Live from the ballyard: Could the Braves really lose to Jo-Jo?
May 23, 2008: Jo-Jo Reyes discusses key matters with former allies. (AJC photo by Jason Getz)
Jo-Jo Reyes used to be a Brave. He was the ride-along in the last summer’s Yunel Escobar/Alex Gonzalez trade. Lately he has become infamous for going 28 starts without winning, which matched an all-time big-league worst.
The good news: Jo-Jo Reyes starts against the Braves today.
The less-good news: He’s pitching better.
He has, believe it or not, won three of his past four starts, beating two decent teams from Ohio (Cleveland and Cincinnati, duh) and Baltimore. His ERA is a not-that-horrible 4.18. And he has actually been good in interleague competition (3-1 with a 1.79 ERA).
That said … even by Braves standards, it would look pretty bad to lose to a guy who went from June 13, 2008, to May 30, 2011, without winning a start. But the Braves, as we’re aware, often make ordinary pitchers they’re facing for the first time look like Christy Mathewson. And this will be the first time, not counting batting practice in spring training, the Braves will have faced Jo-Jo.
Meaning: Hold your breath.
While you’re holding it, I invite you to join me for all the online fun and frolic. First person to make a good Beatles/”Get Back”/Jo-Jo joke wins a round of coveted kudos.
By Mark Bradley
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238 comments Add your comment
Doug
June 22nd, 2011
12:17 pm
First
Mark Bradley
June 22nd, 2011
12:21 pm
Kudos, Doug.
ylojkt
June 22nd, 2011
12:24 pm
Starting lineup?
TomahawkChoppin'
June 22nd, 2011
12:28 pm
Mark I have always wondered if his name really is JO-JO or is it short for something else? Also is there a difference in avgs for right-handed hitters vs left hand hitters against Jojo
Sutton's Fro
June 22nd, 2011
12:29 pm
Bluejays send Reyes back to where he once belonged.
Lowcountry Bulldawg
June 22nd, 2011
12:32 pm
Mark-
In my Keeper fantasy League I made the following trade:
Traded: Heyward/Prado for Uggla/Greinke
Needed a power arm and some pop in the lineup. I keep hoping Uggla is going to breakout. What about the trade invloving 3 Braves. I told my son, who is 6, I traded Heyward and he he Dad why would you go and do that and just sighed…..lol!
MichaelC
June 22nd, 2011
12:35 pm
7th!! My new career high…. Mark, do you see a scenerio where the Braves could pull a deal for someone like Matt Kemp from the Dodgers since they are possibly clearing so much payroll this year?
Milt Famey
June 22nd, 2011
12:35 pm
Reyes is hard to figure. The kid seemed to have all the talent he needed. MB, if you’re down in the clubhouse, please ask Uggla why he won’t make an adjustment with his stance. Brian Jordan commented on it last night. His quote was, “It’s time for a change. It couldn’t hurt and it might help”
Skeezix
June 22nd, 2011
12:36 pm
Jo Jo has a lot of talent and maybe now he is starting to put it all together. But I hope Jo Jo has no Mo Jo today (I know, I know–it’s corny).
Three Jack
June 22nd, 2011
12:37 pm
Pitching for the Braves and Jays one should expect long droughts between wins.
Runner-
June 22nd, 2011
12:39 pm
Lets gooo!!
Innocent Bystander
June 22nd, 2011
12:41 pm
Lowcountry- That would be a good trade if it wasn’t a keeper league. I wouldn’t give up JHey in a keeper for about anything, esp Uggla.
What is Dan Uggla Thinking Now?
June 22nd, 2011
12:43 pm
I use to hit better when that Marlins trainer gave me those special vitamin injections.
Booyah
June 22nd, 2011
12:44 pm
Mark – will Gonzalez ever have the guts to sit Uggla for a few days? Don’t you agree that it might do him some good?
Kentavo
June 22nd, 2011
12:46 pm
Yes, this is a recipe for disaster. I say JoJo will probably throw a NoNo.
Why?
Because Braves can’t hit lefties; especially ones with high ERAs and ones they’ve never faced; and although I haven’t checked the lineup, it’s sure to be the B-team out there today.
Hulk Smash
June 22nd, 2011
12:47 pm
I will be very angry if the Braves lose to Jo Jo and the blue birds….
Gman
June 22nd, 2011
12:47 pm
Jo Jo knows this can’t last. One more losing streak like that and it’s back to the seemingly limitless vistas of Tuscon, AZ
GTT
June 22nd, 2011
12:47 pm
It’s possible, but I hope not.
tela/
June 22nd, 2011
12:47 pm
braves traded for hunter pence
Heisenberg
June 22nd, 2011
12:48 pm
I have said before, it is not physical stuff that has held JoJo Back, it is mental. Every time he pitched for Braves it would be 4 or 5 shutout innings followed by an 8 run meltdown. As soon as he gave up the first run the floodgates open. Need to put some pressure on him.
tela/
June 22nd, 2011
12:49 pm
booya
he already has sit a couple of games quit the meds dude
tela/
June 22nd, 2011
12:50 pm
where r these supposedly braves writers that i have to report everything?
