Somebody Up There must really like the Atlanta Braves

Why do you continue to jinx my Braves this way??? STOP WRITING ABOUT THEM.

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Mark,

I agree, but couldnt cox try and fire up his troops in a way to basically say lets go and start playing like they want to get into the post season?

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4-2 should get them in. If you can’t do that, you deserve to sit home.

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Before the Nats series I said the Braves would finish the final nine with a 3-6 record and they are right on schedule after the weekend.

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You’re still a delusional idiot. Once again, the braves STRUGGLE against the NATS, MARLINS and PHILLIES. Even when they have nothing to play for, they STILL struggle.
This team is NOT going to make the playoffs. But you still write this garbage. You by far are the worst sports writer on the planet.

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You just can’t help yourself I guess. Keep up the jinx Mark.

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It’s that simple. Don’t do it and they are toast unless they can sweep Phillie. Gotta go 5-1 this week. I don’t think 4-2 will get it done.

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Thanks Mark!

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The only reason they are even in the discussion, which they shouldn’t be if you’ve watched the team for any time, is the padres 10 game losing steak earlier. But MB can’t even recognize this.
SF and SD won a series against MUCH better comp than the braves played. The braves of course Lost a series against last place Wash. SF won in Colorado where MB says it’s tough to win!
The braves will lose 2/3 to Fla and 2/3 to Philly even with these teams having NOTHING to play for. Everything I have written has come to fruition. Everything Bradley has written has been wrong.
Amazing this fool has a job doing this. He must be doing something we don’t know about.

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If Atlanta goes 4-2, San Diego 4-3 and San Francisco 3-3, a tie could happen. So, do I understand correctly that head-to-head records determine home field for that one-game playoff? Because the Braves won both of those regular-season series.

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We was reminded about what Stinky Wintes said one time when Bobby was still batting Jeff high in the order, “Don’t call a monkey with a wrench, call a monkey with a lineup card.” Now, that’s a bit harsh but where is the urgency to do something about all the losing? Who gets mad when they lose? Remember Grandpas Jordan and Raul Mondesi? This season it’s McLouth and Ankiel . . . and Melky.

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Please ask Cox next time you talk to him why he isn’t moving Prado back to leadoff and shuttling Infante down to 6 or 7. It’s all about what got you there Brad. Thanks dude

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ain’t gonna happen.

.

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Prado isn’t leading off because he cannot run. He is less of a liability battting third with a bad wheel than he is in the lead off position where he would clog things up even more. He also has a little more pop than Infante.

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Mark – It seems you’ve found a new friend in Don. Ha

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I’m crying real tears for my Braves…..but I think it is best that we are not in the playoffs, all our karma has run out!

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Braves will face Joe Blanton, Kyle Kendrick, and Vance Worley for the final 3 games of the year as well as a AAA-Lehigh Valley IronPigs lineup. That’s 3 automatic wins for the Braves right there

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Braves probably need to win the last 6 games of the season (maybe 5 will do it) to get to the post-season.

Regardless of whether Philly rests some regulars – those last 3 are going to be tough games. Throw in Lowe and Hudson perhaps on short rest… the playoff picture looks bleak.

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Sometimes things work out for the best. Former AirTran spokesman Mike Vick is set in Philly and AirTran is about to become Southwest. As hard as it was for Mike to say, “AihTwan” there is no way he could ever say, “Soufwef”. Try it. By the way, Mike looked good against the Jags. He can buy his own airline soon.

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Russell, if the Braves win 5 of 6, they’re in, because either San Diego or San Francisco is going to lose at least two in the final week. Even against the Cubs and the Diamondbacks, the odds against them both sweeping are pretty steep. But the Braves have to do their part; the odds against them winning 5 of 6 are pretty steep too.

I can’t help but think back to that 10-1 lead in Colorado …

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MB:

“I don’t think urgency is the problem. I think talent is.”

Then how did you say last week that “thee two best teams in the NL are meeting in Philly.” How is it that you keep talking out of both sides of your mouth? Are they one of the most talented, or do they not have talent? Then you say that they can’t hit and can’t field. Well then what the heck makes them a good team. Good teams don’t lose 2 straight series to the Nats with everything riding on it. Quit trying to sell papers and start keeping it real.

The math here doesn’t work. If the Braves take 2 of 3 from the Marlins and the Padres take 3 of 4 from the Cubs, then the Braves will enter the final weekend 1 game behind. The Phillies will put the final dagger in their hearts.

Let’s cut through the BS.

HT

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Its flat out this simple: when you cannot score runs, you are not going to win. Scoring 4 runs TOTAL against the Phillies and 3 runs in both loses to the Nationals is not going to get it done. The Braves have scored 9 runs in the last 6 games propmptly losing 5 of those 6 and only once did they score over 3 runs. It does not take a genius to figure out that averaging 1.5 runs a game is not going to win to many baseball games. Typical Braves, they cannot hit to save their life.

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Mark, yes, good work again. I was thinking the same thing! I was thinking how we should be 1.5 or 2.5 out of the standings by now, but it’s right there for the taking.

And more of my thoughts….

You guys that don’t remember past the last 6 games of baseball crack me up.

Those of you that say that this team has no heart have no idea what you’re talking about. Here is some of what we have lost this year:

Chipper Jones (HOF 3b that still has an OBP around .400), Kris Medlen (our “luckiest” pitcher), Jair Jurjens is likely (Cy young discussions last year), Saito as of now (gave up like 1 ER in like a month), and we are relying on these rookies to carry our team:

Heyward, Venters, Kimbrel.

THese guys have not played well: Mclouth, Glaus, Melky, etc. etc.

To say that this team has no heart I guess you all forgot about the 23 wins at our last at-bat and our come-from-behdind wins. Bobby has these guys playing well over their head, and they have performed beautifully.

Now having said that, I agree that losing 2/3 vs the Nats is frustrating and if they don’t win at least 4/6 they will probably miss the playoffs.

But remember, the September play does NOT usually carry into the playoffs. That is a baseball myth. There is a certain mystery with the playoffs and a fresh slate to the season. Remember the floundering St. Louis Cardinals in 2006 that stumbled into the playoffs as they almost gave up a huge lead in the last 2 weeks….and they WON IT ALL!

Just….get….in.

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Make the play-offs…… only to be swept in the first round.

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I hope they don’t make the playoffs. They have a pretty good foundation for the future so let’s pack it in on make some good offseason pickups and win it next year

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I like my chances better than those of the 2010 Braves.

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Now, Brian McCann and Jeff was always good friends but we was wondering about why the AJC keeps interviewing Brian every day? Is there some other good talkers on the team? Here’s what we’ve come to expect . . . “Well, we’ve got 9 more games to get this done and prove what we’re made of”. “Well, we’ve got 8 more games to get this done and prove what we’re made of.” Now, its, “Well, we’ve got 6 more games to get this done and prove what we’re made of.” Goo. Made of goo. The Braves have a history with tubs of goo.

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I like my chances of survival better than those of the 2010 Braves.

