Darren Bragg, his arm, and his .147 batting average are in the lineup again tonight. Well, now he’s hitting .140. He’s reaching the stage now where it can’t actually get much lower. He goes 1-8 and his percentages go up. I’m starting a pool: How low will Bragg’s average get before the Braves cut bait? I say .125.
Actually, I bet they never cut bait. Drives me nuts. If the Expos or the Phillies make a run soon, maybe they’ll make a move, but as long as the lead’s comfortable, why mess with “chemistry” even when that chemistry gives you butyl mercaptan.
As I mentioned in another thread:
Does anyone else think it is time to ship Bragg and see what Donzell McDonald can do as a fourth outfielder (btw McDonald can play a respectable CF in addition to the corners.)
If Andruw is on the shelf for any extended period of time McDonald’s defense alone will make him more valuable than Bragg.
Bragg has the potential to develop Lockhart like staying power. We should dispose of him NOW while we still can.
I have a hard time bitching about a team 20 games over .500 when no one (and that includes me) expected them to be good at all.
That’s not to say I disagree with the “Get Rid of Bragg” campaign, or that improvements are needed. Just that I’m not really inclined to vocally complain about the team right now. I’m just in too good a “Braves mood”, I guess.
“or that improvements are needed” should read “are NOT needed”, making the full sentence:
“That’s not to say I disagree with the “Get Rid of Bragg” campaign, or that improvements are not needed.”
Put me in the “He’d have to die to lose his roster spot” camp. I have to admit I’m curious to see if he can get his average under .100.
Bragg has eight hits on the season in 59 ABs, so he’d have to go 0-for his next 21 to hit the pitcher’s Mendoza line. I think he can do it, but that’s what I mean when I say it’s hard for him to get it much lower than it is. In the low 100s, any out will only lower his batting average by two points at most. (The difference between 8-59 and 8-60 is about .0022.)
BTW, ESPN’s player page for Bragg still has him in his Mets cap. This is no surprise, as he certainly isn’t doing anything to support the Braves.
On the other hand, the difference between 8-59 and 9-60 is .014. He gets one hit and it takes him like eight outs to climb back down.