Booyah
June 22nd, 2011
12:50 pm
tela/ – he has not sat multiple games in a row – just one here and there… if it was anyone else but Freddi’s boy looking this bad, they would get a few days off to reevaluate.
jimmya
June 22nd, 2011
12:51 pm
mark how long will it be before logo takes over at second
Spivedog
June 22nd, 2011
12:52 pm
I bet Reyes goes 4.1 innings, 5 walks, 5 earned runs. You know, the typical stat sheet he had with the Braves.
Lowcountry Bulldawg
June 22nd, 2011
12:52 pm
That was the hard part. I am in 2nd and can amke the biggest move in the K department, so I rolled the dice on Greinke. Hate moving Heyward as he is my favorite Brave. Should have enough arms now on the team; Hanson, Schrezer,Greinke,Chacin. Made my OF a little softer with trading Prado/Heyward, left me with only Eithier/Bourn/Abreu/Markakis. So that is a concern.
Harvey Updyke
June 22nd, 2011
12:54 pm
Roll damn tide
PMC
June 22nd, 2011
12:54 pm
No.
PMC
June 22nd, 2011
12:57 pm
He’s a freaking lefty so that’s a problem anyway.
Suwanee Braves
June 22nd, 2011
12:58 pm
Jo-Jo is LHP.
Braves stumble. Lose game to Mr. Reyes.
Booyah
June 22nd, 2011
12:59 pm
Watching the Glavine hall of fame thing before the game… Sorry Tommy – you lost a ton of fans by defecting to the Schmets for a few bucks – how did that work out for you? Still waiting for the apology there yo…
Heisenberg
June 22nd, 2011
1:04 pm
Game will be re-broadcast tonight at 7 so I am going dark until then.
jimmya
June 22nd, 2011
1:08 pm
marrrrrrkkkkkk
Sweep today
June 22nd, 2011
1:08 pm
As a Braves fan we have to be guardedly optimistic. We have been burned before, but we have a decent team and should compete for the wild card.
The last time we were on the verge of sweeping Houston and going on a run we ended up dropping the last game and losing the next two series. Let’s hope we finish the job today and have a winning home stand before going on an interesting road trip.
Mark Bradley
June 22nd, 2011
1:09 pm
Yunel Escobar leads off. Former Brave, if I’m not mistaken.
Mark Bradley
June 22nd, 2011
1:09 pm
Former Brave Yunel Escobar singles to center.
Mark Bradley
June 22nd, 2011
1:09 pm
And now here’s Corey Patterson, former Harrison High School Hoya.
jimmya
June 22nd, 2011
1:11 pm
how about hugo at second
Mark Bradley
June 22nd, 2011
1:11 pm
Former Brave Yunel Escobar steals second.
Mark Bradley
June 22nd, 2011
1:11 pm
It’s Lugo, by the way. Julio Lugo.
Mark Bradley
June 22nd, 2011
1:12 pm
Former Hoya Corey Patterson strikes out.
JJ
June 22nd, 2011
1:12 pm
He talking about the hurricane Mark
jimmya
June 22nd, 2011
1:13 pm
well
Mark Bradley
June 22nd, 2011
1:15 pm
Beachy strikes out Jose Bautista.
Mark Bradley
June 22nd, 2011
1:16 pm
And Adam Lind. One inning, three strikeouts.
jimmya
June 22nd, 2011
1:17 pm
do it beachy
Cagey Veteran
June 22nd, 2011
1:17 pm
Thanks for the updates Mark! Wish I was there instead of at work
Mark Bradley
June 22nd, 2011
1:20 pm
Jordan Schafer doubles the wrong way.
Hulk Smash
June 22nd, 2011
1:20 pm
same old jo jo… nice.
DawginLex
June 22nd, 2011
1:20 pm
Jo jo left his home in ATL Georgia
for some Canadian cash?
Joe Tess Fish House
June 22nd, 2011
1:20 pm
Are the Braves loosing yet? LOLOLOLOL!!!
jimmya
June 22nd, 2011
1:20 pm
ugga could fake a hammy go to entended spring traing get to hitting let lugo handle second till he gets back
Mark Bradley
June 22nd, 2011
1:21 pm
Not bad, DawginLex.
Hulk Smash
June 22nd, 2011
1:23 pm
Same old Heyward…. sigh… OVER RATED!
Oregon_Braves
June 22nd, 2011
1:23 pm
Jo-Jo was a man who thought he was a pitcher.
DawginLex
June 22nd, 2011
1:23 pm
Does Jo Jo have a wife/girlfriend/mother/sister named Loretta???
rudy
June 22nd, 2011
1:25 pm
this is what i am talking about!!!!! we will never win consistanly cause we cant even move a runner to third !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Way to go heyward!!!
Bill
June 22nd, 2011
1:25 pm
You bet they can. Braves are up and down team but lets hope not.
Hulk Smash
June 22nd, 2011
1:26 pm
paaaaaaathetic!
FJ
June 22nd, 2011
1:27 pm
Typical. Leadoff double and the pathetic braves can’t move the runner to 3rd. And heyward is a freaking lefty. Dude sucks at fundamentals.
