Mike Minor was mightily major, and still the Braves lost
One picture of Johnny Venters, worth several thousand words. (AJC photo by Hyosub Shin)
Before Tuesday’s game, Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez noted that Kris Medlen, sent to Class AAA to “stretch out” his arm in case he’s needed in the rotation, was scheduled to throw 95 pitches in his next Gwinnett start. Meaning: Any more wobbles from Mike Minor could mean his last name becomes his next destination.
If that weren’t enough, Minor’s mound opponent this night was the heavyweight (word used advisedly) CC Sabathia. The massive Yankee — “He’s a moose,” Gonzalez said of Sabathia — had won seven games to Minor’s three, had compiled an ERA of 3.69 to Minor’s 6.57. Were this, er, a heavyweight bout, they’d have stopped it before it started. But this was baseball, and in baseball there’s no such thing as a sure thing.
To wit: The underwhelming Minor worked his best start since the second Saturday of the season, and he did exactly what Gonzalez had, speaking before the game, said he wanted: “I want him to go deep in the ballgame, past the fifth. I don’t think very many clubs are built to have four innings of relief.”
Over his past six starts Minor had worked six innings only once, that on a night in Cincinnati when he left with his team down 4-1. He had won only once since April 19, that on a night in Miami when he needed 103 pitches through five. He had become the weakest link in an underperforming rotation, and there have been times when it seemed his status with the big-league club was, to invoke the sporting prognosis, day to day.
But on a night when Yankee fans — and maybe one or two of those who back the Braves — arrived expecting a walkover, Minor gave his team and his career a lift. He threw 7 1/3 innings against the Bronx Bombers, limiting them to five hits and one earned run. This was the Minor who, on April 14, had held the brawny Milwaukee Brewers to two hits in 7 2/3 innings, only this was better because it was against the Bronx Bombers and their burly ace.
The night began with Derek Jeter, who in a pregame briefing had lavished praise on the retiring Chipper Jones, singling up the middle. (Right here you thought, “Uh, oh.”) After retiring Curtis Granderson, Minor walked Mark Teixeira. (And here you thought, “Told you so.”) But Minor induced a foul pop from the famous Alex Rodriguez and a groundout from the stellar Robinson Cano, and the half-inning was done.
When next Minor threw a pitch, he had a three-run lead. Michael Bourn singled leading off the home half. Brian McCann, who had made 850 feet of screaming outs in Monday’s game, hoisted a ground-rule double. Dan Uggla walked to load the bases. Matt Diaz doubled to right, thereby unloading them.
We pause to note: At 3:40 p.m., the aforementioned Chipper was heard to exclaim in the Braves’ clubhouse, “My professional career is over! I’m hitting behind Matty Diaz.” Chipper was kidding, but still: It was noteworthy to see the future Hall of Famer batting sixth to Diaz’s fifth, and it was likewise intriguing that Gonzalez had benched Jason Heyward to make room for Diaz. “I told Jason, ‘This is not a platoon thing,’ ” Gonzalez said.
Nope. Just good managing. The right-handed Diaz got the key hit off the fearsome lefty Sabathia, and Minor took it from there. He didn’t look like a big-league team’s fifth starter; he looked, not for the first time but for the first time in a while, like a big-league pitcher.
In his most recent start Minor had needed 103 pitches to record 15 outs. This time his 100th pitch saw him working to Jeter with one out in the eighth and the Braves leading 4-nil. That pitch was Minor’s last — Jeter, who has hit everybody for the past 16 years — singled to right, and Gonzalez made a change. The manager had gotten what he’d wanted and more, and Mike Minor left to a rousing ovation.
He did not, however, go home as the winning pitcher. Jonny Venters faced four Yankees and retired none of the above. With the bases loaded, A-Rod drilled a 3-2 Venters serve over the left-field fence for the most deflating home run hit in this city by a Bomber since that rat Jim Leyritz.
Mike Minor had spent 2 1/2 hours giving his team a major lift, and with one swing the lead was gone. Then Cory Gearrin was greeted by a Nick Swisher two-run shot, and the Yankees were ahead. The weakest link had held up, but the acclaimed bullpen let him down.
And for those of you who are wondering: No, the Braves were not crushed by this stunning defeat. Dazed, but not crushed. “You’ve just got to flush it,” Chipper Jones said. “We play 162 of these. You can’t dwell on one or two of them. You’ve got to be professional.”
Gonzalez said his plan was to pull Minor after the first baserunner in the eighth, which is what happened, and it’s hard to fault that move. Minor had gotten the Braves far enough that Venters, whose province is the eighth inning, could be summoned. Trouble is, this was the bad Venters we’ve seen on occasion. He tried to throw A-Rod a sinker. It didn’t sink until it dipped into the seats in left.
Said Venters: “I threw a pitch right down the middle to one of the best players in the game … I made a bad pitch and he crushed it.”
The grand slam was A-Rod’s 23rd, tying him with the immortal Yankee Lou Gehrig, so it’s not as if the Braves didn’t have a part in history being made. But most of the postgame talk concerned Minor, of whom Jones said: “This was by far his best start in the major leagues. He was dominant.”
Minor: “I have had a lot of bad starts this year, but [management has] also seen me pitch well. They know what I can do.”
Gonzalez: “Minor was outstanding. We pushed him as hard as we could. He did a terrific job.”
(As to why the just-up-from Gwinnett Gearrin was deployed in a tie game with one out in the eighth, Gonzalez said Eric O’Flaherty wasn’t available Tuesday. Seems he awoke the other day with a twinge in his elbow.)
Asked if he would give his players a pick-me-up talk after this egregious reversal, Gonzalez said: “Maybe tomorrow when we stretch.” And that, too, sounded about right. No sense smashing furniture after a game like this.
Said Chipper, who could actually smile after this one (as opposed to the Leyritz game, when nobody smiled for a month): “We did our job for eight-ninths of the game.”
Yes, losing hurt. But there was good to be taken from this loss, and that, pardon the pun, is no minor thing.
By Mark Bradley
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241 comments Add your comment
George Stein
June 12th, 2012
11:15 pm
When does Fredi start getting hammered for not using his bullpen in a manner that makes sense?
tommykk
June 12th, 2012
11:16 pm
Ok Bradley, you talked me back from the ledge.
Darryl Blackberry
June 12th, 2012
11:17 pm
Ugh. This one stung. Minor was the only positive to be taken away from this, and for all we know he might be replaced by Medlen in the rotation come next week…
BravesfaninAugusta
June 12th, 2012
11:18 pm
First
BravesfaninAugusta
June 12th, 2012
11:19 pm
Venters is no longer reliable….but who is these days besides Durban and Kimbrel?
Remley
June 12th, 2012
11:21 pm
A-Fraud may have tied Gehrig numerically but Lou did it without steriods or a DH. He ’s still the grand slam leader to me and others,
BC
June 12th, 2012
11:22 pm
This is what they call “putting lipstick on a pig”
Herschel Talker
June 12th, 2012
11:22 pm
MB:
This is nonsense, and you know it. Fredi butchered the late game management as usual, and you’re too much of a wuss to call him out on it, instead choosing to spew your pollyanna nonsense. Schultzie would call him out.
HT
Mark Bradley
June 12th, 2012
11:22 pm
I know already that some of you will ask: Why not Kimbrel in the eighth? And it’s a legitimate question. But I would remind you that one or two of you believed Fredi overworked Kimbrel last year, and I’m not sure you want him having to work five-out saves on June 12.
My first reaction was that Venters should have been pulled after A-Rod’s home run, but when I heard O’Flaherty was unavailable I reconsidered. You don’t bring Kimbrel into a tie game, and I’m not sure you want Livan Hernandez or Chad Durbin, either. Maybe Cristhian Martinez, though I’d submit he’s the long man for a reason. It was almost Gearrin by default.
Fredi Will Screw It Up Somehow
June 12th, 2012
11:23 pm
Streaky teams are weak teams. Show me a streaky team, and I’ll show you a weak manager.
The second consecutive collapse is a-comin!
Mark Bradley
June 12th, 2012
11:25 pm
As for Venters being unreliable: He had yielded one hit, two bases on balls and no earned runs in five appearances this month.
tommykk
June 12th, 2012
11:26 pm
Somebody just needs to tell Braves pitchers that walking a guy with bases loaded is not the end of the world. It’s much better to walk in a run than serve up a fat pitch that ends up in the seats
Fredi Will Screw It Up Somehow
June 12th, 2012
11:26 pm
“You don’t bring Kimbrel into a tie game…”
SMH
tommykk
June 12th, 2012
11:27 pm
It really sucks for Venters.. he looked like he was turning the corner in his last outing
George Stein
June 12th, 2012
11:29 pm
No one said Kimbrel would have to go five outs. When Venters loaded the bases, Fredi had an opportunity to go to his best relief pitcher and put out a fire, but he chose to stay inside the box. It’s poor process and, in this case, another poor result.
BravesFanInDallas
June 12th, 2012
11:30 pm
Said it since the implosion last year, Freddi Gonzalez should have been fired then. Frankly, he doesn’t manage during the game. Watch what Joe G. was doing with the Yankees, he has a pitcher in trouble at least SOMEONE is up in the bullpen. Not with Freddo, I believe he sits on the bench hoping upon all hopes that someone is going to hit into a triple play on the next pitch. I used to think that Bobby was complacent with his starting pitching – letting them go too long into games. That was with the likes of Smoltz, Glavine, and Maddux. Freddie is doing the same with the bullpen..just waiting….waiting…waiting….until we have completely blown the lead, then – only then does he get up to take the ball out of the guys hand who obviously is not getting the job done.
Mark Bradley
June 12th, 2012
11:30 pm
Also: I would have pulled Minor after the Jeter single. He’d gotten you to the eighth. Time for your eighth-inning guy there.
Didn’t work out, I know. But I saw nothing wrong with the thinking in going to Venters.
