballBuff(usedabufferonmybrain). Yet another Cox apologist.
Grow a couple.
Quicherbichin
September 27th, 2010
3:16 pm
Christopher Chance – it happened once. 15 years ago. Since then there have been no reports of any incidents. She stayed married to him. I am sure if if had continued, she would have left. I wonder what people would discover if they looked over your past?
ward
September 27th, 2010
3:16 pm
THE BRAVES WILL BE BETTER NEXT YEAR TOO! FREDDY FREEMAN WILL BE PLAYING A FULL SEASON TOO. I DON;T LOK AT THE NEGATIVES I FOCUS ON THE POSITIVES. GO!!! BRAVES!!!
Christopher Chance
September 27th, 2010
3:17 pm
By the way, if players “love” playing for Bobby Cox so much……WHY THE HECK ARENT THEY PLAYING LIKE IT?
All this talk of “playing so Lord Bobby can go out a winner” is pretty much BS because judging by the way they are playing, it looks like they are trying to get Lord Bobby FIRED.
ward
September 27th, 2010
3:20 pm
I LOVE THE BRAVES LIKE I LOVE BASEBALL. BE POSITIVE, AND GOOD THINGS WILL HAPPEN! SEE YOU LATER! GO!!! BRAVES!!!
Christopher Chance
September 27th, 2010
3:20 pm
The Abs Man……..good point with your 3:13 pm post.
I remember when Ken Lay (the crook who founded Enron and fleeced billions from his employees) passed away, the pastor of his church who did delivered his eulogy ACTUALLY compared Lay’s life to JESUS FREAKING CHRIST.
I guess that donating $10 mil of your fortune that you ripped off from hard working taxpayers will buy you a proper send off.
Christopher Chance
September 27th, 2010
3:25 pm
Quicherbichin……..His wife probably stayed with him because she comes from an older generation of female whose life is tied to being Mrs. Bobby Cox (there are perks that come along with it). If she left his wife beating A$$ (at her age), she’d be faced with the prospect of living the rest of her years a lonely lady (women in their mid-50’s arent exactly prime marriage material).
Anyway, what gets me about the wife beating incident is how Braves management treated the minor league pitcher who was caught with the prostitute.
Kid gets caught with a prostitute, he gets vilified and cut. Lord Bobby goes all Ike Turner on his wife…..he gets praised for winning and a contract extension.
What’s worse, paying to have sex with a prostitute OR beating up your wife?
Billy ( Not Martin)
September 27th, 2010
3:28 pm
CHristopher Chance.. you’re right on.
People who really know baseball, realize Booby is not a manager that makes the right moves in clutch situations.
ALl I can say is 14 division titles 1 championship.
It’s hard to imagine a coach with 14 chances doesn’t at least fall over one more. Booby always says its a crap shoot in the palyoffs.
Really… I don’t think I want a manger witht that kind of attitude.
I sure wouldn;t want to take Bobby to Vegas.
We’d lose for sure.
BaseballBuff
September 27th, 2010
3:30 pm
To Christopher Chance @3:02pm: You seem to have handle on things. I agree totally. Cox’s batting order over the years for the sake of his precious lefty-righty matchups have bordered on insane. He is way too formulaic in almost everything he does. Many times I’ve seen him bench hot hitters in favor of someone hitting .180, just because a southpaw is pitching, or vice versa. And recently starting two rookies against Phillies aces in a huge series was madness. I’m sorry, but it was flat-out crazy.
But most importantly, Cox and his teams are gutless and heartless. I’ve never forgiven him for not having his pitchers throw at Toronto’s Kelly Gruber in the 1992 World Series. Gruber was the 3rd baseman who started tomahawk chopping after catching a pop to end Game 2 in the Jays’ favor. That jerk should have been knocked on his butt his next at bat in Game 3.
Yeah, okay, lots of pent-up hostility here. I love watching the Joe Montanas and Michael Jordans of the sports world. After 14 division titles, 13 of which ended in post-season failure, a clear pattern of underperforming in the big games has emerged. Period!
F Troop
September 27th, 2010
3:32 pm
If the Braves don’t win the Division, blame Frank Wren.
If the Braves don’t make the playoffs, blame Bobby Cox.
Simple.
Christopher Chance
September 27th, 2010
3:36 pm
BaseballBuff…………I’ll never forgive Bobby Cox for mismanaging the 1996 World Series. Not only blowing a 2-0 lead with 3 games at home…but also blowing a 6 run lead in Game 4 was INEXCUSABLE.
5150 P.O.A.D
September 27th, 2010
3:36 pm
Maybe the Phillies will pull their good players for the Braves series to reat them for the Playoffs. Maybe then the Braves can be the wildcard team.
