A year after an epic collapse, the Braves offer an epic clinch
A night of deliverance, as delivered by that man Freddie. (AP photo by David Goldman)
They were characterized as choking dogs a year ago and, truth being the ultimate defense, they had no cause to sue for libel. They’d gone 9-18 in September and wasted an 8 1/2-game lead, finally losing the wild card in the 13th inning of the 162nd game. In the bitter days that followed, some among us wondered if this team could ever recover from a collapse so egregious.
Three hundred sixty-three days later, we got our answer. Yes, it could. Yes, it has.
The man who made the final out — the final two outs, having hit into a 3-6-3 double play — of September 2011 hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the ninth to put the 2012 Atlanta Braves in the playoffs. “Probably the coolest thing ever,” Freddie Freeman said of his climactic blast to dead center field, and nobody felt moved to dispute the point.
Champagne flew afterward in the Braves’ clubhouse, and if you’re saying, “Champagne for a wild card?” … well, you’re a raging killjoy and you’re hereby dismissed from class. Because we just saw, in this redemptive season and on this clinching night, a team that refused to yield to the doubts and fears spawned by September 2011.
“Last year we were a great team that had a bad month,” said Brian McCann, a beer in his hand and a Postseason 2012 cap on his noggin. “But we kept the core together and we kept believing.”
Said the great Chipper Jones, rarely greater (one huge hit, two runs scored, one driven in) than on the first night of his final homestand: “This is huge. There’s a lot of vindication, a lot of relief.”
Well, yes. As Tom Verducci of SI.com has noted, teams that fall apart so completely at the end of one season tend not to fare well the next year. Of the nine previous authors of collapses Verducci defined as epic , not one made the next year’s playoffs. (And the 2011 Red Sox, the Braves’ partner in fizzle, won’t do it, either.) This one just did, and it did it in grand style.
The setting seemed ripe for clinching. Kris Medlen was starting, and the Braves hadn’t lost a Medlen start since May 23, 2010. The opponent was Miami, which gave up on the season a while back and is now sitting around deciding whom to fire. Give the Marlins credit, though. On this night they looked like a real team.
Nathan Eovaldi, who entered with a 4-12 record and a 4.36 ERA, essentially matched the lately untouchable Medlen, and the rookie second baseman Donovan Solano hit his first career home run to hand the Fish an early lead. Then he hit his second career home run to give them a late lead. And then it was the bottom of the ninth and the Braves entered having had one hit since the third, and then …well, let’s let Frank Wren tell it:
“Chipper came up and got the double, and then Freddie was trying to do his job and get him in [from third, where Jones had advanced on a Mike Dunn wild pitch], and he hit it out.”
On this night of celebration, let’s spare a thought for Wren, the general manager who refused to destroy what he regarded as a good team after its epic collapse. (Contrast this with the Red Sox’s kneejerk behavior, which has resulted in a full season of wretchedness.) As the champagne splashed around him, Wren was asked if he felt vindicated.
“This team is very resilient, very driven,” Wren said. “We saw the culmination of that tonight … This speaks to the quality and character of the guys on this team.”
Translated, that was a proud GM’s way of saying yes. And Wren also said something else: “They’re not done.”
We know these Braves will play beyond the 162nd game. Perhaps it will be for only a day — that infernal play-in looms — but even if it is, just getting beyond the regular season is a major accomplishment for a team that failed in such a major way the last time around.
“These guys have played their hearts out all year long,” Wren said, and in their clinching moment there was on display all the heart and skill anyone could want. After losses, manager Fredi Gonzalez is fond of saying you have to tip your hat to the winning side. Here’s where we, meaning all of us, should tip our hats to Gonzalez and Wren and the team they held together. Here’s we give three cheers for these rather remarkable Braves.
By Mark Bradley
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133 comments Add your comment
GT Trumpet
September 25th, 2012
10:26 pm
Go Bravos!!! (First!)
Mark Bradley
September 25th, 2012
10:28 pm
Kudos, GTT.
GT Trumpet
September 25th, 2012
10:32 pm
Have I really been around long enough for a nickname?
Jon
September 25th, 2012
10:33 pm
I’m celebrating in Orlando. Get it, Braves!!!
ACE
September 25th, 2012
10:33 pm
Kudos to you Mark for a great gamer on this winning night.
Mark Bradley
September 25th, 2012
10:36 pm
Probably not. But I’m pressed for time. Hope you understand.
JWOOD
September 25th, 2012
10:36 pm
Gotta win the play-in game. Gotta win it.
ATL Jacket
September 25th, 2012
10:36 pm
Still plenty to play for in the regular season.
1. Ensure home field for the wild-card playoff game. We’re 6 games ahead of the Cards with 8 to go.
2. Try to catch the Nats. It might just be me, but I sense the Nats imploding, and have been imploding for sometime now.
Go Bravos!
Mark Bradley
September 25th, 2012
10:37 pm
Thanks, ACE.
JWOOD
September 25th, 2012
10:37 pm
Also, didn’t we hurt Dunn last time he was put in late against us? Why did Guillen go that route again?
Bob Didier
September 25th, 2012
10:39 pm
Curtis Compton, great photo of Chipper. That’s a classic……………
T-Town Dawg
September 25th, 2012
10:41 pm
Great game. Congrats Bravo’s! I don’t think Cishek was the pitcher though.
phil
September 25th, 2012
10:41 pm
ACE lives!
Good piece, Bradley! A great night.
AppKerri
September 25th, 2012
10:42 pm
Three cheers & three more beers!! Go Braves!!
Mark Bradley
September 25th, 2012
10:42 pm
No. It was Dunn. In my haste I typed the wrong name. Stupid of me.
phil
September 25th, 2012
10:43 pm
ACE lives…..
ACE
September 25th, 2012
10:45 pm
Hello Phil, Yea been here all night.
GT Trumpet
September 25th, 2012
10:45 pm
I understand. Glad you were on hand for the clinch! I hope you didn’t get too covered in champagne!
ACE
September 25th, 2012
10:47 pm
enjoyed a good night of blogging
Mark Bradley
September 25th, 2012
10:47 pm
Got a few drops on me. Nothing serious. Thanks for the concern.
