I’ve heard that when Don Zimmer was managing in Boston, one of their sports radio shows had a policy that nobody was to use his given name but had to refer to him as “Chiang Kai-Shek”. I am imposing a similar policy. From now on, No. 34 of the Braves must be referred to here as “Kim Jong-Il”.
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- Cubs 8, Braves 3 - Braves Journal - [...] The Braves need to rest John Smoltz. There’s nothing to play for and he doesn’t have anything to prove.…
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Sure thing. I hoped that last night – this morning was Jong-Il’s last game with the Braves. Obviously that is not the case.
So I went to Camden Yards today. They were supposed to give us Brian Roberts bobblehead dolls, but apparently they opened up the shipments and realized the manufacturing people had made a black guy. So instead I have a voucher. I was mad at first, since it means I have to drive back in September, but now I just can’t stop laughing. I would have killed to see the looks on their faces when they realized what had happened.
Also, I missed the entire first inning because we got stuck behind a 200-car freight train. The freight? Full Waste Management containers of garbage. As you can imagine, it smelled terrible. But the game itself was pretty good.
Coulda been worse. A few years ago, such a train full of chemicals caught fire right there in the middle of Baltimore. Shut the whole city down for days.
Speaking of chemical waste, the lineups:
Ourn:
W. Betemit 2b
E. Renteria ss
C. Jones 3b
A. Jones cf
B. McCann c
J. Francoeur rf
A. LaRoche 1b
S. Thorman lf
J. Smoltz p
Theirn:
D. Roberts lf
M. Cameron cf
B. Giles rf
M. Piazza c
A. Gonzalez 1b
K. Greene ss
M. Bellhorn 3b
J. Barfield 2b
C. Park p
WB getting the start today.
Every time Marcus is out of the lineup I think he’s being traded. It’s fun to come up with theories, anyway.
He’s gonna be in the other dugout by the end of the night. Now there’s a theory for ya…
Mets lose, good chance to close the gap tonight. Hopefully we saved some offense for Smoltzie.
Especially when Kim Jong-Il is still lurking in the pen. Yeah, blowing two saves is a long night’s work, but everyone else is in the same boat.
Oh, Giles is injured…Jammed thumb.
In light of his big night last night, how about some statistical love for LaCasual:
After a solid May, June and July: .264/.336/.513
5th in the team in OPS, 4th amongst those who qualify
With RISP: .296/.381/.535
Close and Late: .333/.439/.750
Man on third, less than 2 outs: .500/.455/1.000
Looks like he’s not quite the rally killer we make him out to be.
Not like he’s in competition, but here’s Francouer’s RISP, C & L, and runner on third with less than 2 outs stats:
With RISP: .300/.330/.430
Close and Late: .303/.338/.621
Man on third, less than 2 outs: .357/.368/.357
OPS-wise, Francouer doesn’t seem to be head-and-shoulders more “clutch” than LaRoche. Seems like Adam has the edge.
I keep hoping it means Giles is traded…because it might net us some damned relievers already.
Seriously, what the hell will it take to get JS to act and help this team. The Wild Card is VERY winnable in a Bad National League and if we had some relief help….
Marcus has not been healthy this whole season, so the jammed thumb just adds to the pains…
Alex, with the way this trade market is developing, I don’t think the Braves will get much return for Marcus.
I like the fact that Thorman is starting today, I am running out of patience with Langy.
Because of last night game, I will not say any bad thing about Adam tonight. I hope he will keep hitting like last night for the rest of the season.
uh oh.
damn.
kc, I agree…I will also leave Adam alone until he (inveitably) draws our wrath again.
I still believe their is a multi player deal to be had with the Pirates.
um….that was Adam’s fault. so he better have another 5 ribbie night.
Alex, JS sat when the free agent market was bad, so I bet he will sit again when the trade market is bad.
Mike Cameron might as well be a Braves with all his strikeouts…thank God though.
I love the fact Smoltz keeps throwing at the outside corner…can the other Braves pitchers learn from Smoltz?
John Thomson
Adam LaRoche
Ryan Langerhans
Jorge Sosa
for
Mike Gonzalez
Saloman Torres
Craig Wilson
Jeromy Burnitz or prospect outfielder
thoughts?
