Help Fredi steady the reeling Braves: Your tips welcome!

im wearing my lucky t shirt now. the 1 i had on when a bullet missed my head by a 1/4 of so…hasnt been washed since..it had better work.. i cant take any more games like last nite..and (first?)

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Oh and I can bat “First”??

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“fix” Hanson and jurggens. put in “baseball” lights at the marlins field, and erase the last two outings from kimbrell’s mind!

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maybe a chicken sacrifice like in Major League? rum for JoBoo?

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Put some pressure on the other team, and infuse some energy into this collection of robots. Let’s see some passion! Bench Hayward and let him figure it out in spring training. Constanza, Bourne, Chipper, McCann, Uggla, Freeman, Prado, Gonzo. Against lefties, sub Diaz for Constanza and bat him seventh. Move Prado to #2.

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We need to find out “Who” put the bad voodoo on us.

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Fredi,

Based on the success had by Bobby Cox, I would highly recommend you begin picking your nostrils constantly in the dugout during games.

Chipper Jones has apparently responded quite well to such “gold digging” during his career.

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The solution is simple:Just relax, keep on truckin’ and things will swing back in the right direction. This team has too much talent to play this poorly for too much longer. One or two hot games and we could be off to the races.

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Also, my medical opinion would be to start platooning more players, even minor leaguers, into the Right Field position.

Preferably, these would be COACHABLE players willing to hustle after pop-fly balls not coming directly to them and willing to listen to their hitting coach.

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Stop pitching Derek Lowe and we at least would have a chance to win every 5th game.

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Keep Lowe away!!!

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I have a soluotion. Hire a new managar that dont have a loosing record.

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The biggest mistake managers make is throwing away the number two spot in the batting order. One of the top three all-around hitters should bat second.

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MB:

Here are my tips.

1. He should fire himself
2. He should fire Parrish
3. He should teach Chipper how to field groundballs
4. He should learn how to use a bullpen.

IT IS OVER. Reasons:

1. The Cards have a cakewalk the next 9 games. Meanwhile the Braves can’t beat the Nats or Phils.
2. The Braves have ONE dependable starter.
3. The Braves bullpen is shot.

STICK A FORK IN ‘EM!!!

HT

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Don’t let Derek Lowe even close to a baseball.

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They just need to be loose and have fun. Someone needs to pull a prank, run nekkid through the clubhouse, light someone’s shoe laces on fire, wear a lucky thong or something. I just think people are pressing and are uptight.

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We can start with new ownership.Liberty Media does not care if the Braves win as long as they turn a profit. The list of Championship teams owned by corporations like this is a short one.
Successful franchises start at the top.The city of Atlanta should know that better than most.

Mark I believe Liberty Media can sell this team this off season.The trick is getting the right owner.I love Mark Cuban but MLB is too short sighted to let him own a team, I just hope the Braves can find an owner like Cuban or Mr. Blank or someone like them.

As for the Braves themselves it it too late to even tweak anything. They have to play the hand they have been dealt.

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Resign

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Here’s my recommendation:
Fredi and the all of ‘em ~ go get x-rayed and see if you have the following major organ:
a HEART
but, I fear most / all will not find one…
losers

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Win some games!

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The Braves have a great team – the problem is that everything kind of collapsed all at once similar to the end of last season. Some players are injured, some are slumping, and the young guys are worn down. It’s especially tough when you expect so much out of so many rookies and young vets, but just imagine what this team could be for the next decade…

I know the Braves are battling and as long as they have a chance, I won’t count them out.

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Will a healthy & hustling Constanza come back to help save us from ourselves before it is too late?

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Herschel Talker, I think your plan would be better if you swapped 1 and 2. How could he fire Parrish after he fires himself? He wouldn’t have the authority.

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Yea, there are a lot of rookies and young players, and I hope NONE of them EVER get a chance to play in the postseason again…

So they can always think: why did we lay down in 2011?

Man, we are losers.

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Do you think we would be in this position if we had Tampa’s manager handling our roster?

Do you think they might trade managers with us?

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CONNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNSTANNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNZZZZZZZZAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!

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Should also note that 1 big game can be the swing…yesterday at 5 p.m. (after the Red Sox lost the 1st of their doubleheader with Baltimore), readers at Boston.com….well, let’s just say that offing themselves was in the mix…and most of them planned to take several others with them as they departed this world. But if you go there this morning (after Boston blew out Baltimore last night), all is great and sunny…

momentum is a funny thing.

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Will Fredi Gonzalez cancel his Netflix subscription in order to better focus on his final few games as Braves Mis-Manager?

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As much as I dislike Fredi and think he severly mis-managed his bullpen this year, right now theres nothing a manager can really do. Last night the offense did a great job getting on base and scratching out the would be winning run. The over worked bullpen is our downfall now. Which is kind of ironic becuase thats what we’ve leaned on all season long. Fredi made his bed by choosing to use JV in 5 run lead situations early in the season, and now he, as well as all of us, have to lay in it.

Thanks, Fredi. What a great job.

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The reasons we can tell Fredi isn’t a good manager has little to do with results-based analysis.

One of the reasons we can tell Fredi isn’t a good manager is his insistence on hitting Prado second. Another is his refusal to use Kimbrel in a tie game, 9th inning or later, on the road. Another is that he consistently hit Jordan Schafer lead-off for a stretch of games earlier this season. Another is that he apparently doesn’t realize that when Chipper is in the lineup, Prado deserved to be platooned at least as much as Heyward deserved to be platooned.

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Couldn’t care less if the Braves make the playoffs. If they do happen to just slide in. Braves always, do what they do best in the playoffs, CHOKE. S.O.S.

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I hate everything we have! Why don’t we have other, nicer things, like other people? Other people have perfect teams who do perfect things with perfect managment! And the braves don’t constantly win every game! What is going on?

Because i KNOW that every other team wins every game and never plays poorly.

Braves should fire everyone in the FO, b/c winning a World Title wasn’t enough! Even though it is the only dang title the city has, and no other team has come close to the prolonged sucess we have had.

Yeah Fredi, awful job with the winning season.

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There is nothing he can do at this point. Except pray. He can’t make the underperforming offense hit. He’s already taxed the bullpen by letting Venters and Kimbrel pitch with 4 and 5 run leads so they can “stay fresh”. A day off is not going to help them now.

His best bet is to have the offense put up a ton of runs so the bullpen can rest for about a week or even two. Those relief guys can throw on the side to “stay fresh”. Since he won’t do this even if the offense does come alive he’s screwed.

He won’t make it to the playoffs or succeed in them without Venters and Kimbrel being vintage Venters and Kimbrel.

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i keep telling you, this team is .235 batting team, this how they were built, and this is what they are, pitching saved us this whole time, and now that its faltering you cant expect that what has not been there all year, hitting, hitting in cluth, to all of a sudden to be there, they may still make the playoffs, but really i have been there done that already, last year we backed our way into the playoffs, and were bounced out in the first round, which is what we are used to ssince after 1999, do you really want to stay up late to see this incompetent line-up get bounced again in the first round? i keep saying what happened to constanza, and why is Heyward who is a big problem with the bat all of a sudden is starting every game and jose is hardly asked to do anything anymore?

