So anyway, I’m thinking of a web-based game, one of those little java deals. I of course have no idea how to build such a game, but I am an idea man. It will be called “Hit A Home Run Off Of Jorge Sosa” and the gimmick will be that whatever you do you’ll hit a homer. Everyone’s a winner! Except Tim Hudson, I guess.
I have also written a short BASIC program to similar effect. Here it is:
10 INPUT “TYPE IN ANYTHING”; $
20 PRINT “CONGRATULATIONS!”
30 PRINT “YOU’VE HIT A HOMER AGAINST JORGE SOSA!”
40 GOTO 10
anyone think Thomson could contribute in the pen. He usually has good control and doesn’t give up a bunch of HR’s, he did walk his 1st two batters in his last outing though.. We would have to get another starter too
would that just be adding another useless arm…
That’s an idea to consider for 2007, provided we don’t trade anyone away. I think Thomson would be a good middle innings guy.
1914 Update:
NY Giants 41-25
Chicago Cubs 40-32
St. Louis Cardinals 37-36
Cincinnati Reds 35-36
Pittsburgh Pirates 32-35
Brooklyn Robins 31-35
Philadelphia Phillies 31-35
Boston Braves 28-40
Day off for the Braves again. Lots more of those back then for travel, made up for with many more doubleheaders (the Braves played 26 DHs in 1914, including stretches of four in four days, three in three days, and two instances of three in four days).
Did Thomson always sweat like he has this year? I don’t remember it.
I think he did. Because every time he started, I would sit on the couch going, “Ewwww, gross!” about every 10 seconds.
yes, he did
Thomson’s K is up at the end of this season, and I seriously doubt we’ll be bringing him back.
I wouldn’t for $5 mill – thats for sure
10 PRINT “BOTTOM OF THE 9TH AND THE BRAVES ARE UP BY 2!”
20 PRINT STARTER$ + ” HAS THROWN 120 PITCHES.”
30 INPUT “WHO WILL REPLACE ” + STARTER$ + “?”; RELIEVER$
40 SWITCH RELIEVER$
50 CASE “OSCAR VILLAREAL”:
60 PRINT “OSCAR HAS ALLOWED 2 RUNS AND IS IN LINE FOR THE WIN!”
70 GOTO 150
80 CASE “CHRIS REITSMA”:
90 PRINT “OH NO! REITSMA ALLOWED A GRAND SLAM! BRAVES LOSE!”
100 END
110 DEFAULT:
120 PRINT RELIEVER$ + ” HAS WALKED TWO BATTERS.”
130 INPUT “HERE COMES BOBBY! WHO SHOULD HE CALL IN?”; RELIEVER$
140 GOTO 40
150 END
Oh, no, I think somebody would trade an equally good bullpen arm straight up for Thomson and we’d save $3M.
I’ve discussed the idea of Thomson in the bullpen in previous threads. This year seems like the time to try it. First of all, he generally has good command. This year, we should also add the fact that his value of a starter all year will be squat since he’s been injured too frequently to have the stamina a starter needs, especially with our bullpen. Taking pitchers like Thomson and moving them to the bullpen doesn’t work all the time, but there are success stories. And since I doubt that he’s going to help us much as a starter and since our bullpen sucks so bad, I’d be willing to try him there (just as they are doing with Sosa).
Jeff, I think its worth a try, but then we still have ot find another starter. We aren’t capable of having a 4 man rotation and I cant watch Cormier start again…Kevin Barry might be an option, but probably not a good one
It’s Lima Time in the Mets/Marlins matchup! Dontrelle starting for the fish.
JC, I don’t think Thomson sweated in previous seasons like he right now. I’ve never seen anybody sweat like that.
Seriously, he’s sweated that profusely ever since he’s been with us. His hat is always dripping in the first inning.
I use to think it soaked it in water to keep him cool, apparently not..
Is that troll wearing any clothes?
Line-up
Giles
Renteria
Jones
Jones
Frenchy
Diaz
LaRoche
Pratt
Ramirez
How many saves must Schuerholz watch this bullpen blow? For God’s sake do something.
How about Wilson Betemit for ?Joel? Zumaya of the Tigers. They are looking for a left-handed young and cheap batter and we need bullpen help. Not going to happen.
Make a trade already!
Probably not, knowing him.
“I can send you a picture of your self if you want.”
Okay, you’re a creep. Get lost.