Robards
June 12th, 2012
11:32 pm
Mark, I think Chipper hit 6th. Well, if it’s 3-2 Braves and Huddy is tiring with one out in the 8th, let’s hope Fredi brings Kimbrel in tomorrow. Kimbrel hasn’t pitched in a few days and there is an off day on Thursday. I’ve long believed that a closer should pitch more than an inning on an occasion and should not come in every time it’s 5-2 in the 9th, even if that might help them get a bigger contract. In other words, more days off but sometimes more innings in a particular game. Sutter, Fingers, and Gossage, to name a few Hall of Famers, all pitched more than an inning quite frequently. Smoltz the closer did at least once in the playoffs against Houston in ‘04.
George Stein
June 12th, 2012
11:34 pm
Going to Venters makes sense in the abstract, but when you consider some of Fredi’s reasoning for other decisions, it makes no sense. He clearly believes in the “hot hand” (Costanza) but now he doesn’t? There isn’t any consistency, which tells me he has no idea what he’s doing.
Fredi Will Screw It Up Somehow
June 12th, 2012
11:35 pm
AJC is clearly not the No Spin Zone.
Or maybe it is.
Playoffs!!!
June 12th, 2012
11:35 pm
No it wasn’t Gearrin by default, are you kidding me???
C. Martinez is no longer a “long man” Jesus Christmas, I just lost a lot of respect for you Bradley. Haven’t you been paying attention. What are left-handed hitters hitting v. Gearrin??
C. Martinez, Durbin and yes, even Kimbrel (it’s ok, once in a while to bring your closer in the 8th in an important game) Closers come in tie games at home. Sometimes the game needs to be saved in the 8th.
Seems to me you had you column written before the bottom fell out in the 8th. Because the real story of this game is how badly the bullpen was mismanaged, , and THERE IS NOTHING GOOD TO BE TAKEN FROM THIS GAME if you’re a Braves fan.
TV Watcher
June 12th, 2012
11:36 pm
After Venters filled the bases I turned off the TV.
Minor was great–I try to remember the good.
Ryan
June 12th, 2012
11:39 pm
I dont have a problem with Fredi pulling Minor. I figured if he gave up a hit he was coming out. My problem is keeping a struggling Venters in to face A-Rod. Kimbrel should have been in the game especially if O’Flaherty wasn’t availiable tonight. Kimbrel hasn’t pitched in three days and we have Thursday off so a five out save wouldnt kill him. Durbin hasnt given up a run in over a month. I think I would rather have him in than a AAA pitcher that struggles to get left handed hitters out.
walknbalk
June 12th, 2012
11:39 pm
Ugh
BravesFanInDallas
June 12th, 2012
11:43 pm
Mark – I agree 100% on going to Venters, he hasn’t been stellar this year, but no need to not give him a shot in this situation. My problem is – you obviously see the guy doesn’t have his stuff, pull him. I would have taken anyone (ANYONE) else in the bullpen once the bases were loaded – or at least had someone else up throwing. It is a long season – I think we all get that – and I hear “no need to panic”, but we are streaky, the streakiness is due to the lack of managing games, making the right calls in the right places, and inconsistency as George mentions. Again, long season, but every game counts…what would one more win have given us last year? (A playoff birth or at least the one game playoff). I digress…..so goes the day in the life of an Atlanta sports fan…..(Long live 1995 – we are going to need that memory.)
Bean Bag
June 12th, 2012
11:49 pm
DAMN YANKEES!
Whataboutthe7th
June 12th, 2012
11:49 pm
Im still trying to figure out why Heyward pinch hit for Diaz? I’ve never seen a lefty pinch hit for a righty in order to face a lefty. We had a chance to put the game way, but once again Fredi proved to be an idiot
done
June 12th, 2012
11:51 pm
This was like game 4 of 96 WS all over again.
Bill Donohoo
June 12th, 2012
11:57 pm
The problem was not bringing Venters in but not having the guts to take him out. Venters could not even come close with his slider. Kimbrell should have been brought in after Veneters walked Texeria or at the very least after Venter’s first two pitches in the dirt to A-Rod.
Buddy Greene
June 12th, 2012
11:58 pm
“Didn’t work out, I know. But I saw nothing wrong with the thinking in going to Venters.”
I agree with that and that Minor was probably finished but johnny showed me nothing in loading the bases Johnny should have never thrown a pitch to arod…
we have a lot of dead weight on our payroll/roster this year. Like Lowe and Jurrgens…Has Hinske gotten a hit since he was thrown out of that game?Venters and EOF may both be well on the way to a visit to Dr James Andrews…not looking pretty
Buddy Greene
June 13th, 2012
12:00 am
this game is on par with the game against philly where kelly johnson dropped the last out and we lost the game
Ryan
June 13th, 2012
12:01 am
Whataboutthe7th,
Heyward was already in the game as a defensive replacement for Diaz. I think the announcers just forgot to report it.
Olde Fan
June 13th, 2012
12:01 am
We’ve seen this before: Remember Mark Wohlers? Remember Rick Ankiel??
Venters has just lost it. He can’t throw a strike. Why is HE up here and Chris is playing in the minors?? Venters is the one who needs “work”. How many times are we going to have to see this horror repeated?? And Gearin?? He has Never done well up here – why is he here? I don’t believe Fredi knows what he is doing; he just stands around looking stupid. Sorry if I sound offensive; the management of this game offended me.
Tip Your Cap
June 13th, 2012
12:05 am
I’m not sure where the “good managing” came in.. yanking Minor after a ground ball single and a 4-0 lead, leaving Venters in when he couldn’t hit the backstop, bringing in Gearrin?! Not even warming up Kimbrel? Never THINKING of a hit and run, or how about a squeeze with Bourn up and a fast runner at third? How about a steal sometime? The whole team, starting with the manager, froze.
In addition, I’ve seen people write here that the salary doesn’t matter, and saying look at the Rays, etc. Get a grip. The two biggest advantages with a big budget are experience and margin for error. How many players do the Yankees have under 25? How many do the Braves have? There’s a reason for that — money. And who is likely to come though in a big game? Experienced players. Who is likely to choke? Kids. And if you have a big budget, and you make a bad player move or need to fill a hole, what do you do? Go get another one! That’s margin for error. What do the Braves do? Call up another kid or sign Juan Francisco. Embarrassing.
More salary also means a deeper bench, not Jack Wilson, Joe Mather, Livan Hernandez, Garrett Anderson, and anybody else they pull out of the bargain basement. (How about a reliable right-handed set-up guy?) If this ownership had Glavine, Smoltz and Maddux, they wouldn’t have Glavine, Smoltz and Maddux. Next example: Bourn.
Now and then, a team like Tampa will make a run. Of course, they didn’t win it all. Meanwhile, what are the chances of Kansas City, Pittsburgh, Seattle, Houston, Oakland, and maybe even Atlanta, year in and year out, not “being competitive,” but winning championships? Slim and none. Think it’s just coincidence that Toronto and Baltimore never gets to the playoffs when they are in the same division with New York and Boston? Until this ownership, or a new one, makes a commitment to excellence, including the manager, what you see is what you will get.
Ronald Millsaps
June 13th, 2012
12:08 am
Buddy– No, it isn’t. Kelly had to run a country mile to make a difficult basket catch. Chip Caray flipped out, but the “error” was no more a problem than Caray’s saying “track” or “wall” when the ball has cleared.
This team would do well to drop its apparent strategy of protecting a lead instead of building on it.
Great game by Minor–absolutely great. Now let’s get Jair back–though it almost looks like the organization’s trying to sabotage his free agency.
I didn’t watch the game. I hope Andruw got a huge hand, and I hope the organization apologizes for giving Randall Delgado his number. Some gratitude.
The Yankees’ road uniforms are extremely nice.
Oklahoma City in six. Some yahoo! writer said LeBron’s performance in Game Six was the best NBA postseason performance in fifty years–which obviously includes every postseason performance Jordan ever had. The guy is a FOOL to say that, and LeBron was being guarded by guys past their prime. Again, he didn’t show focus until the series would’ve been over had Jordan had in his shoes.
http://www.atlanteanconspiracy.com/2008/09/911-symbolism-in-hollywood.html (Great read)
KD
June 13th, 2012
12:11 am
Mark Bradley
June 12th, 2012
11:25 pm
As for Venters being unreliable: He had yielded one hit, two bases on balls and no earned runs in five appearances this month.
Keep in mind MB: of those 5 starts you refer to; only 2 have been in close games. The others, you ask? In 2, we were losing, in the 3rd, we had a 6 run lead. Of those two that were close- he pitched less than 2 total innings…
bowman
June 13th, 2012
12:20 am
Gonzalez was genius starting starting Diaz in RF and batting him ahead of Jones. Gonzalez wasn’t so smart pulling Minor with one one, one out in the eighth with fewer than 100 pitches thrown. Gonzalez was a buffoon for not pulling Venters after the LHP threw three consecutive 58-foot pitches.
In this game at least, Gonzalez appeared to be an excellent pregame strategist who became overwhelmed by the need to make gametime decisions. The result is more important that a faltering pitcher’s fragile ego. Send Venters to Gwinnett to find himself. Not sure yet whether Gonzalez should join him.
Redding
June 13th, 2012
12:25 am
It’s obvious that Minor has struggled mightily this year; however, so has the once great Johnny Venters. Tonight, Minor had the hot hand, and you don’t fold that hand when he allows one base runner, especially to bring in a “mechanically confused” set up man. I understand that Minor did his job (and a spectacular one at that) of getting through the 7th, but give the man a chance to get out of the inning. On the other hand, bringing Venters in here wasn’t necessarily a bad call; it’s fine, but he undoubtedly should have been on a much shorter leash. Allowing him to pitch to A-Rod was a monumental mistake that anyone having any feel for the game could see coming, especially after watching the sequences to the first two hitters Johnny faced. If F.G. wasn’t convinced that Venters has some real problems, and if he still doesn’t get the fact that he needs to have another reliever prepared to go in should Johnny stumble, then he simply isn’t truly aware of his team’s needs, the the moment-by-moment flow/feel of a game, or how to adjust and tweak quickly.
