Lousy call, lousy game, lousy system: A lousy Braves’ exit
This was a warm and fuzzy moment. The rest of the night stunk. (AJC photo by Curtis Compton)
Why to hate baseball’s newly minted play-in game: Because you can be, as the Braves were over the course of six months, the demonstrably better team and still give a performance that fuses the three-error Brooks Conrad game of October 2010 and the Epic Collapse of September 2011. Because you can go home having sipped from the postseason cup for all of 189 minutes. Because you can put yourself in position to be rooked by those darn replacement umps.
Wait. These aren’t replacements? These are the real umpires? Is this a real sport?
Had Andrelton Simmons’ pop that dropped been allowed to stand, the Braves would have had the bases loaded and one out. When you’re trailing by three runs in the eighth inning, that’s rather different than having men on second and third with two out, which is what they wound up having. But not before the game was halted for 19 minutes as the field was cleared of the cups and bottles that had been flung, with somewhat greater accuracy than the Braves’ infielders displayed this night, by incensed patrons.
Pete Kozma, the St. Louis shortstop, was positioning himself to catch Simmons’ meek fly when he stopped running and chose to leave it to left fielder Matt Holliday. And here we note the incongruity: A shortstop deferred to an outfielder on what left-field umpire Sam Holbrook adjudged an infield fly. It was a horrible call, indefensible at the moment and more ludicrous after further video review, but this is baseball and replay can be applied only to home runs. (The Braves registered an official protest. Summarily denied.)
And thus, in its first manifestation, was baseball’s play-in game rendered a bigger joke that it appeared on paper. A team that won 94 games is gone; a team that won 88 gets to go home and play twice against the National League’s No. 1 seed. One bad performance. One lousy bit of umpiring. Season over.
“You’ve got to judge a team over the 162-game season,” said Braves’ manager Fredi Gonzalez, classy in bizarre defeat. “Anyone can have one bad call [go against them] or one bad game.”
His team was guilty on the latter charge. The team that made the fewest errors among National League teams offered up three in the span of four innings, leading to four unearned runs. Each was on a throw, each by an infielder. First Chipper Jones, playing his last game. Then Dan Uggla. Then the aforementioned Simmons, a rookie shortstop at the center of nearly everything Friday night.
The errors turned a two-run lead — and Chipper, speaking before the game, had suggested the game’s first run could be the determinant — into a 6-2 deficit after 6 1/2 innings. By then the unbeatable Kris Medlen was gone, having yielded only three hits and two earned runs but about to become a loser as a starting pitcher for the first time since 2010. That left the Braves in comeback mode, and there were moments when they appeared capable of climbing the mountain. But Chipper swung at the first pitch and grounded out in the seventh with two men in scoring position, and Michael Bourn struck out with the bases loaded to close the infamous eighth, and Uggla, representing the tying run, ended the season by grounding to second.
Said Gonzalez: “We didn’t score runs, and we didn’t handle the baseball.”
Said Chipper: “You give a good team extra outs and it ends up lightning.”
To his credit, the man who will play no more faulted himself above all. “Ultimately when we look back on this loss we have to look ourselves in the mirror,” Chipper said. “We put ourselves behind 6-2. Three errors cost us the ballgame, and mine [a fourth-inning throwaway of a cinch double play] was probably the biggest. I’m not willing to say a call cost us the ballgame.”
Because he always been a stand-up guy, you wanted it to end better. Still, in his final at-bat the great Chipper Jones managed to block out the deafening ovation and the applause from the Cardinals’ dugout — he tipped his helmet to the crowd and pointed to the visiting team — and the flashes from camera-phones and remind us why he was so great. He worked the count to 3-2 against the heat-bringing Jason Motte, and finally he put bat on ball (breaking said bat) and legged out an infield hit. Down to his and his team’s final strike, he got a hit.
We’re lucky that, as time does its work, we’ll have our memories of Chipper Jones to keep us warm. And maybe someday we can get past the strange doings on a lousy night in October 2012, when a good team played badly and got unlucky to boot, and thanks to this silly professional “system” it was eliminated. At least in the College World Series they play double elimination.
By Mark Bradley
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516 comments Add your comment
disappointed
October 6th, 2012
8:09 am
Hate to say it, but with any Atlanta sports team ” wait till next year”
jfreak13713
October 6th, 2012
8:09 am
Right
LaRon J.
October 6th, 2012
8:10 am
BFD…….baseball players are just a bunch of highly over-paid whiners. Its a frikin game people. Chipper Jones can now spend more time knocking up Hooter’s waitresses. If Chipper was black yall would not care if he play or not.
Stinger 2
October 6th, 2012
8:10 am
To All Atlanta Braves Players and Fredi G.