Hulk Smash
June 22nd, 2011
1:27 pm
Beachy should be prepared to hit a home run.
rudy
June 22nd, 2011
1:27 pm
jesus!!!!!! runner on 2nd NO OUTS!!!!! we cant even move him to 3rd!!!!!!!!!! God i hate watching the braves sometimes…..
Mark Bradley
June 22nd, 2011
1:28 pm
Sweet Loretta Martin, I believe, was Jo-Jo’s prom date.
Suki
June 22nd, 2011
1:28 pm
Well they won 3 in a row. It’s about time for a losing streak.
Mark Bradley
June 22nd, 2011
1:29 pm
Oh, and the home side got absolutely nothing from the Schafer two-bagger. Strikeout, pop fly, comebacker to pitcher.
ClemsonBrad
June 22nd, 2011
1:30 pm
Mark, Whatever happened to Damien Moss? Is he out of the league now?…he showed so much promise with the Braves his first year or two…I want to say he was in Triple A last year with the Braves…is that right?
Alex
June 22nd, 2011
1:30 pm
this is going to be an ugly game. pitcher back for the first time in over a month. can’t perform simpel tasks of moving a runner over = loss
4-1
Brad
June 22nd, 2011
1:32 pm
mccann sucks at stopping balls.
Brad
June 22nd, 2011
1:32 pm
Here comes a bluejay lead
TOMY FOURNIER
June 22nd, 2011
1:33 pm
SAME SHEET WITH ATLANTA…THEY NEVER KNOW HOW TO MOVE THE RUNNERS IN FIRST OR SECOND AND LESS IN THIRD TO MAKE RUN. THEY ARE PATETIC AND NOT PATIENT IN THE HOME PLATE AND THAT’S EVERY TIME AND EVERY DAY…AND WHAT THE HITTING COACH AND THE MANEGER DOING ABOUT THIS????,,,DOING NOTHING…THEY ARE BLIND…OR WHAT??..BUNCH OF SHEETTTTTTTT!!!!
Mark Bradley
June 22nd, 2011
1:35 pm
According to Wikipedia, Damian Moss last pitched for the Long Island Ducks.
Mark Bradley
June 22nd, 2011
1:35 pm
Jo-Jo steps to the plate batting .500.
TOMY FOURNIER
June 22nd, 2011
1:36 pm
ATLANTA MAKE TRASH PITCHERS IN BIG LEAGUE PITCHERS…THE “BEST”..AND I BET YOU THAT TODAY..JO-JO WILL BE THE BEST…ATLANTA WAY!!!!
Nick
June 22nd, 2011
1:36 pm
I saw Freddie lets Uggla bat leadoff, that way there is no one on base when he strikes out!!
Mark Bradley
June 22nd, 2011
1:36 pm
Down to .333 now.
Nick
June 22nd, 2011
1:37 pm
*say
rudy
June 22nd, 2011
1:38 pm
nick,
LOL…good Idea
jimmya
June 22nd, 2011
1:41 pm
hey i like uggla but his hitting has got to go hes hurting the braves a lot i know how he plays hard but he needs help who taught him how to hit growing up he needs to make a call
Marty
June 22nd, 2011
1:41 pm
Time to waste another lead off hit. Phillies are lucky to play STL right when Albert gets hurt
rudy
June 22nd, 2011
1:41 pm
oh crap here come STRUGGLA to the plate…
Mark Bradley
June 22nd, 2011
1:42 pm
What was it you were saying about Dan Uggla?
Two-run homer to left-center.
jimmya
June 22nd, 2011
1:42 pm
do it dan
rudy
June 22nd, 2011
1:43 pm
WOW…..ok….do it again…lol
TOMY FOURNIER
June 22nd, 2011
1:44 pm
GOING…GOING…GONE…UGLYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!…SAID JO-JO!!!!
jimmya
June 22nd, 2011
1:44 pm
hope its a startting point
jimmya
June 22nd, 2011
1:45 pm
he didnt move his head hitting that one good
BrianSC
June 22nd, 2011
1:45 pm
Friends, I believe that was the best swing I’ve seen Uggla take all year. He was balanced, closed, and right on it. It was nice to see him not falling away and opening up so early.
I hope he is finally turning the corner.
Joe Tess Fish House
June 22nd, 2011
1:45 pm
Uggly got Luggly with that HR
Rick
June 22nd, 2011
1:46 pm
he was safe. uggla hit a homer. bout time for him to go on a 0-20 streak
Rick
June 22nd, 2011
1:46 pm
Funny how a pitcher can bunt a runner over but heyward cant
Taylor
June 22nd, 2011
1:48 pm
Great to see Uggla with a big hit as well as Lugo beating out that ball to Escobar.
Tracy
June 22nd, 2011
1:48 pm
Joe Simpson and Emmy. Two words that do not belong in the same sentence. Nothing but a paid PR lackey for the Braves. He wouldn’t know the meaning of the words journalism or objectivity. But then again, he’s from Oklahoma.
Taylor
June 22nd, 2011
1:52 pm
Mark,
Uggla seems to be very popular in the clubhouse judging by how he interacts with his teammates. What are your observations? I love how encouraging he is to other players and how he always gives it 100% on the field. His time will come, and he will get things turned around.
