“Gosh, Mac,” you say, “How do you keep recapping this depressing team day after day?” Well, first, I sleep on it a lot. You may have noticed that. Also, I invent various, presumably nonlethal, punishments for Chris Woodward. For example:
- Dressed as Mr. Met, parachuted into Philadelphia.
- Locked in “World of Coca-Cola”, given nothing but Mr. Pibb for three days.
- Spend one day marching in front of PETA headquarters with “FREE VICK” sign.
- Spend remainder of year as Brian McCann’s maid.
- Liaison between Billy Hunter and Hawks ownership.
- Write fifteen-page research paper on why bunting while trailing on the road is stupid, submit it to Bobby for grading.
- Detail interiors of all Andruw’s cars with his tongue.
“Write fifteen-page research paper on why bunting while trailing on the road is stupid, submit it to Bobby for grading.”
Love it
“Dressed as Mr. Met, parachuted into Philadelphia”
Is there any way we can arrange this?
Is anyone reading the Dugout’s final episodes? If so, want to explain the conclusion to me so far- I have NO clue what the hell is going on there, and until that point I thought I was following along reasonably well…
bobby would give him an A on that paper no matter how bad it was, possibly even a completion grade.
I have to say that really don’t see how it got to this point. It seems like we’ve got a much better team than the results they’ve generated.
It’s all in the pitching, disgruntled.
Anyway, I’ll tell what keeps me paying attention to the Braves: the Three Stars. So far, Jeff Francoeur leads with 21 total Stars. Tim Hudson has 10 Gold Stars, Chipper Jones has 11 Silver Stars and Francoeur has 13 Bronze Stars.
As I recall, Chipper and Hudson have 20 stars total themselves, but it appears that Chipper’s going to be leapfrogged by a couple of people.
think of it this way, Auburn sucks this year, and they have no star QB recruit to plug in.
Ofcourse surprise surprise, Tech is looking like the best football team in GA/AL. What a difference not having a Reggie Ball makes.
With last year’s team and heck, even Riley Skinner as QB, Tech would have been one of the top 10 teams in the country
False.
For the punishment of the chimpanzee that somebody taught to play every infield position badly and hit pop ups— force him to watch Keith Lockhart highlights.
no, wait, he might get the idea that he REALLY does belong in the big leagues. so . . . nevermind.
I agree with Godot. Reggie Ball didn’t just take stuff off the table, he set the damn thing on fire.
The Braves’ Pythagorean record is five games higher than their real record, and just a game behind the Mets’. They’re fourth in the league in OPS and OBP, fifth in slugging. They’re seventh in ERA, sixth in OPS and SLG allowed, fifth in OBP allowed. A reasonable argument can be made that they “should” have a much record than they do. And that means diddly-squat for this year, though it may be promising for 2008.
Anyway, morning recap again. Early to bed, early to rise, yada yada.
Yeah, the Braves have blown out alot of teams and lost alot of close games. It’s hard to not see Cox as part of the problem.
Godot and Robert,
Damn right.
Taylor Bennett hasn’t had to do much of anything the first two games of the season because Choice and Co. have just destroyed everyone. The team’s first real test will be against Boston College. The Clemson game still scares the crap out of me.
S @ E,
Then who is the solution? What manager in this game won’t constantly play the lefty-righty matchup at the expense of talent? Who won’t keep making stupid bench decisions? Manny Acta?
Quite frankly, I can’t name a single manager who isn’t a slave to lefty-righty matchups.
Bobby hasn’t had a great year, but out biggest problem is that our farm system has not churned out a sufficient number of major league quality pitchers lately. I have a tough time blaming Bobby for that. It’s more a function of us being in ‘win now’ mode for so long and shedding a few pitching prospects at the deadline every year.
Our record in one-run games and extra innings is a product of 1) a shaky bullpen, 2) a porous bench, and 3) a strategically inept manager. Some luck is involved as well.
Granted, most of those prospects haven’t panned out. Yes, I know there have been stingers, but this is a point where we don’t really have very many good prospects. It’s quite possible the Braves may have to wait a year or two to get better in that department.
So, if the problem lies in the bullpen and the bench, and that’s all the manager has to work with, why should he get blamed when the players inevitably fail? Just because he put them in there?
It’s a combination of all three, Sam. I’m not placing all the blame on Bobby, but you can’t deny that he’s made some very curious moves in close games this year.
There’s a fourth factor, “Just one of those things”. It happens. A lot of what happens in baseball is just luck.