September Baseball
September 25th, 2012
10:48 pm
“but I sense the Nats imploding, and have been imploding for sometime now”
for the Braves to catch/pass the Nationals the Nats would probably have to lose these last 3 series and for a team that hasn’t even lost back to back series on the year, it seems improbable (won’t say impossible but does seem improbable). They can lose this series with the Phillies but if they’re planning on doing something they haven’t done all year, it would start in the weekend series against the Cardinals
ACE
September 25th, 2012
10:49 pm
Soak it up, soak it up. A lot of other clubs wish they could be doing the same thing. Think the pirates for one. I guess you could call the Pirates season a moral victory.
Hank
September 25th, 2012
10:50 pm
Was at the game. Stadium may have been half full, but it was a good vibe. On the way out I bought my wild card game tix (just in case we don’t catch the Nats). We better fill up Turner Field October 5!!!!
Hank
September 25th, 2012
10:51 pm
Very proud of the Braves this year though. They’ve been battling all year and deserve the playoffs!!
ACE
September 25th, 2012
10:53 pm
enjoyed the live blogging with Bradley.
MontyP
September 25th, 2012
10:53 pm
Game for the ages! Thank God last nights NFL referees weren’t the umpires tonight. They would have called Freddie’s homerun an out.
sg10
September 25th, 2012
10:53 pm
If Phillies sweep the Nats – and they will want nothing less to redeem themselves – and the Bravos sweep the Fish, we could be only 2 games back with 6 to play! Could that happen, will that happen? Let’s hope.. Phillies did that on the Mets in 2007 and 2008 so, it could happen..Let’s hope for some excitement down the stretch..being on the other side of collapse could be sweet redemption…
BaseballTopFan
September 25th, 2012
10:55 pm
Great job Mark !!!
What a difference a year makes.
We believe that last year’s collapse made the Braves a stronger team.
Looking forward to the AJC post season baseball coverage.
BaseballTopFan@Yahoo.com
ATL Jacket
September 25th, 2012
10:56 pm
Also remember that the Nats close with a home series against the Phillies. And they play 3 games in St. Louis between the two Phillies’ series. So, it could happen.
Chris
September 25th, 2012
10:57 pm
How do you play a season of 162 games…beat the team behind you in the wild card race by several games….then play ONE game to decide if you’re allowed to move on. Ridiculous.
Mark Bradley
September 25th, 2012
10:57 pm
It could happen. Probably won’t. But could.
puff
September 25th, 2012
10:59 pm
Good vibe. Great momentum win. Plus Nats lose, gap down to 4, they’re in a bit of a skid. Long shot but not impossible. May Bourn soon return healed and ready to go on a month-long tear.
ATL Jacket
September 25th, 2012
11:04 pm
Chris,
According to the first point in this section of the wikipedia page: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wild_Card_Showdown#Purpose
“The addition of a single-game elimination creates a 50% chance that each team will be eliminated, adding incentive to win the division instead of settling for the wild card berth.”
gy6
September 25th, 2012
11:07 pm
Congratulations on a 163 game season.
Mark Bradley
September 25th, 2012
11:07 pm
Headed home. Been a long but memorable day. Thanks for hanging with me.
Growler
September 25th, 2012
11:14 pm
Well remember: this is stil a team with a very inconsistent offense. Medlen may have to pitch better than tonight to carry them into the Divsion Series. Too bad they couldn’t have pulled out a few more games down the stretch. (Still wincing at Fredi’s decision to leave in Gearrin in the game they lost in Miami last Tuesday [something never mentioned outside of blog comments]). But we’ll hope for the best October 5. The Cardinals had THEIR storybook ending LAST year.
Wrecker
September 25th, 2012
11:16 pm
gy6: You seem pretty confident that it will end at 163. Me, not so much. 5-1 against St. Louis this year.
Growler
September 25th, 2012
11:16 pm
Better to shoot for Nats and maybe face an ADDITIONAL one-game playoff for the division, or rest starters and get Medlen ready??
Buzz2011
September 25th, 2012
11:17 pm
The Braves ride the bats of McCane and ( 225) and Uggs ( 215) to playoffs.
Uggs is worth every bit of that $60 million contract. I mean $6 million, I mean $600,000,
I mean $60,000 ….Galling as Bradley would say… Galling!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
BravesfaninAugusta
September 25th, 2012
11:26 pm
This team is a lot of fun to watch and it is obvious they are having fun too.,,, we are lucky to have them as our team.
Dum-Bass
September 25th, 2012
11:36 pm
We are “lucky” to have the Braves, but unlucky to have FG as the manager. With another MGR this team could easily be tied right now for the division lead. He is himself totally responsible for a minimum of 5-6 losses this year. AND some are talking about him as manager of the year? Makes me almost throw up. How can some people be so naive?
Chop Chop
September 25th, 2012
11:37 pm
Every season is different, Mark. I expected the Braves to make the postseason this year. I expected them to make it last year. Why? The team has been pretty good when compared to the rest of the NL. The team has plenty of talent. Whether it wins anything big or not is something else entirely, but a man would have to be blind to doubt the Braves’ ability to win most of their games and contend for playoff spots.
Greg
September 25th, 2012
11:37 pm
The Braves are resilient this year. The loss of Beachy was a major blow. Medlen, Beachy, Minor, Hudson and Maholm(or Delgado) looks like a great rotation going forward.
Big Crimson 75
September 25th, 2012
11:40 pm
I like this Squad!!
Go Braves
Csonka
September 25th, 2012
11:41 pm
I haven’t seen a hit that dramatic in these parts since Sonny Clusters went yard back in the day.
Andrew
September 25th, 2012
11:44 pm
Wow, I’m so excited about getting into a 1-game “playoff.” This two-team wild card needs to go the way of the do-do.
Keith
September 25th, 2012
11:46 pm
Mark,
Despite your articulate ability to write about how remarkable this September CLINCH has been, there will be some that focus on the negative. How miserable their lives must be.
GO BRAVES!
Keith
September 25th, 2012
11:48 pm
And Fredi has done a pretty decent job as a follow-up to the collapse last year. He has managed egos and not “stood pat” with things as they were. He’s improved in his managing this year!