Mac, your idea is very close to one I’ve long had for a theme restaurant – it’s called Reuben World. Reuben World offers an extensive menu, but regardless of what you order, you get a reuben. Anyway, I’m always looking for some cross-promotional opportunities, so let me know….
I bet someone (not me, I have no skills in that area) could write a plugin script where you could insert the troll image automatically with a push of a button. Maybe someone already has.
I took just enough computer science to realize that I shouldn’t take computer science. The fact that my last instructor committed suicide shortly after my class with him ended confirmed the wisdom of my decision.
Cincy changed their lineup considerably from yesterday:
Freel
Dunn
Griffey
Aurilia
Phillips
Kearns
Ross
Castro
Milton
Milton’s not quite as bad as he was last year, but a 5.09 ERA and 14 HR in 74.1 IP is nothing to get excited about.
Our batters should be excited about getting to hit him though…
Andruw (9/23, 4 HRs) should certainly be happy to see Eric Milton.
It shouldn’t break Chipper’s (5/15, 2 HRs) heart either.
Let’s just hope we get the good HoRam.
Is that Ron Gant?
Ron Gant. Oh joy.
I’m not getting the game on tv tonight…
That means I’ll be missing great Gant commentary….. *sigh*
Oh boy. Not starting off good here.
That walk is a bad omen.
Well, that could’ve been worse, I guess.
Hopefully we don’t make Milton look like Johan Santana tonight..
I feel Horacio evades Griffey Jr. I can uderstand thoroughly. But it isn’t a proper way in that situation.
Or he might be in trouble with contorl problems, today!
*sigh*
The Evil HoRam has showed up for business.
Oh dear god nooooooooooooooo! Here I was all excited to tune into another Braves game and the first thing I hear is Ron Gan’ts retarded captain obvious comments. Seriously the people who hired him need to be beaten mercilessly and then made to listen to a repeat broadcast of Ron Gant 24 hours a day for a month.
Come on…Eric Milton??? WTF Horam…
Where are coaching staff and a veteran catcher?
Rathbun just said, and I quote:
“This may sound odd, and I say that to let you know that this might sound odd…”
That might possibly be the dumbest thing I have ever heard.
P.S. This game is over. HoRam clearly doesn’t have it, and they are going to let this get out of hand before they do anything about it.
Stick a fork in him!
Game over.
Ok. Who taught Horacio to pitch like John Thompson since his last start?
What in the world was THAT? Horacio just reminded me why I hated him so much last year. He would have been better off not even showing up tonight.
Oh and give me Gant as a broadcaster any day over Jeff Torborg.
Wow…unless Jorge Sosa starts to pitch for Cincy…this will be very hard to come back from
Maybe John Thomson and Jorge Sosa met up with Horacio Ramirez last night and gave him some pitching tips.
Well at least I can stop watching the game and listen to the radio broadcast. Freaking Ron Gant. I just…. I …. who…… I can’t even put the words together to try and fathom who thinks he should be working in broadcasting.
HoRam looks like a dog that been beaten by it’s owner.
Ron ….. you are masochistic. I would rather listen to you call a game over Ron Gant.
Bye everyone. It was nice chatting, but I am not wasting my time with this crap tonight.
This is Sam Cassell ugly…
I wasn’t fooled by HoRam’s fluke start. I knew he’d revert back to his usual suckiness. Remember John Thomson had a 1.87 ERA over a 43.1 IP stretch earlier this year. People get lucky. It happens.
I’m not giving up on HoRam this easily. He is still young guys, bound to happen.
Well, nothing is for sure I guess.
I thought for sure we’d win tonight with Horacio pitching against Eric Milton.
Our pitching is (cue Bill Walton voice) HAW-RIB-BLE!!!
Florida beating the Mets 7-0 nice. AHAHAHA Jose Lima pitching…. Wow the Mets must be desperate.
Oscar, don’t do this to us… oh, hell, why not? We’re not going to win this one.
Hmmm…went to atlantabraves.com to connect to MLBTV. The headline said “Ramirez in search of his third win in a row” and under that, 8-0 Cincinatti. Holy balls.
Lima doesn’t “pitch” Lando… he just throws balls that hitters hit really far and really hard.
Kinda like what Thomson and Sosa do…
OM FREAKING GAWD!!!!! Pray for rain, ya’ll!!!!
Ahh yes, thanks for correcting me Davey. My bad.
I’m not giving up on HoRam. At least not in the future. As far as this game is concerned….