Great season guys. Winning 94 games in spite of injuries and some people who call themselves fans, was a great accomplishment. Fredi you did a commendable job. A lesser man could not have survived the ongoing insults (some very personal) that you endured. To all the naysayers who ranted and raved some trying to be cute and funny and some who were just mean and ugly: Great job! You used your rights to your opinions to the upmost.
Call It Like It Is
October 6th, 2012
8:12 am
Are you frick’n kidding me. Has nothing to do with one bad call or one bad game. The braves leave 10 men on base is what loses this game. And why should they get more than one chance. They have the same chance the Cardinals had, but the Cardinals once again want it more. If you didn’t want the one game playoff, than you should have won more games like the Nat’s and this wouldn’t have been an issue. Beyond silly and sad to make excuses for the choke masters of the past two decades.
CamiloAtlanta
October 6th, 2012
8:14 am
They broke our hearts again. So what’s new? And that umpire needs to get flogged.
Fielding Mellish
October 6th, 2012
8:18 am
The curse of the indians continues. Get rid of the chop–it doesn’t help. All those flimsy styrofoam tomahawks are embarrassing and look dumb, symbolic perhaps of weakness in the field. The Braves continue to lose important games in bizarre ways and will only do better once we dispense with childish props.
Call It Like It Is
October 6th, 2012
8:19 am
Braves left 12 men on base but I never let the facts get in the way of me running my big mouth on this blog.
straker
October 6th, 2012
8:23 am
Baseball is a kid’s game and should only be played by kids. When grown men earn a living playing a kid’s game, expect this sort of childish, immature behavior.
Ti double Grrrrr
October 6th, 2012
8:25 am
Well at least the stands are free of trash. BTW throwing bottles which could hit someone who had nothing to do with the call, is dum and it won’t change the outcome. Stay Classy fans.
CamiloAtlanta
October 6th, 2012
8:25 am
Distraught ATL fans, go over to atlantafalcons dot com for a pick me up. #1 sport in America. Baseball is the old man’s game.
Lil' Barry Bailout - Vote American
October 6th, 2012
8:28 am
Kudos to Fredi Gonzalez for taking this team to the brink of the playoffs. Were it not for perhaps the major league’s largest collection of number three starters (and Kris Medlen), their weak-hitting, choking, stand-pat lineup would have gone nowhere near the post-season.
Mark Bradley
October 6th, 2012
8:29 am
As far as Cardinals fans Never throwing things: I covered a game there when they absolutely threw things after Mark McGwire was ejected in August 1998. Against the Braves
Not say Braves fans should be excused for last night’s misbehavior.
Mark Bradley
October 6th, 2012
8:30 am
And it’s ridiculous to suggest the Cardinals wanted this game more. Both teams wanted it the same.
Maxwell the free-range chihuahua
October 6th, 2012
8:31 am
on a brighter note, Nate McLouth had a good nite for Baltimore….
Screwball
October 6th, 2012
8:35 am
In her game story, Carroll called Fredi’s argument a “Bobby Cox like tirade.” Bobby would have gotten tossed from the game. The umpire’s refusal to toss Fredi was their signal that they knew the call was shaky.
sad
October 6th, 2012
8:35 am
I wish the fans would have showed some class and not trashed the field……embarassing!
Double J
October 6th, 2012
8:38 am
Why can’t these major sports leagues admit when a mistake is made? Ok you won’t overturn the ruling but at least be honest.
Milo66
October 6th, 2012
8:42 am
Sometimes karma gets you. The call was horrible, but the Braves have been the umpires darlings since they started winning in 1991. This is just make up for Sid Bream, who was clearly out at home plate. Funny how this city celebrates a national league Championship (1992) more than their lone World Series (1995). Something wrong there.
MLS
October 6th, 2012
8:45 am
Only in Atlanta,,, Yep, loosersville USA. All our teams get you excited and somehow manage to loose. Falcons,,, you are next,, JUST YOU WAIT AND SEE. The horrible call did not beat the Braves but,,, MLB and their rules suck. They don’t care to even get it right!!! They have instant replay but, No they dan’t care.
MLS
October 6th, 2012
8:48 am
Dang, speaking of “loosersville”, I wish I could spell.
jerry
October 6th, 2012
8:50 am
Uggla came up 4 times with men on base and went 0-4, including the 9th when a 3 run homer would have tied the game, (was he not hired to hit home runs) plus throwing the ball away (a distance of probably less than 50 feet.) But he did not strike out the entire game. Miracle.
MLS
October 6th, 2012
8:51 am
MLS # 2 Bite Me!