Mark Bradley
June 22nd, 2011
1:53 pm
Jose Bautista hits a home run. It’s 2-1.
Mark Bradley
June 22nd, 2011
1:54 pm
Taylor, I think the Braves regard Uggla as a good teammate. That’s not an issue.
Bravos
June 22nd, 2011
1:57 pm
Isn’t that Bautista’s first hit this series, MB? Sucks its a home run.
Andy
June 22nd, 2011
1:57 pm
Bautista was due. I’m ok with a solo homer.
rudy
June 22nd, 2011
1:58 pm
agreed
Headley Lamar
June 22nd, 2011
1:59 pm
Joe Simpson and Emmy. Two words that do not belong in the same sentence
I like Joe. Is he a Homer for the Braves. Sure. Most announcers are for the home team.
I invite you to get a mlb.tv subscription and listen to some of the other announcers out there. I promise Joe will look alot better to you real quick.
old timer
June 22nd, 2011
1:59 pm
Joe Simpson is just a little ridiculous. I am a Braves fan, but I don’t need to hear that the ball driven out of the park just now was “not a bad pitch.” It was pretty much belt high right down the middle, a mistake pitch with two outs. It’s OK if Beachy makes a mistake. He is looking really good for his first start back, just like he did before. He is the best of the young guns by far right now. Others might be or have been more highly rated, but are going to have to prove it where Beachy is, in the Bigs.
Joe Tess Fish House
June 22nd, 2011
1:59 pm
Way 2 go. Let them score. Next think U no they will tie than be leading. Braves R domed 2 loose again
rudy
June 22nd, 2011
2:00 pm
was chipper swinging at the first pitch again? didnt get to see hi AB ?
Craig
June 22nd, 2011
2:01 pm
Tracy, show me a team’s broadcaster that critiques the team they are working for. It does not happen. The closest is the two that works for the White Sox. If they criticize to much they will not be around long for that team.
Mark Bradley
June 22nd, 2011
2:02 pm
Yes, Braves. It was Bautista’s first hit of the series.
Given that he’s hitting .325, I’d say he was past due.
Mark Bradley
June 22nd, 2011
2:02 pm
Let me go on record here: Brian McCann is a tremendous ballplayer.
Mark Bradley
June 22nd, 2011
2:03 pm
McCann with 13 homers now. It’s 4-1.
rudy
June 22nd, 2011
2:03 pm
Brian is HOT~!!!!!!!!
TOMY FOURNIER
June 22nd, 2011
2:03 pm
MC…WHAT?????…GOING…GOING…GO..HAY JO-JO…SORRY…QUE PENA!!!!
Andy
June 22nd, 2011
2:04 pm
I like Joe. He is not a journalist so there is no expectation that he should remain impartial when calling a game. He is certainly a homer for the Braves but we all know that going into it so what’s the problem? I think he offers solid analysis.
jimmya
June 22nd, 2011
2:04 pm
do it again dan
stevie zero
June 22nd, 2011
2:08 pm
jo-jo left his slider in tucson arizona……
Crunchy fan
June 22nd, 2011
2:08 pm
Joe gets on his knees every time gonzo makes a routine play, it’s getting pathetic. he also has a hard on for Uggla too.
rudy
June 22nd, 2011
2:10 pm
Beachy is going to have 10+ strike out this game…wow
Bravos
June 22nd, 2011
2:12 pm
I bet Kimbrel is getting jealous of all those k’s.
jimmya
June 22nd, 2011
2:13 pm
just be glad yankees gotour old one duuuuuuuuuuu
Peter
June 22nd, 2011
2:13 pm
SWEEP CANADA!! With their beady little eyes and flapping heads so full of lies, SWEEP CANADA!!
Mark Bradley
June 22nd, 2011
2:15 pm
Nine strikeouts for BB, who’s throwing BBs
Skeezix
June 22nd, 2011
2:16 pm
Beachy is looking great, really composed. McCann is on a tear. Dare we hope (once again) that now Uggla will finally break out of his funk?
SG10
June 22nd, 2011
2:18 pm
Mark,
I had read somewhere that Glavine regards Beachy pitching action as perfect – something he would like to teach to his kids. Do you agree with that? Who are the pitchers in the recent years who could be regarded like that? Do you think the Braves have a set pitch count for Beachy today?
SG10
June 22nd, 2011
2:20 pm
I have noticed that when McLouth starts getting out to in-field pop-outs or ground outs, he is usually in a funk. When he is hitting well, he has more fly-outs and line-outs to the outfield.
Mark Bradley
June 22nd, 2011
2:21 pm
I hadn’t heard that Glavine comment, SG10. But Glavine’s motion was pretty sleek. And Maddux’s. No extraneous movement.
jimmya
June 22nd, 2011
2:23 pm
just when was he hitting well
Headley Lamar
June 22nd, 2011
2:23 pm
I had read somewhere that Glavine regards Beachy pitching action as perfect
I heard Glavine say that as well during a broadcast before Beachy was injured.
Mark Bradley
June 22nd, 2011
2:25 pm
Ten strikeouts.
