Hi, Bob Horner here. Just wanted to give you guys some encouragement, I know it’s beahotpahfa;ldjhtq0tjlgjq;rlgqrgh////////////////////////////////////
Sorry, I dropped the keyboard. Anyway, it’s been rough lately, but things could be worse. Believe me, I knoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Sorry, I dropped some beer on the keyboooooooooooooooooard and sometimes the ooooo key gets stuck. Anyway, hang in there and’;q[‘2u531[9538u10jgq;ergjr;gqewjgw’;r;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;
Boy, did you know who has the lowest VORP of any Braves regular? (We all knew who had the lowest VORP of any Braves pitcher…)
Be fair — Jordan, Pratt, and Orr have been worse, it’s just that Francoeur never leaves the lineup.
Maybe Francouer should just close his eyes until after the 1st pitch has been thrown. That might make it easier for him to take the 1st pitch. Just a thought and if Reitsma pitches tonight regardless of the score I will throw my remote through the TV!!
what happened to Ricardo Rodriguez that we traded to KC for Diaz? I was just wondering I cant find any stats for him.
Phil Stockman has finally been promoted to the big club…not sure who’s going down or who’s been released. Hopefully, Reeksma!
here’s the link…
http://www.rbraves.com/news/?id=1039
Go Braves! Let’s kick some Marlin butt!
why do so many of our closers turn into headcases? wohlers, rocker, kolb, reitsma. what is the organization doing to these people? this meltdown that all of these pitchers have in common is mindboggling.
I posted this at the very end of the open thread so I’ll say it again. I think we need to have Frenchy take “taking” practice. Put him in the cage tie his bat to the back of the cage with a rope and break his neuro-muscular habit of swinging at every pitch. Because that’s what it is, habit. He’s been allowed, if not encouraged, to swing at everything probably since he started playing. Either that or hook him up to some electrodes and give him a little shock everytime he swings at an obvious ball while taking batting practice. Have Hubbard just keep throwing them in the dirt until he figures out that it won’t hurt if he doesn’t swing at them. Aversion therapy, if you will.
And like I said before, I’m only half kidding
Great news about Stockman. It can’t be worse that what we’ve been seeing anyway.
Can Stockman close?
Stockman is up! HELLLL YEAH!
Next we need to get Thorman up here to replace the Roach.
We don’t need Stockman to close, Deathray is doing that quite well. We need a good setup man and hopefully Stockman will be that guy.
Hey, here’s some news for all you Duke haterz: J.J. Redick, like Rafael Furcal before him, just got busted. The officer of the peace noted that Redick had “very glassy eyes, strong odor of alcohol coming from breath.”
It’s sort of like that part of one of his poems that goes,
“As I decide to fulfill my life’s strategy
The devil insists on trying to battle me
I meet him in an empty field on the high plains
He throws temptations my way to inflict internal pain”
Don’t give up, J.J. If you give in to Devil’s temptations, Dick Vitale might commit suicide. And we all know that NOBODY wants that.
speaking of former closers, in case any of y’all didn’t notice on the forums, stephen a smith’s show looks like it seriously hurting for audience members: http://www.bravesbeat.com/boards/showthread.php?t=21985
i find this moderately hillarious
same crappy 2-step. no betemit in starting lineup.
hurting for guests too it seems
Who did they just say Stockman replaced? I missed it.
No Betemit and Giles still in leadoff spot. This is insane, wtf is Bobby smoking? What is it going to take to wake him up? Good lord, this is unbelievable.
Hanley would have tagged Giles out there if he could have held on to the ball.
Strikeout #1, lets see what how many we can rack up today.
K #2
All right! At least we know nothing changed during the off day.
KK
Diaz playing today at the very least.
Quiet in here today. Guess I am the only one who likes to watch us lose.
Nice play Chippa, who says he cant still play 3rd?
And so it begins. Who wants to take bets on how many runs we give up today?
And here comes Cabrera looking like the reincarnation of Gallaraga.