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Mike: The Braves won’t be able to afford a really good LF or CF if Chipper comes back next season. Where would they take the money from? Best case scenario: Chipper retires (as much as I would hate that to happen) AND D. Lowe is traded (he may have improved his value a bit over the past few weeks).

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Just win the next 2 series and the Braves will at least get to a 163rd game. Padres aren’t capable of sweeping the Cubs over 4 games, and they’ll likely lose 2 of 3 in San Diego. Let’s just say Padres go 4-3 to finish the season, and the Braves go 4-2 (which would be sad considering the circumstances of the 2 teams they are still playing), and you’ll have a dead even tie for the wild card.

Now, if Bobby wises up and goes Hanson-Hudson-Lowe for each of these last 2 series, it is possible that the Braves could finish 6-0. He’s not going to do that though, and his rationale will be that he had to save somebody for the playoffs, which will be ironic if they don’t make it. That will be a sad but fitting way for Bobby’s career to end, with another senile moment.

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Bobby deserves to be in the playoffs. And I hope the Braves have enough in the tank to get him there. One last run in the playoffs.Great for baseball, the fans, and Bobby.

But they hitting is light once again. And they could use some additional pitching..

Like I said before, they should have brought back Kenny Powers.
He is killing it in the Mexican League.

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JJ – The Braves haven’t been losing because of pitching.

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Ted – I agree, but when your offense is anemic, you lessen your chances by not putting your best arms on the mound. Now is not the time to be pressing your luck with Beachy or a crippled Jurrjens.

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Yeah, talent is a major factor, but the metaphoric images to me are things like AG deciding to go to first instead of cutting the run down at the plate against Philly (everybody knows what I’m talking about) and taking two strikes yesterday before flailing at a ridiculously wide and low pitch for strike three. Not that it’s all his fault, but just poor efforts all over the field. Heyward, for example, has enough talent to field a fly ball in a clutch situation. C’mon, man – I see the frustration – just not the effort.

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**NEWSFLASH to Bobby Cox. Your current lineup isn’t working. DUH Ever thought about changing it? lol

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I’ve promoted all year that Bobby Cox should play the hot hitters daily, but who or where are they? Infante, Prado, Heyward and McCann are all “off” lately and the rest never got “on.” With the hitting anemic, the fielding terrible, and the pitchers worn out what did we expect? Frank Wren put a patchwork quilt team on the field this year and it finally wore out. We should be doing like the Twins and get some young hungry players on the field next year. Another year of cheap utility veterans won’t cut it. If the Braves don’t want to spend, then promote. We’ll have a new manager next year, I hope Wren can give him a team balanced with veterans and plenty of youth. I’m a member of AARP but I don’t want the Atlanta Braves to be.

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bruce mac: who will be the closer? who will be the set-up guy? Braves need at least one veteran there. Jason W-e-r-t-h? Might not be bad, but Scott Boras is his agent, so you won’t be able to get him for less than $ 18 million. What options might be out there via trade? Braves have plenty of young pitchers – even though I would prefer to see Lowe traded.

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bruce mac: what would Jason Werth be worth?

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Cox and Richt are both “players” managers/coaches but do they get the most out of their talent? I don’t think so. The Braves are so relaxed maybe someone needs to tell them that if they don’t win any more games they will not make the playoffs.

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Thank god the Falcons won otherwise Atlanta would have had another miserable weekend.

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Cox’s handling of his players sucks. He has never been able to handle a pitching staff and now he has gone senile on us with 6 games left. He refuses to make moves and offend anyone. Bunt, steal, hit by pitch, whatever you have to do to score runs. He leaves Venters in to pitch to a right handed batter, when Moylan is waiting in the wings. He has been a very good manager but it is obvious that it is past time for him to retire. I believe Gonzalez could take this same team and win 10 more games in a season. Good luck in your retirement Bobby.

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Oh yea, I forgot the best part. Jason Worth signed with the Georgia Bulldawgs out of high school. He wants to play in Atlanta, no doubt. 5 years, $85 Million would do it with partial loading after KK is gone. It does work and it can happen if Frank will just work his arzz off to make it happen.

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Re: Avid Braves fan

Sorry, but you are crazy if you don’t think he handles players well!

He’s had this bunch playing well over their heads for like 3-4 mos. They held the division for how many consecutive days? No, I have more respect for Bobby for his handling players than any other year with the Braves.

His tactics do frustrate me at times, but his handling of players has lead him to his 2,500th win!

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lets get Andrew Jones in cf Tonight. 222 is o.k. he will hit 3 hrs this week to lift the braves. Prado cant play 2nd right now. but has alot of experience in of . lf would be eaiser on the finger. pyt Troy in at 3b. Prado and Heyward switch in batting order. Troy can hit the hr also. were not hitting with runners in scoring pos. so lets get as much power in as possible. also dont mess with rotation moving guys up their already tired. thursday will give them extra rest they need. Huddie is wore out would help to miss a turn. moving him up would shut him down. so the playoffs would be embarassing anyway. go with Martineze or K.K. he won some big time games last year. (if J.J. is not ready) DO NOT LOSE 5 GAMES instead of maybe 1.

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If the Braves make the playoff and then get swept that would be a fitting send off for Bobby Cox. I like the guy and he is great in so many ways but through the years they should have been better.

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The Cubs and the Diamondbacks have both been playing a little better lately. This wild card is going to come down to who chokes the least.

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Flipping between the Braves and Falcons on TV yesterday , I decided the Braves don’t play well enough for me to put any more energy into supporting them and after yesterday I am convinced they could not take a 3-game series from any team in the National or American leagues. R.I.P.

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Negativity is contagious around here. Six games left at home. Buy a ticket (M-W are still available)….it might be your last chance to complain until next April.
Braves can do it! Pressure is on the “perfect” teams now. Keith was right in his post earlier. Might be fun to go in as wildcard for a change! Ask Florida about that…….

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You may think the Braves are not dead but they are.

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Re: Nothing is Over

Thanks! I’m thinking of going Wednesday and maybe tonight!

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Posts continue to disappear, Mark.

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Come on Braves Fans….we have the best record in Baseball @ home we sweep the Fish and get some help from the teams playing SF and SD we may only have to win one game against the Phils and be in the wildcard, we gotta believe!

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Re: Mike

I would love to see Crawford on this team. Or dunn. I think Crawford does more…but either one would be a win!

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Re: Dawggone

Bring it baby!!!

I love your thoughts. We just have to remember how good we are @ home (even though of late not as good as before) and how bad we are on the road.

Home = HOPE

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The 2010 Phillies have treated the 2010 Braves the same way the 2006 Michael Vick treated his 2006 pit bulls.

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Braves are not dead. But, ask me again after this wild card thing plays out.

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How can some of you “fans” hope the Braves don’t make the playoffs, because you think they’ll be swept out? Did you also hope your turn at bat wouldn’t come up because you didn’t want to dig in against a tough pitcher? That is WEAK, girls.

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There is just no way the Braves make the playoffs, unfortunately. They have looked like a 100 loss kind of team the last month. We will somehow manage to get swept by the Marlins, which is probably better than getting swept out of the playoffs. At least if we don’t make the playoffs I can stop paying attention and hoping.

