Oh, how the mighty hath fallen. You realize that the Braves now are more or less what the Dodgers were for fifty years?
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Oh, how the mighty hath fallen. You realize that the Braves now are more or less what the Dodgers were for fifty years?
Use code “Journal” for a 5% discount.
Sorry, not sure where to post this, but what’s the skinny on Chuck James? Is he a legit prospect? His stats are through the roof, he keeps getting promoted, but something doesn’t seem right. Is he old for the leagues he has dominated? Or a perennial AAAA guy? Any expect insight? To whom could he be compared in terms of potential and pitching style?
JJ, you might say he’s Dy-no-mite!
I don’t know much, but he’s a legit a prospect. He’s not old for his level now that he’s at AAA (he’s 23). John Sickels rated him the number 6 prospect in the system at the beginning of the year. Those above him being Marte, Davies, Jacob Stevens, Francoeur and McCann. In other words, that’s a very nice ranking. The only knocks I’ve heard about are that he’s a hothead (could be significant in this organization) and that his velocity is “only” in the low 90s (who cares?).
Is Eddie perez done?
I got to see him a couple of times in Double A in Jackson, MS. He’s completely legit. I think baseball america had him in the top 75 prospects and around #6 in the Braves organization before the season started. I would compare him to a young Tom Glavine in the since that the radar gun in Jackson, MS doesn’t show him much faster than 90mph but his fastball is sneaky. He gets a lot of K’s and has unbelievable control. Scouts probably don’t have rated any higher because his physical tools aren’t what they would like but he’s a winner and he understands how to pitch. The only way he isn’t in ATL next year is if they treat him like Davies this year and want him to stay in RICH to get the innings.
Skip said something the other day that indicated he might be. Something like “His playing days may be over, but…” I don’t know that Skip has much actual inside information, but you know he talks to guys a lot… and I’m sure he talks to Eddie a lot in particular. So I assume there’s something to that. He’s sure has been out an awful long time without much, if any, talk about rehab.
anyone know anything about how Powell’s surgery went and if its go to be a career ending injury?
James threw an 8 inning 1-hitter last night, FWIW. Not a lot of Ks but who cares. His rise this year closely parallels that of Capellan last year in terms of dominance per level (and at the same age, too – although James is an “old” 23 while Cappy was right in the middle with his Jan birthday). Of course, James is the exact opposite from Cappy in that he’s a crafty lefty without a lot of gas instead of a fiery Dominican flamethrower.
As far as parallels go, I would compare him with Zach Duke – he’s probably not as good a prospect as Duke is since Duke spent this year at AAA at 22 and is now doing very well against MLB hitting, but he’s probably not all that different either. Glavine is probably not a good comparison because Tommy never had the same strikeouts or the control. Much as I love him, I wouldn’t wish Glavine’s statistical profile as a prospect on anyone. That he has greatly exceeded that profile is a credit to the man, deserving Hall-of-Famer that he is.
I find myself having to really look for Braves prospects now that all the good ones have been called up. Here’s a top 10 guys to watch based on who’s currently in the minors
1. Jarrod Saltalamacchia
2. Davies
3. James
4. Martin Prado
5. Matt Esquivel
6. Joey Devine
7. Eric Campbell (CRUSHING the Appy league – lg lead in R, HR, RBI, SLG I think)
8. Elvis Andrus (.412 OBP in GCL as a 16 year old SS)
9. Yuniel Escobar
10. Jake Stevens (because of last year)
Honorable Mention: Beau Jones
Salty takes it because he’s destroying a pitcher’s park at a tough defensive position. He could start 4 or 5 all-star games if he can convince McCann to change positions 🙂 Elvis Andrus probably has the most upside just because he’s still so young.
What happened to Marte to take him out of your list?
Everything I hear is that Powell’s injury should be considered career-ending. He might come back but it wouldn’t be for a long time, and at his age he doesn’t have the time.
I think Kyle just forgot that he wasn’t up anymore.