Vel Crow
June 13th, 2012
12:27 am
Fredi Gonzalez is getting good at blowing smoke up the butt and nothing seek to stick.
Vel Crow
June 13th, 2012
12:27 am
seems
Chop Chop
June 13th, 2012
12:29 am
Minor was really good tonight, but I’m not impressed by him. The key to being a good starting pitcher is to repeat good performances throughout a season. I don’t think he can do that. He’s a bum. Cut him now. Cut everybody. Fire Fredi and Wren.
governor404
June 13th, 2012
12:32 am
Well Braves’s fans at least you dont have to wait around til September or October to find out they can’t play with the big boys!!! Is it football season yet?
Buzz2011
June 13th, 2012
12:32 am
The Bronx Bombers!!!
Mister Frisky
June 13th, 2012
12:40 am
Waiting on the time for Fredi to get s canned article.
Ricky Grooms
June 13th, 2012
12:45 am
I usually give F.G. the benefit of the doubt, but pinch hitting Hayward for Diaz was a reminder of Bobby Cox days.
Bleacher Bummed
June 13th, 2012
12:52 am
When I first heard Freddi was replacing Cox, I was ecstatic. Guess I should have watched more Marlins games. I seriously think going to Chipper as a player/co-manager would be a good idea. No doubt he knows more about baseball, has more fire, and is a tremendous leader. As often as he is injured (hey guys, he’s 40), he would be a huge asset in the dugout advising Fred what to do and when.
Losersville U.S.A.
June 13th, 2012
1:02 am
Enter your comments here
Doofus(Goober and Gomer's Smart Brother)
June 13th, 2012
1:03 am
Another “wussy” sportswriter gives the totally inept manager a “pat on the back” and says you’re great, without asking the hard, tough questions that needed to be asked. They are all either afraid of him or scared they will lose their privileges and benefits. Must really be tough living in the Land of OZ, when there’s always a tornado coming through, which has to be ignored.
BTR
June 13th, 2012
1:04 am
I will never again attend a game until “freddi” is FIRED once and for all.
This idiot could not manage a girls T-Ball team, he is AWFUL.
Tonight was THE WORST job of managing I have EVER seen, simply AWFUL, he has NO baseball sense, and NO clue as to what he is doing, He MUST BE FIRED !!
Please go away “freddi” and take Bird Brain wren with you, you have killed this team !
D.A. Nuggla
June 13th, 2012
1:14 am
It’s very obvious, after reading the article and his comments, that both MB and DOB have been “brain-washed” by FG. There can be no other explanation. The “talking points” and reasoning are almost identical.
whoa Nelly
June 13th, 2012
1:16 am
Even Sutton on radio and Joe,Dale,Chip wondered why Kembrel was not up and ready. 5 outs for a win would over work Kembrel is BS.
Also why are all the pitchers hurt and so bad..ans. McDowell.
P. Bull Terrier
June 13th, 2012
2:40 am
Just one more Venters slider in the dirt and the Braves might have won the game. If he throws ball 4 to A-Rod, instead of a meatball, only one run crosses the plate, and who knows what might have happened next.
(Sure, maybe the only difference would have been that Swisher hit the grand slam instead of A-Rod, but at least A-Rod would still be one behind Gehrig.)
IlliniBrave
June 13th, 2012
3:38 am
Wait… you mean, Fredi did not tip his cap to the Yankees? What is wrong here? No cap tipping? Could this be a transformation of Fredi? Or… could it be that Fredi realized that this was all on him and his pitchers – and that any cap tipping would be a misplaced assignment of blame for this really egregious loss. The Nats are winning and we are not. The signs are not looking good at all.
clay
June 13th, 2012
4:11 am
this one is clearly on venters not the coach.
clay
June 13th, 2012
4:14 am
The Braves will not go anywhere this season, because they are too streaky. You can got from losing eight in a row to winning eight of nine and now three straight or maybe four straight, especially at home. In order to play in the post season you have to dominate at home and play atleast .500 on the road. We suck at home, smh because these are the losses that hurt you in the big picture. Oh well atleast we have hudson pitching tomorrow.
Billy D
June 13th, 2012
5:54 am
Where to start? First, dont tell me the Braves players are not crushed by Tues… Night. This can wreck a season. Next, why cant this team add on runs during the game. It seems when they score a few runs early the attitude is ,”thats enough” it happens all the time. The thing that really bugs me is the “old School” philosophy tha states dont bring your closer in until the ninth inning. Any fool could see the Tues. game needed the closer in the eighth inning, it cried for Kimbrell. What was left to save in the ninth. I am a 30 plus long distance fan who watches the team every night so I know them well.I am so grateful that I was not at the Stadium Tues. to feel the humiliation that the fans had to endure from those Yankee fan in person. I can not bear to watch the Wed. game.This team needs some fire and I am afraid it wont happen under this manager
WTF
June 13th, 2012
6:00 am
WTF!
WTF
June 13th, 2012
6:01 am
No, really, doesn’t ‘our’ Fredi remind you of another just as ineffectual and messed up ‘Feddy’? You know – Freddy Corleone?
Lets dance
June 13th, 2012
6:08 am
chipper said home run was like game 4 home run where we frown for months in 96…..You should know chokein runs in braves family ask Bobby cox One time champion and 6time wife beater wins everytime…….and chokes to wild card marlins twice see who wonWorld series too….and in 2000 chipper Mr God u call him threw last out over 1st base so bad error and all runs scored and You blew it and we had play St;louis instead of La dodgers we would had still choke since Cox was pickin nose with Bradley and O’Brien butt kissin him……Bad 3 games Livan pitch like softball game sunday i bet he put in Livan wednesday as yankees score 18 runs!
NickGranite
June 13th, 2012
6:10 am
Again. Kimbrel didn’t have to pitch both innings. Snuff out the fire Venters poured gas on in the 8th with your best, worry about a clean slate with someone else in the ninth with maybe a 3 run lead and if your lucky a 4-0 lead. Surely the percentages favor almost any major league pitcher coming into an inning with no runners and maybe a 4-1 or 4-2 lead should Kimbrel have given up a forceout run or anything except a %$%^&%$# grand slam.
Ellabell1
June 13th, 2012
6:18 am
How many pitches in the dirt in a row before it takes Bobby Jr. to realize that Venters hasn’t got it. Same old Braves, when they win, it’s in spite of their poor managing. I’m sure that somewhere in BJ’s post game comments he probably said: You gotta tip your caps to ‘em. Send Bobby Jr. to the minors and bring up someone who knows something about baseball to coach the team.
Ron E.
June 13th, 2012
6:27 am
You don’t leave a struggling lefty in to pitch to Arod with the bases loaded. If you can’t figure that out, you shouldn’t be a major league manager. Kimbrel would have been the smartest choice, but any right handed reliever not named Hernandez would have been acceptable.
dawg tired
June 13th, 2012
6:40 am
Watching Venters throw pitch after pitch into the dirt, you just knew A Rod was going to kill the first good one across the plate. I think the most sickening thing was that Fredi saw those pitches hit the ground and he did nothing to stop it.
Scott Brantley
June 13th, 2012
6:46 am
Jonny Venters initials are JV and that’s what he is.
Longtimefan
June 13th, 2012
6:51 am
Looking thru the retrospectroscope always provides the right answers. I suspect if FG had made some moves suggested by the Monday morning armchair QBs and they had lost-he would still be criticized.
RGP
June 13th, 2012
6:57 am
Venters was lights out last year. O’Brien’s article tells a different story for this year. Last 20 games he is 1-3 with a 7.04 ERA. The problem with our bullpen this year is other than Kimbrel no one else is consistent and reliable.
cloudodust
June 13th, 2012
7:10 am
Prior to the slam, I was thinking we played the games to win ‘em. This one goes down as shooting one’s self in the foot.
dcb
June 13th, 2012
7:12 am
Have to agree with Bill Donohoo above – no problem with using Venters in this situation-especially after his last performance just a game or two ago. But leaving him in when he didn’t have it which was obvious the first two batters he faced and much before A-Rod’s grandslam, was the goof.
Jim Harper
June 13th, 2012
7:30 am
As long as Gonzalez is the coach, the Braves will just be contenders. Bobby Cox had a unique style that created accountability and motivation to play for him. Fredi has tried to adopt this style, but it simply does not win consistently…not in Miami or Atlanta. Fredi either needs to change and start lighting fires under people or he has to go. Until then, expect the Bravos to tease you.
Regular ole Braves fan
June 13th, 2012
7:30 am
Sad to say but a 5 year old would have pulled Venter’s with the bases loaded and pitching to a right hander……Oh wait….we didn’t have a RHP warming up….
Kyle
June 13th, 2012
7:30 am
A championship team would never loose a game like Sunday’s or last night after being up like that. They are just getting ready for September and October a little earlier than they normally do.
This just proves!!!!
June 13th, 2012
7:34 am
This just proves, these BRAVES cannot win with Fredi as manager…..he has absolutely no clue what he is doing as manager…..he should not even be allowed to manage a little league team…..he is a freaking waste!
AtlantaDude
June 13th, 2012
7:41 am
Why is it against the law to pull a pitcher mid at-bat?
Venters obviously couldn’t get his sinker/slider out of the dirt. Did Freddy really believe he was going to be able to get A-Rod out throwing only fastballs. That grand slam was the most predictable outcome in sports in the last 10 years. Only surprise was that A-Rod fouled the first meatball off his foot.
James
June 13th, 2012
7:49 am
Second game Feddie has given away. On Sunday he took out Julio Tehran when he got into a little trouble instead of letting him fight his way out. Brought in Levan and the rest was history as he kept him there until he gave up 5 runs….go figure. Last night Minor should have stayed in until there he had trouble. Venters hasnt been right for quite a while… This is the same I am loyal to my guys no matter what and to the system no matter what that Cox put us through.