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I suggest we petition the commissioner to allow us to play all three of CF simultaneously. McLouth could go after balls in the gap, Melkie would be active on balls hit directly at CF and Ankiel could throw for both. At the plate, McLouth could come up in unimportant situations, Ankiel could bat when we need a strikeout to avoid the double play and Melkie could stand in the on-deck circle and eat donuts. I see no competitive advantage over any other team, just a sort of evening the deck to give us a true 9-man lineup

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Hate to say it, I don’t see the Braves in the playoffs. At Florida this week where the Marlins always play them tough and home against the Phillies, who just swept the Braves. Yes Phillies will probably rest their top 3 pitchers, but their offense is good enough to win 1 or 2 games here. Padres get 4 games at home against the Cubs, they could easily win all 4.

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“Zambrano” must be a dirty word because posts with it get filtered out.

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Re: Jesse Stone

You are one reasonable poster.

To say you’re a “fan” and say you don’t want them to make the playoffs is laughable. Either you’re a nominal fan and don’t know how the postseason is a fresh start and usually bares nothing from Sept play, or you’re a Phils fan trolling!

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“there is no reason to believe we will all of a sudden start playing good baseball these last 6 games.”

Home is the reason.

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Stop playing Melky Cabrera and Nate Mclouth over Rick Ankiel! move Jason Heyward down to THIRD so he can drive some runs in.

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Yes Virginia, the Braves are not dead. They just crossed over the ‘ol river Jordan to be with Granddaddy and we’ll see them again one day soon.

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Keith you beat me to it

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Are the Braves still playing? I didn’t notice…

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What good will it do for the Braves to make the post season they will be one and done.

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I’m tired of throwing my remote watching this team…….

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Please… the Braves were put on life support 2 weeks ago when they lost the East lead to the Phils. And last week the Phils smothered them with a hospital pillow to put them out of their misery.
They are DEAD… along with the Dawgs!

Go Falcons!

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I was thinking of a challenge trade, Bobby Cox for Mark Richt. They both look tired and frustrated at this point and a change of scenery might help

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The Braves are not dead. That stink is coming from the fans.

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The Braves could not beat Washington(last place team) 2 of 3 when it had to and u guys now think that the are going to miraculously beat florida and phils. it doesn’t matter who the opposition has pitching for them the braves cannot score runs. its funny how a pitcher who has been struggling all year seems to find it when he faces the braves. funny how that happens.

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Mark,

You said the next season will be good. Where do you see Braves improving next year? Who will take McLouth’s contract? Without adding a payroll, how can they improve? Despite Glaus’ late struggles, there is going to be a drop in the first base production. Freeman doesn’t seem as ready as Heyward was. The only move I see is that if Chipper comes back then Infante wil move to the LF. Also, I don’t see how we can improve defensively with the same group of guys and the defense was our biggest handicap this year.

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The Braves will never go anywhere without some team speed. Every year they won the Division, they had at least one guy with 20+ steals. Since 2005, no Brave has stolen 20 bases in a season.

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its funny when a pitcher has been struggling all year but seems to throw a good game against these Braves…..we have no offense. We are not going to the playoffs u guys will just have to come to this reality….the faster u do the better off you’re gonna be. IF, and that a big IF we get into the playoff we’re gone in 4 games and possibly get swept. We’re not that good people….never have been

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Oh, okay. I must be at the wrong place.

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I agree with both Keith and you Mr. Bradley, the Braves are still alive and really shouldn’t be. That right there is cause for SOME optimism. I dont understand people who think it doesn’t matter if they get in or not because they will be swept. Who says so? There have been countless teams (not just the 2006 Cardinals) to look hapless late in the season, only to turn it around in October. Heck, even the other ‘06 WS team, the Tigers blew the division in the final three weeks but held on to the WC and went to the World Series. The Yankees won 87 games and lost 7 or 8 out of there last 9 games in 2000, but they went on to win the WS.

It is always good to get into the postseason, because everybody has a chance. It is not like football where you play exclusively on the road, or play more rounds. In baseball you never really have your hands tied behind your back (except for occasional pitching rotation shuffling). Let’s get there, enjoy it, and take our chances!

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I aaid before the Nats series we would be lucky to win 2 or 3 games with the remaining schedule. We have 1 and face the Fish who beat us even when we are good and the Phat Phils who just swept us.

Did I give the Braves too much credit. Can we win another game?

Huddy is showing signs of being tired.
No other pitcher, except maybe Lowe is pitching well.
No timely hitting
No good fielding
No good bench play or pinch hitting

What is there left? Oh yeah, the season being over.

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I agree with Mark, and those who think Bobby has done a great job with what he has. I know there always are fans who want to blame him, and who basicallly think this team is better than it is. He has squeezed the most out of a fairly mediocre roster. When you factor in the injuries to Chipper, Medlen and Jurrjens, it’s quite remarkable they are still in the hunt. Remember, this is a mid-payroll team that did not spend big money in the offseason at all (which is why we wound up with Troy Glaus and his one-month hot bat at first base). Think of it this way: At the trade deadline, the Phils got Roy Oswalt; the Braves got Ankiel and Farnsworth. Which team is financially more committed to winning? Bobby is having to put a weak lineup and rookie pitchers out there every night now. He and Wren have done a great job turning this club into a contender, whatever happens this last week. You win with talent, and they just don’t quite have enough.

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I can’t spell today. hehe

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Even if the Braves sneak into the MLB Postseason and manage to win the World Series for Bobby Cox and Atlanta, Mike Vick will still be the “Johnny Appleseed” of Herpes.

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DCBrave33 is right. Too many fans still act as if the playoffs are a birthright. Only four teams in each league get in; it’s special and rare to do so. Because the Braves won 14 straight years, I think fans began to take it for granted. And we still have that college football mentality that says all we gotta do is show up and make a bowl, but it doesn’t work that way in the pros. Be happy to be in contention. You could be fans of the Nats or Pirates, who have nothing to look forward to in September.

As for D Lowe, he’s a guy who takes the ball and shows what a tough cat he is. Forget ERA, wins count, and the dude has won 15 two straight years and doesn’t miss starts. He eats up innings and keeps his team in games. Not every pitcher is going to blow away hitters for nine innings; you need some guys like Lowe to get through a season. He’s been worth every penny if you ask me.

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More on DCBraves33

Yes, it does seem like some of the excitement has faded a bit from the postgame comments since before the Philly series…when they were talking about how everyone is meshing in the clubhouse…having said that, I’m sure some of them will be excited to be playing @ home.

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Thanks Keith, yeah, maybe Bradley could use us as potential brainstormers!

Its funny, Bradley is definitely my favorite Sportswriter but, as has been well documented, every time he makes a proclaimation (no matter how much fact or evidence there is to support it) for the last 4 or 5 years they have completely come back to haunt him! People are viewing him as the new Sports Illustrated cover!

I can still remember some of the good predictions too though, like the 2002 Georgia team that won the SEC. He was all over that.

Someone has to talk about the successes, even if that was 8 years ago! haha!