Carroll
October 6th, 2012
8:53 am
Another bad call that nobody is talking about…the guy who hit the ball to Uggla where he made the bad throw and opened the door to 3 unearned runs…that guy was CLEARLY struck out on the pitch before he hit that grounder. Balls and strikes were shaky all day. Still no excuse for the way the Braves played. What happens to them in October that they lose their freaking minds and forget how to play? It happens every stinkin time.
Lil' Barry Bailout - Vote American
October 6th, 2012
9:07 am
Once again, the Braves end up one game away from making the playoffs.
Umps are Like Govt
October 6th, 2012
9:10 am
The infield fly rule does not have “infield” in the rule because it is in the title you moronic ump.
The dumb arse ump obviously thought he was the third base ump. Fine- reverse the call you pompous jerk.
Rafael
October 6th, 2012
9:12 am
and now Frank Wren and Liberty CHEAPIA will LIE like last year (”the famous letter to the fans PROMISING any means possible to improve the team”)….
we lose the bats of Chipper and Michael Bourn (oh yes, the “elephant in the room”) … Liberty CHEAPIA and Wren (Mr. Scrooge’s son) are TOO CHEAP to resign Bourn. Bourn is HISTORY, the new Washington Nationals CF in 2013 (there are SOME teams that WILL spend money improve their teams).
We already saw our future CF for 2013 THIS year… Reed Johnson. Yes, mediocre JOURNEYMAN, no power, no speed, Reed “BORING” Johnson. Thanks Frank, this will be a real “improvement” to our lineup.
I’m not kidding, this is a CLASSIC Frank Wren and Liberty CHEAPIA moment, replacing a ballplayer like Michael Bourn with the CHEAP and no-talent BUM Reed Johnson. Wren will put his usual “good soldier” spin on Johnson as how great he is… Johnson’s another guy like Matty Diaz who COULD NOT make any OTHER MLB roster.
Speaking of Matt Diaz, I’m SURE he “was able to keep his sense of humor” and LAUGHED at our Brave’s playoff debacle.
Frank and Liberty CHEAPIA, I’ll thank you NOW for the upcoming great hot stove league you will give Brave’s fans this offseason….
Doug Watts
October 6th, 2012
9:15 am
What’s the definition and defining factor of infield vs outfield? If there is a defining point, is there such a thing as an “outfield fly rule”?
Romney
October 6th, 2012
9:17 am
See the ignorant 47% sat back and let the umpire lead them with the wrong call. 53% fought against the injustice of the so called leader against the wishes of media pundits like Joe Simpson.
Hopefully, they will continue the same fight in November against the Nation’s commissioner Obama.
Skip
October 6th, 2012
9:20 am
Enter your comments here
JR
October 6th, 2012
9:20 am
Great article Mark.
Of course the call was horrible. Of course the Braves played lousy. But none of that is as bad as a one game play-off. In baseball!
Oh, and Joe Simpson needs to go too. What other recourse did the fans have for such a deplorable call? The fan’s reaction wad NOT an embarrassment. Joe Simpson’s trashing of Braves fans on national TV, however was an embarrassment.
Marvin Mangrum
October 6th, 2012
9:20 am
Worst call I ever saw. Been watching since 56. If that cant, wont be over ruled, over turned then I quit. I suggest to you to do the same. To heck with that crap. The freaking ss did not even have a chance to catch the ball. How did the freaking umpire look at the play and figure that the defence was dropping the ball on purpose to get a double play. Been watching 50 something years, worst call ever. If that crap aint rigged then nothing is. Im betting everything on the cards to win it all. To heck with you mlb.
Joe
October 6th, 2012
9:22 am
Hey sweeties- tune into European football for some fan action. Mark- how many national articles have been written about Atlanta’s apathetic fan base? Screw the folks on the field saying “they were scared”- give me a break.
Kane337
October 6th, 2012
9:23 am
That umpire should be demoted to the minors. What a horrible fn’g call.
Skip
October 6th, 2012
9:23 am
I did not realize my old partner Joe Simpson was such a biich. Good thing I am done with MLB…Ahh, football please do follow the other former major sports leagues mistakes or I will have to start watching cricket
Skip
October 6th, 2012
9:25 am
do not follow…
Lil' Barry Bailout - Vote American
October 6th, 2012
9:26 am
Yeah, Sellout Simpson didn’t do himself any favors with Braves fans last night. Maybe he was trying too hard not to be a homer. I wasn’t embarrassed at all. It’s not something I would have participated in, but stuff happens, you know?