Golden Girl
June 13th, 2012
8:03 am
Geesh — what a disappointing night. What was Freddi Gonzolaz thinking? I’m thinking we need a new manager — Chipper would be GREAT!
Loosing Managar = Loosing Record
June 13th, 2012
8:03 am
How many times have I told U all what the problem is.
Loosing Managar = Loosing Record
June 13th, 2012
8:04 am
How long have I told U all about this problem?
crackbaby
June 13th, 2012
8:09 am
So so tired of the Fredi haters drivel. Blaming last night’s loss on the manager is idiocy. I guess you are allowed to hate on the home team manager but your thoughtless negativity is revealing. Seriously, post your IQs – nevermind, it’s not necessary as we can tell from your comments.
Let's Go
June 13th, 2012
8:14 am
Mark I disagree with you about Kimbrel in the 8th because at that point with the bases loaded that was the ballgame. People can call it what they want to in stat world but 8th or 9th that was the game so why not use your best pticher at that point. Kimbrel should have been getting ready and as soon as Granderson singled he should have started throwing hard. You worry about the 9th when the 9th comes around and if Kimbrel couldn’t finish then you go with one of the others but if you use Kimbrel and he is able to shut down the Yankees or hold them to 1 or 2 runs that is just as big as a save and guess what you still have the lead going into the 9th.
Fredi and McDowell get the blame for this lost. Actually why Roger McDowell still had a job after last season still baffles me.
True Falcon Fan
June 13th, 2012
8:14 am
Freddie & Frank = FF —– Sweet 16 could be around the corner, there once were 4 and then there was 8 — oh could be sweet 16, not yet. But fore sure it will happen this season, rest assured!
My favorite MLB teams are in order, as follows: #1 Braves, #2 Yankees, #3 Rangers
I will never forget around 1959 or 60 at Pounce de Leon ball park, my brothers & me have a picture with Cleat Bower, WOW that’s was really great – My Father was very proud.
Folks “Frick & Frack” ain’t the answer!
Go Falcons!
Ted M
June 13th, 2012
8:15 am
The Braves need some major bullpen help. Not for Venters tho.
Now’s the time for Wren to make a trade. Overall the Braves bullpen sticks.
Paul H
June 13th, 2012
8:16 am
For the record, Kimbrel hasn’t pitched since June 9th. He would’ve been FINE to go in and get 5 outs instead of the usual 3. Pretty sure he wouldn’t have paid for those 2 extra outs after 2 days of rest later in the season. BAD move by Fredi.
Not a freddi fan as of last night
June 13th, 2012
8:17 am
I have an idea. Lets drop Levan from the roster and send venters and gearin down and put Minor and Delgado in the bullpen. That would hurt someones feelings though, we dont do that in Atlanta.
crackbaby
June 13th, 2012
8:20 am
@Loosing Managar (sic)
You are a prime example of the lack of intelligence exhibited by all you Fredi haters. 1) you can’t spell, and 2) your IQ is sub 70.
The Braves are 34-28. Six games above .500 even after losing 3 straight. If they would have won last night, they would have the same number of wins as the Yankees.
Fredi has done all this with shorthanded lineups (chipper, vision problems of McCann and Freeman, a not ready for prime time SS – that’d be PastorNOTky which he fixed by bringing in Andrelton “Silk” Simmons, and inconsistent performance by his entire pitching staff – starters and relievers). He’s firm when he needs to be (e.g. Juan Francisco’s unacceptable behavior in Cincy) and patient enough for the guys to know he’s got their backs.
Shut up already.
meh
June 13th, 2012
8:24 am
I can live with pulling Minor and bringing in Venters. I think Fredi messed up when he left Venters in to face A-Rod after he just walked two in a row. He obviously didn’t have his stuff last night and should’ve been pulled.
gwd,SC
June 13th, 2012
8:27 am
Fredi G. Why pull Minor. Wrong . Wrong. Wrong. Minor was cruising. Only 100 pitches
Vel Crow
June 13th, 2012
8:27 am
Headline should have been, “Minor was Major, Fredi was Pathetic.”
Dubvee
June 13th, 2012
8:35 am
Anybody know why Fredi had Heyward bat for Diaz with 2 on and a left handed pitcher throwing? Diaz was having a great game, and Heyward is no match for CC. What did I miss?
Matt
June 13th, 2012
8:37 am
I sure wish that nimrod would learn the difference between “losing” and “loosing”. Better yet, why can’t he just be blocked from all the blogs? He is obviously a troll.
Milburn Drysdale
June 13th, 2012
8:38 am
Thank you “Mr push all the wrong buttons Gonzalez”. Venters has obviously lost it.
Sonny Clusters
June 13th, 2012
8:40 am
Pitch after pitch in the dirt. He elevated and the game was tied. Hmmm . . . how could Fredi have known? Maybe because Venters couldn’t throw a STRIKE? Well, everybody ignores the ground ball that got through to Chipper’s immediate left. “Found a hole” according to Joe Simpson. The “bad” pitching got better when the defense improved with Simmons. The team was winning. Insert Chipper and the defense goes away and they haven’t won since. Mess up the chemistry by sending Constanza down and the “2 leadoff hitters” strategy that they were winning with goes away. Have to tip your cap.
richard whiskey
June 13th, 2012
8:45 am
yankees payroll 200million,braves payroll 80million,who do you think’s gonna win more games? is the reason i no longer watch baseball
jt
June 13th, 2012
8:46 am
Bradley, you and DOB make me sick in your articles! You never see what everone else see’s. Like the obvious mistakes our glorious manager made, like taking Minor’s out too soon (he was having a pretty good game), like leaving Venters in after most of his pitches were bouncing in front of the plate and not in back of it, Like putting a rookie in, when the ballgame was on line and tied, Like pinch hitting Heyward for Diaz, when Diaz was having a great game and Heyward was coming in Cold. Other than that you nailed it.
Yankee
June 13th, 2012
8:46 am
The stadium emptied in the 8th inning. That is, emptied of Braves “fans.” Looked just like a Falcons game at the Ga Dome. With that $83 million payroll, get used to being like Pittsburgh and Kansas City.
J-MAN
June 13th, 2012
9:01 am
Mark Bradley will call out Larry Drew and have a poll put up on him on if he should be kept……But Larry Drew makes the playoffs (Something Fredi didnt do) and has actually won a series/game (Something Mike Smith hasnt done). The Braves have a horrible manager, Chocking that 10 1/2 wildcard lead last year, the boneheaded decisions, wearing out EOF, Venters and Kimbrel last year. EOF and Venters are not the same this season. The lack of faith in is rookie pitchers when they are pitching good. 4-0 leads to Tronto and the Yankees in the last week alone. But he keeps pitchers in there too long when they are getting shelled. The lack of any intensity and fire and he never argues any bad umpire calls……….And throughout all of that Mark Bradley you Jeff Schultz and D.O.B go out of your ways to never criticize Fredi Gonzalez because you are too busy being buddy/buddy with him instead of asking him important questions. But hey keep dogging a coach that actually made the playoff with his all-star center hurt for most of the season and was several bad calls from the refs from beating the Celtics, while you keep kissing Fredi Gonzalezs ass.
J-MAN
June 13th, 2012
9:02 am
Mark Bradley will call out Larry Drew and have a poll put up on him on if he should be kept……But Larry Drew makes the playoffs (Something Fredi didnt do) and has actually won a series/game (Something Mike Smith hasnt done). The Braves have a horrible manager, Choking that 10 1/2 wildcard lead last year, the boneheaded decisions, wearing out EOF, Venters and Kimbrel last year. EOF and Venters are not the same this season. The lack of faith in is rookie pitchers when they are pitching good. 4-0 leads to Tronto and the Yankees in the last week alone. But he keeps pitchers in there too long when they are getting shelled. The lack of any intensity and fire and he never argues any bad umpire calls……….And throughout all of that Mark Bradley you Jeff Schultz and D.O.B go out of your ways to never criticize Fredi Gonzalez because you are too busy being buddy/buddy with him instead of asking him important questions. But hey keep dogging a coach that actually made the playoff with his all-star center hurt for most of the season and was several bad calls from the refs from beating the Celtics, while you keep kissing Fredi Gonzalezs ass.
Huh?
June 13th, 2012
9:03 am
Hey richard whiskey, does it bother you on the nights when the Braves payroll greatly exceeds the opposition’s? Or is that fair, and it’s only not fair when the Braves are outspent?
Dawgdad (The Original)
June 13th, 2012
9:04 am
If this is a duplicate, I’m sorry, I tried.
When you watch the Braves vs the Yankees, it is like pulling for True Value Hardware vs Home Depot.
One has good management and is well stocked, the other tries to get by as the local alternative.
Dawg Fud
June 13th, 2012
9:08 am
I was at the game. The BRAVES did not lose anything. Venters freaking blew it along with his dipstick friend Gearrin.
True Falcon Fan
June 13th, 2012
9:18 am
9:04 Great post!
Go Falcons!
whoa Nelly
June 13th, 2012
9:20 am
Whiskey…Braves Pay-roll at start of season was $93,529,667.23 per Cots contracts. plus 10 million to Indians for Lowe.
Dawg Fud..I thought Braves were a TEAM? If so they lost the game not just Venter & Gearrin. The blame goes to the damn stupid manager and GM for not having a bull-pen worth a crap.
Venters is done
June 13th, 2012
9:22 am
Venters was only good when people would swing at those pitches that bounce 2 feet in front of home plate. Now everyone knows his deal, just don’t swing at ANYTHING until you have 3 balls. Keep the bat on your shoulder and you WILL see 3 balls. Might see 1 get-me-over strike in there, but he is gonna throw you 3 balls before he goes for the kill.