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At least there’s only a week or two left to listen to the Bobby Cox bashers. IMO, he has done a good job this year with what he had to work with. But that’s me…

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From USED CARS: “McLouth could go after balls in the gap, Melkie would be active on balls hit directly at CF and Ankiel could throw for both. At the plate, McLouth could come up in unimportant situations, Ankiel could bat when we need a strikeout to avoid the double play and Melkie could stand in the on-deck circle and eat donuts.”
Man, that’s hilarous! We need a good laugh about this teams CF predicament.

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Yep I agree Keith. I do think that tonight’s game is of upmost importance on the homestand though. I think the tone needs to be set by simply playing a good baseball game. That doesnt mean win 10-0, just take care of the opportunities given to us. When a guy is on 2nd with 0 out, get him in. Guy on 3rd with 1 out, get him in. Play clean in the field, limit the free passes, just do the small things. Set the tone for a good homestand.

I am curious, from Mark or anyone else on the blog today: What are we expecting as far as a crowd the next few nights? I know the Phils series will be packed, but how about this week against the Fish? I am anxious to see what it looks like. Anyone have any knowledge on tickets sold or a guess on how many people make a showing? I am cautiously expecting to see around 30-35 k the next two nights. I think the afternoon game will be tough for many. I hope it is more than that, but I hope it is AT LEAST that many. Anyone know that the team is expecting?

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If you lose your second series to a last place team for the second time in a row, even if you make the playoffs, you are doomed. They look terrible. They can’t hit, at all. It’s one thing being a weak hitting team, it’s another to be a no-hitting team.

As for Cox, putting two rookie pitchers against a hot team in the most important series if the season made me glad he’s leaving. There is no long haul anymore. If we cannot play better than this, better to no make it, than to be humiliated in the first round of the play-offs.

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Re: RM

You are absolutely on target! Completely agree. If you were to tell me in March that the Braves would be .5 out of the WC and would have held the division for 3+ mos, I would call you INSANE!

Cox has performed wonderfully, even though his tactics frustrate me sometimes.

RE: DCBraves

Yes, exactly! He sends us an email 1-2 weeks in advance for ideas. Hmmmm. Good call on the remembering good predictions. hehe

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Re: pat

See my earlier post. It would be logical to deduce that it is the way baseball works (according to your post). However, reality is the opposite. That is a baseball myth. Just FYI.

Bradley said he might make it his next blog….so watch for it.

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DCBrave33

I’ve heard that a coin toss determines the playoff (heard that on 680 regarding one situation)…but I believe that is in the event that there is a tied record for the regular season. Do you know?

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I just don’t think the Braves want it bad enough. It’s a shame. Played great baseball most of the year and the last month, they crumble to peices. I hope they pull it out but even if they do, they better start hitting unless they want to be embarrassed in the playoffs.

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One more thing! DO NOT PUT Venters in the game. He SUCKS!!! As soon as I see Bobby keep putting him in the game, I turn the T.V. off.

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Keith:

the coin-flip scenario is listed here.

http://www.baseball-reference.com/about/division_ties.shtml

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Shucks! Bobby said we got to work six more days. Sure wish we could go ahead and start our vacations now.

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Past years post seasons fate not withstanding. If the Baseball Gods were to see their way to blow the winds away from the recently seemingly-defeated-before-they-stroll to the plate” seldom-clutch lineup of the Braves. Contrary to popular belief of the Bravo’s dropping a potential first series quickly, think again….We all know the Braves strength lies in the pitching, a little on hitting. Consider a three man rotation of Hudson, Lowe and Hanson up against any other teams top three opponents, and no-doubt we have a shot. Problem will be making the cut, considering the lineup Bobby Cox keeps marching out. While he’s still a decent hitter, Infante’s skills have come back down to planet earth, Prado as great as he’s been through August is hurting the team more than he’s helping for most part. And granted a great game yesterday, I still don’t believe Rick Ankiel is a quality hitter, and the Melky-man barely is good enough to be worthy of a bench role. I still say play Troy Glaus at least some with his rested knees to see if he can rekindle the magic he had earlier in the season, as after all, the Braves only jump-started their winning ways and over-jumped other teams with the opponents riding the strong power burst of Glaus. I still feel its a long-shot at best to make the Wild card, but let’s step it up a notch our Bravos and win one for the ‘Gipper” (or in this case, Bobby Cox)!

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The Braves are so pathetic and LUCKY its ridiculous!!!! THE BRAVES SOMEHOW, SOMEWAY HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO SENSE OF URGENCY WHATSOEVER. This is the most critical time of the year when you MUST be playing your best baseball to be eligible for post season play. So what do the Braves do, by the way, AGAINST THE WORST COMPETITION IN THE LEAGUE: They lose 2 out of 3 against the Pirates (the Pirates stink); the Braves lose 2 out of 3 against the Nationals (the Nats stink); the Braves get swept by the Phillies (it should have been the other way around if the Braves were serious about playing in the post-season), and the Braves collapse against the Florida Marlins (losing 2 out of 3). The Braves have LOST 6 out of their last 7 games but somehow, miraculously they are only 1/2 game out of the wild card (BIGGEST MIRACLE EVER IN BASEBALL HISTORY). Like Bradley has said, the Braves are not dead and they are right there in striking distance to take care of their business. The only problem is that the Braves will probably have to beat the Pbillies to get into the post-season. The hillbilly Phillies are list a MACHINE and they are stuck on automatic pilot like a bulldozer to seek and destroy all competion thrust in front of them. The Phillies will win the world series this year if the Braves bats dont come to life soon.

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Atlanta fans are too negative and critical of the superb ownership and management that the Braves have. They are lucky we haven’t moved the team to Las Vegas.

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LOL….I love GTHorsie’s comment about jinxing the Braves. Thanks for the laugh.

But you’ve got to wonder what has suddenly spooked the Braves. Or if they were Cinderella at mid-season, and turned back into pumpkins come late August. Technically….yes. They’re still in the WC hunt. But why? If they continue to play this way, they’ll either play themselves out of the WC hunt. Or, if by a fluke they make it in, they’ll be eliminated in 3 games. I truly hope that Bobby really juggles the lineup and that the pitchers deliver some gems this week. It would be nice to finish Bobby’s final season strong — whether they’re able to make it into the postseason or not.

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I have never seen a weaker, more heartless, more gutless team down the stretch than our Atl Braves… & that goes for the 14 year streak, as well….
After Sept, they wilt, underachieve, and frankly act like they could care-less.

I wish I could…

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It would be nice to see one of my two favorite teams (Bulldogs and Braves) win something this year. Ain’t gonna happen with the Bulldogs so hopefully the Braves will get it together here in the final week!

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It has been an interesting year, amazing we won the games we did. Most of the year we were playing with five hitters in the lineup, when you consider very little production from center and first for most of the year. What is the combined batting average for center, left and first? Traditional power positions, and then you add in someone else is always in a slump or recovering from an injury. Lineup doesn’t intimidate anyone. Great effort from the bench, bullpen, and pitching staff. I will go with 3-3 this week, miss the WC by one.