I have little appeal for pitching coach right now. He should have visited on the mound before changing Horacio!!!!
Why am I still watching this?
Wow. I guess the only concelation is that the Mets are down 7-0 to the Marlins.
Villareal has decided that if everyone else is going to pack it in, why shouldn’t he? But he’s badly damaging his chances to replace Sosa as our next pseudo-closer.
“Nine runs, no errors, that’s good.” laugh, the tone of voice was perfect when he said that.
If I was a betting man I’da take the over on the game…which must’ve been atleast 22..
Great..maybe Milton can get another Rbi..
BOO!!!!!!!!!
If we can time our meltdowns with the Mets, we’re still in good shape.
And the inning ended with only 8 runs scoring…
The good news is the Reds’ pitching sucks about as bad as the Braves’, so this game could yet end up a 15-14 win.
JS is going to make some major changes, don’t worry. I think he’s planning on putting a DVD Player in the clubhouse.
Milton blows. That’s the only hope. But then you watch Giles & Renteria both make first pitch outs. Andruw makes an out on a 3-1 count. Hackcoeur is out on a 2-0 count.
I should probably stop watching now.
What did the Reds put in the Braves’s water?
What’s the opposite of viagra?
WHY IS VILLARREAL STILL PITCHING!?
Todd Pratt.
Felipe Alou..
No pop in our sticks…or anything else, for that matter….
Dan, it’s 9-0. You want to waste another pitcher on this game?
Who would you rather have in Dan?
When the 6th inning rolls around…and it’s 18-0…maybe Bobby can let LaRoche pitch. (if he’s still awake)
the “He’s still playing?” list.
7 out of 10, baby.
http://thephatphree.com/features.asp?SectionID=2&StoryID=2757&LayoutType=1
Ron Gant Ron Gant, I’m a Ron Gant man.
How can Villarreal “save the bullpen” when they already f-ing suck?
Isn’t long relief just perfect for Jorge Sosa?
And why does it sound like Chris Reitsma is coming back next year with the Braves? I thought they only gave him a one year contract. Has Schuerholz not learned his lesson about the bullpen after 2005 and this year? Will he get a proven closer or think Boyer/DeVine “are just perfect”?
I want LaRoche to pitch if possible.
Two on, no outs, no runs score. That would be nice if the game weren’t over already.
From Yahoo Sports :
“CINCINNATI’S DAVID ROSS LEFT THE GAME IN THE TOP OF THE SECOND INNING WITH AN UNDISCLOSED INJURY.”
Did he strain a muscle while pointing and laughing at our pitching staff?
Eric Milton=No hitter
Todd Pratt=Me crying
I hope Delta didn’t bring this Braves’ game to the world.
By popular demand, Kevin Barry. He’s certainly looked good so far.
I hope everyone realizes that Barry is only in because of Reitsma’s season ending injury. Absolutely mind boggling.
Nothing like a 9th inning meltdown to suck all the energy out of your team. Hopefully we can recover before the all star break is over. sheesh
If we had brought Barry in in the second inning, it might be only 6-0.
Still game over.
Griffey is the only Red that hasn’t gotten a hit yet…
Barry didn’t get the memo to throw batting practice out there…
It would be kind of cool if the Braves got no hit because then they could have possibly their worst pitching performance and worst hitting performance of the season together in one game. It would be nice to get those out of the way in the first half.
We need to win tomorrow to split this series. We are NOT going to win Thomson vs. Arroyo.
The Mets, Nationals and Phillies are losing. The Marlins are winning after Dontrelle Willis hit a grand slam and Jose Lima cried literally.
Did he just say that “it’s hard to give these guys blows, so every chance you get, you have to give them a blow.”? Unbelivable. Don’t they listen to themselves?
Well, the no hitter’s settled. Any other reason we’re paying attention, other than masochism?
9-2.
I BEEEEEELIEEEEEEVE!
Chipper.
well, theres two….. The Journey of a Tousand miles begins with a single step. The journey of 9+ runs begins with an Edgar double.
If the Reds can get five in the ninth, we can get seven in five!
According to Gant, it’s hard to score runs when you’re out of innings.
Alright Chip…
According to me…it’s hard to listen to a game when Ron Gant is announcing
RobBroad4th…. let me explain something to you. If you time your meltdowns to coincide with Met loses, you’re spinning your wheels. See the trick is to win if the Mets lose so you can gain ground. If you lose simultaneously it does you no good. Get it?