One-sided toward the Braves, I think that would be perfect in the world of JS.
Good job Chipper.
as much as I have criticized Giles, he makes that DP.
Maybe a prospect Burnitz is kinda expensive.
yeah, a prospect could get Pitts. to possibly do that…I know they like John Thomson, still.
In case anyone was wondering, the Game thread tonight is dedicated to a TV show Mac and I like a lot, that happens to be filmed in San Diego…Veronica Mars.
$21,000 for the best sandcastle. Maybe Kim Jong-Il could do that with his free time.
Jeffrey needs to roundhouse kick Chan Ho…
Didn’t avoid that one Jeff/
That’s one way for Frenchy to get on base. But don’t overdo it.
That was a curveball Davey.
Baldelli to ATL. That’s my wish-trade.
I know kc..I saw that it wasn’t intentional..
I just thought that would be funny…in a cartoonish kinda way
I’m going to the game on Tuesday.
That was close Adam.
That’s cool Davey, I thought you were watching Gamecast or something.
Do the Rays have another CF since they already traded Joey Gathright. If not I don’t know if they would do it.( I still want Crawford but TB is asking for 2 Pitching prospects for him.)
Everytime i see Khalil Greene…I think of a young Sean Penn
Nice play Smoltz.
GOD I wish Giles was playing.
I don’t know about Baldelli…seems like another high K, free swinger, low OBP guy that the Braves dont need.
Betemit looked little league on that play. yikes.
Yeah, Marcus would make that play.
Unless Andruw was charging it also.(Millwaukee.)
Jay, I think Andruw has learned to stay away from Marcus, haha.
Come on hitters, score some runs. Smoltz is ON tonight.
Thorman made BAs midseason all stars list for AAA
Thorman’s running looked kinda akward there…but atleast he hustles
Davey, considering the way Andruw and LaRoche hardly ever hustle, I am thrilled to see Thorman do that.
I can’t believe it, I just saw Gryboski’s name on the Nationals roster, and he pitched tonight!
Andruw’s homerun swings are priceless
Andruw!!!!
ANDRUW!
HAHa..right on cue!
ANDRUW!!!!!
wow that was a BOMB
He has got to be the only person that falls on the ground and his bat slams on the ground. I love it.
Davey, you are right on…PRICELESS!!!
Wow, that was an impressive shot. 475 feet if it was an inch.
453.
I’d feel mighty good if I could hit a ball 453 feet…
Another ball at his head….
that was a studly by shot by Druw. agreed.
I hope it opens the floodgates on some more offense.
Seeing Hudson in the dugout laughing, joking around, annoys me. He should be hanging his head in shame making all that $ and pitching like garbage.
this has to be Frenchy’s longest at bat ever
Despite the pop-up, good at-bat Jeff.
Down here were we live…there’s something that the locals eat that is called “funchi”. It’s made from flour and some stuff..and old folk tales say that if you eat that you get very strong..
So people down here always credit Druw’s power to the fact that he grew up eating funchi. Might be true if you see those homeruns he hits..
It seems like he has been taking the ball the other way alot more.Too bad they have been foul.
Great stat about Francouer’s 2 out RBI’s. I agree with Sutton and Pete. He takes a lot of criticism, Jeff, some of it very deserved, but I love the kid’s hustle and he has hit in the clutch a lot, plus has that great arm.
We should all make a better effort recognizing some of the really good stuff Francouer gives the Braves too.
Frenchy that is.
Our bullpen was also created by Stephen King..
Is it just me or is Andruw looking slimmer than earlier this season?
Chan Ho Park is hitting .313 impressive.
THOR!!!
wow..Thorman!
The Mighty Thor!
THORMAN!!!
I hate it when Bobby is playing for one-run.
Great job Bobby, you took an at-bat away from Betemit.
5-0 would be nice.
I’ll take 4.
Andruw’s shot is the longest in PetCO history. I think he likes hitting here
Smoltz may have to share that “Game Ball” with Druw tonight.
After eight years of frustration with Andruw, this is so fun to watch. Be patience with Frenchy guys.