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You know the arguments against the man are bad when the angry bloggers cannot devise one cohesive argument.

He’s made mistakes, but if you make everything out to be as bad as people do on this blog, about everything, all the time…

well, start following the marlins or the mets. just not the braves. b/c i’m sick of it.

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Jcard120- I wouldn’t say complacent. I would say they are pressing because they realize they are spiraling downwards. They realize the wheels are about to come off. When the players and the coaches realize that…panic starts and that’s when the ship finally sinks.

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I fear the damage might be done. We will see. The HAVE to win the next two games in Florida and the Wash series to have a shot. The fact is Fredi rode the bullpen too hard. As Buster Olney on ESPN points out, OVentRell already has more appearances than Hoffman or Rivera ever had in a season. Its not completely his fault because his team decided not to hit anything the first half of the season. Too many tight games that would have been lost otherwise. Still, maybe it would have been better to lose those games early, and save his arms for down the stretch. Maybe then it would be the Braves surging and not everyone else.

Still you make a good point, Mark. This is a bargain lineup without the added benefit of serious big bats in the middle of the order.

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At this point it is probably too late. FG has mismanaged this team out of the playoffs. If they complete this dive I suggest FG resign or be fired. In the meanwhile, I do think the following could help:
-Constanza in the lineup, batting second. Heyward and Prado platoon.
-Teheran start in Lowe’s place.
-Platoon Ross and McCann
-O’Flarety is the closer; sorry for what this does to Kimbrel’s ego, but need a veteran in this role down the stretch.
The abovementioned mismanagement includes:
-failing to assess JJ’s injury correctly and get him out of the rotation and into rehab immediately after all-star break;
-misusing bullpen, especially Venters and Kimbrel;
-not starting rookies Teheran and Delgado earlier in season
-yoyoing Minor between Atl and Gwinnett;
-batting Uggla too high in order all season. He is a six-hole hitter at best.
-praising AlexG instead of benching him for lack of production.
There are others but these are the top of the list.

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#1 I see the haunting image of 1 Robert Cox in the background of the photo attached to this piece. If Fredi is locked in a struggle to overcome the Braves’ sickening October impotence, why in the great name of the Grand Poobah of Hollyhock Hill would he ever allow postseason baseball’s most incompetent manager within 20 miles of downtown Atlanta?

#2 The worst fielder on any self-respecting girl’s church league softball team could get to a ball way faster than Chipper Jones. Have Fredi google the term ‘late inning defensive replacement’

#3 Hire Floyd Mayweather to suckerpunch anyone connected to the Braves organization who even wrinkles up his or her lips to utter the word ‘crapshoot’

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Cap Tips welcome??? The closed door meeting didn’t work, so let’s have a closed door beating! Call up Hulk Hogan, he needs some work…

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LMAO– go get an Xray to see if you have a HEART.
Now thats funny….and TRUE.
Bourne ,Hoss,Costanza,SeaBass,Freeman.
Whoever the f*** is hot. And whoever can RUN.
Hoss was good in the 2.
But who cares? Play the hot hands.(supposing we have some)
Screw the lineup and the ego

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First place is a Cadillac. Second place is a set of steak knives. Third place is YOU’RE FIRED!

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I would love to give some suggestions, but your stupid filter won’t let me. Now I’m sure it’ll post both after the fact along with this just to make me look dumb, haha

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I’m for the time machine….turn it back to the trade deadline….

I’m going for both Pence and Bourne….adding Heyward AND Minor to the mix to unlock the Pence side of it…..

Voila…no more Heyward crap and a real proven all star in right field….

Getting Pence along with Bourn would have pushed us over the edge offensively so that we could handle the pitching woes….

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They’re to tight.

Take entire team on a “field trip” to a local hospital of sick kids.
Then go straight to a strip club for an hour…
(put life in perspective…
then free their mind to have fun.)

If that doesn’t work, kick ‘em in the @ss.

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My suggestion for Fredi: Do what you think is best. You’re the manager, and we’re just the fans. You’re in the dugout, the locker-room, the meetings, and the road trips. We sit in the stands or watch on TV. All we can ask for is that you have the same passion for the Braves as we do. And I’m sure you absolutely do. The city of Atlanta and Braves fans everywhere have your back.

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FIRE the manager. Any manager who bats a 230 hitter 4th is crazy. The braves don’t bunt or steal. Why is CONSTANZA NOT PLAYING?

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Play Constanza. We were hot while he was in the lineup. Speed makes the difference.

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Tell the Bravos entire team to stop feeling sorry for themselves and to get mad, really mad, and take it out on the Fish, Nats, and Phils.

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Two comments here – First, the high -hop grounder to Chipper, the fast hitter would have beaten it out even if he had caught it. 2nd and most important- speed never slumps! We were hot when Constanza was playing(two speedster in lineup at same time) but when you decided to play JasonH regularily, everything went downhill from that point on! Yes, JasonH is a great kid(said that many times) and a role-model for youngsters but you chose not to play the man who was the most productive and exciting player to come along in a while. Why? Did Wren tell you to? I’ll never understand?

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I was really exicted to see Fredi named Manager last year, but after watching every game this season I have serious questions about his ability to manage. I don’t know everything, but I’ve followed baseball since 1957. I lived in Atlanta for four years in the early 80’s and had a Season Ticket. I get MLB.com baseball and DirecTV MLB extra inning. I’ve watched alot of baseball….and from what I’ve seen, I’m extremely disappointed in Fredi. Also, not a big fan of Frank Wren, he really wrecked the Orioles during his time there. …and why have a stolen base threat and not have him steal. Like steal now, damit, if your a stolen base king, then steal the damn base and let Proado and Chipper deal with first base open. Having had my say, thanks to the Braves for another interesting season. Your in my thoughts and prayers.

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First we have Mccann call is brother to fix his swing again! We need Mac hitting as usual to make the playoffs.

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Maybe the hitters should rub Fredi’s shinny bald head before each at bat. Baseball players do stranger things for luck.

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To relieve the load of the bullpen, use Christian Martinez and Peter Moylan some in the sixth and seventh, then mix and match in the eigth. Don’t lock into pitching a reliever the entire inning, regardless of how he’s doing. I’d sit Kimbrel tonight, and if by chance we have the lead, let Venters close, he should of been closing more from the beginning, and it would have eased his load, instead of always coming into every eigth inning when we were ahead or tied.

Also, put Teheran in Lowe’s place in the pitching rotation. One more rookie isn’t going to hurt, and he’ll certainly pitch better than Lowe.

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How about using O’ventabral less. After all they might be starting to tire out some.

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Don’t know what to tell Fredi to do that he is not already tried or trying… But got a bad feeling about end of this season. Even if they make playoffs, will not be around long, unless start hitting. Folding at this time of year worst time to do it. But miracles do happen– maybe they still have some fight left in them.