Back to the OP, I remember Alston and Lasorda bringing in championship teams when both clubs were in the NL West, and just whaling the snot out of Atlanta. Then came 1991, and the world was set right.
Still love beating on those dog-ass Dodgers.
In keeping with the, ‘Oh how the mighty have fallen’ theme, Kevin Gryboski was sent to AAA by the Rangers today.
His ERA with the Rangers was about 154560.14
Lineups:
Izturis SS Furcal SS
Robles 3B Giles 2B
Bradley CF Jones 3B
Kent 2B Jones CF
Valentin LF LaRoche 1B
Werth RF Francoeur RF
Choi 1B Langerhans LF
Navarro C McCann C
Lowe P Smoltz P
Man the Dodgers suck. I can’t believe that DePo is talked up in so many circles when he has used resources as deep as the Dodgers can offer to assemble this dreck.
Good to see Hans in there tonight. Could be a pitcher’s duel, I like to see the better defensive player in there.
I sware it didn’t look like that when I previewed it.
vent of the night: THE BRAVES ARE ON TURNER SOUTH AGAIN!!!!!!!!! I can’t remember the last time I have seen Smoltzie… I live in Pennsylvania so anything ending in “South” is out for me (TS, FSS). All I have is TBS… you would think a pretty solid Lowe vs. Smoltz matchup would be good enough to show, but no. That is all.
I’ve never seen James play but it seems odd that with his great control he usualy pitches 6 innings and then is out. Kyle, you think he has a small tank? Also I read in BA that Prado was picked as best defensive secondbaseman in Carolina League and Thorman best defensive firstbaseman in Southern league.
Why is LaRoche even starting major league games at first base? Bobby took him out against a righty, and Franco helped the team score like a billion runs. He also made the “defensive play of the game” (according to the highly qualified individuals who control the output of oversized HDTV at the Ted).
Is Franco really so old and tired that he has to be rested, or is this just another case of Bobby “sticking with his guys”?
His ERA with the Rangers was about 154560.14
You mean he got an out?
In Adam’s defense, he hasn’t been bad this year, just not especially good. Sophomore slump, perhaps? And yes, I do think Julio needs tp be rested. I remember last year (I think) he got the starting job for a couple weeks in a row- maybe Adam was hurt- and he started to fade toward the end.
I think it’s the “I’m gonna need him somewhere down the line, so I’d better stick with him” deal that’s probably a little more common with relievers, as opposed to the “I don’t trust that other guy, and this one plays more like I used to” thing that you sometimes see with short middle infielders.
Above post re: the persistence of LaRoche in the lineup.
I wonder which Derek Lowe will show up tonight? Dr. Jekyll or Mr. Hyde? If he pitches like he did in ALCS Game 7, we are in DEEP trouble tonight. If he pitches like he did in the rest of the season last year, this should be a cakewalk. If nothing else, Derek Lowe is a colorful story and a complete head case. Womanizing, boozing, depression, you name it. I think the Red Sox finally got tired of having him waste Theo’s time bailing his butt out of jail and let him walk. The constant whining all of last year didn’t do much for him either. I sure hope we get Lowe’s dark side tonight!
I think that the Red Sox let him walk more because the Dodgers gave him five times what he’s worth.
Well, that tends to happen when Scott Boras is your agent. But they weren’t exactly TRYING to sign him, were they?
OK, I’m freaking out a little bit here, TS says the game is on, but it is some old movie.
Anyone else with TS have the game? Rain Delay? My cable company decided to hasten my inevitable implosion?
Well, there was a commercial and in the middle of a very long Direct TV ad(which I find mildly funny) the Braves game cuts on with a runner on second and Smoltz throwing a pitch.
‘least its on now…
Wow, Turner South started the game in progress with a runner on second. Nice.
Turner South via my cable company had the game from the start. There was no “in progress” action.
*whines* At least you GET the game! *end whine*
I had the game from when the runner was on first, that I know — I had to go away for a little bit.
basil and latnam, are you both Direct TV? Maybe you should write them and complain.