Damn it Frenchy.
Is the game not coming on tomorrow? I guess I won’t get the pleasure to watch Chuckie pitch.
Thorman is looking 10 times better than Langy at the plate.
Just saw the replay of Linebrink grabbing the HR hit by Andruw. “Maybe after the trade I’ll give it back.”
I think that was the Thorman homer.
HAHAHA you dumb bitch.
wow, he was movin’ in slow motion there..
wow…that was awesome by Chan HOOOOOOOO….!!!
Since when was Chuck Knoblauch put into pitch for S.D….
Thank you Chan-oh!
You’re right, Jay10. Sorry.
Seriously, that was one bad throw by Chan Ho Park. We get a run on what should have been a DP.
Even Mike Piazza throws better than that
Yes, Chipper 13 straight.
Chipper!!…hot damn
And another double for Chipper. Wow.
Chipper!!!
it’s an unbelievable record if Chipper gets it, but a tough one tomorrow with Peavy.
But seriously…our offense is now 2nd best in the NL? Go figure.
If only the relief and Hudson would freaking keep up.
Wow, the NL extra-base hit consecutive record is at 14 games.
Well, Alex, at least the Braves won last night.
Nice shot at the ump tomorrow Brian. I bet Pratt is playing tomorrow!
I hope not.
BMAC!!
BMAC wins the battle.
MCCANN!
I think our bullpen can actually preserve this one.
Brian!!!
This is just FUN.
Can we have some more of this tomorrow–please?
I wouldn’t put it past them.
Wow. How about offense. 3 HRs. 2 RBI doubles. I would be more than happy to give up a little bit of this if our pitching would get better.
Well Jay, considering McCann’s ankle, I think Pratt will be playing tomorrow’s day game regardless of what is happening tonight.
kc,
a win is a win…I will take it no matter how and we need to win every damn game possible to catch up. and we can do it.
But still…if Hudson doesn’t shape up and we don’t get some relief pitching, we simply can’t stay competitive over the long haul.
I think we can all agree that Sosa is not going to cut it.
Francouer is getting a lot of breaking pitches from the Padres. I wonder if they’re on to something that the league will learn about and use more.
Wow…do we even dare to think of a sweep???
That’s almost blasphemous..
They have Jake Peavy tomorrow so a sweep would be an incredibly surprising and nice development.
incredibly surprising and nice…sounds like a save from our bullpen..
Alex, as I have said yesterday, the Braves will not win a thing if Huddy keeps pitching like sh*t. So, I am definitely with you. I am starting to run out of patience with Huddy and Langy.
A double for Smoltz. No question who gets the game ball tonight.
WILSON!
WB!!!!
You’re with me high scoring offense!
Hopefully the Braves used up all the frustration they are going to give us for the remainder of the season last nite.
This is much more fun to witness.
I hope this offense shows up again tomorrow!! haha… it sure is nice to see especially when pitching shows up with it!
Wow, even McCann with his bum ankle could have beaten that!
McBride reminds us that, yes, he is part of the bullpen.
When our bullpen gets involved..shutouts dissapear very quickly…
Pete Orr ladies and gentlemen…
*clap clap*
McBride sucks. At least Mac no longer tells me he should be closer.
I think a lot of McBride’s problems is how incredibly out of shape he is. He needs to get into a gym this offseason and go on a diet.
…and speaking of someone who needs a diet, Chelsea Paronto.
They’ve assumed the roles of failure Don…
why did that fat moronj touch the ball? Ohhhhh…this sucks. Get his fat a– out.
bobby is too disgusted to make the change himself.
And the fat tub of goo oozes in. We can’t really blow an 11-run lead in 2 innings, can we?
We can if Sosa gets into the game Brian..
The one good thing about our bullpen having the competence of the Lebanese government is that it’s bringing out the best in Don and Pete.
Top of the ninth–let’s get some insurance runs!!
I assume JS is still bathing in pages of his book tonight.
I’m going to sleep now…(LaRoche has that effect on me)
I hope our bullpen can hold on to this…
Ray hangs on.
As long as we score 11 runs a game, we’ll be fine.
pete orr flashin’ the leather!