Mark Bradley
June 22nd, 2011
2:26 pm
Halfway to the big-league record in a nine-inning tilt
Michael in Dunwoody
June 22nd, 2011
2:28 pm
I feel like it’s appropriate to sweep a Canadian team the day after a Canadian city officially stole our hockey team.
Skeezix
June 22nd, 2011
2:29 pm
Yes, Glavine said that he was teaching Beachy’s motion to his kids.
Bravos
June 22nd, 2011
2:29 pm
If I’m not mistaken, that’s a new career high for Beachy….
Mark Bradley
June 22nd, 2011
2:29 pm
Eleven K’s. Of 15 outs.
jimmya
June 22nd, 2011
2:30 pm
ump calling good game so far
SG10
June 22nd, 2011
2:30 pm
Despite 11 Ks, pitch-count too high for Beachy. Unless he get a quick inning, he might be done after one more..still very good to get 6 innings on his return, on a day game. Braves must feel good to get him back.
Mark Bradley
June 22nd, 2011
2:30 pm
Hammer wins the Tool Race.
Steve
June 22nd, 2011
2:31 pm
Mark,
What is the Atlanta Braves record and the Braves franchise record for strikeouts in a game? Also, McCann = God.
Bravos
June 22nd, 2011
2:32 pm
Poor drill.
SG10
June 22nd, 2011
2:35 pm
Beachy was never a hot prospect for the Braves like Hanson, Teheran or even Minor. It seems like he has made full use of chances he has got and establishing himself. He seems pretty advanced on the mental aspect of his game. It is too early but I wonder, have we found our Wainwright?
jimmya
June 22nd, 2011
2:38 pm
wasted at bat
Mark Bradley
June 22nd, 2011
2:38 pm
Atlanta Braves record for strikeouts: 15 by John Smoltz (done twice)
SG10
June 22nd, 2011
2:38 pm
After scoring few runs against lefties in the past few starts, I am wondering if we have turned things around.. Even Uggla hit a HR! Of course, these are not top lefty pitchers but we struggled against everyone..
Mark Bradley
June 22nd, 2011
2:39 pm
All-time Braves record for strikeouts is Warren Spahn with 18 in a 15-inning game. Record for a nine-inning tilt is Charlie Bluffinton with 17 K’s.
jimmya
June 22nd, 2011
2:39 pm
try bunting one time then hit away
little dave
June 22nd, 2011
2:40 pm
hi every 1.i get to go on my dream holiday next year,im going to be flying from the rainy uk to sunny georgia to watch my fav teams,but do i come in june and watch the braves or do i go november and take in the falcons,hawks and bulldogs ?
Mark Bradley
June 22nd, 2011
2:40 pm
Beachy with 83 pitches through five cantos.
Cagey Veteran
June 22nd, 2011
2:41 pm
Charlie Bluffinton?
middlegabravo
June 22nd, 2011
2:44 pm
Damian Moss lives in Dublin, Georgia. Selling insurance and conducting baseball camps, as well as helping coach at a GISA school. Married a girl there and has 3 little girls
Mark Bradley
June 22nd, 2011
2:45 pm
Action in the pen.
Mark Bradley
June 22nd, 2011
2:45 pm
But Chipper makes a deft short-hop to trigger a DP.
Sutton's Fro
June 22nd, 2011
2:45 pm
Man, that was a killer rotation — Charlie Bluffinton, Dave Shuffel, and Ted Deal!
Mark Bradley
June 22nd, 2011
2:46 pm
Sorry, I meant Charlie Buffinton
jimmya
June 22nd, 2011
2:48 pm
good day beachy now cool off
Mark Bradley
June 22nd, 2011
2:49 pm
That’s all for Jo-Jo. Got 16 outs, yielded five hits and four runs. Not awful.
Steve
June 22nd, 2011
2:50 pm
Thanks Mark!
Mike
June 22nd, 2011
2:55 pm
For God’s sake can we cut our losses on Uggla for the rest of the season? Let’s face it, 2011 is just not going to happen for him. Let’s go with Conrad the rest of the season or Prado when he gets back. I’d even give Diory a crack at it if you don’t want to go with the first two.
jimmya
June 22nd, 2011
2:55 pm
can venters go today mark
SG10
June 22nd, 2011
2:56 pm
Mark,
Why has it been so difficult for the Braves to get quality left-handed pitching? We can think of JoJo, Horacio Ramirez, Chuck James, Damian Moss (Bruce Chen before that). There have been fewer failures with RHP guys. Nobody has been able to stick around and be the next great pitcher. Minor was very good last time but he still has to prove himself. Do you see a possibility of Venters ever getting a call to go back to starting role? Wasn’t he a starter when he came up? If Kimbrel is our long term closer and if we can bring another guy for a setup role then perhaps Venters could be more valuable in the starting role in future.
Mark Bradley
June 22nd, 2011
2:57 pm
Beachy’s out after six innings, 96 pitches and 11 strikeouts.
Linebrink is your hurler.
Mark Bradley
June 22nd, 2011
2:58 pm
I’m not sure any of those you mentioned, SG10, was a prospect on the order of Tommy Hanson, say. Minor is probably the biggest-name lefty in a while.