Keith
September 25th, 2012
11:51 pm
Re: Csonka
You must have missed Chipper’s 3-run shot in the 9th vs the PHillies in a 5-run 9th just a few weeks ago!
GO BRAVES!
Spud
September 25th, 2012
11:56 pm
The East ain’t over yet! The Expos have never won a division crown. This could be one of those snake bit things, where fate kicks in and history repeats itself.
Looking at the remaining games, the Expos play Phil’s, Card’s, and Phil’s. Braves have Mutts and Pirates after the Fish leave. Fate is the 800 pound gorilla in the Expos’ dugout.
Delbert D.
September 26th, 2012
12:02 am
This 1 game play-in thing to be the wildcard team. 1 game do or die is a tough one, but I really have never liked wildcard teams on equal footing with division winners. I guess I would prefer 2 of 3. Anyway, the Cards will have clinched the other spot, so I imagine it will be Lohse-Medlen. The Cards have all of those big hitters, but it looks like a lot has to do with their park.
rlinaug
September 26th, 2012
12:21 am
I’m so happy of the Braves, proud to have followed Chipper’s career since day one, and hope to have as much fun watching Heyward, Freeman, Simmons, Medlen, Kimbrel, Prado as I have had watching number 10.
Now, if the Braves fail to catch the Nationals, they will likely play the Cardinals in that play in game, and the play in game is so unfair. Medlen will pitch for the Braves while Wainwright or Carpenter is likely for the Cards…. Regardless of the outcome, the winner will head into a five game series versus the Nats with its best pitcher unavailable until game 4. The series could be decided by then. It’s a joke.
Vic Mackey
September 26th, 2012
12:47 am
Frank Wren does not deserve “credit” for the Braves turnaround this season. The Braves got extremely LUCKY with Medlen’s emergence. If Braves management had their way, Medlen would still be fulfilling the mysterously important “long relief bullpen” role (at the end of Spring Training, Braves management said that Medlen was needed in the long relief role).
Yet even after Randal Delgado stunk up the place (the Braves were 5-12 in his starts), even after Julio Teheran stunk up the place in his only start (the Braves lost that one), even after Jair Jurrjens got ripped after returning from the Minors (his only good start was his first one against the Red Sox)…..it wasnt until Tommy Hanson had to go on the DL……until Medlen finally got his shot.
People said that Medlen came from nowhere. Please! The Braves had won Medlen’s previous 11 starts BEFORE he hurt his arm. He pitched a few innings at the end of 2011……had all winter to build up arm strength.
If Medlen had be in the rotation at the beginning of the season….we’d be in first place right now…and the Nationals would be battling the Cardinals in the one game playoff.
Bad luck (really good luck for us..because it forced the Braves to finally start Medlen) with injuries…forced the Braves hand and gave Medlen a chance to dominate.
Instead of going 11-0 in Medlen’s 11 starts since July 31st (the Braves have gone 21-21 in the non-Medlen started games since July 31st)…..I feel that it is reasonable to believe that we could have very well gone 3-8 or 4-7 (the Braves record in Delgado’s starts was 5-12)…meaning that we’d be tied battling it out with Milwaukee, Philly and the Dodgers for that last playoff spot.
The reality is that Braves management got lucky…DESPITE ITSELF.
Rowsdower
September 26th, 2012
4:00 am
You really don’t think the Braves made the right move by holding Medlen back knowing that he would be on an innings count? The only way management got lucky was that Medlen was better than any of us could possibly imagine. He’s an absolute beast and you should be happy that he’s still available for the postseason while Strausburg is shut down..
Stinger 2
September 26th, 2012
4:51 am
Braves fans who have been positive all year despite some losses thay really hurt
should stand up and be given the kudos they deserve. Those fans (?) who continiously ranted and complained should lead the cheers. All the Fredi, Chipper,Uggla bashers should apologize and be thankful they have a team that has come back from a very disappointing season to have a good one. Those fans (?)
who try to be funny and make jokes about the players, Fredi and Wren should feel especially contrite and offer extra kudos.
dean
September 26th, 2012
5:35 am
Congratulations Braves! Good luck the rest of the way.
JS
September 26th, 2012
6:06 am
Great column, Mr. Bradley, and great year. Go Braves!
LOL
September 26th, 2012
6:14 am
Too big of a celebration too soon. They;ll be done in the first round.
Berry Berry Good
September 26th, 2012
6:25 am
Dont forget about the Replacement Umpires – they called a good game tonight. Oh, wait…..
Wrecker
September 26th, 2012
6:48 am
I know LOL, right? Teams that play loose and confidently always are done in the first round.
longtimefan
September 26th, 2012
7:03 am
The Reality and the Truth are that the Braves are tied for the third best record in baseball beginning the season with the 16th highest payroll. I’d say that puts FG in the running for Manager of the Year despite what some stubborn hating bloggers continue to post. To state that the Braves “should have won” x # of games more than they did is ludicrous. You can point to ANY manager or coach in any sport over the course of a season and say in hindsight that “if they had done such and such we would have won that game”. You bloggers coaching from your armchairs with a retrospectroscope should try making the right call on the fly, in the heat of battle and get it right every single time. NOT. And for the dude above ranting about FW and not having Medlen in the starting rotation from day one-haw many times does this have to be explained? Do a little homework before you spout off. Medlen was coming off TJ surgery. He has barely pitched more than 100 innings in any professional season(minors or majors). If he had been in the starting rotation all year his innings total would likely now exceed 200. No competent GM, manager or physician is going to allow this(see Strasberg). So actually Frank Wren should get accolades for his handling of Medlen as he is now able to pitch the entire post season. FW should also get kudos for assembling this team-thru the draft and free agency. It also is interesting to see many of the negative “fans” missing from the blog over the past few weeks as the Braves are playing great ball. MY take?-not really Braves fans; just like to moan and groan about something or see their name. What ever happened to all the “Fire FW and FG” experts? Hard to fire management in the running for post season awards.