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The Braves are like a troublesome child who keeps getting chance after chance. Even though the “stars” have lined up for them to make the play-offs……..they simply refrain from being their worst enemy.

Everyone ASSUMES that because of the scheduling, the Braves are a shoo-in to make the play-offs. However, there’s something called WINNING THESE WINNABLE GAMES that MUST happen if we are going to make the play-offs……………something we’ve shown that we have been unable to do this month.

There is something wrong with our team’s mental capacity. This team has shown in the month of September that it cannot handle this kind of pressure. If it could, then we’d have a MUCH BETTER record than 10-14 against basically inferior competition.

I’ve heard people say that once Bobby Cox believes in you, then that player does not have to deal with pressure. I feel that in the long run, shielding a player from pressure will not help him excel.

The great players in the history of all sports have excelled under pressure. They WANT the ball AND the limelight when it’s crunch time. NO GUTS NO GLORY. When they mess up, they step up to the plate and accept blame. They dont have their manager feed a gullible local press with excuse after excuse of how if liners dropped in that they would have won the game (especially when your team has committed a number of errors, ran themselves out of innings, left a league leading number of runners on base, as well as being unable to do some of the basic fundamental things like hit the cut off man AND hit and run with runners on base).

Last year, when Luis Castillo dropped that game ending pop-up that A-Rod hit that allowed the Yankees to score the winning runs……..Castillo stayed after the game and answered EVERY question that the “foaming at the mouth” New York media had to ask him. Because of his willingness to “be a man and face the music” (which is something that many in sports lack today)…….the NY press actually gave him props for not running away (something that our Brian McCann didnt do last week against Philly when he threw several balls into center field….as well as get thrown out at 3rd in a seemingly foolish attempt to tag up).

I blame the Atlanta press for not having the sack to challenge both management and our players. If the Atlanta press wasnt so concerned with writing love pieces giving the perspectives of Lord Bobby’s former coaches and players…..then maybe they themselves would put enough pressure on our team to either step up……..or get out of dodge.

Instead, I suspect that we’ll see one more week of “fluff” pieces. After all. even fluffers get paid.

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Mark, I love the optimism, but that “looking at the schedule” crap didn’t pan out so well for us in losing series of late against teams like Washington (twice, actually) and Pittsburgh.

The wheels are falling off this ride; Prado’s ailing, Hudson seems to be running out of gas, Jurrjens is wobbly, we have a 1B with a bad back and another with bad knees and a third who’s a AAA all-star; we have two LF who can’t hit consistently, a CF that hasn’t hit all year, save for a little burst two weeks ago, and an error-prone SS who hasn’t put up the numbers with us he was putting up in Toronto. We traded for Ankiel, who was hitting .270 before we got him and around the Mendoza line WITH us; we picked up Kyle Farnsworth to help solidify the pen and he’s only BLOWN a handful of games for us instead of helping out.

We’re starting (lately, anyhow) two AAA pitchers in the rotation, to go with the ailing Jurrjens, the AC/DC Hanson and the worn-down Hudson.

Oh, and the Marlins always give us fits.

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I agree with the Bruised Braves Fan and wish to add that if Wren makes one more stupid trade or signs one more over the hill cast off from any team in the world he should be added to the list to go.

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The Braves are not dead. But the Beatles are more popular.

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Adam Laroche will hit 25 home runs and drive in 100+ runs this year for a last place team that will lose almost 100 games. How did we let this guy get away twice?

Just sayin’.

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The Braves are not dead.

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I guess we can give up now. I was holding out but Bradley’s never been right about anything.

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The Braves are the Lizard King, they can choke anything…

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Watch ME go to the post-season w/my shiny NEW team… I have done SO MUCH to deserve this…

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Fire Bobby Cox now and let Freddi Gonzalez finish out the remainder of the season.

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Someone in the Braves clubhouse needs to stand up an say hey It’s time to win it for the Old Man… The city of Atlanta expect you to at least try… And we will be disappointed if you do not….

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My new name is Christopher Chance.

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…and I still don’t know what the he!! I’m talking about.

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GermanBravesFan………your 9:36am post is off the mark.

Braves fans like me desperately want to see the Braves make the play-offs and win. However, loyalty to a team does not mean that we have to be blind to reality.

I’m not going to overlook the fact that our manager has created an environment where our players continue to shoot themselves in the foot………….while many in the Atlanta press continue to let Lord Bobby get away with the BS excuses that he feeds them.

We live in a country where questioning our leaders is mandatory. Why should sports be any different?

Do you think that Yankees, Red Sox and Philly fans are any less “loyal” because they rip their teams when they lose? Because of pressure from the press, those teams know that they have to do what it takes to compete….they know that their moves and play on the field will be scrutinized by both fans and the media alike.

However, in comfy Atlanta……..sports teams dont have to worry about that (especially the Braves).

Bottom line, the Atlanta media is complicit in all this. Their inability and refusal to be TRULY objective and critical when warranted has given Braves management and their players a SAFE HAVEN to not put the best product on the field.

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The only message Bobby has for his players is “Wait here while my (favorites)boys do their best and then it will be your turn to save the day. If you don’t then you blew it,not my boys.-YOU!
Bobby Cox reminds me of what Jon Koncak said about D.W. after hogging the ball until the shot clock was running out. “Here’s the ball shoot!” Just like when Bobby let’s his boys play first. It’s either here’s the ball (with runners in scoring position and no one out) or go pinch hit with two outs after a double play.Bobby’s favorites and assumptions have killed this team and once again disgraced the state of baseball in Braves country.

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Mark, I like you and feel you’re a good write but you’re delusional to think this team is getting the WC. The Braves couldn’t even win a serioes against the Nats! They have a worn outt Hudson and a washed up Lowe. You’re too smart to believe your own column.

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Christopher Chance at 1:02PM:

Very well said.

HT

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Dreamland ain’t just a BBQ joint in Alabama.

Braves make playoffs
Braves beat Reds
Braves beat Phillies
UGA wins out, goes 9-3
Braves beat Yankees
Florida loses to Bama,LSU and UGA
SC loses to Auburn,Bama and Florida
UGA goes to Atlanta
UGA beats Bama to go to 10-3
BCS votes to automatically allow SEC champion into BCS title game
UGA beats Boise State for title

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The Braves aren’t dead, they just smell that way.

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This is put up or shut up time. Despite how we’ve played this month. The Braves ARE in the driver’s seat (even if the car is sputtering).

If our guys can step up and win 3 home games against a Florida team without their best players (Ramirez and Josh Johnson)………as well as a Philly team looking to rest up for the play-offs……….then the Wild Card is ours.

I’ll be rooting for our guys. However, it’s hard to not be skeptical and fear that we’re going to continue shooting ourselves in the foot. After all, we’ve been consistently doing that all month long.

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DawginLex Damn you got imagination!!!!!!!!!!

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and BTW… I know there is no 3B in the above post.. I couldn’t think of one that fit Mitchell’s qualifications for a starter of .210 BA, . 250 OBP, 0 HR and a minimum of 36 E per 100 games.