Comcast cable which I’m actually stealing from my neighbor anyway. Perhaps I ought not complain.
Opposite field, against a sinkerballer? Pretty impressive there.
Chipper stole Andruw’s Zone.
LaRoche lucked his way out of a double play ball.
Error? What happened? I’m on Gameday. Did someone throw it away? Boot it?
In Adam’s defense, there were already two out…
That is why you don’t pull an away pitch. Assuming it was away.
could giles be a gold glove candidate this year?
Why? What did he do? I HATE NOT BEING ABLE TO SEE ANYTHING!
Oh, yeah, and TO is a huge blowhard. I just checked out his website…what an ego.
Obviously Marte should be the first guy on the list. Oops.
BIG MAC!
James only goes ~6ip each time because the Braves don’t want to overuse him. No sense in having your minor league starters blow out their arms, that’s all.
Lowe is what happens when Horatio Ramirez tries to pitch with his right hand.
Well, there goes Furcal’s swing.
Whoops. I forgot “Big Mac” was already taken by the Big Juicing McGwire. I’ll go with BMac.
Correct me if I’m wrong, but aren’t sinkerballers supposed to give up ground ball hits, not bombs?
That Apache CD is going to break up in the sound booth.
You know that commercial when they morph Clemens and Randy Johnson into a redneck two-handed super pitcher? I want to see that with Lowe and Ramirez.
“Twice the Home Run Power . . .”
Looks like we got the ‘hittable’ Lowe tonight – at least for homers. At this minute, Dodgers have 4 hits, 1 run, Braves have 3 hits, 3 runs. Another reason why BA as a statistic is vastly overrated (not, IMHO, useless as others would say, but nonetheless WAY too depended on…)
Sinkerballers often give up lots of homeruns when they don’t have their A stuff. When sinkers don’t sink, they instead scream, “Hit Me!”
Joey,
I haven’t seen that comercial – what’s it for?
McCann’s homer was actually a good pitch – way down in the zone, he just went down & got it. Furcal absolutely CRUSHED his homer
Speaking of not having one’s A-game: Smoltz does not have his A-game. He hasn’t for a few starts. Anyone a little worried?
What did Francoeur DO that the guy scored all the way from 1B? Did he try to throw him out at third?
Grrrr – I thought Langerhans started back, then couldn’t get to the ball when it fell in front of him.
Chipper should have caught Francouer’s throw – yeah, it would have meant he wouldn’t have tagged him out, but it was catchable… (not to go all BP “Chipper needs to move from 3rd” because I’m not in that camp – I’m just sayin’)
Jonathan, I think it’s for two cell companies merging into one.
Anybody get the TS HD feed? It’s cool how you see the field & warm-up tosses instead of commercials. sometimes you’ll hear the broadcast guys talking, just off the cuff comments.
defense is being abnormally sloppy tonight. it looked to me that izturis got that double that because andruw was cruising. furcal threw taht ball away in the 1st, and franc the tank threw the ball away at third. only 1 error but 3 huge mistakes that have cost smoltz 3 runs. maybe one should have scored but not 3.
Joey,
Sounds funny. Can anybody think of other good/funny commercials w/ baseball players? The one everybody thinks of were with Glavine & Maddux talking about ‘chicks love the long ball’ (hilarious cut in there of Randy Johnson taking BP) – and they had Bo Jackson commercials (that weren’t just baseball, of course). I don’t know if Yogi & the Aflac commercials count as funny, but Yogi’s Yogi no matter what…
I read somewhere that in one of A-Rods deodorant commercial, the display on the stadium reads “E-5”. I haven’t seen it since I read that though, so I can’t say for sure. But it sounds funny… if not in exactly the way you meant.
Johnny Damon has 2 that are very funny. The DHL one where he takes off a fake beard to give to the Hall of Fame and the Dunkin Donuts one where Theo Epstein walks in on him combing a wig and he has to bribe Theo with a caffe latte. I love that one.