It’s funny Venters can throw 3 or 4 consecutive strikes with the bases loaded and a full count to A-Roid but he can’t do it with a man on 1st and 1 out. Minor finishes the 8th, Bravos win and he gets a well deserved W. Instead Fredi, in his infinite wisdom pulls him at 100 pitches. What a waste of space.
whoa Nelly
June 13th, 2012
9:25 am
Right on DawgDad..lol
Big Yank
June 13th, 2012
9:26 am
In the short run the Yankees are beatable. But in the long run the Atlanta Braves are a much inferior franchise and no manager can change that, so fire Fredi and see what happens.
Larry
June 13th, 2012
9:28 am
“Gonzalez said his plan was to pull Minor after the first base runner in the eighth, which is what happened, and it’s hard to fault that move.”
What a ridiculously dumb decision and supporting comment. So, Mark, regardless of the fact Minor was pitching almost perfectly, old stupid predetermined he’d pull him after the first base runner up 4-0 with one out? And this base runner got on simply from a seeing-eye grounder off the end of his bat off the outside of the plate?
Mark, we all know Fredi is dumb as a box of rocks; we have a bit higher expectations of an educated man!
Good Grief–stupid is as stupid does.
Venters is done, and so is Chipper
June 13th, 2012
9:29 am
Oh yea, how about Chipper’s 2 for 4 last night! Too bad he hits singles with nobody on and with runners on 2B and 3B hits a dribbler to second for the final out. His .300 BA is soo padded with meaningless hits. He is anti-clutch these days and all the faithfuls point to his “great” average and his “presence”. Bump that mess and get Constanza back in LF and Prado back on third.
Buddy
June 13th, 2012
9:29 am
I have never seen more incompetent managing in my life!!!!
JAC
June 13th, 2012
9:30 am
Best closer in baseball sititng in the bullpen and manager Gonzalez doesn.t use him as we blow a 4 run lead in the 8th inning. Many more more managing jobs like this and we may soon have ex-manager Gonzalez!!!.
PoochKick
June 13th, 2012
9:31 am
Loser talk, Loser talk
Ron Reed
June 13th, 2012
9:35 am
A grand slam by a Yankee in a game we thought was won.
P.T. Barnum
June 13th, 2012
9:39 am
We need a new pitching coach at least. Mcdowell has been here several years and what have the braves done? Didley squat. The pitching staff gets worse year after year. McDowell must come cheap.
whoa
June 13th, 2012
9:45 am
That game could very well be the turning point of whole season…sad.
fredi, i'm done with you
June 13th, 2012
9:46 am
Fredi reminds me of Eddie Haas.
In despair
June 13th, 2012
9:47 am
Mark … As the immortal Herm Edwards said … “You play to win the game.”
shorty
June 13th, 2012
9:47 am
Somebody associated with the Braves needs to grow a set and ask some tough questions instead of following the company line…Fredi G. is on his best day a coach …he is not management material…the fans and hopefully the players will demand this cancer be removed from our beloved Braves before more damage is done…if its not too late already.
Sonny Jackson
June 13th, 2012
9:48 am
Glad I didn’t pay to see this one! Used to attend a ton of games and could always justify spending the money… not anymore. Who is running this circus?
tired of DOB
June 13th, 2012
9:50 am
DOB is an absolute joke. He never asks Fredi tough questions. Probably b/c he doesn’t want to lose his buddy motorcycle rides with him.
1eyedJack
June 13th, 2012
10:02 am
“We did our job for eight-ninths of the game.”
That’s a back-handed cap tip if I ever heard one.
TOo Tough44
June 13th, 2012
10:04 am
Yep, Freddie G…I really wanted you to coach the Braves..however, you are making some decisions that stink. #1 As hot as Constanza was I believe 6-10, you bench him to play Diaz..(yea I know he got the hit last night…but, you messed with Constanzas mental by benching him with the hot bat…you messed with mine too…!) Anyhow, what an ignortant thing to do to NOT manage your pitchers better our at least remind Venters…dont let the superstar beat you! Well you did.. remember A DEAD FISH STINKS FROM HEAD TO TAIL!
Loosing Managar = Loosing Record
June 13th, 2012
10:05 am
@ crackbaby
U R just upset cuz Ive ben rite all a long. I said it was a mistake 2 hire a managar with a loosing record and I thin it is a mistake to keep him a round.
Braves wll be in last palce by the all star brake.
Shelfish Chipper need 2 retrie now!
June 13th, 2012
10:07 am
Lets not 4 get Chipper. He is holding the team back with in shelfish atitude. Its time 2 retrie and let a younger player tkae the rooster spot.
MikeLum
June 13th, 2012
10:09 am
This is jim Leyritz all over again.
I have one question: Why stay with Venters so long? He was not a major-league pitcher last night. He gives up a hit to Granderson, walks Texeria and goes 3-0 on A-Rod. He could not throw his breaking ball for a strike. That left him with one pitch — the sinker, which he could barely get over the plate. A-Rod knew what was coming, and so did we. It was like a horror movie — we could see the disaster unfolding but could not stop it. A-Rod took a called strike, fouled off two to get his timing right, then blasted one out of the park. And then those fucking Yankee fans went crazy all over Turner Field. It was too much to bear.
But perhaps it could have been stopped. Fredi could see Venters had nothing last night. So why not go to Kimbrel early? You have two on with one out in the 8th, and the middle of the Yankee order coming up. This is the game! Right here, right now! Why not use Kimbrel? It’s like the house is on fire, but there’s good news: You have a fire engine nearby. But Fredi says, “No, let’s save it for the next fire.” You get out of the 8th and you face the bottom of the Yankee order in the 9th. You have a 90-95% chance of winning, even with Martinez or Durbin pitching the ninth. The Yanks made their move in the 8th, but we refused to respond. Fredi stuck to the book — the closer only pitches the last inning. Not guts, no glory — and lots of pain.
Milburn Drysdale
June 13th, 2012
10:10 am
I could be wrong, but I don’t believe Heyward pinch hit for Diaz. I believe Heyward was inserrted in the game defensively.
Losers
June 13th, 2012
10:12 am
We arent going anywhere with this sorry a$$ bullpen this year….. last night was horrible !!!
Jack Dennis TN
June 13th, 2012
10:15 am
Why did Heyward PH for Diaz against a wicked left-handed pitcher? I thought they kept Diaz to hit lefties. Hmmm?
seabass
June 13th, 2012
10:18 am
I was there, and I would have rather left Minor in than put him through that torture. He is probably mentally screwed for the braves. Pitch that good and bull pen blow it. Venters, Freddy might as well send him to AAA or trade him. It does not matter to me, I’m done. The Yankees were laughing in the dugout. With good reason to!
dc74
June 13th, 2012
10:29 am
You should be used to losing Bradley..you live in Atlanta
Milburn Drysdale
June 13th, 2012
10:38 am
Again, Heyward did not pinch hit for Diaz.
good grief
June 13th, 2012
10:44 am
Sportswriting in this city is a joke. How about the fact that Fredi left Venters out there too long? How about the questionable move of bringing the fresh out of AAA pitcher in in that situation? How about the fact that he left the AAA pitcher out there too long? Ask some tough questions for crying out loud.
wayn-o
June 13th, 2012
10:47 am
So Fredi knew EOF wasn’t available and he still pulled Minor out of the game, dumbass.
Dawgdad (The Original)
June 13th, 2012
10:51 am
I’ve heard Tom Glavine say and have seen him walk a guy with the bases loaded, on purpose. A good manager would have brought in Kimbrel to face A-Rod, but if you were asleep and didn’t have him ready, you go out to the mound and tell Venters to pitch carefully, you would prefer a walk in that situation rather than a 4 run GS. We could have pitched around A-Rod and then brought in Kimbrel. 4-1 game much better than what happened.
JoeFan
June 13th, 2012
10:55 am
The Braves are and average team, and that goes for the GM and Manager. The Yankees are a very good team and it shows in their approach to the game.
Vel Crow
June 13th, 2012
10:58 am
What about UGGLA running into an out at third base, when the ball was hit to the SS. That cost the Braves a run after Chipper singled. Heyward came in the game, in top of the 7th as a defensive replacement and drove in a run to make it 4-0. Don’t blame him, blame the manager and the bullpen.
snes
June 13th, 2012
11:04 am
He tried to throw A-Rod a sinker. It didn’t sink until it dipped into the seats in left.
Best line that you’ve ever written.
I don’t see the harm in leaving Minor in for one more hitter, if he can’t get the next guy then take Minor out. Gonzalez made it worse by not getting anyone else in there after Venters walked the bases loaded. If someone wasn’t ready yet then stall until someone is, we’ve seen managers do it a million times. Oh, and if the bases are loaded with A-Roid up then I think its a great time to bring in Kimbrel for a 5 out save. Anyone but Hernandez really.
I put this and the Sunday loss to Toronto on Gonzalez.
IlliniBrave
June 13th, 2012
11:04 am
The most depressing thing about last night was to see how Atlanta is no longer a Southern city and “Braves” fans are simply Yankees/Dodgers/RedSox/Mets/Phillies/etc. transplants. Same thing for Hawks and Falcons games. People wonder why so many folks focus on college football – because that is where you have real fans with real loyalty. No freakin’ Yankees fans at a Bulldogs game. No stupid Lakers fans at a Auburn game. No annoying Eagles fans at a Bama game.
the truth....
June 13th, 2012
11:11 am
Going to get my mornig 2 cents worth in here………….
OK Mark ….I’ve been addicted to baseball and especially the Braves, since 1956……..right…. 1956…..
Fredi is a great guy….a great bench coach rah-rah…..
His game management it weak……….
Venters in………..ok maybe…..
Venters to pitch to ARod……………….NO WAY
NOT GUERIN, NOT MARTINEZ…
ONLY KIMBREL……
LAST NIGHT THE EIGHTH WAS THE NINTH…………….
that is all that needs to be said………..
except…..see ya Fredi…………
flagger
June 13th, 2012
11:12 am
FIRE FREDI THE FREELOADER…..