Mark Bradley
June 22nd, 2011
2:59 pm
Charlie Morton was a righty, too, you’ll recall.
Mark Bradley
June 22nd, 2011
3:00 pm
Also Jasons Schmidt and Marquis.
Italian_29
June 22nd, 2011
3:01 pm
I cannot believe it, here we are leading 4-1 in the 7th inning with the 4th best record in ALL OF BASEBALL and our fans still aren’t happy. No wonder Atlanta is know as the worst city for sports in the WORLD. If we aren’t winning a World Series every single year, FIRE EVERYONE.
SG10
June 22nd, 2011
3:03 pm
Yes, I agree they were not top prospects but they were good enough (good record in minors) to be given enough opportunities with a major league ball club that is trying to win today and not just playing for the future. Couple of RHP failures that I could think of are Kyle Davies and Morton but Morton seems to have turned it around. It seems our failure rate with LHP is near 100% in the recent years.
jimmya
June 22nd, 2011
3:04 pm
im thinking of all the trades we could make this winter lot of teams will want some of our pitchers bad
SG10
June 22nd, 2011
3:05 pm
Well, with Schmidt and Marquis, the Braves had run out patience since they were trying to win today. At least they estabished themselves with other teams and had good years. The other lefties that I mentioned are nowhere now.
jimmya
June 22nd, 2011
3:06 pm
wainwright anyone
ClemsonBrad
June 22nd, 2011
3:06 pm
Kyle Davies is bad…he hasn’t figured it out in Kansas City either though…I’ll remember that first game he pitched of his career at Fenway, shutting the Red Sox down of 5 innings of work. Great Braves momemnt.
Mike
June 22nd, 2011
3:07 pm
@ Italian_29….we’d be higher than 4th in the league if we weren’t taking gas in the middle of the lineup with Uggla every night hitting a buck fifty. He’s obviously in Jeff Francoeur knucklehead mode: “I’m just going to keep doing the same wrong thing over and over and no one can tell me any different”.
ClemsonBrad
June 22nd, 2011
3:07 pm
Schmidt is really the guy you wish you had back….him and Jermaine Dye are two of the worst let-gos ever by the Braves…
Mark Bradley
June 22nd, 2011
3:07 pm
Wainwright is also a righty.
Peter
June 22nd, 2011
3:07 pm
I really believe that by the end of the year this is going to be one of the most potent lineups in baseball, especially with Schafer and Prado hitting 1-2.
Mark Bradley
June 22nd, 2011
3:08 pm
I’m trying to recall the last big-name lefthanded pitching prospect. Glavine, maybe?
Sutton's Fro
June 22nd, 2011
3:09 pm
Italian_29: Most of us aren’t looking at the Braves’ performance in view of the present — we’re projecting for the rest of the season and the playoffs. This team is struggling for wins against bad teams; can’t stay healthy; and isn’t getting production from the players that were hired or promoted to boost the offense. Just because the standings look *OK* now, when other teams are also struggling with injuries and cohesion, doesn’t mean that things will be rosy come October.
As an Atlanta sports fan of over 30 years, I’m getting tired of being called “fair weather” because I don’t get excited by merely having a winning record, or making the playoffs, or getting to the 2nd round of the playoffs. The respective owners of the Braves, Falcons, and Hawks are spending a ton of money on players, but only the Falcons seem to be putting together the right coaching staff to maximize those players’ performances.
I love the Braves, but looking good “on paper” doesn’t get us a title. They have to win it on the field.
ClemsonBrad
June 22nd, 2011
3:09 pm
Even though Schafer’s average is low, with his defense and speed…he just makes the Braves lineup so much better.
Mark Bradley
June 22nd, 2011
3:09 pm
Maybe Derek Lilliquist?
ClemsonBrad
June 22nd, 2011
3:10 pm
Sutton’s Fro…you forgot to mention the Thrashe….oh wait, nevermind.
SG10
June 22nd, 2011
3:11 pm
Steve Avery?
Mark Bradley
June 22nd, 2011
3:11 pm
D’oh! AVERY was a huge prospect. Totally forgot.
jimmya
June 22nd, 2011
3:12 pm
brett butler our biggest goof up
Mark Bradley
June 22nd, 2011
3:12 pm
Weird play. Conrad thought he had a home run, but the umps didn’t signal. And he got thrown out at third. They may reverse this.
ClemsonBrad
June 22nd, 2011
3:13 pm
Chuck James? After his rookie year, Braves were pretty pumped about him…I think there is some homeruns that he gave up that still haven’t landed.
Mark Bradley
June 22nd, 2011
3:13 pm
Replay shows it’s a homer. Umps will reverse this.
SG10
June 22nd, 2011
3:13 pm
When you define hot prospect, is it based on when they signed or how they did in minors? I recall Chuck James had pretty good minor league stats when he came up.
Mike
June 22nd, 2011
3:13 pm
Conrad. I rest my case.
Mark Bradley
June 22nd, 2011
3:13 pm
Yes. Home run.
Skeezix
June 22nd, 2011
3:14 pm
Way to go Brooks! For once, I’d love to see the offense keep scoring.