If this kid hasn’t been doing some illegal substances, nobody has.
I’m here. In and out anyway, trying to get things finished up before the storms move in. Have they said who got sent down yet?
B-mac!!
McCann back to the 5th spot thank god! And he gets another hit.
Nope, I am watching the Marlins broadcast on MLV T.V., they havent said who got sent down.
They probably sent Betemit down–you can’t ever have too many guys hitting the ball well on the bench… Besides, there he can get some regular at bats.
The AJC.com board says Shitsma got put on the D/L to make room for Stockman. They probably had to do that because if they didn’t they knew Cox would find a way to put that idiot in the game and screw it up.
By the way, on the transactions wire I noticed Russ Ortiz just got designated for assignment by the Dbacks. I assume he will refuse and be released. He sure fell off the edge……
HI Land,
I am here until my wife comes up at 8 for us to watch something more entertaining then the Braves losing.
But hey, Phil Stockman is up…watch out, Mets!!!! 😉
Ok, I am happy Stockman is up (and would love to know who’s gone), but what about:
Kevin Barry
Brayan Pena
Lil’ Tony
Thorman
Chuck James
C’mon, JS…our work isn’t done. Let’s start clearing some of the crap off this team…Pratt, Jordan, Reeksma, Villareal, Yates…
Thanks Mike M.
Reitsma on the DL? Oh praise god, bobby won’t be able to use him.
Can’t wait to see Stockmans debut in the big show! Something to look forward to at least.
Jeff, so true.
Glad to hear that Reeksma is on the “DL”–I guess that’s the Braves version of the “Down Low”?
But, Land…you are 100% right.
Why the heck is Giles still leading off?
Oh hell…LaRoche got a walk. Miracles do exist!
Seriously, that had to be the only option. Yates could go too, reasonably, but compared to Reitsma, Yates is pitching lights out.
While I don’t wish injury on anyone, I kinda of hope that Reitsma does have an injury, something that would explain his sudden (and yet prolonged) inability to pitch. I realize he’s not , nor ever was, a closer, but he wasn’t an awful bullpen pitcher until this year.
Bullsh–.
That was inside.
The Marlins announcers suck.
K # 3
Jeff,
Sadly…Reitsma’s only injury is to his brain and his pride.
It’s why he needs to be RELEASED so he can have a fresh start somewhere else.
It’s not working here.
K # 4 and we don’t score but at least that was the 43rd pitch for Johnson in only the 2nd inning.
To be fair, Diaz was not really struck out–that was a horrible call and changed the whole inning; and Smoltz is a pitcher so those 2 K’s don’t really count.
Smoltz maybe not but it doesn’t matter if it’s called strikeout or not, still struckout.
Here’s my prediction on Chuck James: I believe June 17th will clear the 10 days since he was optioned down, so I’m thinking they call him up that day to take HoRam’s start so he can keep icing his head for another few days and then HoRam bumps back to take Sosa’s slot a few days later and Sosa goes to the BP. Yates gets sent down went CJ comes up. Now how to get Thorman up…….
At least Marcus didn’t strikeout.
Why the f— is Betemit not PLAYING AGAIN?
God this pisses me off…
“FREE WILSON BETEMIT”
Thorman coming up is easy just have The Roach meet with an unfortunate accident and place him on the DL, permanently….
Everyone complains about Francouer first pitch swinging but like the “I learned it by watching YOU dad” commercials come to mind when Francouer sees Giles do the same thing and no one stops the little man from doing that!
5 k’s, awesome.
This umpire sucks, by the way.
He’s now rung the Braves on on 2 bad calls and now changed 2 innings.
Even when the Braves want to have a good game, they can’t.
Of course, we might have an even better game if Betemit was in for Giles…
6k’s, woohoo!
When do we get a new pitching coach? Can we place Pendleton on the DL?
I am stuck on PPV, watching the Marlins broadcast.