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Actually this could be a good thing–win or lose. It’s a more competitive atmosphere. More pressure is on them to win, which spills into the playoffs. Fredi should continue to rely on his instincts. I like the way he has moved Chipper and others around in the line-up. With Bobby (all due respect), he would never move Chipper out of the three spot. The idea of having to win today is good preparation. I hope they make it.

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I would like to know what the Braves record is in games that Constanza started. He helped jump-start the offense even while hitting 8th in most of his starts. Even though he had cooled off after his torrid start, I think he is needed back in the lineup at least a few times a week.

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If I were Fredi G, what I would say is, “You boys need to play better”. I was never big on fancy speeches.

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before each game, pick a fan from the stands…let him or her make up the lineup card. Send Fredi, Derek & Chipper to the Chophouse for cocktails and a game of “Passout”…they may return to field at game’s end. This may be the solution.

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have fans confuse opponents by “tippin caps” toward opposing players all game long for no reason…

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So they change hitting coaches, and the team arguable has been worse. This team needs to hit the ball better. Their pitching is good, but its not at the level of the 90’s teams which could carry a team hitting .240. And then there is injuries to the staff. They have to find more guys like Renteria and Anderson…veterans who can hit to come in and boost the lineup. The lineup could hit the cover off the ball a few years ago, but they dont want to spend any money to keep it together and rookies are cheap. Prado and Jones dont stay healthy. Who knows if Heyward will ever hit again.

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Just win baby. Now, where’s my Brylcreem and black sweat pants? I gotta press conference in a few minutes.

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Agreeing w/Ron E., I have been underimpressed w/Michael Bourn. I would much rather have had a Carlos Quentin type hitter (as Ron E. mentions),more of a “slugger”. I’m not sure the Braves know how to use speed anyway. How many bases has Bourn stolen/game w/the Braves vs when he was w/the Astros?

Earlier in the season I praised Fredi for breaking up Lowe & Hudson in the rotation, because their “stuff” (sinker specialists)is so similar, although Hudson’s overall arsenal is superior. Somehow, he’s gotten them consecutive again. To me, this hurts Hudson, who follows Lowe, especially. While I agree w/general consensus that Lowe shouldn’t be used anymore period, if he is at least break up him & Hudson in the order.

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Here’s a suggestion. Draft a position player every now and then in the first round of the draft. All the Braves prospects in the minors are pitchers, when the weakness of the team is offense and has been for years. Problem is they no longer have an ownership group that will allow them to compensate for this on the free agent or trade market. This “offense” if you can call it that, is laughable at best. How long has our outfield been the worst in the majors offensively? When was the last time we had a player not named Chipper drive in 100 runs? McCann is good, but not the elite offensive player some make him out to be. He has never driven in 100 runs, nor hit 30 homers. And to be a yearly All-Star, he sure does disappear for long stretches at a time offensively.

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Looks like i picked the wrong week to stop sniffing glue..

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FIRE LARRY PARRISH!!

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I agree with BOB
We need to stop swinging for the fence with every swing (Uggla, McCann) and move some runners over and punch a base hit the opposite way. Constanza can do this. He propelled us to a 9 game lead in the WC and 4 back in the division and then Fredi starts trying to rotate line ups and rest people. Hinske and Diaz are not everyday players!!! I like Heyward, but unless we play Prado at 2nd and sit Uggla, he’s gotta sit for us to win again. I wouldn’t mind that. I know these guys hit a solo HR here and there, but with runners on, which is all the time lately, they stink! If McCann doesn’t snap out of it, there’s nothing we can do.
Constanza and Bourn will save us runs in the outfield. Beachy had to watch a 3 run double by the Met’s Tejada go way over Diaz’ head. Constanza would have

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An interesting stat is that the Braves are 4th in the League in batting average when ahead in the count. They are 15th when behind in the count. Maybe they need to be a little more patient. Of course, Terry Pendleton got relieved as hitting coach because they were “too patient and not aggressive enough”.

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I would suggest HGH….seems to work.

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What was been the common denominator in our big innings the past several months?

WALKS. PATIENCE.

Yesterday, when we tacked on 4 runs in one inning, we WERE PATIENT at the plate. Hitters went up there TALKING pitches — especially when they saw how wild Nolasco had gotten.

The other day – against the Mets – the home plate umpire had the strike zone of a pea. The Mets went up there waiting — KEPT THEIR BAT ON THEIR SHOULDER – while Venters shot himself in the foot. What did we do when their pitchers were on the ropes? WE SWUNG — we swung at first or second pitches and weakly grounded out… again and again and again.

Larry Parrish should be ashamed of himself. The Hitters should be ashamed of themselves. WHEN YOU SEE A PITCHER STRUGGLING TO THROW STRIKES, DON’T SWING THE #&$$ BAT UNTIL YOU HAVE AT LEAST A STRIKE OR TWO AGAINST YOU. Don’t get yourself out.

How many times have you guys gone to the bathroom for a 2 second pee break and came back to see the commercials on because our half inning is over? Way too many the past few weeks…

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Gonzales needs a brain transplant. He’s personally cost us two key games the last two weeks. Other than that, fine Bourn if he doesn’t take the first pitch, and make the big hitters bunt if the game situation requires it.

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1. Put Lowe on the 15 day DL for some stupid reason so he isn’t in our starting rotation: he doesn’t have it right now.
2. Our rotation should be something like Hudson, Hanson (when he is ready), Beachy, J.J., Teheran, and Minor (if necessary for Hanson).
3. We have a deep bullpen, but we should mix it up more with our 6-7-8 guys.
Example: Why only throw O’Flaherty in the 7th? Left-handed batters are hitting 39 batting average points less and close to 100 OPS points less than right-handed batters off of him this season, yet he has thrown to twice as many (84 to 167) right-handed batters. If we used him situationally, we might be able to reduce the total amount of runs we give up. Example: Julio Teheran has been used as a starter predominantly, and we should consider using him in a relief role. He has dominated right-handers (.192 BA) and been crushed by lefties (.350 BA), yet over 60% of the batters he has faced have been lefties.
We have enough righty specialists (Moylan, Martinez, Arodys Vizcaino, Teheran) and lefty specialists (Venters, O’Flaherty) to mix it up well against lineups. We have lightning in the bullpen, and if we use pitchers to their strengths instead of in static inning roles we could improve our odds of winning.

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Just let it all hang out. Bobby Marley was a big Braves fan, and you know he already say dat everyting gonna be all right, mon.

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Take them to the swimming pool and dive off the high dive. It works for Coach Richt (er, maybe not!).

Seriously, though, they just need to go out there tonight and try to win tonight’s game. Put the best 9 out there, get a lead and win the game. Play fundamental baseball. Do the little things that win close ball games.

And are you serious about platooning McCann?? Did you watch the game last night? He crushed the ball the first 3 times up, just hitting them to the deepest part of the park or right at someone. He’ll be fine. There’s an off day Thursday – no time for him to rest. D Ross is a great backup catcher, but to say that he should platoon with McCann is ridiculous. By the way, Prado and Heyward are having better ABs as well. Or did you miss the walks, the HR and the double off the wall, too??