And remember, any time the Braves face the Mets, there’s an excellent chance of seeing the first no-hitter in Mets history!
Bobby doesnt get blamed for them sucking, he gets blamed for finding ways to put them in a ball game. He gets blamed for making our .350 hitter riding the bench while Harris is 0-40 and striking out with the bases loaded. He gets the blame when our 1st two hitters get hits off Wagner and then he brings in Orr instead of Diaz to try and bunt runners over. Why give them an out? Oh yeah, he also gets the blame when he allows one reliever to give up 3 or 4 runs in one inning because his relievers have to pitch at least a full inning.
one more, for letting Andruw hit in the cleanup hole for most of the year while his avg. is under the mendoza
Mac,
Not this time. ;P
Sam,
In many ways I think that you’re right. There is a great deal of flat out dumb thinking that pervades the managerial ranks which means that versus the average Cox really isn’t that bad. It would be nice to see some new thinking and fresh faces but I doubt it will happen very soon.
So does Andruw strike out here or ground to second?
3 walks, I guess we’ll take it
S @ E,
Exactly. We’re going to have to wait for a new generation of young managers, and maybe we’ll see a change.
Wow. Evil Maine has appeared. Maybe he felt sorry for Andruw.
Unbelievable. John should just throw underhand to Green. He’d get the same result.
Anyone want to jump on Matt Diaz for failing to get a hit with the bases loaded?
If he didn’t, how would we get our quota of 10 men left on base?
… man, Andruw gets blasted for doing that and Diaz gets a joke. Nice.
At least with Diaz, you don’t feel like you know nothing good is going to happen. Andruw hasn’t earned optimism if he’s up there when it matters.
Well, that’s true, but the result of failure is the same.
So it should be treated the same.
Smoltzie out of the fourth, Mets have left two more on than the Braves.
John’s finding a way. Pitch count is getting up there though. 75 through 4. Ouch.
Sam, Im just happy that Bobby decided to play our best players tonight. I figured we were due to see a Willie Harris, Chris Woodward, Corky Miller, and Martin Prado for John tonight
Smoltz is probably going out down 2-1. However, the good news is that Maine is out too and Sosa is in.
anyone just see that stat?
Smoltz has given up less than 3ER in 26 of 29 games, thanks guys
Well, I thought it was a good thing.
Ouch. Maybe Smoltz should wear a sign that says “WILL PITCH FOR RUN SUPPORT”.
I had to check three sources to make sure it was correct, but Mark Redman has four scoreless innings in relief against the Phillies.
Don’t you hate it when the Braves can’t score any runs off Sosa?!
True or False
Chip Caray:Jose Reyes::Tim McCarver:Derek Jeter
Why is Mahay up against Milledge and Reyes?!
Good question.
Good question that only Bobby can answer…
thats correct, would hate to see a righty pitching there
Bobby really should have used Yates to face the pinch hitter and Reyes. Reyes absolutely kills lefties. If Yates get into trouble, then Mahay should be brought in to face Anderson.
In fairness to Mahay, that run was set up by Francoeur’s ill-advised dive.
Here we are again, 13 a night ago and 1 gift run so far tonight.
Gotta love it.
Make that FIVE scoreless innings for Mark Freaking Redman against the Phillies. This is really unbelievable to me.
last four games we have outscored our opp.
20-18 and we are about to lose 3 of the last 4
It shows you how useless that “outscored your opponents” thing is.
I love seeing Orr and Woodward being used exclusively as pinch runners. I wish we will not see either of them next season.
So is it Sammons or Miller that’s tonight’s backup catcher who will replace McCann?
Francoeur!
So is it Sammons or Miller that’s tonight’s backup catcher who will replace McCann?
Who is Sammons?
Wow, I can’t believe Frenchy actually came through!!!
Well how do you like that? Frenchy didn’t fail for once.
Dan,
Clint Sammons, one of the other backup catchers from spring, besides Corky. He briefly joined the team when Corky went to be with his wife and newborn son. I don’t know if Miller’s back yet.
Chip Caray: Jeff Francoeur’s two-out RBIs prove he is the best player on the Braves.
What about Brayan Pena? Is he still considered a backup catcher or what?
Andruw’s out, as usual, but the Braves tied it up.
*dies because of Chip’s comment*
This team is trying to kill me. They won’t make a run to get back in it. They won’t collapse and fall out of it so I can come to grips with this season. They want to hang around until the last weekend and break my heart on the last day of the year.