Wrecker
September 26th, 2012
7:18 am
Longtimefan, you are completely right, but the critrics will still pick at every tiny mistake. I am not a blindly loyal fan, but you cannot be considered a fan when you never have anything positive to say. Twenty-nine teams fail to win a championship every year. Measuring your team’s worth in terms of championships alone will leave you bitter and unsatisfied. The Braves’ season has been fantastic, despite some downturns and poor personal performances. Anyone who pretends otherwise is sad.
sabra
September 26th, 2012
7:34 am
Pizz on the wild card …lets get the Division crown.
Good Luck always Braves!!
Laughing out Loud
September 26th, 2012
7:42 am
“How can some people be so naive?” The same way some people can be such “Dum-Basses.” Fredi didn’t play one game, he managed and did it outstandingly. He should be Manager of the Year, Dum-Bass.
Laughing out Loud
September 26th, 2012
7:48 am
Haters go suck your lemon! Braves are just fine! It’s baseball. They are fun to watch and both management and players have given there all and have been paid well for it! They are enjoying the fruit of their labors and rightly so for however long it lasts. Go Braves allllllllllllllllll the way to the top! Let the darkhorse win the division and the series. Miracles do happen! Go Braves!
Louie
September 26th, 2012
8:07 am
If they win the Wild Card game and face the Nationals it should be an even match-up since neither team will have their best pitcher available.
BTW, who is that Vic Mackey troll? Dude, Medlen has an innings cap just like Strasburg did. The Braves just held his innings down early so he could finish the year. The team made that clear on the caravan tour last winter. Get out much?
HUH?????
September 26th, 2012
8:18 am
I watched ESPN this morning and the first story was about the Braves. ESPN dorks couldn’t stop talking about last year as if that had anything to do with this year. What separates this year from last is players being healthy, hitting and playing like a team. This Braves team can win it all simply because they are just as hot as any of the other teams out there. It’s great to see the Phillies fall apart and I really do hope the Nats get swept.
HUH?????
September 26th, 2012
8:19 am
“They;ll be done in the first round.”
Doubt that. This team can take on ANY team in the NL.
Larry
September 26th, 2012
8:23 am
I’m man enough to get on here as I have certainly been one of the more vocal participants at hammering Fredi Gonzalez.
I stand by my assertions that he is a nice guy, would probably be a good friend and neighbor, but an absolute dolt when it comes to in-game, strategic management and line-up that has cost this talented team several games this season and likely a division title. While true a baseball manager doesn’t play the game and has far less impact than, say, an NFL or College Head Coach (see the New Orleans Saints or Arkansas Razorbacks this season), they do impact a few games during the course of a season but their greatest value comes in short series, do or die, postseason management…and Bobby Cox, Fredi’s mentor, was the worst ever at this. We’ll learn soon about Fredi Gonzalez.
Regardless, I’ll put aside my personal feelings and opinions now and congratulate my team I have followed since AM Transistor Radios. I am excited an anyone for them and let’s all hope that Chipper and Prado will keep on doing what they’re doing and that Freddie, Brian, Jayson, Michael and Dan can most or all get hot during the balance of September and throughout October.
And as I have recommended on other occasions to those who are talented and hardworking but feel their manager, supervisor or owner may be difficult to deal with, overly micro-managing, or holding them back…sometimes in life you have to manage your manager!
Go Braves!
Maxwell the chihuahua hunter
September 26th, 2012
8:25 am
yall know the end of this story…Braves knocked out early, Falcons play poorly in first playoff game and gone, UGA loses a couple they shouldn’t, then lose the bowl game against an inferior opponent…the circle of life in Georgia sports.
Larry
September 26th, 2012
8:26 am
*line-up logic
Maxwell the chihuahua hunter
September 26th, 2012
8:27 am
Vic Mackey is/was one of the greatest characters in TV history…Bring back the Shield!
JROLL1
September 26th, 2012
8:29 am
CONGRATS BOYZ! GREAT, GREAT WIN!
A year after an epic collapse, the Braves offer an epic clinch | Y'all Sports
September 26th, 2012
8:30 am
[...] read more: blogs.ajc.com [...]
goski99
September 26th, 2012
8:31 am
I grew up in StL, I am a HUGE Cards fan. I’m pulling for the Braves to make a deep run (even at the expense of my boys). We had our run last year and I hope the Braves have theirs this year. GOOD LUCK, BRAVES!
goski99
September 26th, 2012
8:35 am
Actually, Lohse is set up to pitch the play in game for StL. He has, hands down, been their best starter this year.
Larry
September 26th, 2012
8:35 am
Maxwell the chihuahua hunter,
That a negative, pessimistic, loser mentatilty…I’m grateful I don’t live with, by, or emply you!
Even though I doubt Fredi Gonzalez I hope the Braves win the world series and he is a vital reason they do.
Even though the Falcons have lost three playoff games I understand the were beaton by three hot teams come postseason, all three of whom went to the Super Bowl, two winning it and the other should have.
Even though UGA has underperformed a few times just two years ago they started the season 0-4 and with a new year anything is possible. Who prior to the season predicted the Buldogs would go undefeated in 1980, the Braves would reach the world series in 1991, the Auburn Tigers would g undefeated in 2010? No one!
Grow up, quit your whining, bitch.ing and moaning or take your negativity elsewhere!
Banned Poster
September 26th, 2012
8:37 am
Great win last night and woo hoo on the clinch. I really think this team can win in the post season with it’s use of speed at the top and lights out pitching in the back of the bullpen. I feel much better than this time last year. I still want the NL East, but even with winning the play in game, the Braves will still likely face Washington in the NLDS with the first two games in Atlanta. After that sweep two weekends ago, I like the Braves chances.
