This is what I get for having jet-lag and going to bed after the 7th inning... an improbable comeback, aided by the "power of the outfield" -- four words we have not really heard at all this year. I was all prepared to come in and write a headline that read something like, Cubs 4, Helpless Offense 0, but then that helpless offense, that had been no-hit through 6 and two-thirds innings, came back in the ninth, and then won it in the 12th on an RBI single by Chipper Jones.
How about Jeff Francoeur with a two-out, two-run homerun to tie it in the ninght off the Cubs closer. Al Yellon of Bleed Cubbie Blue had mentioned yesterday in our Q&A that the Cubs bullpen was the biggest weakness of the team, and they certainly proved it last night. That homerun was shades of 2005 Francoeur, and truly a great sight to see him bring the Braves back like that (even after we were beating him up so badly on the blog yesterday, well, everyday). Chipper Jones even said "that was probably the biggest hit of the year for us."
Nice win aside, I'm still worried about this team and their schizophrenic nature at the plate. For the first seven innings they were a helpless wreck, and then for the next couple a confident unit who felt they could score against anyone. I like the win, and the comeback, but we've gotta iron out the low points in between.
Kenshin Kawakami pitched decently, and most impressively, he again limited his walks -- a sign that he is really turning it around from his rough start. The bullpen was also a bright spot, and a direct contradiction to the Cubs bullpen. The three guys at the end, Peter Moylan, Mike Gonzalez, and Rafael Soriano, threw four scoreless innings and allowed the Braves to come back for the win in extra innings.
This is a much better start to my day than I thought I was going to have. Go Braves!
0 recs | 214 comments
I too still worry about the two faces of our offense, but tonight was something we don’t get to see very much. It wasn’t the 10-2 beat down that we put up every week or so. It wasn’t the 2-1 or 3-1 game that we win/lose. Neither was it a game where we score a few runs in the first four innings and then count on defense and pitching to do the rest. A game that we could have given up on. The Braves fought hard and won a big one. Hopefully, after a good night from our outfielders, we can put a string of consistant games together and build from it.
The corner OF’s both had big homers. Blanco was robbed of a hit late. I say give Frenchy a day off. He came up huge last night and hopefully will give him some confidence to return to his former self. No need to shit on him today.
Fischerking - June 3, 2009
I can’t get over the Cubs pitching to Chipper in the 12th, especially after it went 3-0. Why in the hell would you do that? Facepalm for Lou. Hopefully this is a step in the right direction and this team will get going, especially the outfield. Blanco got robbed a couple times, hopefully he can give us a little help. But yeah, a great win! I especially enjoyed Peachtree Tv’s constant camera showing of Cubs fans after the meltdown began, that gave me a tingle in my shorts.
10-4 - June 3, 2009
Because you're just as worried about McCann?
Not that it’s the right call, but it’s one possible explanation.
As for the Cubs fan shots, I agree, it was pretty amusing. Especialy the mammoth girls, the wannabe skater bois, and “cool” college kids who probably know less about baseball than I know about nuclear physics. It was sad to have the PCDs get the love all night…they stayed with them for like 10 seconds after the Frenchy homerun.
MichaelProcton - June 3, 2009
see 10th inning
I dont know if any Manager would be able to save face from IBB to chip and mac, twice through the lineup
traphicg - June 3, 2009
Have to agree...
on Lou having some sort of brain fart. Pitch to The Man? 3-0?… With Heilman pitching? (Chipper could still see traces of the Mets aura around him)…When Escobar’s run the only one that mattered anyway?….And Chipper is hobbled?….And Mac, while faster than he used to me, still, well, Mac, and therefore double play material?… If I’ve ever, ever seen a situation where I would go ahead and put a man on base, that was it. Chipper must thought he was dreaming when they didn’t walk him…there was no way he was going to not deliver in that situation….NO WAY!
Uhh, can you tell I enjoyed the game?
And it was wonderful seeing all the Cubs fans agnsting all over the place. It is so satisfying when you have a bunch of loud mouth bandwagoners trying to take over your park and they end up having to shut up. Go Braves!!!
I couldn’t sleep last night.
sddbaker - June 3, 2009
The Cubs announcers logic was “well, he’s faced him before…and he’s gotten him out half the time, so he’s got some familiarity there”
Yes, the Cubs announcers were rationalizing pitching to a guy with a career average of .500 vs your pitcher.
bigjoe - June 3, 2009
…like half the time was good?
sddbaker - June 3, 2009
Yes! It blew my mind
bigjoe - June 3, 2009
lol’d. I felt the same way too, and was screaming obscenities at the TV whenever they kept showing Cubs fans.
royhobbs - June 3, 2009
They had me worried...
when they couldn’t close it out with good chances in the 10th and 11th. I just sensed that it was going to be another one of those tough games where we barely lose, but it was good to see them pull it out. And hey, how about Frenchy? A walk, a homer, and an excellent sac bunt in consecutive ABs? That’s about a week’s worth of good ABs for him lately.
MichaelProcton - June 3, 2009
Also nice...
To see Kawakami continue to get comfortable over here. That makes seven starts now without a spike in ERA, even if he did make it easy on himself by starting that run up around 7.