This inning is the perfect example why I don’t think the Mets will do any damage in the playoff. Besides, they have enough pitching depth to get through the regular season, but they have no ace for the playoff.
Andruw’s swing is a debacle. Methinks there’s too many people giving him input and trying to fix it. It’s just a mess.
Ok, who had Manny Acosta pitching to Clint Sammons against the Mets in September?
The Braves looking to yet again give up runs during the opponent’s next chance to hit after they themselves score.
Hanging curveball. Bleh.
Perfect, this is the perfect example why the Braves have no chance this season…
Why the hell with a runner on third and one out do you not issue an intention walk to set up a double play?!
And Lo Duca just into a double play too…..
Ugh I have to hear Keith Hernandez explain to me why the Mets win divisions. I hate Keith Hernandez. I HATE HIM!!!!
*intentional
Because, Dan, we had MANNY ACOSTA on the mound! And CLINT SAMMONS behind the plate! And BOBBY COX making decisions.
Does that help?
Plus it would’ve been righty vs. righty with LoDuca up there.
I hate Keith Hernandez and I hate Mr. Met. DAMN THE METS, DAMN THEM.
does bobby get the blame for clint being in the game, for manny being in the game, or for every stupid ass move we could possibly make to try and lose this game. pitching a rookie, and catching a rookie during a tie ballgame in the bot 8th is bad baseball.
And now Martin Prado against Billy Wagner. I’ve been casually watching since we decided to quit this season, but are we even trying anymore? This isn’t spring training. This is the Mets in September in a 1-run game, and it looks like Bobby’s playing around.
Whatever. Glad football’s started.
But ryan, we NEEDED Pete Orr in the eighth inning there!
At this point I dont care if the Braves loose I just loving seeing Wagner blow saves
ugh and they are about to split the season series 9-9
SWING ALREADY KELLY!
Scratch that…:
SLIDE KELLY!
I envy you all in Atlanta. I have to now ride the train into the city tomorrow and see the damn papers, with these dumb fools, greasy rick peterson, Willie Randolph wishing he was the yankees, dumb Reyes and Gay Wright, with stupid no smile delgado. DAMN THIS ALL!I think Ill call out tomorrow
Acosta has been pretty good since coming up. I’d rather have seen Moylan, but Acosta’s not a rotten call. Maybe if Soriano hadn’t been used in last night’s blowout he’d be up for 2 innings in a close game.
I can’t figure out what’s up Pena as a catcher. Does he have a bum shoulder? Have the Braves lost confidence in his defense? I don’t recall his having defensive troubles last year–at least nothing so bad that he couldn’t do a few innings here or there or spell McCann once a week.
Not that it really matters at this point …
i knew those pitches were borderline, but you guys should go check them out on gameday. the pitches to andruw, prado, and kj in the last 2 innings werent even close.
You’re right. I just assumed we’d be using our *best* players at this point, not our pretty decent ones. But what do I know?
Yeah, Froemming is terrible, terrible umpire and always has been. Good riddance.
I’m not questioning Manny Acosta there, just the right that you don’t intentionally walk Green with a runner on third and one out to try and set up an inning-ending double play. And, of couse, the next batter, the super-slow Paul Lo Duca, hits into a double play.
Please tell me Cox was asleep or in the bathroom of something. A kid could have figured that intentionally walking Green was the way to go.
I think Bobby has given up the season…
I’m guessing it was an intentional unintentional walk and Acosta just missed his spot
Time to start managing with an eye toward next year. Reyes should get 3 starts. Young guys in the pen should get 4-6 appearances. Let’s get a head start on the offseason by seeing what some of the rookies can do against major league competition.
Seriously though how much can the Braves look forward to next year? Chipper and Smoltz will both be a year older. With the former likely to miss at least 50 games again and the latter unlikely to be the next Roger Clemens at age 41. Andruw will be gone, who will not worth his salary is better then average in CF (Willie Harris as his replacement?). Dotel will likely be gone, being we pretty much gave up Davies for nothing and Salty and the prospects in the Tex deal might be making some noise for the Rangers.
The Braves need pitching prospects and need to start thinking rebuilding around Johnson, McCann and Frenchy. Frankly I’d turn around and deal Texiera, Hudson and/or Renteria maybe for some minor leaguers and work on a long term plan that has the team in competition in 09 or 2010.
It was really awful hearing the Met announcers brag about beating Hudson and Smoltz twice; it is even worse to remember how well we played against Randolph’s team during the first half of the season.