As for Fredi G. I have been very critical of him all season and last season. However, he does deserve some credit. He changed up a bit this season with how he managed the bullpen. It didn’t hurt that Medlen was a reliever and Chad Durbin became that middle reliever that the Braves have been missing for several seasons now, but all in all, Fredi changed his approach to the bullpen and it’s paid off. Another aspect is you don’t see him sticking with the same failed lineups over and over like he did last September. He has played Johnson, Constanza, and at times, used Prado at 2nd and SS, just to keep him in the lineup and take out someone who was hurting the team (Uggla). Leveling off on the stubborness has allowed the team to play better this September and score a few more runs while having a better pitching staff up and down. All in all, while this team did lose a few winnable games this year because of his on the spot decision making, Fredi does deserve a good deal of credit for keeping them loose and focused. Oh, and for you Red Sox fans out there….your year might have been the same had you not become irrational and fired a good manager and let the inmates run the asylum. Plus it doesn’t hurt having a veteran leader like Chipper Jones in the clubhouse. That is the biggest difference between the two choking clubs from last September.
Tami
September 26th, 2012
8:37 am
Still teary-eyed and grinning ear-to-ear 11-1/2 hours later. Congrats to our Braves on getting that playoff slot. Now….the NL East division title is still within realistic sights and achievable. Regain the focus needed for tonight’s game….and, GO, BRAVOS!!!!
Maxwell the chihuahua hunter
September 26th, 2012
8:48 am
Hey Larry…shut your piehole boy…you are pizzed because what I said was historically correct…get over your pixie dust overdose and face facts…
ramblingbuzz
September 26th, 2012
8:56 am
Gotta admit, I was critical of the team and Wren after the first 2 weeks of the season. But I was totally wrong; they hung in there all year, refusing to go away. Hope they bring that same never-say-die attitude to the WC game. Congrats Braves!!!!
MitchC
September 26th, 2012
9:12 am
Congrats to the Braves. It’s nice to see them play beyond number 162. In my mind, though, we will really be in the playoffs if we win Game 163. As I’ve stated before, I detest this play in game. My belief is that the two wild cards should play a three game series, at the home field of the wild card with the best record, and then that series should determine the wild card team that goes further.
Hopefully the Braves will win the dreaded play in game, and then it can start to feel like a normal postseason.
Don
September 26th, 2012
9:15 am
Why do players who the Braves trade for/sign keep going in the tank as hitters after they join the Braves?????? Uggla and Bourn being the current examples.
dc74
September 26th, 2012
9:20 am
An EPIC clinch…of a wild card…funny
Don
September 26th, 2012
9:22 am
Any chance that the Braves have in Post Season is probably dependent on the pitching being so dominant as to overcome Fredi’s managing and the poor hitting – With very weak hitting now from second base, catcher, and center field – and who knows about shortstop – not to mention the pitchers spot. That makes up to 5 weak spots in the order – not to even count another position if Chipper is out – making 6. It is difficult to gnerate consistant offense under those conditions.
Go Jackets
September 26th, 2012
9:27 am
Love it when EVERY team in Ga including the Dawggies is rockin except my beloved Jackets…….and listening to CPJ speak is like goin to an allnite dentist. No wonder the dude cant recruit. Anyhooo Go Braves…..time for Bourn and uggla to get out of their slumps.
Mr. Dawgs
September 26th, 2012
9:28 am
This is a fantastic win and there is reason to celebrate it. But I for one think the post season celebration was a bit premature. The play in game is more or less the equivalent of a tie breaker to get into the legitimate post season. I don’t recall in the past teams celebrating after they qualified for a tie breaker game. In any event, I’m a big fan of this team and hope they can win it all especially for Chipper’s sake. So I don’t mean to be a party pooper. But the celebration took me a little bit by surprise.
B
September 26th, 2012
9:33 am
Vic: If Medlen had been in the starting rotation since the start of the year, he would be at home now like Strasburg. Medlen was on the same innings limit as Strasburg, the Braves wanted the innings out of him at the end of the year, not the start.
Taxi Smith
September 26th, 2012
9:47 am
A great night for Freddie Freeman, Chipper and the whole Braves team. Well done guys.
Nacho Cheese Sauce
September 26th, 2012
9:56 am
I have to admit that I am happy the Braves got it done! I hope we go to the World Series but I think the majority of the fans are worried. Here are some points I am curious about with what happens next.
1. Do we hang a flag on the outfield wall again?
2. What happens if we lose the play in game, was the season a waste of time?
3. I think alot of fans are still concered I have noticed the last few blogs only a few pages have comments, and only 25K at the ballpark last night : (
4. Does Fredi lose his job if we lose the play in game?
These are just some of my wonders…All in all go braves!
Sonny Clusters
September 26th, 2012
10:01 am
Congratulations to the Atlanta Braves on clinching an opportunity to compete for the wild card. That’s what happened last night, right? It was exciting and the last inning was clutch. We hope that this champagne pouring dirt rubbing celebration is only the beginning this year. Sometimes, celebrating too quickly can come back and bite you but we hope that will not be the case with these Braves. Our buddy, Phlegm Lattimore is already at work on a new little sign for the outfield and we are hoping it will be for a NL pennant or even better. We was humbled to see that Frank Wren mentioned us in his post game comments and thanked us for pushing the team to greater achievement this season. Well, that remains to be seen because we are not your basic golly, gee, pajama wearing, real, true, blinded, Braves fan with tiny little tattoos on tiny little biceps. We still want to see our home team win a series top to bottom and let somebody else give them a pennant instead of painting one of their own. Go Braves – on to the next level and the next. Next time the Yankees come to Turner Field let them admire a real championship banner and not make fun of the little signs already up there.
Mike S.
September 26th, 2012
10:04 am
This might not just be champagne for a wild card. The Braves are only 4 back, and play a much easier schedule with 10 games left. Washington has Philly in two series and St Louis. The Braves have Marlins, Mets, Pirates. Its somewhat of a long shot, but not unheard of. Not with how good Philly has played of late, and St Louis being in position for the second wild card.
Sonny Clusters
September 26th, 2012
10:05 am
We was filtered or sanitized or whatever. We was trying to say good job Braves. Now, they do realize they haven’t won anything yet, right? They clinched an opportunity to play for the wild card, right? Let’s just be sure getting to the playoffs isn’t the goal . . . but they still have to do that. We are hoping to see a real NL pennant this year. It has been a long time no matter what those little outfield signs say.
afan
September 26th, 2012
10:06 am
Thank God Wren hired Greg Walker as hitting coach and his asst. Both need alot of credit which they never get. Best deal Wren made.