Mark Bradley
June 22nd, 2011
3:14 pm
James was kind of a sleeper. The Braves liked him because he got guys out for a couple of years.
Omnipotent One
June 22nd, 2011
3:15 pm
Terrell (Hiawatha) Wade……enough said.
Skeezix
June 22nd, 2011
3:16 pm
Agree, Brett Butler was the all time worse trade.
Joe Tess Fish House
June 22nd, 2011
3:16 pm
No way was that a HR
Mark Bradley
June 22nd, 2011
3:17 pm
Almost back-to-back. But Jose Bautista pulls Jordan Schafer’s ball back. Great grab.
Taylor
June 22nd, 2011
3:17 pm
Conrad is a great asset off of the bench. I’m really excited that he’s rebounded from a disappointing playoff performance. He is all heart and is definitely a great pinch hitter.
SG10
June 22nd, 2011
3:17 pm
Talking about wasted left handed pitchers, another one was Macay McBride.. if I remember he was a starter all his life and came to majors as a reliever..never worked out.
Joe Tess Fish House
June 22nd, 2011
3:18 pm
Braves has 2 cheat 2 win
Mark Bradley
June 22nd, 2011
3:18 pm
To answer a question posed earlier: Apparently Jonny Venters is available. He’s in to pitch.
Arvydis Sabonis
June 22nd, 2011
3:19 pm
Sutton’s Fro: Everything on paper looks bad for the Braves right now. But all their doing is winning on the field. You contradicted yourself, bud.
Skeezix
June 22nd, 2011
3:20 pm
Steve Avery was special. When I think of him, I always remember that awesome curveball of his.
Mark Bradley
June 22nd, 2011
3:21 pm
Avery was the most talented of the so-called Young Guns. Even more so than John Smoltz, which is saying a lot.
ClemsonBrad
June 22nd, 2011
3:21 pm
I forgot about McBride…I thought he was going to be a good one too. Him and Blaine Boyer kind of remind me of each other. Guys with great stuff and potential that never really came together for the Braves…
Joe Tess Fish House
June 22nd, 2011
3:22 pm
Braves maybe winnin 2day, but they almost got sweeped by the last palce Rangers.
Arvydis Sabonis
June 22nd, 2011
3:23 pm
@ Joe Tess Fish House: Rangers are in first place and please get a hobby you miserable troll.
Cagey Veteran
June 22nd, 2011
3:24 pm
ClemsonBrad
I’d almost forgotten Jermaine Dye for Michael Tucker.. why’d you have to remind me?
Doh!
SG10
June 22nd, 2011
3:26 pm
I guess then it is safe to say, Venters is the most successful Braves lefty since Avery? If we include pure relievers then we could include Rocker for 2 seasons. Since Venters is not a pure reliever but a converted one, he would be the next best since Avery that I can think of.
jimmya
June 22nd, 2011
3:27 pm
ty mark the allstar huh
Skeezix
June 22nd, 2011
3:27 pm
Please, don’t mention the Jermaine Dye trade —it just gets my blood pressure up.
Delray Brave
June 22nd, 2011
3:29 pm
Can someone please tell me why Fredi has to bring in Venters every single game? This guy is going to cement in his shoulder down the stretch when we need him the most and he’s bringing him into the game in the 8th inning with a 4 run lead against the Blue Jays……………………………………………………………………..
Joe Tess Fish House
June 22nd, 2011
3:29 pm
Way 2 go. Laod the bases so they can tie it up.
ClemsonBrad
June 22nd, 2011
3:30 pm
need a big out here…
Skeezix
June 22nd, 2011
3:30 pm
Venters must have ice in his veins—he is unflappable.
jimmya
June 22nd, 2011
3:30 pm
veterns the man
PMC
June 22nd, 2011
3:31 pm
Errry Day Johnny.
jimmya
June 22nd, 2011
3:31 pm
bad spelling day lol
benito
June 22nd, 2011
3:31 pm
FIRST!!
dongkumong
June 22nd, 2011
3:31 pm
Atlanta=pile of garbage heap.
Joe Tess Fish House
June 22nd, 2011
3:33 pm
Whats UR favrite beer?
Fred Macmurray
June 22nd, 2011
3:34 pm
Joe Tess doesnt let the facts get in the way
jimmya
June 22nd, 2011
3:36 pm
shift or no shift
Alan
June 22nd, 2011
3:37 pm
Great pitching this series. Sure is looking like a braves phillies batte in the NL to play the Sox.
7.25--tip $8
June 22nd, 2011
3:39 pm
That’s the cost of a freaking beer at TF. I can go buy a 6 pack at kroger of the same beer for $6.
Either lower your ticket prices or beer. Or I will just continue to sit at home and watch them.
Sutton's Fro
June 22nd, 2011
3:39 pm
Arvydis — I was responding to Italian_29 who said the Braves looked great in the standings, which is why I put “on paper” in quotes. I think you missed my overall point that the results of any given game (or series) shouldn’t dismiss a fan’s complaint about the Braves’ long-term trends, or projected success in the playoffs.
Your comment that the Braves are winning despite the stats was one made often about last year’s team, and got people talking about an October surprise for the rest of the league. But in the end, the anemic hitting and sketchy defense we had seen all year long from the Braves killed the surprise.