At this point, I remain hopeful that we can finish over .500. If we don’t, I fear that consecutive losing seasons points to the beginning of a downward spiral. I realize that the difference may only be few games, but given the team’s history I think it actually matters….
The disastrous Teixeria deal proved to be irrelevant to the Braves chances–if fact, I believe that they have a losing record since the trade. The cruel irony is that both Teixeria and Mahay delivered–but it did not make the slightest difference.
I am afraid that if the Braves are serious about getting quality starting pitching (i.e., better than Garland and Randy Wolf) they may indeed have to put Tex on the trading block. In my view JS needs to find out ASAP if he has any chance of signing Tex and if not be prepared to trade him for quality starting pitching.
Otherwise, Tex can have a super year for the Bravees, win the MVP, but without quality starters, I doubt that the result will be any different….
Even worse than all this: Mark Freakin Redman goes 5 innings, 2 hits, no runs, no walks and gets the win for the Rockies in Philadelphia!
This team is inexplicable.
Maybe I’ll kick myself for this later, but I have high hopes for next year. There’s no reason to write off the Braves in 2008.
#99, after all he’s overcome, I think its ridiculous to assume Smoltz won’t be a #1 or #2 caliber pitcher next year.
Even after selling the farm for Tex, we have a lot of young talent. I’m excited to see Yunel everyday and see what some of these young arms can do for us.
Just think, the Mets were where we are now many times before.
You know, Stephen, I think the Braves have enough bullet to resign Tex considering Chipper and Smoltzie will not be around forever. It is also the year Hampton’s salary is off the hook. The question is whether the Braves want to resign him. Building the offense around Tex, Frenchy, McCann, and Johnson would be awesome.
This off-season, I think the Braves will trade either Edgar or Yunel to get starting pitching…more likely Edgar to get immediate salary relief…
…You think Tex trade is disastrous? Personally I don’t think so…I still like the trade a lot.
KC–I think that the trade is bad because it did not help us one bit–at least in 2007. I am less optimistic that we can sign Tex: JS couldn’t get the ‘hometown discount’ with J.D. Drew and last spring with Josh Fields the Braves #2 pick. Like Tex, they are Boras clients. I fear that Tex will either wind up with Baltimore or replace Giambi in NY in 2009. Therefore, I believe that we traded Salty and several elite prospects and did not help ourselves. If we can trade Tex for quality pitching then we might improve the team. My view of the trade would change if JS can ink Tex, but he already turned down a 140 year deal with the Rangers, so I am not too optimistic….
I am sorry–I forgot to honor the proofreading Gods! That is, a 140 million 8 year deal with the Rangers…
We must resign Tex, Andruw will be gone, Hampton will be gone soon, Smoltz and Chipper have one season each, so Tex’s contract will not be so bad. We have a young infield then with Tex, EScobar, Johnson, and Lillibridge and some other kids in the wings. Frenchy is fine in the OF,McCann behind the plate, we spend the money on pitching and all will be well
Anybody want some of my Kool-Aid?
I guess oldtimer’s point is exactly the one I have in mind. This team absolutely must resign Tex to be the main force of the offense when Chipper retires. Also, the team didn’t have as much payroll flexibility at the time Drew became free agent. Furthermore, don’t over estimate the Boras effect. JS was able to sign Mad Dog from the Cubs as a free agent and negotiated an extension with Boras. So, if Tex wants to stay, there is no reason the Braves can not negotiate with Boras.
If this trade never happened, the Braves would have no chance signing Tex.
I loved the Woodward punishments.
Don’t forget Teixeira hated Texas, but he will still chase the big dollars.
@109, right. Tex will go where the money is–and Boras will use his love of Baltimore to get a better offer from us. But we should be in a position to give them more of what they want.
Starting in ’09, we’ll probably start seeing the best of the pitching crop we have now: Dan Smith, Hanson, Evarts, Rohrbough, everyone we talked about the other day. It’s next year that’s the concern, and I guess I think of Renteria as a more attractive trading chip than others do. I think we get more for him sending him to an NL team, though.
More punishments for Woodward:
-Drive to the ballpark in morning rush hour traffic from Cumming, GA (north of Atlanta up GA 400) with Pasqual Perez
-Be John Rocker’s publicist for a month
-Be Skip Caray’s Drinking Buddy
-Attend every home Falcons and Hawks games
-Work out with Barry Bonds