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Why do all you Braves “fans” continue to watch the games then if you’ve lost hope? Save me and the other true fans the typing and just shut up about it. If you don’t like the team, quit watching the games or better yet, quit claiming to be a fan. Yeah, Bobby Cox is REAL BAD. He’s only won 2,500 games and is close to another 90 win season. And for those of you that “don’t want this team to make the playoffs”, please for the love of God quit calling yourselves fans. Fans stand behind the team through good and bad. I bet all you ladies called it quits after that 9 game losing streak in April only to be the “biggest fan” after the 9 game winning streak. Nobody’s making you watch the games, so quit talking about how you “can’t watch anymore”, cause we all know you’re going to anyway. And if the Braves do win the wild card(and I think they will), don’t start spouting off about how they’ll get swept. Cause they won’t be playing the Phillies in the first round and they can handle both the Reds and Padres/Giants. It’s amazing how little it takes to change your minds. We’ll win this series vs Florida and 80% of commentors will be “supporters”. Please, go root for the Yankees with that schizophrenic attitude.

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DC Brave…………even a conglomerate like Liberty Media will react to negative press…..if the pressure is intense enough.

It’s been 15 years since we last won a World Series…and 11 years since we last won a play-off series…..as well as 5 years since we made the play-offs.

I would like for someone to look up the following: When was the last time a manager was able to avoid being fired after going 5 years without making the play-offs (meaning he managed his team to the play-offs…then went 5 years without making it)?

Or how many many managers have gone 11 straight years without winning a play-off series (since he last managed that team to a play-off series win)?

Or how many managers have avoided being fired since they last won a World Series 15 years ago?

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If we could just get any production from below the four spot, we’d have a chance. Am surprised McClouth is not in the every day line up. Even when he’s been 0 for recently he’s hit the ball with authority as opposed to the weak grounders of Gonzo and Melky and the K’s from Ankiel and Lee.

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Mitchell…….your 1:20pm post was well said.

Our manager does nothing to help put our players in a position to win (unless you call picking your nose all game long and yelling “way to go Chipper” when Chipper is at the plate..”managing”, lol).

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How about you all quit criticizing and get your butts to the Ted for this pivotal series! There are 6 games left, and the Braves are traililng the Wild Card by a measly 1/2 game. You all act like they are 3 or 4 back with 6 to go, it is ONLY 1/2 a game. I know that the Braves have struggled recently, but they are back at the Ted where they have the BEST record in baseball. Instead of giving up and downing the team, go fill the Ted and make it a playoff atmosphere.

I will be there tonight, tomorrow night, and Friday night. Let’s Go Braves! There are some who still believe!

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Fact of human nature: it’s easier to watch a team work its way into playoff contention than to watch one dropping out. Having said that, I’m still watching.

I wonder how many of the Bobby supporters have only started watching in the last few years as opposed to those of us who watched the Braves squander so many opportunites while riding the arms of Maddux, Smoltz and Glavine. When you’ve seen the team choke so many times, your viewpoint of the Skipper gets jaded.

Did you see Matt Ryan on the sidelines yesterday during the overtime period? I know that football’s more intense than baseball, but that’s the kind of fire that I’ve never seen on the Braves. If these guys get upset by losing, they’re keeping it to themselves, trying to stay positive, not rocking the boat.

I love October baseball and want to see the boys do well, but I feel like Charlie Brown after Lucy has pulled the football away yet again. I also don’t expect the Phillies to do us any favors, so we had better take care of business against the Marlins.

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Actually, it’s only been 9 years since we won a playoff series.

2001 NLDS vs. the Astros.

Of course, next year it will be 10 years. And the year after that, 11.

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THis goes to show just waht an overated manager Booby is.
He’s just like Lenny Wilkens….all those wins with one title.
How many managers do you know that would have one of the brightest power hitters in the gam in the 2 hole all year. What an idiot.

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I didn’t pay a thing. I’m going to get my tickets from Mitchell’s windshield before game time since he is going to put them there to see who will take them. I suppose you would prefer the days of Eddie Haas, Russ Nixon and Chuck Tanner to what we have now, Christopther Chance?

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” Christopher Chance as a Yankees Fan….. OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!! With the payroll and players we have, we should have won at least 40 WS and never missed the playoffs! We are better than this!!!! BIlly Martin, Joe Torre and Joe McCarthy were all bums!!!!”

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Christopher Chance: Were you expecting the to go 162-0? I’m assuming you knew the risks of paying for 81 games before you did it. I live in Charlotte, NC normally, but Greenville, NC now for college. I watch the pitch by pitch thing whenever they play cause it’s all they have in Greenville.

And tell me this: How many of players who have played for Bobby Cox have left Atlanta saying bad things about him? All you ever hear are good things ranging from his support to his leadership. Do you think Maddux, Glavine, and Smoltz would have been nearly as good if they had been playing for another manager? Yeah, there’s the element of what they can do athletically. But they all had strong support from Bobby, not to mention an excellent pitching coach in Leo Mazzone. And last time I checked, the pitchers didn’t do all the hitting and other aspects of the game. So get outta here with that..

As to your post season record statement: Aubrey Huff is arguably the best player the Giants have, but hasn’t been to the postseason yet. Does that make him a bad player? Sometimes you just run into better teams man. And it’s only 5 or 7 game series, not a whole season.

And about Barry Switzer, don’t know him, don’t really care. But if he was able to lead a team to a championship, he must have been good at something. Obviously he’s gone now, so no he wasn’t “great”.

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Braves should go after Colby Rasmus in the off season.

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Did you know you can read (a little) about the Braves in the Liberty Media annual report to their shareholders? Here are some words from the 2009 report:

Capital Group
The Atlanta Braves have entered into long-term employment contracts with certain of their players
and coaches whereby such individuals’ compensation is guaranteed. Amounts due under guaranteed
contracts as of December 31, 2009 aggregated $199 million, which is payable as follows: $80 million in 2010, $67 million in 2011, $50 million in 2012 and $2 million in 2013. In addition to the foregoing amounts, certain players and coaches may earn incentive compensation under the terms of their employment contracts.

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Tyler Langmeyer……….While I didnt expect the Braves to go 162-0 this season…..I certainly didnt expect them to go 10-14 in the month of September AND turn a 7 game lead into a 6 deficit.

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Christopher Chance September 27th, 2010 1:25 pm
“DC Brave…………even a conglomerate like Liberty Media will react to negative press…..if the pressure is intense enough”

Again…I make my point…Liberty Media is about as far away as you can get from being an owner that is interested in seeing the Braves win.

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Tyler
Of course all players love Booby.
He never critizes them..,ever.. and will never hold them accountable for their bad play. WHat player wouldn’t love a guy like that.
But you critizise a team mate or make some noise in the clubhouse and your gone. Remember David Justice?? But you can screw up as many times as you like on the field.
What a great manager!!!
I’m sure Greg Norton just loves Bobby

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I personally think that Christopher Chance, Mitchell and many of the others here fall into the category of the Robin Williams line from Good Morning Vietnam that began ” in more dire need”… but that is just a gut feeling.

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Billy ( not Martin) I hear that Jack McKeon’s available.. perhaps you’d prefer him?