Now win the stupid one game play-off!
Nacho Cheese Sauce
September 26th, 2012
10:07 am
Personally I do not consider “play in game” the real playoffs, still happy for the braves but until that series goes best of 3 its not the real thing.
JB
September 26th, 2012
10:31 am
they will be 1 and done in the playoffs. it is the braves, the buffalo bills of baseball.
GO BRAVOS...TOMAHAWKING AGAIN...
September 26th, 2012
10:39 am
WAY TO GO BRAVOS….KEEP UP THE GREAT PLAY AND LET’S SEE Y’ALL WIN IT ALL!
morning whiskey
September 26th, 2012
10:47 am
Did Clusters do the Russ temp mascot character? similar humor…play in sux, but back in the day it was first or nothin.Pure baseball. But we do have wildcards now ….teams that for the first hundred or so years of the game would have stayed home anyway. TV money I guess. GO BRAVES…
Smokey
September 26th, 2012
10:51 am
longtimefan ====> cool story bro. Word! Go Braves!
Abernish
September 26th, 2012
10:58 am
I hope they don’t press on the brakes because the Nats are running out of gas. They may not be able to catch them, but it would be nice to make the Nats EARN the Division. Their magic number is 5. Let’s make them win 5 of the last 8 to win it. They have to face the Phillies 5 times and the Cards for 3 when the Cards will still be trying to clinch a wild card. This is far from over. Now that we’ve secured a wild card, the Braves can play relaxed and go put some pressure on the Nats. Should be fun to watch.
PMC
September 26th, 2012
11:01 am
Braves win the Series, Falcons win the Super Bowl, Dawgs win the NC.
Sonny Clusters
September 26th, 2012
11:11 am
morning whiskey, we always felt sorry for that little dog, Russ. The way they painted his a$$ was unforgivable and we are glad to see Russ end up as Uga IX. He seems to be doing a pretty good job, don’t you think? As for the Braves, we was happy to read that they are going to show up and play the rest of the season and try to win the division. We think that is their best chance at winning the pennant though they can still do it if they beat St. Louis (?) in the play-in game. The way things have gone for this organization in must-win games has not been pretty and we hope their luck will change in the play-in. Getting some runners over and in is going to be all-important because we know what happens when they wait for the three run homer. Hope abounds. We are wishing for good things.
BulldogBen
September 26th, 2012
11:31 am
After all your hard work playing 3 and 4 game series’ all year long, WHAT DO WE HAVE FOR THEM DON PARDO……………..WHY, we have 9 innings for them to decide their fate!!!
Way to go MLB. FAIL.
wreckmaniac
September 26th, 2012
11:47 am
Great job ! I,m happy for Freddie and Chip. Chip says he’s happy for the young guys but its got to feel great to him to play through another season with the pain he must have and get to the playoffs. This has to be a thrill for Bobby Cox who was so insistent that Freddie become the Braves mgr.
bulldogbubba
September 26th, 2012
12:09 pm
To Mr.Stinger2 – I am one of those naysayers you write about.I told you I would admit I was wrong if they made it to the playoffs.So there you go.I still say the weak offense is going to keep them from going far and if Chipper can maintain his health and not ride the bench.There are still many factors to the equation for them to win it all. One and Done is not good enough.GO BRAVES
Sudan Eyes - Leading Off: A Year Later, the Braves Celebrate — Leading Off
September 26th, 2012
12:24 pm
[...] with anything like nostalgia. They are reveling in the turnaround most suspected could not happen, writes Mark Bradley in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. It was made more poetic because the clinching homer was hit by Freddie Freeman, who made the final [...]
WhoCares?
September 26th, 2012
12:27 pm
Medlen, Hudson, Minor and Maholm give this team a legitimate chance in the playoffs, which traditionally are all about good pitching. Timely hitting and a little dose of luck will be what keeps this team either moving forward or being eliminated in the first round. Honestly, the way they’re playing with a sense of hustle and spirit, I think they’ve got a serious chance to get to the WS.
htownbravesfan
September 26th, 2012
12:41 pm
This has been a great season for a variety of reasons. First, and foremost, is Chipper’s performance in his farewell year. Anyone who thinks he is not a first ballot hall of famer should never be allowed to watch baseball or operate heavy machinery ever again. Second, the way the same team, essentially, came back after last year’s horrid September, and played their guts out to make the playoffs says something about their heart and character, which you can’t hang a number on. Finally, we’ve gotten a great glimpse into the future with Prado, Heyward, Freeman, Kimbrel, Beachy, and Medlen. Let’s just hope our ownership figures out a way to keep this core together. Ten to fifteen years ago, losing a one game playoff would have set me back for weeks, but I’m mature enough now to realize even if we don’t move on from that game or a series afterwards, this team has still been fun to watch, and will be for the foreseeable future. Go Braves!!!!
Red Stick
September 26th, 2012
12:52 pm
I’m glad to see the Braves made the playoffs after the meltdown last September. Playing a one-game playoff is dumb though.
Mark's for the braves
September 26th, 2012
12:52 pm
Great win and congrats to our Braves headed to the playoffs! I hope we face the Cards and put them promptly out of the postseason after what happened last year! Go Braves!
SalleyButcher
September 26th, 2012
1:01 pm
The Braves can possibly win the east division but its gonna take a miracle now to make it happen. It would be fun to watch the braves pull to within 1 game of the Nats just to have them look in their rear view mirror and see the Braves breathing down their necks, with the possibility of the Braves snatching the division crown on the last couple days of the season. Wouldnt it be wonderful if the Braves overtook the Nationals, won their division–then won all thoughout the playoffs and gave Chipper a royal sendoff to retirement going out into retirement as a world champion. I see of no better way for things to play out in Braves Country.
dean
September 26th, 2012
1:17 pm
I’m still hoping for the Braves to be tied with the gnats so there is a 1 game playoff to determine who plays in the 1 game playoff. As a Braves fan it would be nerve-wracking. As a baseball fan it would be Nirvana!