I don’t know, bravenewworld. The concept seems awfully foreign to me. I was just saying it’s nice to lose when the Mets lose. Otherwise we go further behind…get it?
Kevin Barry for closer.
I don’t think we’re far off, Dan. But first we need to see if Reitsma’s wife can pitch a few innings.
Careful there, Kevin. You’re liable to get sent down the way your pitching.
Freel could have ran that to first for crying out loud.
Great Stuff, Kevin Barry
I’d like to watch to the end him. very carefully.
Have the Braves ever won a game when Ron Gant is in the booth?
Kevin Barry for closer? Or maybe Thomson’s spot?
Barry is pitching his way out of town.
There’s no room in our bull-pen for guys like that. Shame on him
Six scoreless innings for Barry against the Yankees and the Reds?
Eight, counting the Cardinals. Two hits, two walks, eight Ks. This guy can pitch.
Ron Gant is like knives in my ears.
Didn’t see that Cardinals game. Wow.
Did anyone else see where SI, in their most recent issue, named Rafael Furcal as the worst NL free agent signing? Most errors on the team, worst OPS, yada yada yada…..we’d really be in a pickle if he had stayed.
Yeah, if we signed Furcal, we wouldn’t have the money to pick up players like we’re doing this year.
Nice hit, Andruw. Dare we hope?
Rally hats.
C’mon Matty! Keep ’em comin’.
Look, the Reds are getting tired! All of that running and hitting in the second inning must have worn them out.
In all seriousness, glad we got rid of Drunky Furcal.
Better than nothing Diaz.
Alright Jeffrey!
So who won that Laroche Francouer debate again?
The Marlins are beating the Mets and the PIrates are beating the Phillies. What a weird day…
RON GANT WATCH
Ron Gant: Hall of flame
I think Cox is just waiting for Barry to mess up. Boy, I like this guy.
Any chance we can clone this kid, say, 5 or 6 of him to, oh, I don’t know, completely fill out the bullpen?
Weird that the Reds had Milton batting for himself.
“The Marlins are beating the Mets and the PIrates are beating the Phillies. What a weird day…”
Well Rob, you can add to that the Braves have a reliever out there that has pitched 4 scoreless innings.. weird indeed
It would have been better to pinch-hit for Pratt over Barry.
Pratt has been a sure-out for a couple of years now.
2 more in this inning? maybe three? I guess wether it matters or not depends on who is coming to the mound for us.
And one more from Chipper. I do believe that he’s beaten his slump.
What in the world was Andruw doing?!?!?
God is Andruw that slow? How did he not make it to first?
RISP for andruw…..
Andruw has Laroche disease.
Andruw gets out of the box really slowly at times, but that was silly.
If Andruw would hustle.. geez. We have some lazy players.
Well that sucked
If Andruw hustles, it’s 9-6 with the tying run at bat in the form of Jeff Francoeur.
“It may hurt his team” – Ron Gant
Well no crap Ronnie, it already did.
Wow. That was bad. I know he’s fat and slow but c’mon.
“How did he not make it to first?”
Well Turner South answer that. That was a quick rollercoaster. I thought it was a three run game, which seems so much more doable than four.
When does Stockman get off the D.L.?
Beverly Yates in to kill any thoughts of comeback.
Only getting 1 run out of that inning really hurts..
Andruw is getting a little to chunky to hustle. What’s with him?
There isn’t player analysis about Kevin Barry. Are you setting plan on foot? I want to know what kinds of ball he can throw , and so on…..
Been away for awhile, but still here lurking.
Tood Pratt is absolutely killing this team.
‘Are you setting plan on foot?’
brule, what does that mean?
‘Are you setting plan on foot?’
UGH, sorry! I was chatting with someone.
I’m saying I expect Mac to write player analysis about Kevin Barry
exactly it was my mistake 😉
I’m going to stop watching baseball because of Todd Pratt
I don’t get Turner South, so I’m taking your word for it that Andruw could have gotten a hit out of the play that ended the 7th.
Man, the bullpen has been called upon three times in the last two weeks to pick up a starter knocke dout in the second or third, and this is the third time it’s done at least a decent job, thanks to Kevin Barry.
Why can’t they pitch like this all the time?
And why is Todd Pratt still here? He’s the sixth-best catcher in the Braves’ system, if that.
Pratt isn’t a catcher..
He’s some guy that Bobby found sleeping outside of Turner Field.