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I am continually amazed at the people bashing Bobby Cox. It is very apparent what happened to the Braves and Bobby has no part in it. The Braves have had no decent ownership since Ted (according to him) was shafted by Time Warner. In this putrid era of baseball money is everything. I watched the Braves win division titles earlier in this decade with AAA lineups because ownership kept pulling back on spending. How Bobby was able to win with those lineups is baffling to me. How he has won this year with one outfielder, a damaged rotation, and with the heart and soul of the team down is nothing short of miraculous.

The Braves won all those division championships and a World Series against roided up freaks. The Yankees alone could put an entire lineup in the roids HOF. Bobby won in spite of it. Not to mention, who was responsible for Chipper, Javy, Smoltz, Glavine, et al being Braves to begin with, Bobby. I hope Fredi takes over as well but it won’t matter until the Braves have real ownership again or baseball cleans up its act (not likely unfortunately). And whomever pointed out that the media fails in its obligation to point this out is right on.

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Can someone tell me how McLouth ever made it to the big leagues?
If he ever had talent, he’s completely lost it. But I really believe
he is a head case. There’s something wrong and I feel bad for him.
So please Mgr. Cox leave Nate alone and let him wallow on the bench.
I’ve never seen a more lethargic player.

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wow.. I thought we had a chance. And then you went and gave up. It’s okay. Real fans know that all the griping whining and complaining won’t get Matt Diaz that hit or give Farnsworth an extra 3 Mph on the fastball… and oh.. BTW.. real fans know you can’t steal first.

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The Bravos have lost 2 series to the last place Knats, 1 to the last place Pirates, & 1 to the Marlins this month, they DONT deserve to go anywhere but home, you cant win with only 1 outfielder, no first baseman, no speed, no power, & a over the hill manager, thank god spring training comes once a year, lets get Freddi in here & YES, Eddie Long Dong did it, quit hiding behing GOD as your cover up you pervert!

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The Phillies are going to be planning ahead this weekend. They will have in their power to choose their matchup. If the Braves need 2 out of three to secure a playoff spot and the result of a loss is the Phillies facing the Giants. You might see a forgiving Phllies team. Phillies hit .210 vs the Giants this year.(3-3)

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Freddie comming to Atlanta.
Reports are he’s been offered contracts by other clubs and have turned them down. And there’s no reason to think if it were with the Cubs, they would have him locked up by now. especialy since Lou’s already gone.

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Texas Frenchy – I didn’t know school was out for the day yet. The Nats and Marlins seem to play us tougher than they do the Philthies. As far as Fredi ( note proper spelling ), there is no guarantee he’ll come here. He might prefer the Cubs. Their fans are certainly more loyal.

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Ok, Billy (not Martin) .. Fredi manages very similarly to Bobby, having come up through this organization… so if you’re unhappy with Bobby… you’re going to like Fredi better?

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Going down in the last week of the season is the only thing worse than being eliminated in July.

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Quicherbichin

Their nothing alike. Just because you’re with the same organiztion doesn’t mean they’re similar. Freddie’s not afraid to sit players and I’ll gurarntee he would,’t leave the same pitcher in the game long enough to give up 7 and 8 runs in one ionning. I can recall twice Booby doing that with Derek Lowe. And I’ll guranntee he would’t keep running a sub 200 hitter out to hit( Greg Norton come to mind in crucial game winning situations. Is Greg Norton or Nate your brother?

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As a Braves fan, if the situation were reversed and the Braves had clinched and were playing either the Phillies or Mets during the last weekend with a chance to keep them out of the playoffs… yeah, I’d want the Braves to play their best players just to knock the other team out.

Maybe I’m just mean, but that’s what I’d do. Especially if my club was playing great… if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Something Wren and the rest of the Braves management should learn.

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Christopher Chance- Assuming that Bobby took over Pittsburgh instead of the Braves and given the fact that players like to play for Bobby Cox, Pittsburgh would have become a more favorable destination for players, so they would have gotten players to stay, management would have made money and attracted more big name free agents. So they would have stayed good after 1992 and they would have had 13 consecutive division titles and Atlanta would have remained the team they were back in the late 80’s. Why not? It’s as reasonable as anything else the Cox detractors have said all day.

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Billy (not Martin) I have a friend that is a Marlins fan and she was glad to see Fredi get fired for many of the reasons that people vilify Bobby here. And just ask Kenshin Kawakami if Bobby’s afraid to sit someone.

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Quicherbichin……..while I would rather see the Braves hire someone else, I did pay attention to how Freddi Gonzalez didnt play favorites with his best player, Hanley Ramirez. Ramirez was dogging it and Gonzalez publicly called him out on it.

The Braves actually could use a manager who will publicly call out players for FCUKING UP on the field. I think that you’d be surprised to learn that calling out players for bad play will either motivate them to step up their game………or drive them out of town (which would be a good thing to see happen if they cant cut it).

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How nice that the Braves were relaxed and feeling good going into their third game in Philly. How nice that they were clowning around on the train while travelling to DC after being swept in Philly. How good this spoiled bunch of multi-millionaires feels is, of course, what is truly important. The whole notion that in baseball a team can’t elevate itself for a big series, that it is subject entirely to the capricious whims of the baseball gods, is a lie invented by losers.Years ago, Tony LaRussa made the comment that there must be no mirrors in the Braves clubhouse, because nobody ever seems to look in one. Time to look in one now, guys, especially you, Mr. Cox!

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Yea???
but it took him eight or nine straight losses before he did.
And we all know that wasn’t Booby’s decision. Wow, what we two or three of those wins that KK gave up mean now.??? Great manager, yea.
Same as retering. I think after that great managing job he did last, I think the FW told him it was going to be his last year. NO wat he retires unless they push him out.

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Andre1212…………if it was as simple as the “level of competition” this week, then yes, the Braves should win the Wild Card.

However, with this bunch, it’s not that simple. When our pitching is clicking, then our margin of error is greater. However, when our pitching is struggling….our play has shown that our defense, base running and lack of fundamental play will not help compensate for that.

If you look at the Phillies, they can overcome bad pitching to win games. And it isnt just because of their power. The Phillies play MUCH BETTER defense than we do. They run the bases (I’m not just talking about stealing bases)…they hit the cut off man and throw runners out. Their catcher doesnt resort to the lazy back handed stabs when it comes to blocking wild pitchers….NOR does he airmail throws into the outfield. They can lay down bunts, hit and run, move runners over AND hit a sacrifice fly.

In other words, the Phillies, Giants and even the Padres show signs that they have been coached……….something that our guys have simply not shown.

Now how does that make Lord Bobby a great manager?

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ALSO I WISH BOBBY THE BEST. I;LL MISS HIM!

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Mark: Obviously your great, great grandfather worked for Gen. Custer, would’ve blogged similar at Little Bighorn.

As much as this avid 50+ years Braves’ fan hopes you’re correct, my brain tells me you’re drinking too much Peoples Temple juice and Jim Jones in next seat.