Skeezix
June 22nd, 2011
3:40 pm
Don’t forget Wagner, a pretty good leftie, but we only had him one year. In the old Milwaukee days, Spahn was awesome.
old timer
June 22nd, 2011
3:40 pm
Shouldn’t use Venters with a four-run lead. Dude needs some rest. Beachy looked amazingly good for his first time back.
I like Joe, too. Just doesn’t need an excuse for every Brave mistake is all I’m saying.
PMC
June 22nd, 2011
3:42 pm
dongkumong nah, that’s Vancouver’s downtown.
Mitchell
June 22nd, 2011
3:44 pm
Just wanted to say before I forget that Johnny Venters is good.
I was worried he might give up a run there. Not because I thought the game might get out of hand but rather so he could have another outing without giving up anything.
How awesome would it be if he went the entire season only giving up two runs?
That would be ridiculous. Never know. Could happen.
Brantly
June 22nd, 2011
3:45 pm
Hope the padres will be worn out from their series against the red sox. At least they have farther to travel than we do.
Tracy
June 22nd, 2011
3:46 pm
Headley, I do have an MLB subscription,,,Sunnyside Joe is one of the three or four worst at slanting the the facts, overdoing the positive and ignoring the negative. C’mon..we are big people…we can handle some honest analysis. It just irked me to see this cheerleader in the booth get an Emmy. Isn’t that supposed to be an award for honest and forthright reporting?
Mark Bradley
June 22nd, 2011
3:47 pm
Braves win. They beat Jo-Jo Reyes.
Mitchell
June 22nd, 2011
3:48 pm
Certainly the Braves have been known to not show up at all for a game here or there, or two games or like an entire series… or the series after that.
But I just really wanted to say thanks to the Blue Jays for not showing up at all for any of these games.
That was nice of them.
Or maybe our pitching is just that good. Or maybe both.
Really, that was too easy.
Sutton's Fro
June 22nd, 2011
3:48 pm
Arvydis — my answer didn’t post for some reason…
I was responding to Italian_29 who mentioned the Braves’ record, which is why I put “on paper” in quotes. I think you missed the overall point of what I was trying to say, which is that short-term success in the regular season does not (or has not) translated into postseason success or WS titles for the Braves.
People touted last year’s team for winning games while lagging behind other teams in the stats columns, giving some folks the idea that Braves were going to surprise the league come October. But the same anemic hitting and sketchy defense that plagued the Braves all season showed up during the playoffs and killed the surprise. Championship teams have heart, but rely on consistently good performances.
Andre "Pulpwood" Smith
June 22nd, 2011
3:49 pm
Can anyone explain why Fredi used both Venters and Kimbrel in a 5-1 game?
Darth Vader
June 22nd, 2011
3:51 pm
All too easy…
Fred Macmurray
June 22nd, 2011
3:52 pm
there ya go Joe Tess,, put that in your crack pipe and smoke it LOL
Joe Tess Fish House
June 22nd, 2011
3:54 pm
I dont do drugs and niether should U
Italian_29
June 22nd, 2011
3:57 pm
To Mike that responded to my earlier post, Yes Uggla may have a CRAPPY batting average, but he is only one player out of nine. To say that not having him in the line up we could have a better record that we do now is just PURE speculation. How many runs has he saved with his hustle on defense. Yeah, maybe we would have a better record, but we may have a worse record if the person we put in Uggla’s spot struggled at the plate too.
Italian_29
June 22nd, 2011
4:00 pm
In response to Sutton’s Fro, I am not looking at a game or even a series, The BRAVES own the 4th BEST record in MLB and fans are still beeching.
overuse of Venters
June 22nd, 2011
4:10 pm
Someone please explain to me why we have 7 guys in the pen and we are up by 4 and still using Venters and Kimbrel. Venters is projected to pitch in 90 games!!! Last year, he pitched in 79 and seemed like he started fatiguing when we needed him the most. Lets assume he has 70 great appearances in him. Kimbrel is projected to pitch in 83 games!! The closer is gonna pitch 83 games!?!?
There is no reason to be up by 4 and pitch those two guys. They will have nothing left by october! By the way, eric O is 7th in majors in appearances, linebrink is 20th while kimbrel is second only to Venters. Our best 3 bullpen guys are in the top 7 in the MAJORS in games played.
Time to start trusting those back end bullpen guys a little more.
Mark Bradley
June 22nd, 2011
4:12 pm
It’s now pouring at the ballpark. Perfectly timed game.
Joe Tess Fish House
June 22nd, 2011
4:22 pm
Pouring what?
Furman Bitcher
June 22nd, 2011
4:48 pm
Mark I just wanted to answer your question about losing to Jo Jo. The answer is no.
Furman Bitcher
June 22nd, 2011
4:50 pm
I related news Venters arm just fell off. They need one more solid arm in this pen that they can turn to beside Oflarity, Venters & Kimbrel. This was a game where those guys should have not been in the at all with a 4 run lead.
Mark Bradley
June 22nd, 2011
5:20 pm
Oh, and here’s a little something about Brian McCann.