Livan's HONGRY
June 13th, 2012
11:21 am
Fredi was paralyzed. You give Venters Granderson and Tex- if Granderson gets on, you warm up Kimbrel. If Tex gets on, you stall to give Kimbrel enough time to come in for A-Rod. I don’t have a problem with Venters facing ARod if he gets either guy out and has a place to put A-Rod. But you face their best RH bat with your best RH arm. Then let Durbin go in the 9th against the bottom of their order up by 3 or 4 runs, if you don’t want Kimbrel throwing 5 outs. Fredi was paralyzed- all there is to it. Apparently games can’t be saved in the 8th inning.
the truth....
June 13th, 2012
11:22 am
I’m so sick of Fredi’s dumb statements like……………
“we pushed him…..” …as far as we could……”
or some dumb stuff like that……….no body pushed Minor….he needed no pushing, he waltzed thru most of the game and then has stupid managerial decisions throw it all away in a matter of minutes….
This isn’t the first time gang…………
Look back at the way Fredi has handled the kids the past three games….especially Sunday and Teheran…..
So in that game we’re up 4-0 with the bases loaded and he brings in Livan…………….disaster……..
So what did Teheran take back with him to Gwinnett……? How about they didn’t expect him to win anyway so they just let Livan throw batting practice for the Jays……….?
Fredi makes about 5 horrible decisions for every good one…………..
He is NOT a SUCCESSFUL major league manager …..note that…..not Successful
TomB
June 13th, 2012
11:24 am
No one is mentioning it but I will. The reason why to move to Venters was a bad one was not the use of Venters in the eighth, but instead it was using him without anyone else warming up in the bullpen. So, when Venters got into trouble, the Braves had to scramble two pitchers late to get ready to pitch.This is the reason Venters pitched to A-Rod, and a serious mistake by our Manager.
Tom G (Independent - Viet Vet)
June 13th, 2012
11:24 am
Does anyone find it ironic that in the 3 games(since DL stint) Chipper has played in, we have three straight losses. Chipper has to do more than hit singles and chat with opposing players all game long. Constanza may have been our good-luck charm but we sent him down to make room for an aging vet! It should not be about what someone has done for you in the past, but what they can do now. It is a business!!!!!!!!! Venters should go to long relief and not when game is on line? Our closer should have been brought in(last nite) in 8th inning to put out the fire, we can worry about 9th inning later!! Just my opinion!!!
the truth....
June 13th, 2012
11:25 am
oh…one more thing……
The Braves are a GREAT TEAM with a STUPID MANAGER……………
That makes them a Good team at best…….
Big Chief
June 13th, 2012
11:50 am
Fredi can’t manage his way out of a paper bag. It’s ridiculous that he’s still managing this team. If it weren’t for upper management insisting on the change, we’d still be stuck with that crummy batting coach we had last year.
The guy is OBSESSED with only using Kimbrel in the 9th when we have a lead. Any deviation from that makes his head hurt.
Dave O'Brien
June 13th, 2012
11:51 am
I’m tired of people blasting me. I do the best I can and if it’s not good enough for you, tough. Would you ask hard hitting questions if you had my job?
Remember, I want to keep my job.
duronimo
June 13th, 2012
11:53 am
What’s the deal with the pitchers. I’ve never seen such reversals on one staff. JJ — one great, now a shell of a pitcher. Venters … once nearly unhitable now screwed up. And the rash of injuries that didn’t occur under Mazzone. Pitchers that “lose it” with the Braves seem to get their mojo back with other teams. The varibles I see are the pitching coach and manager. Kimbrall could have simply pitched the 8th when the game was on the line and Martinez the 9th when there was no trouble and the lower end of the batting order coming up.
ACE
June 13th, 2012
11:54 am
Typical, give Fredi Kudos for his one good move and then spin over the bad ones. Bring the IMPOSTER back to town maybe he will ask some tough questions.
TuffShhhtuff
June 13th, 2012
11:54 am
OK, would someone who thought it was so all-fired brilliant of FG “the robot” to start Diaz over Heyward, against a lefthander, please explain what he did in the 7th inning? Especially YOU, Mr. “I Know More Than All The Fans Put Together” sportswriter MB! FG threw his logic and reasoning right out the window, which he is good at doing, when he inserted Heyward for Diaz in the 7th inning with the bases loaded against…..wait for it……….the LEFTHANDER, Sabathia who was still in the game. Diaz had already driven in 3 runs with a double, so that makes it even worse. What changed? That one thing proves how inept and clueless FG is. Then, MB has the guts to give him a couple of “pats on the back” in this article, not even mentioning that!
Pound it
June 13th, 2012
11:55 am
I wish, for once, somebody on the Braves would show some passion. As usual, oh wll, we’ll get’em tomorrow.
taylor
June 13th, 2012
11:57 am
Where is this rule written that the only time you can use your closer is in the 9th with a lead? He’s your best pitcher in the bullpen, use him when the game is on the line, in this case bases loaded in the 8th with one out.
I don’t want to hear anything about overworking Kimbrel for a 5 out save. Who says he has to pitch the 9th? Especially with a 3 or 4 run lead.
I just hate how closers are managed now days.
iTiSi
June 13th, 2012
12:00 pm
“Milburn Drysdale” you might want to check the gamebox on MLB before opening your mouth and making incorrect statements. Heyward PH for Diaz in the 7th inning and drove in a run with a groundout against off all pitchers, the one FG didn’t want to start him against, Sabathia. That really makes a lot of sense doesn’t it, especially since the bases were loaded! FG is a “hair brain”(miniscule) or a “hare brain”(rabbit brain”. Either applies.
Doofus(Goober and Gomer's Smart Brother)
June 13th, 2012
12:04 pm
“J-Man”, there’s a reason for that. They are afraid they will lose their Braves “benefits and privileges”. They have to be “YES MEN” just like the two sitting in the broadcast booth. Joe Simpson was the only one who came close to speaking out, and he was mild with it. I imagine the only one who has already been booted out of the Braves’ locker room is Jeff Schulz, due to his critical article last week. He spoke his mind, and nailed it.
coach k
June 13th, 2012
12:04 pm
some bs i had to sit through with cox….. Sometimes the SAVE IS IN THE FREAKING 8TH INNING ……HELLO it is ok to bring your closer in the 8th this was a game we needed and should have had, Freddie is just a baby sitter not a manager. These are the games that matter at the end.
If Chipper smiled it is because.....
June 13th, 2012
12:06 pm
Gimper Jones is nothing but a has been washed up disable veteran who if he had any character about him would walk away and realize he is a has been….and would do the team more good if he was gone for good……
Shelfish Chipper need 2 retrie now!
June 13th, 2012
12:11 pm
Just how stop-id R the Braves?
Fist they hire a loosing managar
Next they resigh Chiper who is alwyas hurt.
Then the loosing managar makes dum dicesions which caused them the game.
J-MAN
June 13th, 2012
12:13 pm
Well Bradley can call out Larry Drew but he wont do it for Fredi Gonzalez and Gonzalez has done less with more talent………This is a FACT
Nick
June 13th, 2012
12:13 pm
Hahahaha. You Fredi haters are so incredibly predictable. I knew you’d be back after the next 3 game losing streak. I bet if Fredi would have left Minor in and he blew the lead, you guys would be killing Fredi for not pulling him. 1 game out of 162, fellas. Calm down.
Trojan
June 13th, 2012
12:16 pm
Medlin is now needed in the bullpen. Cancel that stretching out thing and get him ready for 1 inning at a time.
Venters needs to be taken out of high pressure situations until he proves capable again.
Nick
June 13th, 2012
12:18 pm
@Venters is done, and so is Chipper, How can you say Chipper’s hits have been meaningless? Wow, some of you fans are blind or just plain dumb. I think I remember him hitting a game winning home run against Philly a few weeks ago, but I guess that was meaningless.
Buzz
June 13th, 2012
12:19 pm
Is there any hope of a managerial change this year? Fredi is just plainly overmatched. With him at the helm, the Braves will never be a “good” team.
Joe Tess Fish House
June 13th, 2012
12:19 pm
Venters need 2 be part of the grounds crew B 4 he picthes again! LLOLOLO!!!!
J-MAN
June 13th, 2012
12:26 pm
Joe Simpson would make a better manager than Fredi Gonzalez
Delbert D.
June 13th, 2012
12:27 pm
Send Fredi Gonzalez to AAA to stretch out his prefrontal cortex. The man is as predictable as melting ice.
roterhals
June 13th, 2012
12:29 pm
Unfortunately, it’s not just Fredi but all this new-era managing crap, with the pitch counts and lazy philosophies like “if my pitcher gets to this and this inning, I’m gonna put in so and so”. That’s how it happens that a pitcher (Minor) can have a four hitter going into the eighth, gives up a seeing-eye single, and gets yanked after 100 some odd pitches. Absolutely ridiculous.
Billy (not Martin)
June 13th, 2012
12:32 pm
You definately should have broght in Kimbrel to pitch to Arod.
I’m sick of this crap where closers can’t pich but one inning.
So now you saved his arm for another day for what? another big fat loss.
I hope Fredi’s happy that Kinbrel’s arm is good and rested.
Go with your best and if you get beat, you got beat with your best and move on.
We did not get beat with our best last night.
Charles
June 13th, 2012
12:32 pm
FG SUCKS…….
DawgDad
June 13th, 2012
12:33 pm
“Medlin is now needed in the bullpen. Cancel that stretching out thing and get him ready for 1 inning at a time.”
Sending Medlen down was a mistake, plain and simple. That’s not hind-sight, I said it at the time. There have been plenty of opportunities to stretch him out at the ML level, and his absense has left a huge hole in the bullpen and cost the team at least two games. If they let Hernandez go (in lieu of Medlen) they likely can’t get him back. Holding on to Hernandez is costing this team.
The “one inning at a time” bullpen mentality drives me nuts. Need to manage more to the game situation.
Veritas
June 13th, 2012
12:34 pm
This particular Braves team, through the course of the season, will compile a 7-1 record during a stretch, and then flounder around by cobbling a 1-7 record soon after the winning streak.