BBTN used to have some funny commercials – they’d do scenes from baseball movies w/ Peter Gammons, Karl Ravech & H Reynolds (“There’s no crying in baseball!!”)
Apparently, the Dodgers forgot their pine tar.
Nobody has any thoughts on Smoltz’s recent performances?
I think it’s funny to look back on Giambi’s deodorant commercial. You know, the one where he flexes the ‘roid-given bicep?
Also, Furcal’s throw was not that bad. If you’ll notice the replay, Smoltz went past the bag to cover first (as in, toward right field). If he’d been able to properly cover the bag, they probably would have had the runner out. I’m not saying Smoltz is at fault–the play was definitely a mess and you can’t expect your pitcher to cover the bag like a first baseman should–I’m just saying Furcal’s throw wasn’t really that bad.
Maybe he’s a little tired or sore or something? I don’t know, it’s John Smoltz. I wouldn’t worry too much yet.
i think rafael palmeiro’s limp noodle commercials are funny now. apparently the love muscle needed juicing as well.
Who needs walks? He’ll just get HBP to up his OBP.
Is he okay? Where did it hit him? Gameday says the elbow, but ever since I tried using it AND watching a game at the same time I don’t trust it.
I thought most of the runs he’s given up tonight weren’t any big thing. Poor defense & bad luck have had as big a part as anything (I thought Langerhans could have caught Kent’s single with a good jump on the ball, Izturis probably wouldn’t have had a double if Langerhans & Jones hadn’t got in each others’ way, and of course the throwing/fielding error by Francoeur/Jones). I thought Smoltz looked good last time until he tired in the 9th (wasn’t it the 9th?).
When you have a guy who’s had as much injury history as Smoltz, you always get a little nervous (as in “I hope nothing happens to him, given what he means to the team, but remember what he’s been through already”)
3rd HBP by Franceour – getting that OBP up the hard way…
Ok, I’m back. To answer questions/items I saw above: No I don’t have direct TV, that’s why I thought the choice of ad was funny, as I was just getting agry at Charter. And I know it is wrong of me to complain when there are others out there who can’t see the game, but with all due respect: I expect to have TS, so me not having it is more of a shock than you guys 😛
Another point: Smoltz hasn’t looked sharp his last few games, but I’m not worried. He may be tiring a bit as the season moves on (isn’t he still leading the league in innings pitched?) But if he can get a few days off before the playoffs I won’t worry too much.
Another point: those old BBTN commercials were hilarious, that was back when I used to watch the show.
Yet another point that happened mid-post: Francoeur’s still raising his HBP the painful way.
Franco Jr (I don’t think that’ll be the nickname that catches on) looks to be ok – looked like he got caught on the top of the arm. Looked a bit painful, but not too bad…
AWESOME! I found a radio feed of the game online!
Dont post it, Jenny, but could you email me the URL? I would like to use it Wednesday nights in lieu of the FSN audio.
link, please?
The link to the radio station is right here. You have to install a free program, Abacast or something like that, but it works fine. Enjoy.
Oh, yeah, and it’s Skip and Chip, I think. At any rate, it’s the Braves regular announcers.
How about that commercial with Hank Aaron and Barry Bonds? The “Field of Dreams” takeoff?
Does the 96 rock link work still? I used it the other day at work, but remember someone saying something about it not always working (or MLB clamping down or something)
Mac,
Oh yeah, that was a good one. I had forgotten about it, but it’s one of my favorites in the last several years…
Ha. “96% of the WCCP audience is male”
Congratulations, Jenny! You’re their second female listener!
I tried 96 Rock. During Braves games, they have a rerun of other programming.
This would be hard (ie impossible) to determine for sure, but I wonder what is the record for shortest double (feet traveled)?
Weirdest double ever. 35!
I’m getting it through 96rock.com right now. They clearly have some sort of problem with the filtering there. Sometimes I get a rerun of something else, and I was listening the other day when it cut to that in the 6th inning, but sometimes it’s fine.
I think he was safe. And LaRoche sucks.