Fredi is handling this the right way. That game hurt for sure, but it is never time to panic. Play the game the way it is supposed to be played and we will win our share of these remaining games. And then hope it’s enough.

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Play Georgie.

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Take Derrek Lowe out when he gives up three runs. Do not wait until he gives up six or seven.

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Bench Hayward, get him to understand that he needs to move up to the plate to cover the outside pitches instead of casting his hands/rolling over on the pitches. Until he learns not to try to pull the danged outside pitch, he’s worthless at the plate.

Why doesn’t Larry Parrish see it? Joe Simpson does, heck, even my 16-year old daughter sees it…

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If Ol” Fredi is reading this, we bet he’s ready to tip his cap to some of us. When we was playing ball we’d run hard to the bag and we could hit the cutoff man. We could steal a base and hit behind a runner. We was Clusters-like in the field and at-bat. Fredi could use a Clusters about now. Instead, he has a Buck Commander leading things and the Buck Commander always goes home early. Always.

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I would tell Fredi to start Georgie in place of D. Lowe tomorrow. I would tell Fredi to find B. Mac’s goggles, and I’d tell Fredi to have Parrish go coach 1st base. Go Braves. . . . Joliet Jim: Every time I wore my lucky Braves shirt they lost. Perhaps it’s time to track it down and put it on. Go Braves. .

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mark bradley didnt i get in JUST ahead of rufino???

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“Field it and throw it and the Braves win.”

Not necessarily true. Even if he fielded that cleanly, I doubt he would have gotten Bonifacio. Those types of hits were basically like what Constanza was doing when he was starting. Infield choppers that speed can often beat out.

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Convince Ted Turner or Arthur Blank or some other wealthy Atlantan to buy this team and double the payroll so we can compete with the Phillies next year!

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Bring back Chief Nocahoma!

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Two comments to make – (1) With that high bounce on the grounder, even if Chipper had caught it, he would not have been able to throw out the speedy batter. (2) Speed never slumps, hitters do at times. When we were playing Constanza we had two speedy and exciting guys in lineup, we were winning and it was exciting. Then you decided to play JasonH reguarly and things went down-hill for whatever reason. Why did you keep playing him when he was not productive, did Wren tell you to? Why did you not bring up Gartrell(26HRS at AAA) at end of season, it almost seems like you do not want the AAA guys to be more productive than the guys you started the season with in the OF? Why did Wren and you not go get someone like Pence or Franceour(quit screaming people) they were having great seasons and were available. I do believe the WC is lost because of your decision to just keep playing someone because they may get better!

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The great starting pitching lost traction….a mudslide ensued; just pull together and do your best Bravos….that is all any of us have a right to ask. Yes, I am upset with the state of our injury situation, but there is nothing to say or do that will change a single thing….so go Bravos indeed!

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They definitely need some additional advice on their hitting because thats where they’re hurting worse. Sure pitching is off, but when you have men on 2nd and 3rd with no outs and can’t get a run in? Something is wrong there.

It’s probably too late in the season to fire Parrish, but they really should get a second opinion on the batting situation right now.

And I feel the batting order should be:

1. Bourne
2. Constanza
3. Freeman
4. Uggla
5. Chipper
6. McCann
7. Heyward/Diaz
8. SS de jour

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Don’t put this on the bullpen. It is the inability to get key hits.

Compare last nights game to the Cardinals effort vs Philly. In the 7th, with a runner on 1st and 2 out, the batter hits the ball down the line for a double and they score the runner. This was the 4th run which turned out to be the winning run after the Cardinal bullpen gave up 2 runs in the bottom of the 9th.

For the Braves, again top of the 7th, with the bases loaded and 2 outs, the batter hits a weak grounder which results in a run only because of an error. The next batter pops out. Thus the Braves are only up by 1 and the 2 runs in the bottom of the 9th are enough to ensure the loss.

If either of those batters had gotten a hit the Braves would be up by 2, or up by 3 with a double, and the 2 9th inning runs would not have sent them to defeat.

It soedn’t matter who those batters were because this has been a recurring story: The inability to get key hits to bury the opponent.

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Give Derek Lowe a breathalyzer before every start!

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Take the players to the Cheetah and tell them to loosen up!

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Bobby’s looking at Fredi in that picture and thinking, “Man, this guy’s gonna make me look good.”

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Enter your comments here

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We’ll never know if Chipper could have made the play, because Chipper did not make the catch. Neither did he catch the bouncer to his left a bit earlier. Neither did he drive in a run with the bases loaded, Infante’s error got that run in. Losing a ground ball in the lights is a new one on us. Yes, it was a Chopper but it was a Chopper to Chipper and he’s supposed to be able to handle those. We should call him Larry until he leads us to a WS title.

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Optical rectitus.
Couldn’t have said it better.

Cue Jim MorON
“PLAYOFFS? PLAYOFFS?
I just wish we could win a game.”

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The big mistake that Gonzalez made was removing Pendelton as hitting coach. Parrish has not good track record as a hitter and a coach. Heyward had a good year under Pendelton last year. If the Braves miss the playoffs someboby has to bite the dust. Lowe should not pitch no more this season.

Michael M beard

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It is a little late to do this but try to play ABC ball. It’s funny when were kids they teach us to play fundamental (sacrifice bunt) but these major leaguers who are paid MILLIONS refuse to do it. It makes me sick.

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I like the Chief Nocahoma tip

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“I know Prado is a gamer and wants to play but he’s not getting on base as we need him to.”

304 AVG over the last 7 days with a 2B, a HR, 3 RBI, and 2 BB.

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Tell every guy on the team to forget anything Bobby Cox ever told them, and it all turn out ok

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I think Jobu might need a refill or we might need to cut the head off a rooster. Maybe Fredi’s breathing out of the wrong eyelid.

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Hey the team meeting thing worked twice, maybe once more…a game’s a game.

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I would advise Fredi to go to the lineup that has scored the most runs, and stick with it. If he follows the inept lineup he stays with…..STICK A FORK IN THE BRAVES!!!

Giveup chasing that dream that JHEY is going to turm things around……this is the last week of the season….if JHEY hasn’t found his grove by now you’re just kidding yourself. Bench him and play Constanza…..advise JHEY to play winterball, and listen to what hitting instructors tell him about the holes in his swing. If he maintains his headstrong ways find a home for him elsewhere.

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“Giveup chasing that dream that JHEY is going to turm things around……this is the last week of the season….if JHEY hasn’t found his grove by now you’re just kidding yourself. Bench him and play Constanza…..advise JHEY to play winterball, and listen to what hitting instructors tell him about the holes in his swing. If he maintains his headstrong ways find a home for him elsewhere.”

He’s hitting over 260 in September with over 400 OBP. His SLG still isn’t up there but I’d say he’s definitely finding a groove. And you’re just speculating by saying he’s headstrong. I think it’s more likely he fell into bad habits with his hurting shoulder and hasn’t been able to completely get out of them.