I am NOT JOKING…they are having a “Bark at the Park” Night where all 10 of their fans are allowed to bring their dogs to the game.
Forget about the SANITARY issues (though I realize the stadium is a sh– box) but my GOD…will they please take this team out of s. Florida?
McDowell is not the problem…bad pitchers are the problem.
McCann’s dad is a batting coach and look how he’s doing with Brian.
I say we hire him as our new batting coach.
I thought Bobby said he was going to give Betemit more playing time. He plays Saturday, but sits Sunday and Tuesaday. I just don’t get it. He has the power. He makes the lineup card each night.
mccann is a beast
Let’s play ABC baseball here.
See! Wow McCann is on fire man. He is hitting so well.
Cory,
I was just thinking the same thing. How do you say we need to get Betemit at bats and then sit on him for the next two games, especially when we are stinking up the joint… UGGGHH.
And actually, I understand a reason for not having him replace Giles (via a trade) permanently. After all, what would happen to us if we were hit by injuries to Chipper or Renteria then. Orr for two weeks??? But frankly, Betemit has to play more, at least until Giles starts hitting…
McCann better be careful or he’ll find himself batting 7th again…..
I’m thinking K, K, BB, K……
7 k’s in 4 innings…. what can you say?
i think prado or tony pena would be up. i think orr is purely there for speed and nothing else
f’in great
Is this the first time Diaz has walked this year?
doesnt matter if Smoltz walks, Giles will K.
w/ Frenchy and LaRoche doing their usual stellar work, it’s impossible to get anything done at the bottom of the order.
83 pitches in 4 innings. Dang.
Where’s a rain out (or three) when you need them. This team feels to me like it needs a “Bull Durham” experience.
Boy, there’s a better chance of pigs flying than Francouer doing anything on the road vs. a right-hander.
v. righties .603 OPS
on the road .578 OPS
Yikes!
It should also be noted that his OPS is 300 points higher during day games. I know — smaller sample size, but still.. he has some very odd splits.
Giles out on the 2nd pitch.
I am sick of this from him. Doesn’t he give Bobby ulcers yet?
Alex, seriously stop ragging on Giles, it’s not his fault. He’s not a leadoff hitter and it’s Bobbys fault for trying to make him one.
It really shoudn’t matter where you hit in the lineup. No one asked Marcus to change his approach. He just hasn’t been able to hit a lick this year. Bottom line.
mike smoltz has only 60
Lando…,
You are right and so is Alex. Anytime we do things that perpetually fail and yet we continue to do so, we are being hardheaded, insane, whatever.
Both Giles and Cox are clearly doing the same things. Giles is doing so by continuing to swing at crap, pop up, strike out, and generally be a poor hitter. Cox is doing so by continuing to put Giles in a position to fail.
Land,
to be fair, I didn’t realize swinging on the first or second pitches has to do with where you hit in the lineup?
He maybe out of place but he’s terrible offensively.
Do you really believe he would suddenly hit .300 tomorrow hitting elsewhere?
I just want to see the guy take some pithes. I mean we are all over Francouer, why not the same juice aimed at Giles?
Look at that stop by Giles.
The only players in the lineup that go up to the plate with a plan: in my opinion are Renteria, Chipper, and McCann.
Yes I do. I don’t think Giles is comfortable hitting leadoff and it’s putting a lot of pressure on him that he’s not used to. And for those of you saying it shouldn’t matter what position he is in then why does it matter when you try to move someone to the outfield when they’ve never played there before?
It matters.
Cory,
I 100% agree.
Betemit would as well if they would fracking play him.
We have to stop the bleeding.
and the kicker is Smoltz hadnt thrown as many pitches…not nearly as many.
This is just so incredibly disheartening.
Strikeout the leadoff hitter and giveup the two run hit to the pitcher? WTF
why does it matter when you try to move someone to the outfield when they’ve never played there before?
yeah its sure slowed Soriano down this year…
yes, why not move albert pujols to picher, because he is a crazy good slugger just like babe ruth was. you can find an obscure example for almost anything in this sport.