Don VanLandingham
September 26th, 2012
1:47 pm
Vic has no idea what he’s talking about. Instead of playing the blame game he needs to get educated. Had the Braves started Medlin in the rotation at the beginning of the year he would have had to be shut down before now because of the 150 inning limitation caused by “Tommy John” surgery last year. Wren did the smart thing. He started Medlin in the the bull-pin; brought him alone a little at a time and then at the end of July he went into the rotation. GREAT MOVE, FRANK!!!
Don VanLandingham
September 26th, 2012
1:53 pm
That Vic Mackee is a “piece of work”, isn’t he. What baseball knowledge! Doesn’t realize that Medlin has been under an inning restriction because of “Tommy John” surgery. Come-on, Vic, get righteous!
DawgDad
September 26th, 2012
2:08 pm
Not so fast, Mark. In order to qualify for the four team playoff for a trip to the World Series:
. . . last year the Braves face a one-game play-in/elimination in Game 162, and lost.
. . . this year, in all likelihood, they will face a one-game play-in/elimination in Game 163.
I guess that’s cause for celebration. Whether or not it establishes vindication or any significant/noteworthy step forward . . . remains to be seen. If they lose the Wild Card game they are exactly where they were last year and they won’t have an epic aberration to blame.
Vic Mackey
September 26th, 2012
2:09 pm
Despite having 20 straight losing seasons, the Pittsburgh Pirates have an organizational record of 9,958-9,952…which means that they did a hell of a lot of winning prior to that.
The Yankees have an organizational record of 9,856-7,491. That’s almost a whopping 2,400 games over .500.
Our Braves are 10,123-10,091….a measly 31 games over .500….this despite the Milwaukee Braves being 246 games over .500 and the Atlanta Braves being 255 games over .500.
Vic Mackey
September 26th, 2012
2:26 pm
I do not agree with the Nationals shutting down Strasberg. Sure, as a Braves fan, I was happy to see the Nationals cave in and do what the so-called “experts” say to do. However, I feel that the Nationals should have kept Strasberg in the rotation.
Strasberg started 5 games at the end of 2011. He had all winter to build arm strength…to test the elbow. When he started off the 2012 season strong…and continued to mow them down during the year….I feel that his numbers showed that he had recovered. Putting him on some BS 160 innings limit made little sense given his performance.
Same with Medlen. Medlen had pitched twice at the end of the 2011 season. He had the winter to work on building arm strength. I could halfway understand having him start the 2012 year in the bullpen. However when Minor, Delgado and Jurrjens all struggled in April…..I saw no harm in giving Medlen a shot. Instead, the Braves waited until July 31st to belatedly give Medlen a shot.
Let’s say that Medlen started the year in the rotation and was shut down after 160 innings….we would have gotten more production out of him (he’s only pitched in 77 innings as a starter up to this point)….we would have gotten FAR more starts out of him…..would have won MORE GAMES…..would be in 1st place right now, battling for the best record in the National League……instead of hoping that Medlen continues to pitch like Superman in the one game Wild Card play-in game.
I’d rather trade places with the Nationals (who are without Strasberg)…than be the Braves right now (with Medlen). Even if we win the play-in game….we wont have Medlen available to pitch until game 4 (if there is a Game 4). So in essence……the only difference between us and the Nationals…is that we will have Medlen to pitch in one game…while Strasberg wont pitch at all in the Division Series. Our other starters have struggled against the Nationals….have struggled to win in Washington.
Yet we still have to make it to the Division Series. A one game playoff…anything can happen (bad umpiring, an unlucky bounce, an injury, etc.). We wouldnt be throwing ourselves upon the mercy of the “avoid bad luck…hope for good luck” scenario that comes with having to play a one game playoff.
Stinger 2
September 26th, 2012
2:59 pm
bulldogbubba: I read your earlier post. I don`t believe I have ever addressed you personally as being a naysayer. Anyway you always seem to be rational when you make your comments about the Braves. I am concerned about the posts by others who continually say the same negative comments about Fredi, Wren, Chipper, Uggla and a few other players. For that reason, I have used their names in my responses in the past. I have not been able to completely understand their motives in why they use the style of being clever or cute in making fun about above individuals. For this reason, I do not plan to use names in my post anymore unless I am in agreement with them. However, I will continue to post my responses to those I do not agree with.
Joey
September 26th, 2012
3:06 pm
So happy for Braves, and Braves fans. I watched ESPN cycle through late last night just so I could watch the homeplate celebration over and over.
These young guys have come through so brilliantly this season – Freeman, Heyward, Medlen, Minor, Simmons, Kimbrel – and others.
The future looks great. And if we don’t catch the Nats, and therefore get past the “stupid” one-game-playoff, the present looks good too.
It’s hard for me to say, but Go Phillies!
Robert
September 26th, 2012
3:08 pm
The Braves really ARE pretty well situated for a good run this postseason
Cincinnati may be without Aroldis Chapman. The Nats have been pedestrian since shutting down Strasburg (sorry, you dont win championships at this level when you voluntarily dont put your best team out there), and the Giants are good but not great
In the AL, the O’s are a great story but there isnt a team in that league that isnt flawed.
Fredi has done a great job managing this year. Now if he can keep Chipper Jones’ mouth shut for another 5 weeks, this may turn out to be a special postseason
Sonny Clusters
September 26th, 2012
3:16 pm
“I am concerned about posts by others . . .” “I will continue to post my responses . . .” – Quote from our pretend mama
“and the world will be better for this, that one man scorned and covered with scars . . . still strove with his last ounce of courage to reach the unreachable star!!”
Well, we won’t mention any names either but we don’t need some little busybody stalker correcting our behavior on a baseball blog. We think that little fella takes himself way too seriously because his little diabtribe about how to be a fan would make us be a little fan like him and we sure don’t want to be a nosy, meddling, little pusilanimous recreant like that. Everybody needs a mother but we have one of our own and don’t need a little stalker fella trying to tell us how to behave. Besides, we was state champion and honor roll and we bet he wasn’t either one. Have a nice day.
Sonny Clusters
September 26th, 2012
3:17 pm
We got filtered and it’s a good thing we did. Somebody’s stalking us and we don’t like it very much. Must be a crusader – or a nut job.