Apparently, you were right, Mac. Big fat hairy deal. He’s out where it counts! And it went our way.
Jenny, thanks for the link! If you play around with the URLs a bit, you don’t have to download any additional software. I was able to use mplayer (a free, open source player) with the following
http://64.62.163.130/wccp-fm
No problem, Joey! I’m not much for “playing around with URLs” and I already downloaded the software, but I’ll keep your link.
WCCP, eh? I knew that was familiar – that’s right in my backyard here. It’s too far away to get a good signal usually, but if I’m in my car I sometimes get a signal. I don’t think they carry every game (I think the Braves get pre-empted during football season, and maybe other times too…)
Why do I smile when Jeff Kent screws up?
He was so out, too. That’s hilarious.
Thank you, Jeff Kent.
MARCUS!
Leadoff skills!
Marcus now has a higher SB% than Furcal.
And Marcus again!
Rivera blew a save against Tampa Bay! A home run, no less! They’re tied in the 10th.
If nitrogen causes home runs, what causes balls to bounce off of gloves? Argon? Carbon dioxide?
Helium 🙂
iron?
Farnsworth warming up! No More Kolb!
I can just hear infielders screeching in those mouse voices.
“Damn it!”
“I got it!”
“He was out!”
That actually happens through my DVR sometimes. The other morning it was during the Today show, but I didn’t realize it until Katie wasn’t the one talking anymore.
That food looks so good.
I like the fact that Chipper and Marcus are carrying the offense right now right Furcal and Andruw are cooling down a little bit. A healthy Chipper is sooooo important!
That was actually worse than Kolb. Kolb just would have walked him to first.
I CULDVE DUNE THAT.
Is it a good idea to bring somebody who hasn’t pitched in 6 days in a one-run game?
And why didn’t Robles tag up? Thanks!
He did. The ball was fairly close to the line and Langerhans throws well, and made a good throw.
Really? The radio guys said he didn’t. Oh, well.
Oh, the joys of not having Kolb in the 8th!
oooh so glad a reliever didnt blow it for smoltz…AGAIN
till now at least
Oh, LaRoche. Why does Bobby keep sending you up just to see you get outs?
i really dont like laroche right now. if helium is the gas that is making the ball fly out, laroche needs to stop inhaling it.
I really wish Bobby is resting Julio for the playoff because I want to see Julio playing every game in October…
Oh, Travis Tritt. Why does Turner South keep putting you on air just to see you suck?
As the guy in Jurassic Park said, “Hold onto your butts.”
Here comes Reitsma.
Reitsma is not Smoltz, but he is not Kolb either. Relax guys.
Guy on 2B with no outs. Why should I relax?
Reitsma is starting to look like the guy from late last year, not the guy from the beginning of this year. :/
Not Good.
($^#)%
At this point I’d like to point out that I fear(hate) Ricky Ledee with a passion.
this is what baseball is all about, sweat….
Jenny, I guess that’s a skill I learned in the past 15 years watching Braves games…
I think Reitsma’s worn down. Too bad we don’t have any better options.
on the verge of his 7th blown save. reitsma is not the answer either. just great.
I hope that this this means that Farnsworth will become the closer; Reitsma has looked bad of late and wears down easily….
Expletive! Expletive! Expletive! Expletive!
Reitsma’s looked like crap so far with the Braves. I’m not impressed by him at all. He throws hard, but doesn’t seem to be striking anyone out. And he gives up a lot of hard hit balls. Why would you want him closing?
Farnsworth’s used. I hope Bobby’s calling for Boyer.
Man, I wish McBride was still up.
Strike Reitsma on that last post. SHould have said Farnsworth.
This is Great, I can listen to the game for the first time!!!!!! thanks for the 96 rock lead.
Okay, that does it. Reitsma has to be out.
Hell, let Danny be the closer again. He can’t do any worse than Reitsma these days.
Wonder if he’s hurt?
F*** you, Reitsma. You suck.