Christopher Chance
September 27th, 2010
3:37 pm
…One of the reasons why this team looks so tired is how they prepare themselves. Because Bobby Cox is so loose in how he manages this team……….these guys pretty much do anything they want.
What I’m saying is that instead of coming into the park early to work on defensive drills and learning how to play fundamental baseball…….these guys are more concerned with having a “jolly” clubhouse.
Quicherbichin
September 27th, 2010
3:38 pm
Christopher Chance – Times were different in 1995 as opposed to 2010. People get fired for things now that you could get away with then. JFK did more than Clinton ever thought about. JFK is admired while Clinton is vilified.Booby (not Martin) Bobby should have won at least one more anyway. The Twins got away with things in that Series that I haven’t seen before or since. Someone should have noticed them messing with the air conditioning during that Series as well. in 1996, the umpire gave the Yankees an extra out in the inning by staying in the path of Jermaine Dye on a catchable ball in foul territory. That type play can turn a series. In 1997 , Eric Gregg was calling strikes on Braves hitters that were strikes ” because the pitch originated in Florida”.
Christopher Chance
September 27th, 2010
3:41 pm
Quicherbichin………….Are you Bobby Cox’s public relations man? How much is Lord Bobby paying you to be his fluffer?
Christopher Chance
September 27th, 2010
3:42 pm
,,,I’d be willing to say that this group of players looks like the kind that loves to go out and drink lots of alcohol every night. If they are as tired as they say they are, then they need to get plenty of rest and take care of their bodies.
WonderDawg
September 27th, 2010
3:42 pm
Mark, what “quirk?”
Haven’t the Phillies got their “big three” lined up for us again?
Christopher Chance
September 27th, 2010
3:43 pm
Pay attention to how BL0ATED the faces of Chipper Jones, Eric Hinske and ESPECIALLY Peter Moylan are. I feel that these are signs that our players are more concerned with having a “jolly” time…than they are with getting proper rest.
BaseballBuff (Iusedabufferonmybrain)
September 27th, 2010
3:44 pm
I supposed you’d rather have started Johnny Wholestaff one game and Kenshin Kawakami in the next against the Phillies.Bobby frequently goes with the hot hand rather than using a formulaic approach. Submit your resume to the Braves front office. I’m sure you’ll get hired if you have Booby (not Martin), Christopher Chance, Mitchell and The Abs Man for your coaching staff.
Quicherbichin
September 27th, 2010
3:46 pm
Christopher Chance I’m not getting a dime. And how much are the Tampax people paying you to come here and complain?
Texas Frenchy
September 27th, 2010
3:46 pm
Queeryerbichin, Fredis coming here so learn to like it, you couldnt even be water boy for him so STFU you donkey, maybe you can go help Booby on his farm since your a dumb azz donkey!! lmao Heeeeeeeeee Haaaaaaaaaaaaaww Go Bravos!!!!!!!!!!
Christopher Chance
September 27th, 2010
3:49 pm
The Braves have hit 13 homers in the month of September. Troy Tulowitzki has hit 15 homers for the Rockies this month.
Enough said.
Lobosolo
September 27th, 2010
3:51 pm
Thank God when all of this is over you a-hole fans will have to find somewhere else to spout your “knowledge”… You lemmings, even convinced that the Braves were toast at the beginning of the month and blathering about how much you hate the team and its players, are STILL on the blogs. Now, who are the REAL IDIOTS? You sorry jerks don’t even know when to quit commenting on a team you hate and have long since given up on… MAROOOOONNNNSSSSSS….
Christopher Chance
September 27th, 2010
3:54 pm
Of the 6 teams competing for 4 play-off spots, the Padres have committed 68 errors, the Giants and Cincinnati 71, Philly 80, Colorado 89…………and the Braves at 120.
WOW! The Rockies (the second worst fielding team among the play-off contenders), who have committed 89 errors, are closer to the Padres (21 less errors than the Rockies) then they are to us (who have committed 31 errors than the Rockies).
Quicherbichin
September 27th, 2010
3:55 pm
Texas Frenchy – I never said I had a problem with Fredi coming here. I’m just surprised that so much of the anti-Cox faction seems to favor his being hired as the manager since he and Bobby have simililar managerial characteristics. Personally, I think it will be good if he comes here because then the bitchers can be happy since they love to complain anyway. I swear if we went 150-12 , people would fine a way to complain because we didn’t go 162-0. And if we lost 1 in the playoffs, they’d complain because we didn’t sweep. I’m surprised that they aren’t complaining because they can’t go home with a sample of dirt from the pitcher’s mound or batter’s box, but then wait.. they’d have to go to the games to do that.. and they wouldn’t dream of going to Turner Field when they can sit at home and watch the game and scream about how they would have done things differently if they were managing.