When Cox brings into a patented, long-proven rat as Farnsworth in yesterday’s winnable 2-2 game, you can’t have faith. Done it so many times earlier in season too, just as he did when Jesse Chavez was surrending runs like monopoly money early in season.

When Cox fails to use Wagner (hadn’t pitched since previous Saturday vs. Mets) in scoreless 8th inning in Philly finale, then is quoted he “didn’t see” Nate’s sissy lollipop throw from corner (worse-looking than a last-pick, fat-camp outfielder) and it results in losing, 1-0.
When Cox refuses to make obvious adjustments in lineup and maybe put some runners in motion to stay out of daily-average of three DPs per game, you lose more hope than a penniless man meeting Charon on the River Styx.

I could on and on and on and on….keeps playing a bum like Melky, keeps underusing Diaz, sat Nate way too many games when he was he red-hot, plays Alex-G with a 6-for-50 lifetime batting ledger vs, Livan, and so and on and on….well, you get the idea.

Have no doubt Cox personally is a sweet ol’ man, kind and generous to all, but as a late-game tactican is more like Fredo Corleone,

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THE BRAVES ARE GOING UP THATS THE POSITIVE SIDE AND WILL BE BETTER NEXT YEAR TOO!

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Why would anyone in their right mind even WANT this team to make the playoffs just because they might do so through a fluke of scheduling? They can’t even beat bad teams with nothing on the line. How painful will it be to watch them up against a good team with a trip to the NLCS on the line?

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I’m not gonna take the bait and go all anti-Bobby Cox like some agenda-filled folks here will, but with that being said…

…it IS frustrating when we don’t play station-to-station baseball when our offense is in a funk. We’re not built for the 3-run homer, and yet it seems like we still play that way. With runners at 1st and 2nd and no outs – we don’t bunt ‘em over. With runners and 2nd and 3rd and less than 2 outs, we don’t have hitters capable of grounding to the right side of the infield or popping up at the very least. We don’t rattle pitchers with runners on base because we don’t run – at all.

Those are the sorts of things that can spark rallies or just scratch a freaking run across. Twice yesterday we had runners on base with less than two outs and got nothing, when some FUNDAMENTAL things (bunts, sac flies, etc.) would have given us at LEAST a run.

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YOU GUYS THINK YOU CAN BE MANAGER? WAGNER HAS BEEN USED A LOT. YOU HAVE TO PLAY WITH WHAT YOU HAVE . SOMETIMES IT WORKS OUT,AND SOMETIMES IT DOESN;T. GO!!!!BRAVES!!!!

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ward……….good, isnt good enough……especially when you should do “better”.

Do you think that Bill Gates would be happy if he lost $50 billion dollars tomorrow (even though he’d have about $10 billion left)?

How can a true Braves fan be happy with a 10-14 record in September, ESPECIALLY given our schedule? We’re losing to some BAD TEAMS. BAD TEAMS! How hard is that for you to freaking understand?

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I have been calling for Andruw for a while. Lets not pay attention to his batting average because all we are concerned about is can he drive in runs. A struggling Andruw still drove in 87 runs for the Braves his last year and now that he is motivated not to lose his career I think we can give him one of those minimum contracts that we have been known to get away with (Glaus, Jordan, Mondesi, etc…). We have had no production and we have no minor leaguers coming up in the near future so if we want to win next year then we sign Andruw for 2-5Mil and the money coming off the books for KK, Lowe, and possibly Chipper if he has to retire then we throw everything into signing Carl Crawford so we actually get a leadoff hitter and also someone with some power.

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The Abs Man…………do you really think that Bobby Cox is a sweet old man? If so, you might want to ask his wife what he was like back in 1995……..when sweet old Bobby “I make Ike Turner look like a BYTCH” Cox was beating up and punching his wife?

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ward……..how do you explain the 120 errors (only 4 more than the worst fielding team in the National League) AS WELL as leading the league in runners left on base?

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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?

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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.

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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!!!

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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?

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To BaseballBuff(usedabufferonmybrain). Yet another Cox apologist.

Grow a couple.

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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!!!

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I LOVE THE BRAVES LIKE I LOVE BASEBALL. BE POSITIVE, AND GOOD THINGS WILL HAPPEN! SEE YOU LATER! GO!!! BRAVES!!!

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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?

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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!

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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.

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…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.

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Quicherbichin………….Are you Bobby Cox’s public relations man? How much is Lord Bobby paying you to be his fluffer?

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Mark, what “quirk?”

Haven’t the Phillies got their “big three” lined up for us again?

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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.

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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!!!!!!!!!!

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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….

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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.

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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?

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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.

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What’s up Braves fans? It must be peaceful as I haven’t seen the Phillies on the blog lately. Thank goodness!

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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.

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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

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BOBBY YOU OWE THE FANS! SHAKE THINGS UP! YOU GOT ONE WEEK!

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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.

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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!!!

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Never would have believed many many months ago that the Braves would have a shot. Stink or not I’m all in right now. We gotta see Cox in another playoff series. Memories.

Sonny Clusters for Gov.

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What one must understand about the Braves/Liberty organization is that they are all buddies….I bet they get together and play poker on road trips and laugh all the way to the bank on your $100 ticket! Cox, Wren,and all the good ‘ol boys are probably ready for GOLF season in Florida anyway and we’re all sitting here fussing cause they choked going down the stretch……Laugh it up boys cause one of these days I’m gonna get a real life and quit watching crappy baseball!

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….Tyler Langmeyer…….dude, of course I want to see the Braves win the home stand. I want to see them win EVERY GAME they play, lol.

I know that errors are part of the game. I recognize that you cant play your best every night out there.

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If Wren uses the same criteria in selecting a new manager as he uses to select new players we will get a washed up, over the hill manager who no other team wants. Maybe he’ll change because he hasn’t many chances left.

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[...] Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog)Baseball: Cain flirts with no-no for GiantsCoos Bay WorldAlfredo Simon replaced VandenHurk in the fifth. Bautista came up with one out and after throwing two balls, the second of which was high and inside, …Yardwork: Mo & Papelbon Trade Blown SavesThe Big Lead [...]

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Since when does it matter what pitcher they face? They have already shown they can lose to anybody.

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jerry…..totally agree withyour 6:35pm post. We make BUMS look like Cy Young candidates. It doesnt matter who the Phillies put out there. We’re just as likely to make Rick Mahler look like Roy Halladay.

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kkong………Bobby Cox DID NOT do the best he could. For instance, he could have actually taken the time to teach these guys how to play fundamental baseball.

He could have arranged his rotation so our best faces Philly’s best.

He could have called out some of these guys publicly who cant run the bases right or field the freaking ball.

Just a small example of what Lord Bobby could have done better as manager.

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jerry………….what matters is that it will be the LAST player that Bobby Cox yells at (meaning that we’ll have a new manager in 2011).

Whoever it is, I hope that Frank Wren hires a manager whose more concerned with WINNING….than with being a “player’s manager”.

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Mark: I like Keith’s idea from 10:04 yesterday morning!!
Off to school now…..been up almost 2 hours after not going to sleep until the Cubs finished the Padres….BUT…..Let’s go Braves!!!!!

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[...] Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) [...]

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