P Rose
October 6th, 2012
9:28 am
The call was awful, but we shouldn’t have been behind when it happened. Kris Medlen was cruising until Chipper failed to make an easy throw, in what would have been a double play. Instead, in his final game of his career, he choked. I love the guy, and the Braves, but let’s be honest. Some players, such as Reggie Jackson, excelled when the stakes were highest. Chipper didn’t. I’ll miss his big bat in the lineup, but he will not go down in history as Mr. Clutch. His era finally comes to a close and I, for one, am ready for a change. I’ll cheer for him as he enters the Hall of Fame, but will cheer more when the Braves become competitive in October, something they couldn’t do as long as Chipper was their leader.
Joe
October 6th, 2012
9:30 am
Skip- didn’t know you were in town. Have a few drinks on us this morning-
You heard it here first- Chipper signs with the Rangers for 2013.
HUH?????
October 6th, 2012
9:30 am
“And it’s ridiculous to suggest the Cardinals wanted this game more.”
The Braves errors gave the game away. Medlen pitched fine as did the bullpen. If Chipper, Uggla and Simmons don’t make stupid throwing errors then the Braves win.
HUH?????
October 6th, 2012
9:30 am
Enter your comments here
HUH?????
October 6th, 2012
9:31 am
Chipper, Uggla and Simmons cost the Braves the game. Simple as that. Not coaching, not pitching. Errors.
Lil' Barry Bailout - Vote American
October 6th, 2012
9:32 am
I’ve been thinking that it will be great to free up that Chipper money for one or two major-league-caliber hitters, but then I remembered who will be spending it.
Davey Sprocket
October 6th, 2012
9:32 am
Well, here it is, folks. Another long offseason of burying your heads in the sand, along with your limp special-order red tomahawks.
It is far past time to realize that the team had tremendous flaws. They were LAST in the league in hitting with RISP. A .232 average or something, last I looked. THe blame goes to: EVERYBODY! How many times I recall you whining about Uggla, then Bourn, then Freeman, then “J-Hey”, then Chipster, then McCann, then…… you get it – all of them collectively, sucked when it mattered most.
Add to that the FACTS that they ranged from 9th to last in the League, in several important hitting categories – BA, HR, 2B, Slugging %, OPS, RISP… Your top hitter hit .301 in a power position (LF) and had TEN HRs. Leadoff hitter hit .228 since the AS break and strikes out more than anyone else, except $12M Uggla. Heyward had a hot streak for over a month, but settled back to being a liability against LH pitching, and Freeman hit in the .265 range. (Did you actually hear the moron on the telecast last night suggest that Freeman would one day win a batting title?!? Seriously?)..
The pitching is decent and the pen is excellent, but weak links abound. Hudson is showing his very advanced age more and more often. Maholm-the-savior (with the super valuable ReedJohnson!)?? Good luck with that. Medlen cannot pitch any better, and therefore will come back down to earth. Can Kimbrel do that again? Not likely
Get ready to watch a real dynasty in the making…. In Washington, that is.
ron ham
October 6th, 2012
9:33 am
Glad to Fredi finally has a set of balls (well maybe one) he raised his voice Bobby would have chewed him up and spit him out. Any one want replay????
THANK GOD THAT..........
October 6th, 2012
9:35 am
Thank God that it is the end of the Chipper Jones era in Atlanta Braves Baseball…..I am so happy that I do not have to hear his name mentioned in every other breath as being a great future Hall of Fame’er……..he sure did not play that way tonight……maybe now we can dump some of his excess baggage along with Hanson, JJ, Fredi G, Roger M and trade Brian McCann for somebody……he sure was worthless the last half of the season. I am glad the Braves lost the way they did – shows that they have not been managed or coached to be a post season winning team – September 2011’s Epic Collapse did carry over into October 2012. Please get rid of Fredi G and Roger M.
CHIPPER FLUNKED!!!!
October 6th, 2012
9:37 am
Chipper cost the game with his error – SO GLAD HE IS GONE, FINALLY!!!!!!
October 2011 Epic Collapse Continues.......
October 6th, 2012
9:40 am
And so the Epic Collapse of 2011 continues into October 2012 – it is all laid on the shoulders of Fredi G, Roger M, and Gimper Jones.
Screwball
October 6th, 2012
9:42 am
As always, it is time to plan for next year. Fredi – to our great chagrin – will be back. Wren will again assemble a “good club.” But expect no better result. Please get rid of Uggla – ship him to the AL for some team’s DH, but get PLAYERS in return. Bourn was a stretch disappointment and cost Boras a lot of money. Maybe he re-signs cheaper, if not, no big loss. Freemen, Heyward and Simmons are the nucleus going forward. Medlin, Minor, and one more year out of Hudson. Dump Hanson and any of the others. Kimbrel is a keeper, of course.
Lil' Barry Bailout - Vote American
October 6th, 2012
9:45 am
We couldn’t get a box of balls for Uggla.