This is a .500 ballclub. Call it fate; call it Fredi’s fault; blame any player you wish, but the loss last night was earned by a total team effort. They are what we thought they were after the offseason.
There is nothing new under this particular sun; nor, under this pathetic ownership and management.
Mike
June 13th, 2012
12:35 pm
WAIVE LIVAN!!!!!!!!
Delbert D.
June 13th, 2012
12:37 pm
Carlos Tosca is one of them most intelligent men in baseball. Turn the reins over to him for the rest of the season.
roterhals
June 13th, 2012
12:38 pm
typical modern day, lazy managing…..”If my guy gets to this or that inning, I’m gonna put in so and so”. That’s how a pitcher gets yanked after taking a 4 hitter into the 8th inning and giving up a seeing-eye single. Absolutely ridiculous.
Delbert D.
June 13th, 2012
12:38 pm
Make that “the most”. Shoot. Grrr.
the truth....
June 13th, 2012
12:46 pm
@ TuffShhhtuff
You are right on with the observation on Heyward pinch hitting for Diaz late in the game….same Lefty on the mound….
At the time I was out of sync with the game having some distractions at the house, and walked in the room with Jason at bat. I thought he must be pinch hitting for someone, then realized what Fredi had done……….
So if you want to bring him in for defensive reasons fine….but pinch hit him over Diaz to do so?
So Fredi must not only think the closer Kimbrel can ONLY pitch in the 9th, but that to make a defensive change he MUST pinch hit the new player??????????????
That garbage last night is still tough to take Fredi…………..
COOPER
June 13th, 2012
12:47 pm
I am not so sure Fredi Gonzalez is going to make it as a winning Major League manager.Two losses in a week because Fredi decides to pull the starter too soon. The lost last night was all on Gonzalez. As a former pitcher while you are warming up you know if you have control of your bread and butter pitch and I can guarantee that Venters knew he was going to turn into a batting practice pitcher last night. Last nights lost was one of the top 5 losses a manager was responsible for in the last 5 years. Very poor coaching.
Kyle T
June 13th, 2012
12:55 pm
The only reason I will go to another game this year is to see Chipper play a final time or two. Besides that I agree that I wont go back until Freddy is fired or learns how to coach baseball.
Bobby Cox
June 13th, 2012
12:57 pm
Fredi is like a son to me. I taught him everything I know about the game. He uses Venters like I used Reitsma.
Gotta love him !
Skeezix
June 13th, 2012
1:05 pm
I was late getting home and when I turned the TV on Fredi was going to the mound to pull Minor. Needless to say I was thrilled to see Minor had pitched into the 8th against the Yankees and had a 4-0 lead— and Venters coming it to get us two outs. What an awful turn of events! I hope the Braves can get over this loss. I hope it motivates them and doesn’t lead them to despair.
KL
June 13th, 2012
1:06 pm
I’d like to see how many of you would’ve been outraged if Kimbrel had been brought in instead of Venters. “Why on earth would you bring the closer in the 8th inning with a 4 run lead??”
Rogie
June 13th, 2012
1:08 pm
My real beef with Fredi is that he had nobody up in the bullpen prior to ARod’s at bat. Sometimes relievers just don’t have it that night and you have to be ready. Venters faced 2 batters too many only because there wasn’t a reliever ready. And, yes, sometimes you use your closer to put out a fire in the 8th…he hadn’t pitched in several days. It might be the difference between a win and a loss.
Bill
June 13th, 2012
1:08 pm
Agree DA total BS….
Skeezix
June 13th, 2012
1:10 pm
I still don’t get the decision to put Medlen in Gwinnett to “stretch out” his arm. I haven’t heard an explanation that past the logic test. That decision has definitely put a crimp on Fredi’s bullpen options and may very well be costing us games.
Bill
June 13th, 2012
1:12 pm
KL to win the damn game stupid..you didn’t have anybody else worth a crap..where does it say the closer can’t get 5 outs. Even Sutton, Joe and crew agree.
Bobby Cox
June 13th, 2012
1:30 pm
I would have brought in Reitsma or Danny Kolb.
Big Yank
June 13th, 2012
1:30 pm
Is not Bobby Cox a Hall of Fame manager? And what did he do against the Yankees? And some think all the Braves have to do to beat the Yankees is to hire some great manager. Dream on.
LOL at the Braves
June 13th, 2012
1:39 pm
LOL!
Fredie stinks
June 13th, 2012
1:40 pm
I more than agree with all the FG bashers. The man is a waste of time and money. I have never seen anyone as inept as he is in his job, and still have a job. What is the Braves management thinking? A penny saved is not a penny earned. Why would people pay hard earned money to see this clown pull the Braves to the cellar? What a joke we are.
J.K.
June 13th, 2012
1:42 pm
When will Fredi become accountable? He is to blame for the loss last night. What manager is their right mind leaves in a closer who can’t find the strike zone, with bases loaded, and A-Rod up to bat?
TechRon
June 13th, 2012
1:50 pm
BTR is right. Fredi must go. I dont blame Venters. I blame the idiot that cannot see that he just does not have it. In that situation, you bring in a guy and tell him “you are here to get THIS guy” and if you don’t I am going to go to the next guy.” Then, you have two guys up throwing. You don’t sit there and do nothing while he throws it all over the place. Fredi did this last year in September was the same. He and everyone alive could see that Lowe had nothing and he kept throwing him out there and he kept right on getting pounded. We lost by ONE game and Fredi gave away about 8 of them in that month alone.
We have a pretty good team, it is just being mismanaged. Fredi must go, now. Please don’t wait.
Fredie stinks
June 13th, 2012
2:04 pm
If the Braves management wont give FG his walking papers, why doesn’t he resign and save all of us embarrassment? Anyone that watches a game can see the players have no respect for him and neither do the fans. Cut our losses, Fredi, and I bet there are a lot of people that will help you pack.
AlanFalcon
June 13th, 2012
2:08 pm
We’ve got one of two ways to go here, get rid of McDowell or scratch the entire pitching staff and come up with a new one, if not we are going to continues to see the same old thing !!!!!!!!!!!
Mark Bradley
June 13th, 2012
2:09 pm
Heyward did not pinch-hit for Diaz. Heyward entered the game in the top of the seventh as a defensive replacement. Check the play by play.
Lucas Sanders
June 13th, 2012
2:14 pm
Gonzalez does nothin to win games. He is a coach not a manager. He and Mr. GM need some accountablity for what they are doin. Im afraid there is just more of this to come. I understand budget restriction. Why is Livan on the roster? This is a no brainer. I will say again, unless some roster moves are made and a real manager is out into to place ther is more of this to come. I dont even really want the manager removed from the team but he needs to be in a different job with the team. Tuesday was a bad beat but letting Livan do waht he did sunday is unexcusable not by the player but the person who has him on the roster and the person who put him in.
Big Yank
June 13th, 2012
2:21 pm
Bobby Cox, Hall of Fame, vs the Yankees -1996/2010- from Baseball Almanac:
Regular season—10-12
World Series——–2–8
Total——————12-20 %37.5 wins And he had 3 Hall of Fame starters for many years
Record vs everyone else: 658-476 58% wins
Why the difference? Vs superior talent, same as now, except Fredi has much less.
David S
June 13th, 2012
2:29 pm
THE MANAGER STINKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Fredie stinks
June 13th, 2012
2:31 pm
David S….THE MANAGER STINKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
and thats about his only good point
David S
June 13th, 2012
2:32 pm
we as BRAVES FANS are in deep DOO DOO!!!!!! with this manager………. please fire the pitching coach… he’s sucks too!!!!!!!!!!! at least the boys r hitting better than they did last year………… worst managing of any regular season game I’ve ever attended in person in my 38 years of lard!!!!!!!! FIRED THE MANAGER FRED FAT BUTT GONZALES
David S
June 13th, 2012
2:34 pm
MEANT TO SAY FIRE THE MANAGER FRED THE FAT BUTT GONZALES…. Im tired from the ride home to south ga after that horse crap coaching…. GO BRAVES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Lucas Sanders
June 13th, 2012
2:45 pm
Chipper could player manage the rest of the season. He is the life blood of a pretty good squad that has a chance to win alot of games and with hanson beachy hudson actually has a chance not only to make the playoffs but win playoff games. How does a manger have a september like last year and still have his job? What happened to the red sox manager from last years team who even has won a world series ring?
that was horrible
June 13th, 2012
2:45 pm
Gonzalez butchered the 8th inning. I don’t have a problem with him taking Minor out and putting Venters in but I have a huge problem with him leaving Venters out there when he obviously didn’t have it. On top of that he brings in that kid in that big situation, let’s him lose the game, and then keeps him out there after it’s obvious that he can’t throw strikes which almost resulted in yet another run (the runner was left at third after a wild pitch).
Pete
June 13th, 2012
2:47 pm
Whenever the Yankees play the Braves the Braves exhibit just how “bush league” they appear in comparison.
The contrast is huge !!
ESims
June 13th, 2012
2:48 pm
I don’t know what’s worse – the pathetic managing or the Atlanta media (including the broadcasters) being afraid to criticize it.
TomB
June 13th, 2012
2:55 pm
Any criticism by the media regarding the game last night should be addressed at Freddi’s failure to have backups warming up in the bullpen when Venters was pitching the eighth. This mistake forced the Braves hand, and Venters( a lefty) had to pitch to A-Rod. Redo the tape and you will see the Braves scrambling two arms to the bullpen after Venters got into trouble.
Hillbilly D
June 13th, 2012
2:56 pm
I’m not a Braves fan and call me old-fashioned but NL standings shouldn’t be effected by games against AL teams.
David S
June 13th, 2012
3:08 pm
Hey Pete… let me guess… you’re an Oregon Duck fan too…. you front running pig………… this was nothing but coaching………. the end
LakeDawg
June 13th, 2012
3:19 pm
Gawd, the Braves suck. Ain’t gonna change either. No matter how much lipstick you put on that hawg.