I love it when Andruw goes to the opposite field.
not saying i agree or disagree.
mccann’s a beast
btw, what happened to andruw’s arm? that was johnny damon-esque last inning.
mccann is a stud. too bad we have nothing but black holes behind him.
Great 2 runners on for 2 of our 3 least reliable hitters.
Frenchy!
Latnam, some athletes can adjust to wherever they are put. Giles is obviously not one of them. Betemit on the other hand appears to be.
Ok, I take it back.
How did that not get out? We can’t catch a break.
well..at least his first pitch swinging this time finally did some good. Thank God.
That hurt.
Frenchy with signs of life.
To quote Alex: “Typical f-in’ Laroche.”
fabulous
At least LaRoche didn’t hit into a triple play.
What a waste.
We suck sooooooooooo bad.
f-ng LaRoche, please, LaRoche defenders, where are you?
The Roach strikes again!
DAMN I HATE LAROACH, can we please get rid of him!!!!!!!:LJKfdsa;ljfsd
sasdajflskdjf’
way to waste a no out rally. I am just sick and tired and sick and tired….arggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggg
Like I said Roachy almost always gets hits when nobody is on base.
Land,
we may part on Giles, but believe me, no one hates LaRoche more then me.
The site of his emotionless face upsets me.
I miss the good John Smoltz…the one who used to END losing streaks.
I’m with you Alex. We need Smoltz to be as close to perfect as possible. We are just not getting it.
*sigh* people change positions all the time and it really doesn’t effect their hitting much at all
Chipper ’01 3B: .330 .427 .605
’02 LF: .327 .435 .536
Sheffield ’93 3B: .294 .361 .476
’94 OF: .276 .380 .584
Yount ’84 SS: .298 .362 .441
’85 CF: .277 .342 .442
All of this to say that it doesn’t matter where you play except for the wear on your body (Chipper’s knee injuries and catchers burning out). It doesn’t really effect your hitting at all. I don’t think it matters where Marcus hits in the line-up, he’d be hitting the same way.
Want to start a Roach hater club? You can be president.
Don’t get me wrong though I am not a huge Giles fan but I just think Bobby has set him up to fail and it’s messing up his game.
Nice throw for McCann. Kid can has an arm.
Latnam you are talking about some of the best hitters in the game that’s pretty funny to compare them to Giles.
And I am talking about people switching spots in the batting order not changing the position they play. When I referened changing the position people play I was referring to the fact that a catcher is going to have a hell of a time trying to play center field or someone at first moving to the
outfield.
83 pitches for Smoltz through six. Do you pinch hit?
Land,
I have always been anti LaRoche but have been stifled by some…welcome to the club.
His rally killing and lack of effort make me ill..at least Giles appears to have heart.
Give me guys who play hard…Reitsma may stink but at least he seemed to try. That’s all you can always ask…just try and it seems LaRoche is always half ass in his approach.
Damn, I thought Orr was going to beat that.
Orr…then Giles…here comes automatic out #2.
That was a pathetic AB for Giles.
Giles…K…ahh, like Hall with Oates.
Renteria professional hitter.
Chipper…doing his best Giles impression. This is beyond disheartening.
Well, now the bullpen’s got to hold ’em…Really…this time….aglsdjlasdgdlsakjgflaskdjglsakjdg damn keyboard. This typing while sobbing is tough…
Well at least we are trying something new now, strikeout looking instead of swinging.
latnam…like i said, you can find examples of anything out there. you do have over 100 years of history to research. thats about 1/2 million games.
Tyler Yates, he’s our man, if can get them….
that’s can’t (not can)—uggghhh
Nice outing for Yates. Got to look for some positives.
Yates looking good
ok, a walk, but wow…a solid inning by Yates. Maybe the ‘pen is celebrating the departure of Reitsma? cool.
Actually, Torborg, I think it’s “ulnar necrosis”, or Dead Arm.