Joey
September 26th, 2012
3:21 pm
Good to see you enjoying the win, Stinger 2. Jeez, be happy and stop looking for slights to whomever.
In other news . . . it will take a minor miracle to win the division, but the Nats may choke. They’ve got to be feeling some pressure now.
It’s a shame that we may have the 3rd or 4th best record in MLB, and get eliminated in the idiotic-1-game-playoff. If we get past that, I like our 3-man rotation of Medlen, Minor, and Huddy.
DaltonBrave
September 26th, 2012
3:30 pm
Someone tell Wren to open up his wallet and go after Josh Hamilton next year. Well done, Bravos, keep up the good work.
Stinger 2
September 26th, 2012
3:49 pm
When people get filtered, they have said something either not nice or against the writer`s guidelines. Is right or wrong?
Sonny Clusters
September 26th, 2012
5:03 pm
Apparently they was just checking our spelling. We was honor role so that is not necessery. If we was sanctimonious like that at least we’d want to have some deeper thoughts and be able to express them a little better. Our Sunday school teacher told us once that there are always some little pusillanimous recreants to deal with on a baseball blog and we guess we have met ours with this little stalker fella.
bulldogbubba
September 26th, 2012
5:41 pm
Mr. Sonny Clusters – I know you are a humble Clusters but those fancy words you are using are very impressive. Were ever up for a Rhodes Scholar?Do you use those words around the hunting camp where you go?
Why are these Braves playoff-bound? Credit steady Fredi | Mark Bradley
September 26th, 2012
7:02 pm
[...] before Tuesday’s clinch that was, Fredi Gonzalez was asked about the clinch that wasn’t. How often in September 2012 had he [...]
Vic Mackey
September 26th, 2012
7:05 pm
The Braves need to make the following moves in the off season:
1. Trade Brian McCann in the off season to an American League team that has legit prospects…or a Major League player who would be a good fit for our team. McCann would be more valuable to an AL team where he can DH on days he needs resting from behind the plate. Braves fans may not want to hear this..but Brian McCann is not worth $12 mil a year as a National League catcher. His struggles with injuries have made this painfully clear. Trading him in the off season would ensure the Braves got some value from him..as well as free up $12 mil in 2013 payroll.
2. Resign David Ross (three year/$7 mil contract). If the Braves trade McCann in the off season, Ross would be in a position to start the majority of the games in 2013…..making him deserving of the pay raise.
3. Give Christian Bethancourt a serious look in Spring Training of 2013. He wouldnt have to be counted on to carry a full load. He can share the position with David Ross and learn from a classy professional. If Bethancourt needs a year in Triple A….there are other serviceable options out there who can fill in for a year, sharing the job with Ross.
4. Seriously consider packaging a trade that sends Tommy Hanson and Dan Uggla to a team like the Dodgers (or Red Sox). The Dodgers have a gaping hole at 2nd..and need starting pitching. Uggla is going to cost us $13 mil in each of the next 3 years. Tommy Hanson is in line for a HUGE raise via arbitration (he will cost easily $5 mil in 2013)….even though I feel his best days are behind him (mechanics are terrible, takes 100 pitches to get through 4 2/3 innings, etc.). That said, the Dodgers are under pressure to win in 2013…and making a move like this would give them hope they are shoring up their lineup and starting rotation…while freeing up $18 mil (Uggla’s and Hanson’s combined salary) from our 2013 payroll.
5. Non-tender Jair Jurrjens. No brainer. Saves $5.5 mil (his 2012 salary).
6. Let Michael Bourn walk. I know, he’s our lead-off. However I feel that he’s not going to be worth the over $10 mil a year plus he is surely to command in free agency.
7, Go after both Josh Hamilton in free agency. Sure, Hamilton is a risk due to his past off the field issues. However, dude is a flat out beast on the field. Plugging him into the #3 slot of the order would take a lot of pressure off of Heyward and Freeman. I’d like to see the Braves offer him somewhere along the lines of a 6 year/$140 mil contract ($24 mil a year).
8. Go after Cody Ross to be our left fielder and provide some right handed power. After making only $3 mil in 2012 for a losing Boston team….he will surely be open to leaving and getting paid to play for a winning team. 21 homers and 77 RBIs would look good in our lineup. I’m sure that a contract along the lines of 3 years/$24 mil would put him in a Braves uniform in 2013.
9. Find someone to play 3rd or 2nd base (depending on whether the Braves want Prado to play 2nd or 3rd). Given the trade options…..the Braves should be able to find someone to fill the hole.
10. Let both Eric Hinske and Matt Diaz walk. Both couldnt hit their way out of a paper bag at this point in their careers.
Projected Braves 2013 lineup:
1. Martin Prado (2nd or 3rd)
2. Jason Heyward (RF)
3. Josh Hamilton (CF)
4. Freddie Freeman (1st)
5. Cody Ross (LF)
6. ———(whoever they get to play 2nd or 3rd)
7. Andrelton Simmons (SS)
8. David Ross/Christian Betantcourt (C)
9. Kris Medlen
If the Braves decide to keep Dan Uggla…then pencil him in the #6 slot (making the line-up a foregone conclusion).
Ken Stallings
September 26th, 2012
7:20 pm
Hip Hip Hooray! Hip Hip Hooray! Hip Hip Hooray!
Three cheers, indeed! And also congrats to you, Mark Bradley, for an exceedingly well written column!
Vic Mackey
September 27th, 2012
7:11 pm
Time to watch Tommy Hanson take 100 pitches to get through 4 2/3rd innings.
Dude has better stuff than Kris Medlen…however Medlen is light years the pitcher than Hanson will ever be.
Vic Mackey
September 27th, 2012
7:38 pm
Freaking Hanson…10 pitches in the 1st…..28 pitches so far in the second.
Like I said….100 pitches through 5 innings…bank on it. He wears out the bullpen.
Heat Check: Braves can’t win the East; Falcons can’t seem to lose | Mark Bradley
October 2nd, 2012
9:47 am
[...] but if the Braves prevail — and Kris Medlen hasn’t lost since May 23, 2010 — they’ll be a tough out. And I say that knowing full well they managed only two hits against Pittsburgh on [...]