What a shock. Reitsma worn down by the end of the year. I mean, it’s not like this happened last year or anything. 7 bs’s in 22 chances is not a good ratio. There is not a team in the league that’s scared to see this guy in the 9th.
OOps, sorry Smoltzie
One or two bad outings happens. This makes it three of his last four.
I don’t know if Bobby sticks with him next time or tries Farnsworth.
7 more weeks. that’s enough time for Reitsma to recover
Kolb is up. Chipper should have dove for that ball
Damn, this is just not acceptable, especially not even getting an out. I want to believe in him for once, but I guess he is having his typical second half struggle again…
How many runners did we leave on 3B tonight? Not getting an insurance run REALLY hurts now. I have a feeling LAD is not done scoring.
Oh, I really wish McBride was on the mound instead of Foster.
So, Smoltz – 90% chance of back to the bullpen in October?
7 blown saves in 22 tries. that is a pretty shitty conversion rate. too bad for smoltz. i bet smoltz has to be wondering if he could bring himself in to save a game for himself. reitsma has never been the answer for a closer. only thing i can imagine is to give farnsworth a shot.
Someone needs to be sent down for McBride. Foster is ineffective as a situational Lefty.
Ok, this has nothing to do with the game…
I sent Stephen A Smith an e-mail and asked, “Why do you yell on tv?” He responded, “Working on it. It’s a trait I’m trying to rid myself of :)”
Check out the smile face he put in it! ha haha!
Well at least we can relax, and enjoy the puritu of the game. the game is possibly out of reach. I think this a time for KOLB REDEMPTION!!!!!!!!!
That is mint, Smitty.
Well, here’s the big problem with the bullpen – first batter OBP:
Foster ~ .400
Kolb ~ .500
That sucks. With a capital SUCKS.
Thanks, Braves. You demote McBride so we can keep HoHum the HomeRunner in the pen and now we’re stuck with a lousy long man and a loser LOOGY. These guys were okay earlier, but not now. Demoting McBride, in hindsight, was stupid.
Ground balls are good.
bower
DAN KOLB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Woah. Kolb got out of a bases loaded, no out situation.
Bizarro world.
Has it come to this?
Kolb for closer?
IMBACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Kolb redemption?! No way…at least we have now another alternative in Farnsworth. Gotta give credit to JS for pulling the trigger this year.
If the Braves come back in the bottom of the ninth (unlikely as it may be), Kolb will have earned the win.
The end is near.
Thank you, Dan Kolb. I hope he gets his job back. He can’t be worse than Reitsma right now.
Who’s the fat guy wearing the Kolb jersey getting double plays?
Wow I can’t believe he reads his email, and responds to it. I am going to tell him it is ok to yell at Skip Bayless.
The commercial break has given me distance I need.
Even a blind squirril can find a nut.
No Kolb for closer.
Maybe LaRoche for closer.. He can hit pretty well as a pitcher.
BWAHAHAHAHA! Red Sox win, Yankees lose in extras! BWAHAHAHAHAHA!
I feel better now.
OOOOOOh Danny boy, I’ll simply watch in peace until you leave the mound.
On a walk right after an IBB to load the bases! Even better! Oh, those damn Yankees!
Come on, Braves.
LET’S GET SOME RUNS
If word gets out that SAS personally responds to email from viewers (all four of them), it might sabotoge his Road To Bristol run.
I emailed Skip Bayless the other day. He has yet to respond. Maybe because I tore him a new one…I don’t know. I’m not a doctor.
we were discussing nicknames the other day, and it seems that “the ageless wonder” has caught on for julio. i guess that could go for any1 overachieving at a late age, but just a thought
Jenny, Ho-Ram isn’t in the bullpen anymore. He is going to start on Saturday. Sosa was sent to the ‘pen.
Julio,
It is fine to take pitches but at least sell it like you are going to swing. You are old enough to know better.
Well, doesn’t THAT just crown it all. He’s starting after that POS relief effort he gave us on Sunday? Is Bobby sniffing glue? I know Sosa got pummeled against the D-backs but he has been better.