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Put Constanza in the lineup for Heyward. Heyward isn’t the answer, he’s been pretty much clueless at the plate all season. Not sure why Larry Parrish can’t see the issues with his swing, Joe Simpson has been pointing them out for months now (maybe the other teams have been listening to Joe, as it’s been working).

Constanza’s a gamer. He’s got speed and he gets on base. Let Heyward watch and learn from him.

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Tell Wren whoever he has working the pitchers physically isn’t doing the job. Too many injuries that shouldn’t be happening. Knees, backs…and then you throw in Hanson doing work in the offseason at Boras’ place…Hanson needs about 20lbs of muscle in his legs, back and a little in the shoulders. The stronger all the muscles around the rotator cuff are the less likely you are to hurt the rotator cuff. I pitched in college and in the minors and never had one single injury, mostly due to working smart and hard in the weight room. You can have flexibility and strength and these Braves pitchers don’t have it.

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I was telling a friend today as a Die Hard Braves fan that I am if the Cards would come back over take the Bravos and sneak in the playoffs it would bother me…..BUT THEY DID WHAT THEY HAD TO DO AND THEY WON BALLGAMES! If the team wins ballgames this conversation is all for naught the Braves control their own postseason goal they are not chasing a team to get to the postseason TEAMS ARE CHASING THEM! If they dont make it is because they got outplayed and the better team deserved to win the Wild Card. I am soooooooo sick and tired of people making excuses for this team. What I would like to hear is someone ANYONE just say we are playing like crap its our fault! I remember when the Braves expected to win ballgames, That mindset now resides in Philadelphia that is the difference between the Braves and other teams right now. The Phils, Brewers, Yankees, ext expect to win we are in a HOPE WE WIN mode. SO IF ANY PLAYER OR WRITER WHOEVER reads this its plain and simple. The players are not getting done from pitching to the hitters. All egos aside if your not getting it done move over if someone else will!

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Play George Costanza!!!! He is exactly what the team needs. Bench Heyward for Constanza. They were on a roll when they were playing him, now they are not playing him and they are not winning. Coincidence???

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I would like to see MORE Teheran less Lowe! Lowe in Relief. Call up Billy Waggs to have Kimbrel know what to do after giving up game-winning HR.

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To late for the Braves to recover. New ownership, players and management needed for 2012.

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The Nats will be No Walk in the Park. Especially if they have Strass.

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Rick, Learn to adjust your game. Learn to do what is necessary to win. Casting your hands and rolling over on an outside pitch, producing a weak grounder to 2nd base more often than not is not learning. Learn what it takes to be a major leaguer.

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I agree w/several who said Chipper might not have thrown out the speedy Bonafacio anyway. But to dodge a high hopper like that?? I suppose it’s a natural, instinctive reaction, but really!!!

Also, some have suggested Fredi is playing Heyward over Constanza on instructions from Wren. I doubt that is true, but the thought has crossed my mind as well. If that is the case, I would wonder if they’re “shopping” Heyward. If so, good idea.

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As a rightfielder a lot of you don’t like once pointed out: you win as a team and you lose as a team. The Braves got contributions from a lot of guys to get the big WC lead; and now they’re not getting contributions from lots of guys. Fredi can only ask so much. If they get overtaken, well, that’s just the way it goes sometimes.

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“Rick,

The numbers Prado has put up over the last 7 games is nic but when was the last time he got a big hit with runers on? The last one I can remember is the gamer winner he had about a month ago.”

Like I said he’s had 3 RBIs over the past 7 games. And that depends heavily on who is in front of him and if he is hitting with runners on or not. Especially now that he’s back in the number 2 spot, he’s going to have less RBI opportunities. He’s hitting over 280 with RISP this season.

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Get Constanza back in the lineup, even if he has to play short. This group was just starting to figure out that speed wins baseball games. Even when it’s just Bourne in the lineup, we’re too timid on the bases. Run. Hit-and-run. And run some more.

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“Rick, Learn to adjust your game. Learn to do what is necessary to win. Casting your hands and rolling over on an outside pitch, producing a weak grounder to 2nd base more often than not is not learning. Learn what it takes to be a major leaguer.”

My point is, they are completely different hitters that need to do different things. Constanza gets slap hits, infield grounders, etc. that he can beat out using his speed. Then he steals bases. Heyward needs to be a line drive type hitter who can drive in runs.

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Right now, the Braves seem to lack fire and emotion. I know they want to win, but I see no emotion at all. They lose like they did last night and they all give “Aw Shucks!” shrugs and walk off the field. I want to see some guys getting pissed off!

There should have never been a bottom of the 9th last night because the Braves were handed 3 runs as a sympathy gift by the Marlins. When that happens and you still lose. You suck really bad. I hope they can turn it around but I say the odds are now way against us.

With no JJ, Hanson and a terrible version of Lowe, I seemed to be the only one sounding the alarms back at the end of August. Our rookie starters are okay, but not ready for the big stage. We are guaranteed toast. I hope I’m wrong.

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Is it time to panic YET !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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You did not really expect serious, usable answers, did you?

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Tough crowd here. All I can say is it’s better to be 2-1/2 games up than down right now.

Time to focus. One pitch at a time. Go Braves.

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Heyward, it’s your turn to be center of Attention….Again! Time for you to display that “S” on your chest…just in the nick of time!

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Well . . . we’re two games up on St. Louis and we have five games that we should win coming up (before the Phils come to town). I would rather be where we are than where St. Louis is right now. They are not going to close out unbeaten, even though their schedule isn’t too bad on paper. The Mets will surprise them. As for the Braves — keep plugging away. We’re obviously a bit worn down, and we’re asking a lot of some youngsters, with Hanson and Jurjjens down and Derek Lowe ineffective. The young pitching has been good — too many pitches are being thrown, but that’s to be expected. The one big question I have is whether we start Derek again — I think age has caught up with him, and he’s been great, but can we risk him again? I say give him the start but with a quick hook (to Martinez and Vizacaino) at the first sign of trouble. Brian McCann must be worn down too. I’ld like to see Martin and Jason revert to last year’s form. I’m still hopeful but it sure is getting interesting!

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“Sit Heyward, like McCann we can’t keep shoving them out there in hopes that they’ll start hitting”

How many times does it need to be said… he is hitting.

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Rick, agreed that they are different types of hitters. The difference – Constanza gets on base more often at this point in time. Heyward seems to be pressing too much and looks lost at the plate. Kinda like when Francoeur was here and the other teams knew to throw nothing but hooks/sliders at him and he’d wave and take a seat on the bench. Heyward has a tremendous upside, but he needs to learn to adjust at the plate, on every pitch. If he even had a plan in his mind for each at bat, that would be a start. But, while the team is fighting for its playoff life, it’s not the time to work on those things.

To score runs, the Braves need baserunners. Constanza seems to be the better option at this point in time.

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“To score runs, the Braves need baserunners. Constanza seems to be the better option at this point in time.”

Although they were blanked for four or five innings yesterday, they have been getting their fair share of baserunners. They rank 6th in the league in AVG in the second half. Their problem is driving them in.