Quicherbichin
September 27th, 2010
3:58 pm
Christopher Chance – I guess it’s also Bobby’s fault that the 2 that McClouth hit and the one that Ankiel hit that were caught didn’t leave the park as well. And as far as Tulowitski goes.. Two words.. Coors Field- Nuff Said
Christopher Chance
September 27th, 2010
3:58 pm
Lobosolo…….dude, we dont hate the Braves. What we HATE is the fact that our record this month is 10-14, DESPITE playing inferior competition. What we HATE is the fact that our manager continues to blame our losing to “line drives not falling in for base hits”………when the FACTS say that we are a POORLY COACHED TEAM.
How else do you explain why we are unable to play proper defense, bunt runners over, hit and run, move runners over, hit a sacrifice fly, not airmail balls into center field, not hit the cut off man, not lead the league in runners left on base, not run ourselves out of innings, etc?
How hard is that for MORONS like you to freaking understand?
Christopher Chance
September 27th, 2010
4:06 pm
Quicherbichin…………Tulowitski still has hit 5 of his 15 homers on the road this month……which would still lead the Braves (McLouth leads the Braves with 3 homers in September).
Tyler Langmeyer
September 27th, 2010
4:18 pm
Christopher Chance: After everything you’ve been arguing with other people about while I’ve been in class, would it be smart for me to assume that you want the Braves to win on this homestand?
FYI, if you say no, please…choose another team to “root” for.
Billy ( Not Martin)
September 27th, 2010
4:32 pm
Quicherbichin
WOW.. I didn’t know therer was such a conspiracy against the Booby and his Braves. Seems like evryone else doesn’t have these problems.
If Bobby’s so nice they should just give him the title because of all the wrong they’ve done him.
I remmember how he would sit a hot hitting Javy in the Playoffs because Maddox had his own personal catcher. Or platoon Ryan Klesko for years because he did.nt think he could hit lefty’s. He sure did hit them with Sandiego. Great Manager!!!
Trey
September 27th, 2010
4:34 pm
What’s up Braves fans? It must be peaceful as I haven’t seen the Phillies on the blog lately. Thank goodness!
Michael Benaudis Newspaper - Breaking News, World News ; Multimedia
September 27th, 2010
4:37 pm
[...] huge victory; can Reds, Phillies …USA TodayGiants in control of their own fateFOXSports.comAtlanta Journal Constitution (blog) -Philadelphia Daily News -SB Nation (blog)all 27 news [...]
tardawg
September 27th, 2010
4:48 pm
HEY MARK DO US ALL A FAVOR IF YOU GET A CHANCE TO TALK TO BOBBY ASK WHY WE HAVE NOT BEEN TRYING TO BUNT PLAYERS OVER PLAY SMALL BALL.MAYBE THIS WILL WAKE UP OUR OFFENSE THANKS.
Faith
September 27th, 2010
4:49 pm
Enter your comments here
tardawg
September 27th, 2010
4:49 pm
Heres hoping we end the season big for a great manager he will be missed I am amazed we have done as well with what we have
44ty
September 27th, 2010
4:50 pm
Hey “if you keep on doing what you’ve always done, you will always be where you’ve always been!” (Bill Puvis, cascade hills, columbus ga.)
Bobby I hope you read this…this is YOU! Take a chance and try something diff…YOU OWE THE FANS THAT MUCH THAT HAS SUFFERED THROUGH YOU HARD HEADED WAS OF RUNNING THE TEAM!
44ty
September 27th, 2010
4:51 pm
BOBBY YOU OWE THE FANS! SHAKE THINGS UP! YOU GOT ONE WEEK!
freddys Dead
September 27th, 2010
4:52 pm
And the Braves aren’t far behind.
Bill
September 27th, 2010
4:52 pm
Mark do you think Phillies will play the subs in final 3 games? That would not be fair to other teams. Never like teams doing that.
44ty
September 27th, 2010
4:55 pm
HEY BILLY nOT MARTIN…I ECHO YOU WORDS PRECISELY! YA KNOW , AS BAD AS mCLOUSY HAS BEEN, HE HAD A GOOD WEEK LEADING INTO GAME 1 W/ PHILLIES BUT, BOOBY SAT HIM OUT FOR SOMEONE ELSE TO PLATOON….AT THE TIME , THAT WAS NOT SWAMP WISE!
bulldog bubba
September 27th, 2010
5:01 pm
Trey – I heard Phillie,THE CLASSLESS WONDER was grounded by his mother for getting caught on the field with that red suit on.Some people never learn.GO BRAVES!!!
Bowlegs
September 27th, 2010
5:03 pm
theguy in red suit was bobo