Old Dog
June 13th, 2012
3:27 pm
“No guts Bradley” taking up for his cousin again.
DawgNole
June 13th, 2012
3:29 pm
crackbaby
June 13th, 2012
8:20 am
The Braves are 34-28. Six games above .500 even after losing 3 straight. If they would have won last night, they would have the same number of wins as the Yankees.
____________________
Yeah, and IF the Braves would have won ALL their games this season–instead of only last night’s–they’d be 62-0 (even better than the Yankees). And IF “crackbaby” had any sense, he’d quit whining about what might’ve been.
“crackbaby.” A pretty appropriate handle.
DawgNole
June 13th, 2012
3:42 pm
JAC
June 13th, 2012
9:30 am
Many more more managing jobs like this and we may soon have ex-manager Gonzalez!!!.
______________________
Don’t hold your breath. It won’t be “soon” for sure. When has an ATL pro team ever moved to address problems in a timely manner?
The Vent
June 13th, 2012
3:54 pm
I blame last nights loss on Fredi Gonzalez.When he saw that Venters couldn’t get the ball in the strike zone unless it was a fat pitch,he should have pulled him after the first 2 batters.Venters probably has no more than 10 good outings this year and last night he stunk the joint up!
Dorothy Daivs
June 13th, 2012
4:01 pm
I am stunned that so many bloggers are no smarter than Gonzoles and to make a staement that they saw nothing wrong with taking Minor out and putting in Venters in a must win game, as all games are if you are not stupid, just blew me away. I expected to hear the call for Gonzales’s head and it appears there is no cure for stupidity instead. Are there any fans out there that have a clue about how to use a bull pen? The Yankees licked their lips, as they could not believe they were going to be handed the game on a platter. Do any of you watch the late innings anymore and if you do, have you not learned anything about the bull pen pitchers? And to put in Gearrin in that game was just heartless. Is Gonzales trying to destroy one of the best young pitchers ever to be called up? Because that is probably what happened. Hopefully if the head office cares about that young pitcher, they will send him somewhere where a manager has some smarts. Amen
Brave-less
June 13th, 2012
4:11 pm
“But there was good to be taken from this loss”
sure there was, if they again miss the playoffs by a game the team they didn’t overtake will be able to look at their list and say, “We can also thank the Braves for their June 12th game, they were leading going into the 8th and still managed to lose”
Hillbilly D
June 13th, 2012
4:15 pm
There’s no such thing as a “must win game” in the middle of June. This is baseball.
Dave O'Brien
June 13th, 2012
4:36 pm
Who wants to see pictures of my most recent buddy motorcycle ride with my pal Fredi?
Old Dog
June 13th, 2012
5:21 pm
It’s a tough life Fredi. It’s even tougher when you’re stupid.
CC Almond
June 13th, 2012
5:25 pm
The game last evening was one of the worst managed games I have ever watched. The game was on the line when Jeters reached on a base hit in the eighth inning. Kimbrel should have been brought in to put out the fire. The Braves could have ended the inning up 4-0 and then brought in Venters. The worst case could have been Venters walk ARod and the score is 4-1. “Freddie is a Deer In The Headlights” manager. He never has a conversation with his coaches or better players in a game. He has no emotion during a game. Does he think he is so intelligent that he need to suggestion from the
coaching staff or players. I am not a Terry Pendleton fan, however he does know a little about baseball. The other coaches are not dumb. Mark Bradley, AJC writer does not ask hard question.
If you, Mark do not want to be a Braves management thorn in the side, at least write a article and pose hypothetical question to the Team Manager and GM. Give them FOOD FOR THOUGHT!
Harpie
June 13th, 2012
5:34 pm
Fredi SUCKS!
Bob
June 13th, 2012
5:43 pm
Two absolutes of baseball…the Braves give up too many HRs and Fredi is not a major league manager. Liberty Media won’t do anything as long as the Braves are guaranteed a profit before the first game is ever played…good ole TV money.
dawg4u
June 13th, 2012
5:49 pm
Sometimes I wonder if Liberty Media even cares about who’s managing the Braves and many probably couldn’t even tell you his name if asked. Absentee ownership is a recipe for failure IMO.
Jim Kirby
June 13th, 2012
5:50 pm
The Braves will never be a contender with Fredi at the helm. He has the deer in the headlight management style–cannot manage the bull[en same issue he had in Miami.
Bob
June 13th, 2012
5:52 pm
Fredi’s teams have always had a history of long losing streaks…he can’t manage, but he’s cheap.
Al
June 13th, 2012
5:55 pm
Thanks MB for letting the uninformed know Heyward didn’t pinch hit for Diaz. I wonder
why blog about something that didn’t occur.
True Falcon Fan
June 13th, 2012
5:59 pm
For those that are wondering whether Freddie or Fredie however you like the spelling. This field manager does not have the gonads to walk a run in only (1) run with bases full, (instead he gives up GS to of all players A-Rod) Dhead of the MLB and number 23 i might add to measure matching Lou Garrits record. “IF” Freddie had that forward thinking and then bring in Kimbrel clean-up the game. So now what is it close to 60 games into the season, by performing an act to show this team you know how to win games when you need to prove a point to your “TEAM” – folks Feddie is “DONE”!!!! He couldn’t manage a girls allstar softball team! The Brave players have figured this guy out already “They Know” for sure.
Hey Frank & Freddie – as Jerry Glanville put it you two are NFL soon!!!!
Go Falcons!!!
Sonny Clusters
June 13th, 2012
5:59 pm
Let’s see . . . another loss and the Braves will have a streak going. Would you call them a streaky team? We was wondering if Fredi had anything to do with Constanza being sent down? It sure looks like they were playing good ball with a lineup that included 2 leadoff batters back-to-back. Of course, plugging Chipper back in at 3B weakened the defense and ended the Constanza/Bourn tandem. We read on here he’s HOF material and we’re all for it. Let’s get him started with the HOF and get Prado back on third where they have their best chance to win.
Sonny Clusters
June 13th, 2012
6:07 pm
We seem to get under the skin of a little fella that blogs here and doesn’t like us saying anything bad about Chipper. Well, that’s too bad. We’ve never seen anybody with such tender feelings for a ballplayer but who are we to judge? We guess it may be because Chipper is also a tender person with tender quads and tender legs and tender feet and tender knees, and thumbs, and ankles, and the occasional flu-like symptom when they are facing Halladay or Lincecum or somebody that throws like them.
True Falcon Fan
June 13th, 2012
6:10 pm
The first streak was 4, then 8, so does this mean 16 is on the way in the works???? “Maybe” stay toned
With field managing like we are watching the probability is “VERY HIGH”!!!!
Brandon Lee
June 13th, 2012
6:13 pm
Yes indeed, Mike Minors Should have been ; Would have been left in (by a Real Manager), like somebody said, Jeter hits a worm-finder grounder that gets through, and FG pulls him out.. Minor had Pitched Excellent ; NO REASON to pull him at that point , NO WAY… P___ Poor Mangerial Bumbling Cost us Another Game.
donte080
June 13th, 2012
6:20 pm
Minor’s longest stint of season….ever consider he was pulled because he doesn’t have the stamina to go longer than 7? There’s more to consider in whether or not to leave a young pitcher in a game than just the fact he had pitched well up to that point….
Stinger 2
June 13th, 2012
6:20 pm
Clusters: Yes its me that you say has tender feelings about Chipper. That is not the point. You annoy me because you never say anything of worth other than the same old words bashing CJ. If he is your favorite whipping boy, find something new to be negative about.
Dubvee
June 13th, 2012
6:26 pm
OK. Thanks, Mark.
dawg4u
June 13th, 2012
7:27 pm
Every time the Braves lose to the Yanks it brings back memories of Jim Leyritz and that awful October 1996 WS game. The only worse memory for me as an Atlanta sports fan was the Falcon loss to the Cowboys in January of 1981. The shining star was the WS win in ‘95 but that trophy is starting to get a little rusty. It’s amazing for me how the major losses are still so fresh on the memory but our greatest feat in winning the WS is starting to fade from my recall button. Just keep being a fan of the teams and keep rooting them on but realization is to not dwell on any major wins or losses. It’s great to be a fan but as someone once said of a big loss – “there’s several billion people in this world who could care less. Well put but the lesson is to keep things in the proper perspective.
dawg4u
June 13th, 2012
7:30 pm
Filter factory alive and well!
Gerry Whiteman
June 13th, 2012
7:31 pm
Anybody but the Yankees. …
Sonny Clusters
June 13th, 2012
7:36 pm
Tender hearted one . . . sticks and stones can break our bones but your dribble will never hurt us. Have a nice evening watching your boy.
Sonny Clusters
June 13th, 2012
7:37 pm
Well, Fredi says he wouldn’t do anything different in the 8th inning last night and that is why he is unfit to manage this team.
DawgNole
June 13th, 2012
9:06 pm
Lucas Sanders
June 13th, 2012
2:45 pm
How does a manger have a september like last year and still have his job? What happened to the red sox manager from last years team who even has won a world series ring?
_____________________
That’s a good example of one of the many differences between a championship city and Losersville.
Felix
June 13th, 2012
9:47 pm
After the game, the Yankees should thank the plate umpire.
Bill
June 13th, 2012
10:02 pm
I wish we had that X Red Sox manager…
Bill
June 13th, 2012
10:14 pm
Here comes Fredi in 8th…2 outs 2 on…lets see what the almighty one will do..going to the pen..the 7.15 era venter..holy cow..lighting in a bottle.
Bill
June 13th, 2012
10:17 pm
Give Venter credit he got his man..
Bill
June 13th, 2012
10:18 pm
Everyone has quit on Braves so I’ll leave too..Goodnight
Bill
June 13th, 2012
10:21 pm
The Braves have a Diamond with Simmons…ok lets win this game.
ATLissoft
June 13th, 2012
11:24 pm
wow, thought FG was second coming of laRussa. That;s what the idiots on the tv and radio (fan) say. Especially that dumbazzzz leo