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The starting pitching gave it all during the first 3 months of the season, pitching for the life of the team.
They were outstanding. If they had been only GOOD,or even VERY GOOD, Braves would have been out by July.
In other words, they played playoff situation games in April, May and June. They are burned. Cooked.
We now rely on prospects who are what they are : prospects.

In the heat of the summer, it’s been pretty much all on the bullpen, pitching for the survival of the team, trying to protect and save whatever Uggla and Freeman could achieve.
They now look burned. Cooked.

Lineup has been overrated for a while. Besides McCann and Uggla, no confirmed player. Chipper confirmed he is not a 160 game per season guy anymore. Neither 150…or 140. Barely 120. I’d say productive for 80 games.
Prado had a fantastic season (2009, right ?), then what ?
J.Hey has obviously not confirmed. Gonzalez has never been a good hitter.
The bench has done miracles last year. Miracles being…miracles, it has performed to its (poor) value this season.
Freemanhas been the bright light…to confirm.

(Honest) questions : the team finished last season on the knees, not built for the long run (of a season). It looks about the same this year, specially for the pitching roster. Could this be the result of an inadequate preparation (physical and mental) in the spring ?
Seeing the pathetic offense performances all year long, is the coaching staff qualified enough ?

Well…I know i am off topic, so, to get back on track, I would tell Gonzalez to tell the players : ” Guys, could you do it for me, please ? Save my job !!! “

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??!!??

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Move Lowe to long relief and let Christian Martinez have a start. Also, my lineup would be this…..

Bourn CF
Constanza RF
Jones 3B
Freeman 1B
Uggla 2B
McCann C
Diaz or Prado LF
Gonzalas SS
Hudson P

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Tell Leo Balogni @ the 680 TheFan to shut the hell up. Players are listening to him more than Fredi!!!

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Lineup has been overrated for a while. Besides McCann and Uggla, no confirmed player. Chipper confirmed he is not a 160 game per season guy anymore. Neither 150…or 140. Barely 120. I’d say productive for 80 games.
Prado had a fantastic season (2009, right ?), then what ?
J.Hey has obviously not confirmed. Gonzalez has never been a good hitter.
The bench has done miracles last year. Miracles being…miracles, it has performed to its (poor) value this season.
Freemanhas been the bright light…to confirm.

(Honest) questions : the team finished last season on the knees, not built for the long run (of a season). It looks about the same this year, specially for the pitching roster. Could this be the result of an inadequate preparation (physical and mental) in the spring ?
Seeing the pathetic offense performances all year long, is the coaching staff qualified enough ?

Well…I know i am off topic, so, to get back on track, I would tell Gonzalez to tell the players : ” Guys, could you do it for me, please ? Save my job !!! “

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They need to take each game one at a time, but more importantly get their collective heads in the game, and play professionally.

Th me that includes being patient at the plate and stop giving at bats away with over aggressive swings.

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Do like the guy that followed you in Flordia did ….RESIGN .

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Somebody just go ahead and put these miserable Braves out of their misery……state of Georgia is going to do as much to Troy Davis tomorrow night…..these phone baloney Braves have lived on “IFs” all season…..I am just ready for it to be over.

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Bunt, steal, hit n’ run, squeeze, manufacture runs. They are awful at the sac fly and you can’t always sit back and wait for the double and the bomb. Your bullpen is gassed, you starters haven’t had a quality start in waaaaaayyy too long. Time to start trying to manufacture runs. Tell Venters and Kimbrel you’ll see them next week. O flaherty is now your closer.

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what

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ha ha

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wear hats commemorating Sept 11. oh wait, MLB wont let anyone do that.

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Really for that matter, I’d just tell Fredi to find a new hitting coach. Compared to career averages, I believe every single player has fallen in most statistical areas this year. This shows that there’s a problem!

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(Every player that has been with the Braves most of the year, that is…)

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pitching has to get better because the hitting all year has been this way, .235 as a tem, so dont all of a sudden expect big chnages in approach and swing changes, they are who they are, home run hitting team incapable of stringing together a number of hits to score, one thing baseball does not lie in 162 game season with state up the wazzo, is lie about a team identity, this team is not very good hitting team, who depends on the long ball for 80% of their runs, which means it better have great pitchers, who are so nervous about giving up runs that they get out of their comfort zone in trying to do too much which lately has been translated into making mistakes due to pressure and knowing if the opponent scores three or more run there is a great possibility that you will ose this game cause your offense cannot muster up any runs! Pure and simple!

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I would tell Fredi to QUIT, GO BACK TO WHERE EVER YOU CAME FROM. WHAT ABOUT THOSE THROW AWAY GAMES BACK IN EARLY SUMMER. YOU FRIGGING “JERK”:

Now that should work, and I feel a little better!

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Dennis Reynolds I think you have a brain tumor!!!

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I used to be Chipper’s biggest defender, but now I think he needs glasses and at least a seeing eye dog.

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Over? Who says it’s over? Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor? It ain’t over til we say it’s over! Who’s with meeeeeeeeeeeee…

What this team needs is a Bluto Blutarski moment with, probably, Dan Uggla leading the charge, or maybe Eric Hinski. What we need is one final, futile, gesture. If we’re out of it by the Phillies then a few more head shots to those guys….sorry I got carried away. Either way it ain’t over til Willie sings Whiskey River…and I’m drinkin’ to that.

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Roger Dom,

We need more bald players on the team!

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Hey Mark, is Gonzalez on the “hot seat” like Mark Richt?

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hot seat,
Surely you jest. Ownership doesn’t even know who the “manager” (read Bobby Cox clone) is.

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1) Tell Chipper he is just too old and slow and he DOES need to retire or go to the American League as a DH.
2) Take D. Lowe back to the American League with him. I think he has earned about $1 million per loss this season if my math is correct.
3) Put Constanza back in the line-up. He was a spark to this team. It’ll be like Festivus again.
4) Play Conrad in the infield. At least we have seen that movie before and know what to expect. No one will be surprised when the Braves lose on miscues then.

Let’s face it, this is typical of this Braves organization. They just don’t have the killer instinct at the end of the season. I mean, 14 division tittles and one world series title–c’mon.

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Why now. All year long I have not been able to keep up with the lineup. Whos batting 1st, whos at 3rd, who is now in the 8th spot. Think about those players and how they must feel. Think of Heyward who has been replaced instead of sending him to AAA to find his swing. Think of the pitchers who watch as the pen blows another lead while Gonzalez watches them do it. Think of the players as they watch Lowe give up 8 hits and 6 runs in the first inning knowing they now have a lot to catch up on.

One thing you could count on in the 90’s is that that lineup was the same. One could be listening in the other room and know who was up to bat next. The team was comfortable, they worked out of the slumps. I have to wonder if having Pendleton still involved in the hitting part is helping or hindering the new hitting coach. Players are having to think to much.

Now I hear if we do get to the playoffs Lowe will be the starter. God, thats a 1st loss if ever you wanted one. He should not even be on the playoff team. I dont care what he did, I see what hes doing and he has lost the last 8 games. Not a good thing coming into the playoffs.