Two runs. That’s a frigging mountain right now.
Wow, can we PLEASE clone McCann???? This kid is blowing me away.
McCann..the only Brave capable of anything this day. Amazing how this guy keeps performing despite the crap around him. Love this kid.
and then theres Frenchy. another 1st pitch out. God. I hate this. Take him out.
Oh no, does this mean Brian Jordan?
Watch Bobby send up Brian Jordan right here.
And… Girardi’s going to the bullpen to get a lefty to face Adam LaRoche. Why? Adam sucks, anyone can get him out.
Bobby’s probably looking for a Veteran Pinch-Hit (TM)
I knew it.
ahaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahahhahahaahhahhahaha
Yea… I’m glad McCann is playing ball even though the rest of the team has gone to sleep!
I wish he’d start hitting homeruns because they can’t seem to ever get him in when he gets on base all the time for em!
Yeah lets let the guy hitting just above 200 an at bat. great idea
This is for Jenny if she’s here:
http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaab/news;_ylt=AkBEDLqGSaDyAqMdYyCF3tg5nYcB?slug=ap-redick-dwi&prov=ap&type=lgns
Remember the picture? haha
Anyways, go Braves.
Wow. Jordan caught a break. Right down broadway.
Whee. How expected.
Pathetic.
Jordan has the bat speed of a young Ted Williams. Really young. Like 4.
Anyone think Edmonton can win Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Finals?
lol bobby has officially lost his mind.
How did he think the guy hitting 200 was going to get a hit?
There are no words…just general head shaking and deep depression.
How is what Jordan doing, any different than Mondesi last year?
That was golden, Mac.
I dunno. Quite frankly, I don’t care.
If it helps, Jordan was hitting for LaRoche. That’s dropping a straw at a gun fight to instead fight with a pen.
Where is Stockman???? He better get to pitch tonight.
If not of the World Cup which diverted my attention, I would have killed myself watching this ‘&%(% team.
Russ Ortiz got released by the D-backs, I am sure JS will bring him back as pitching help…if you count that as help.
i had to think too hard for that riddle alex
At this point, anything is help.
I’m sorry but I don’t consider Jordan as someone that has meant a lot to the Braves organization. He has spent what four or five years in a Brave uniform. He is taking up a valuable roster spot.
I don’t know Alex, even The Roach is better than Jordan.
They both stink. It sucks that they are both Braves.
Belliard is better than Jordan.
McCann is really good.
Everybody else is really bad.
I don’t know if I need recap any more than that.
Add Renteria to the really good.
By the way, Mike Remlinger sucks too. Way to cut our hearts, old fart.
Borowski. Now, this is just humiliating.
… why was Diaz trying to bunt?
here comes that more playing time for betemit. 1 f’n at bat.
Maybe the Braves will be in last place by the end of this month.
c’mon Betemit.
could it be another worst to first year?
Quite possible at this rate. 0-2
And that was at kc. Not ryan c
Murphy’s Law, people.
Wow, maybe Betemit was so shocked to be getting an at bat that he couldnt see the ball well???
Yes, this sucks for Wilson, but to be fair, when the man was allowed to start, he kicked ass.
he’s probably sick of being behind Giles.
Rally, Rally, Rally, Rally!
Giles has got to run harder than that. That’s horrible.
Eeeeeeeeeyep, 12 of 15.
Well, the trade rumors page is saying the Braves are trying to trade Marcus to make room for Betemit…
and fittingly, Marcus ends the game.
he’s beyond pathetic.
HAHAH I just realized this must be bizzaro year for the Braves?
We are the Marlins and the Marlins have turned into the Braves!
The whole team is pathetic. Thanks JS.
i like marcus but maybe its just his time to move on. this really blows.
I’m not giving up on Giles until he is moved out of the leadoff spot, if he fail after that, I will give up on him.
Let’s hope the rumors are true. And hopefully they stuff LaDouche in his luggage by accident and we never see them again.