Maybe I will send SAS a link to the “Road from Bristol.” What do you guys think?
How could you, an avid braves fan, EVER question moves made by Bobby Cox? C’mon Jenny. He knows what he is doing.
I am not sure we can trot anyone else out to close. This isn’t a good situation
6 more weeks. closer by flavor
As bad as Ramirez is, he might be good to trot out against the Padres. Lefty pitchers have absolutely destroyed that lineup this year. They’re slugging like .369 against lefties.
Farnsworth was pretty good with the Tigers. He’s the next logical option to close if Bobby decides to give Reitsma a break from the 9th.
Remember, Mike, this is the same Jenny who will one day call for Kolb’s hide and call Cox stupid for using him, and the next day, request that Kolb be returned to the role of closer. It’s this bizzare state of fandom in which previous results don’t matter and decisions are made based solely on a player’s performance in his last half-inning. Or something.
Whatever happens, though, Reitsma does not need to be closing right now. His control really hurt him tonight. After walking the bases loaded, Saenz came in looking for a fastball down the middle, which is what he got. Same thing Eckstein got with the bases loaded. I see a trend developing….
Free Paul Bush and find a way to bring back McBride. Kevin Barry is worth a look as well!
Does anyone think that Joey Devine will be promoted to the majors within the next month?
Lemmer supports Kolb also
Seriously, I want Kolb to be given a chance soon in a crucial situation to measure his progress.
Good Call, Stu. You are right on.
So you weren’t calling for Kolb’s hide earlier this year, Stu? Hmmmm, are you a Mets plant? 😉 A little bit exaggerated account of my exploits, but hey, it’s a game thread. It’s all off-the-cuff (hint hint). And it’s why I’m the one on the couch with a laptop and Bobby’s the one in the dugout. As said couch potato, however, I feel it’s perfectly within my rights to call him stupid and make a fool of myself. It’s in the job description of “fan.”
Actually, no, I never called for Kolb’s hide. I just started posting to this site about a month or so ago, so Kolb’s struggles came long before I would have said anything to you guys, anyway. I actually defended Kolb (along with Reitsma and LaRoche), if you’ll recall, in requesting that we not get so down on our players. I noted that if anyone has paid attention over the last month–and, judging by the overwhelming majority of comments on this site, very few people here have–Kolb has been effective, walking very few and only giving up broken-bat loopers and seeing-eye ground balls.
A Mets plant? Heh. No. You’re just thrown by my remarks because I’m one of the few KNOWLEDGEABLE and THOUGHTFUL Braves fans to post here.
And, Mac, you can talk about Giles’s stolen base percentage and on-base percentage all you want…he doesn’t change games on the basepaths. Pitchers don’t get distracted by him and make bad pitches. He can’t lay down a bunt and end up at second because someone made an errant panic throw to first. You can throw all of the baseball-geek/Billy Beane statistics at me that you want, but it’s the little things that make Furcal a much, much better leadoff option than Giles. Anyone who has actually played the game of baseball–not just read a couple of books on the subject–knows what I’m talking about.
I’m one of the few KNOWLEDGEABLE and THOUGHTFUL Braves fans to post here.
Apparently one of the most humble too.
You can throw all of the baseball-geek/Billy Beane statistics at me that you want, but it’s the little things that make Furcal a much, much better leadoff option than Giles. Anyone who has actually played the game of baseball–not just read a couple of books on the subject–knows what I’m talking about.
Are you channelling Joe Morgan? And what does “actually played” mean? Little League? HS? College? At what point does someone’s opinion pass your credibility test?
Nobody will probably read this since it’s an old thread now, but I just have to say it: Stu, you’re being an ass.
But he has such a great sense of humor and a humble nature that I hope we don’t lose.
I can say I’m glad to have missed that game last night..Maybe we can let Farnsworth try for a while, 5 blown saves from Danny, and 7 from Reitsma. Its sad to say but he makes Kolb look good.