Well it does not matter at this time. They are done, They are laying down because hunting season is on now and Chipper has the woods calling. Im sure a lot of the other players are craving the same hunt. Good luck.

Freddy Gonzalez was not the right choice for a replacement for Bobby Cox and Terry Pendleton should have been sent packing instead of the 1st base coach. He was good, pendleton is not.
Old saying, you get what you pay for does not apply here, but you get what you keep, well I see that in debth. Time to move some coaches and manager and get a real monster going.

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Continue praying to the baseball gods for mercy..

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I get sick and tired of reading this hogwash that these kids blah blah…..who the hell are you trying to kid? These guys you are calling kid are all GROWN MEN!!!!! They get paid a damn site more than you do, and all they want to do is whine and complain.

It’s time for these punks to MAN UP…..Play like they really deserve to get the salaries they get. Do any of you make $15M per year to play a game? Do any of you make $200,000.00 to play a game? I suggest they all get real and start playing for the fans that pay their salaries.

Instead of putting their average on the scoreboard, why not put how much they are getting paid to be at bat? This is not a game for them……it’s their job!!!! Also, do the same for the guy that is on the mound…just because they only pitch every 4th or 5th day doesn’t give them the right to get a pass.

Does any of these ballplayers ever consider how much it costs to go to a game? For a single individual to go to the game it will cost $100.00….parking, beer, hotdog, ticket (good seat). If you take a date you’re talking about $200, and heaven help you if you should have two kids.

If I sound upset, you bet I am. Actually I’m pissed…..these guys (including Fredi, Frank, John and Bobby) should be down there kicking ass instead of making excuses for their lack of effort. To be paid in the manner in which they are, they should be giving more than they are, instead of embarassing themselves.

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Quit swinging at the first pitch, work the opposing pitchers more. The Braves have the shortest offensive innings in history. Bench D. Lowe.

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They’ve been playing hard, and they need to keep playing hard. They’ve taken some tough shots lately and they need to keep their heads up grow stronger from the adversity.

My baseball advice would be seriously consider starting somebody besides Derek Lowe. I’m not sold on Prado in the number two slot; I like Heyward there especially against a right-handed starter, but that isn’t winning or losing these games for them.

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Rufino Linares died in 1998

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The chemistry of the team was altered by moving Constanza to the bench in favor of Heyward. When you alter the team chemistry you sometimes cannot get it back !!! Try it again and see what happens.

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It’s really quite simple and many bloggers have stated much of the PROBLEMS:

Year long bullpen abuse. – Fredi
Heyward shouldve been in minors for 2nd half until September – Fredi/nitwitGM
Worthless hitting coach who changed hitting philosophy to swinging early in counts. Last year we led league in walks and pitches seen like the YANKEES always do. – who hired LP? –nitwitGM
Quit whining about losing Hanson and JJ- all teams have injuries and Braves have had less than StL and San Fran…quit COMPLAINING…- some fans
Lack of fundamentals like BUNTING- Prado -and LP…or does our “hitting coach” frown on bunting?
Lack of fire from the dugout. – Fredi…get your azz thrown out…blow up…they need you to vent for them..additional benefit of Fredi not being on the bench.
Play Costanza at least some…jaysus…what part of speed kills don’t you get? – Fredi
Have some fun out there. This team is so tight you couldnt put a greased needle up anyone’s you know where. – whole team

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Fredi: Clean your golf clubs cause you’ll be able to hit the links soon. It’s over. This team is done. They struggle against the weakest teams; but the Cards, who just whipped the Phillies 3 out of 4 at their place, are on a mission. The Cards remaining schedule is so easy they just might win out. Your Braves might lose another series to a lousy team and then you have to face those pesky Nats and then guess what?—-You get to finish against the Phils.

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Here Mark Bradley what u Miss is what help Cards win in 1964 if they did not get Lou brock in Trade from Cubs then Phillies would had won NL pennant that year W.S. Maybe…But thanks to another laughin stock name is chicago st.louis would not won WSeries over Yankees!..Also sit hayward down say we get someone else show u how! If not we be home with cox beatin his wife soon!

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I say Clusters on 3rd and Stinky Wintes plays left field.If there was a time to play your best players it is NOW.Heyward is not getting it done.He looks like Andruw Jones at the plate watching the ball go by.Lowe stinks period!!!Sit chipper and play Prado at 3rd, Costanza in left and Diaz in right.Hopefully these minor-league coaches they called up are helping them see better ways to win some of these ballgames.

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I totally disagree with the posters pointing to the “benching” of Constanza. Heyward is a better all-round player and with his power and eye at the plate he doesn’t have to hit for the same average to be more productive. Freddi bled the best there was to get out of Constanza, and hopefully he can provide some spark off the bench or filling in.

Now, you could point to Freddi continuing to run McCann out there when he’s not hitting and have a valid point. But no manager, me included, is not going to play a healthy McCann. At this point either the players on the field get it done or they don’t. The question now isn’t “can Freddi manage this team or write a lineup or whatever”, it’s “can the players and pitchers they have get the job done”. We’ll see.

The Braves have a solid nucleus of talented young players and players in their prime. If these 20-24 year old pitchers and players can bring this thing home the experience could be invaluable and very entertaining.

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Let the Atlanta spirit: Hey, in 1964 the Phillies were on a mission of self-destruction, flushed down the drain by an absolutely retarded manager. The team that should kick themselves for not winning in 64 was the Reds.

Even a Braves collapse wouldn’t top what the Phillies failed to accomplish in that last week.

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Constanza!

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Walk out on the field like you’re taking the lineup . . . tip your hat to the crowd and announce “I’m going home, the season is over” . . .

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Lost in the issues with Venters and Kimbrel is the fact that McCann is the one calling the wrong pitches. The pitch to Omar last night should have been off-speed instead of fastball. The same has happended with Venters lately as well.

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It started when Constanza hurt his ankle and Braves got Diaz back………..

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Give the players steroids!

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I am a pessimistic-optimus…prepare for the worse…hope for the best….great blog set-up MB…to bad some people took it serious and actually gave advice

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Start putting yellow pennants on the outfield wall for 2nd place finishes!

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Seriously though, guys, just relax and win a freakin’ ball game already. Geez.

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I said this when the season start on the AJC postings that the Braves would be lucky to make the playoffs, but not for the reasons they are losing now. Over use of the bullpen, is a dead giveaway that you don’t have reliable starting pitching (which I thought they would). However, the hitting should have been more consistent (which it is not), but my prediction was then and is now that Gonzalez was not a good pick for this team (more Bobby Cox style management). I also said that Chipper Jones would be a non-factor because of his constant injury problem, but now I believe his attitude toward young players has affected many of the young guys bringing enthusiasm to the team. The Braves are smoke and mirrors and now we see why. They have only 2-3 reliable pitchers and one them can’t pitch more than 6 innings. Chipper, Gonzales (at short) and Uggla at second base was three bad choices to have on the team. Next year the Braves need to look for infield help and at least one more solid pitcher. Even then 87-90 victories is all they can expect until some of the young pitchers come of age and the aging infield is replaced.

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Here’s what Fredi should do: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUc62jD-G0o
From :53–>1:34

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Send Lowe on an immedite 30 day vacation out of the country. Play Constanza.

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Play Constanza!!!

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chipper has never run on ground balls even when they are bobbled. he is a terrible example. when he missed that chopper last night he never even turned to see where it went. what makes fans think he would be a good manager? do as i say not as i do because i’m great and can blame someone else.

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Nieves? Whatever happened to Nieves?
And, why did that numbnut Frank Wren decide that it made sense to pay Lowe 15m a year?

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gears of war 3 get – Get it from here http://www.mirrorcreator.com/files/9RGUKBJW/gears_of_war_3_video.rar_links

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That’s more like it! Nice win. Keep taking care of business and everything will be fine.

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Hinske’s haircut did the trick.

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One thing we, and I mean all can agree on, no way will FG, manage for 20 years, with the Braves like Mr.Cox, and who suggested Parish for batting coach, one of the worst coaches in baseball history. Braves fan since 1965.

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4 words: Jose Alvarez Pep Talk

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Enter your comments here

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Here’s a no-brainer: give Derrick Lowe his outright release.

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Go with the young arms during the playoffs.
Use Lowe as a reliever. Use Leo Mazzone as
a consultant during the playoffs. Get more
input from Terry Pendleton on hitting.

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Here’s a great idea, don’t let Lowe pitch anymore. I heard he was great at picking up donuts and sitting on the bench. We’ve lost tooooo many of his starts. We might as well bring Kawakami back and let him pitch in Lowe’s place.

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Find a new batting coach, and then teach Heyward a major league swing.

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Have a team meeting, then show them 1991:The Miracle Season followed by 1992:Lightening Strikes Twice. Then look for fire in their eyes, because if its not there, they are dead.
then you might check out this good braves blog
http://chopspringseternal.blogspot.com/

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008 @7:13am……Playoffs? What do you mean playoffs?

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Too late now, but stop pitching O’Flar/Vent/Kimb so damn much. Read the other day all 3 are over 75 appearances. Did you know Mariano Rivera never pitched 75 in any season?

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First, spell your name correctly. Who do you think you are; Jimmi Williams?

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Lifelong Cardinal fan here. There is no way my Redbirds are catching the Braves, 2-1/2 out with 8 to play is a pretty tall order, so relax, and get ready to enjoy the playoffs. The Cards are playing pretty good right now, but its way too little and way too late.

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Fredi is a formula manager. Starting pitchers are suppose to go 6 innings by formula.Releivers ahve a set spot. Unfortunately, players don’t necessarily fit the pre-determined formula.If a pitcher begins struggling in the 5th, bend the formula and put someone else in. If a late innig reliever is struggling, change him. It is late in the season. Players are tense. Arms are tired. Lowe is no longer consistently effective; it’s a second half thing. Give him a week off. Use Tehran in his place. Put the speed option back in.
Ralph The Cat

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Fredi should resign. He played favorites all year and it killed the locker room even though noone is admitting it. Chipper should leave right with him and stop putting pressure on younger players to carry him to a championship to bolster his weak 1st ballot claims

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The bloggers on here who are asking for Fredi G’s head are without hope. The Braves have played hard all year even through this stretch. The manager can’t run, hit field or pitch. The starting pitching has went south and with the injuries its just made things worse. I have no problems with the managing, I have a serious problem with over paid players like LOWE who should have been traded to Detroit at the deadline and his 5+ ERA. We needed another bat in addition to Bourne and some life in this lineup to shake things up. That issue goes up higher on the food chain to Wren and management. Just got to pray the baseball Gods have not put on a Red hat just yet and the Mets can give us some help tonight and tommorow and we break this Washington jinx this weekend.

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Take away all incentives and impose as many pay cuts as possible untill we make the playoffs!

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Cards up…Braves gone! Lowe to pitch the next 6 games and then wash the player cars to try and earn his millions.

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Getting runners on base, in scoring position, and not scoring them is a HUGE PROBLEM. Fredi G. just shakes it off “that will come.” Really it hasn’t come all freaking year. I think it is time to try to produce some runs. Isn’t that why we traded for speed? Play some freaking small ball. Hell steal home if you have to, just score a run!!!!!!!!!!

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A bit fed up has a good point. We had the bases loaded with nobody out the other night and didn’t score a run. This is not the way a championship team operates. Fredi or somebody needs to figure out how to get runners across the plate when they’re in scoring position. Singles hitters like Constanza go a long way with runners on base.
“GO BRAVES”!

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From the time I was 10 years old in Little League we were taught to hit “down” on the ball. Hit the upper half of the ball, put backspin on it and it’ll be hit hard and carry. Other than a couple of players on the current Braves roster, every hitter that comes to the plate looks to have one thing in mind, swing hard, uppercut the ball, and try to hit a home run. What happened to base hits, line drives, that will drive in those runs they are currently leaving on base at an alarming rate.

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c’mon, Braves. Start playing like it means something. Stop tipping your cap to the other team. That’s is what I would tell them. It may sound like hollow advice coming from a Phils phan, but I would much rather play anyone else besides the Cards right now Phils are just phoning it in right now, as they have nothing on the line. I hope that shakes off, come October. Good luck. Tough to watch your team lie down.

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Perhaps the most AMAZING thing in recent baseball history is the fact that the Braves have continued to keep McDowell as their Pitching Coach. Right now they have 3 of their 4 best pitchers (all young) down with injuries – JJ, Hanson, and Medlin. And the bigger problem is that this is NOTHING NEW — What have they had – 2 or 3 of their starters down with injures EVERY YEAR since he has become the Pitching Coach (to say nothing of relief pitchers) – every year – YEAR AFTER YEAR AFTER YEAR. One year, wasn’t it 4 out of the 5 projected starters. There is no way to be competitive with this happening. Be it his conditioning program, the way he handles pitchers, or just bad luck, we are far past due to try something else. There was nothing like this under Leo.

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@ken You said the Cardinals have “far less talent” than the Braves? Um, how can you fairly make that comparison? Last time most pundits have weighed in, if St. Louis had not of blown 23 saves, they could be rivaling Phillie for the top seed. Also, why don’t you check out the comparison to runs scored. St. Louis 725, Atlanta 627. You might want to do a little bit more research before spouting off.

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Cut Derek Lowe…let only the kids pitch!!!…if you can’t hit , then bunt…run…steal bases…even home if you have to…hit & run…better defense…get another hitting coach…intentially walk brave killers…beat Nationals…that is lesser teams to a pulp!!!…stop babying the non achieving millionaires…ITS A GAME FOR BLANK SAKES!!!! work the count…DO not WALK lousy hitters…promote only good playmakers and get rid of the .240 “sluggers?”…WAY TOO MUCH MEDIOCRITY ….the BRAVES REALLY SSSSUCK!!!!

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