MichaelProcton - June 3, 2009
This
Smoltz's Beard - June 3, 2009
WTG
Frenchy!!!! So nice to see the big smile. He crushed that pitch.He looked so happy to contribute.
mikie baseball - June 3, 2009
I know some people are gonna come on here and start spouting off nonsense like “SEE I TOLD YOU FRANCOEUR WOULD BE FINE HIS FORM IS BACK AND THE SHIP IS RIGHTED”. Call me when he gets his OPS to .700, and then we can talk about the ship being righted.
Regardless, it was one hell of a game last night and I’m happy the outfield came through. Garret Anderson is really turning things on here lately…he’s OPSing .833 over the past 7 days (5 games) with both of his homers, a third of his doubles, RBI, & runs scored. And its coming with a BABIP of .211!
bigjoe - June 3, 2009
I need a little help here...
I am a sort of stats-nooblike person from way back, but not at a deep level. Can someone explain BABIP and its significance to me?
sddbaker - June 3, 2009
FrankyWren - June 3, 2009
BABIP is Batting Average for Balls hit In Play.
Batting average is of course, hits divided by plate appearances. BABIP is a measure of what happens to the balls that the hitter actually hits into the field of play. For example, lets say Kelly Johnson goes 2 for 4, 1 single, 1 double, 1 flyout and 1 K. His batting average for that game is .500. His BABIP for that game is .667(2 hits divided by 3 balls hit in play). Yeah I know, small sample size.
Depending on who you ask BABIP is a measure of how well a hitter “places” the balls he hits, or just how lucky a hitter is.
Rhyno18 - June 3, 2009
OK, I omitted some factors in the interest of keeping it simple, but hopefully you got the point.
Rhyno18 - June 3, 2009
so...
does higher = luckier?
sddbaker - June 3, 2009
For batters … yes. For hitters … no (it means you’re unlucky). Depending on who you ask, pitchers tend to regress to a league mean, whereas hitters tend to settle into their own respective BABIP.
FrankyWren - June 3, 2009
for hitters = for pitchers
FrankyWren - June 3, 2009
And that league average is usually about .295
MichaelProcton - June 3, 2009
I thought league average for hitters was .310?
Smoltz's Beard - June 3, 2009
Its more like .320 or so
bigjoe - June 3, 2009
OK...
Looked that up online
MichaelProcton - June 3, 2009
Regardless, when you see it in the low 3’s, you should feel good about your player’s performance. When its higher than the mid 3’s, be skeptical. When it starts with a 2, you should feel optimistic
bigjoe - June 3, 2009
Thankfully n00bs have to wait 24 hours to spout off nonsense now. By then, FYF could revert back to his old self again.
royhobbs - June 3, 2009
HAHAHA
oh, i was reading Gondee’s Q&A on the cubbies website, and they were kinda shocked that we had a waiting period for posts.
They also had some interesting things to say that make me think they are almost as baseball illiterate as the stereotypical RedSox/Mets fans…
justincredubil02 - June 3, 2009
Can I ask a question?
You guys ARE Brave fans right? I only thought it was a NY thing to trash a player so often.He is only 25 years old. He may never be a great hitter or player, but last night he showed heart. Go Braves! and everyone who wears that uniform
mikie baseball - June 3, 2009
Heart? Jesus christ….
Smoltz's Beard - June 3, 2009
How much heart did he show
when he was complaining about his batting spot?
justincredubil02 - June 3, 2009
I live....
amongst NY baseball fans. I am not privy to every comment made by a Brave player, although before cable I did have the AJC delivered to my house in NY. It is obvious that Frenchy is frustrated. I have seen a lot worse attitudes amongst NY players than wanting to bat in a better spot in the lineup to see better pitches. Again, I want him to do well.
mikie baseball - June 3, 2009
Where do you live in NY?
Uninvited - June 3, 2009
Grew up...
in the Bronx, lived in Westchester and now on Staten Island. Was an Aaron fan, amongst all the Mantle/Mays supporters. Now I have to hear about all the “rings” Derek Jeter has.When Tommy Glavine first came up, I used to tell Yankee fans that he would be better than Whitey Ford. They cringed. Man its tough being a Brave fan, even here.
mikie baseball - June 3, 2009
I’ve lived in Manhattan a little over a year now, wear my Braves hat every now and then, cheered for them in Shea, etc. and haven’t really had a problem. I don’t mind getting into a discussion with Mets/Yankee fans because you can tell quickly what kind of person you are talking to. If I hear about how awesome Jeter is defensively, the rings, etc. or if I hear how Beltran is overrated, David Wright is a choke artist, etc., I usually laugh and walk away.
Uninvited - June 3, 2009
well great....
You keep on rooting for these Braves. I enjoy the conversations and debates. Sometimes I am proven right and sometimes wrong. It’s what makes it fun. I have had some bad calls as well…. remember Brad Kominisk? I thought he was the second coming of Mantle.That said, being called ignorant by a bunch of Brave fans is a bit too difficult for my tastes
mikie baseball - June 3, 2009
there are a bunch of very mean-spirited people here. if you have the audacity to express an opinion contrary to their opinion /perception of reality, you are very simply a worthness piece of crap.
I suspect most of the hater crowd are quite young and have some sad psychological need to spew a lot of bitter vitriol on a sports blog to somehow maybe feel better about themselves
fandave - June 3, 2009
And I suspect that alot of the people who get offended so easily are older and are not used to being told they’re wrong.
Smoltz's Beard - June 3, 2009
I’m over 50 and a professional used dealing with professionals and members of the general public who have real world problems. I have experienced more disappointments and rejections, and been on the scene of more tragedies than your normal human being. And I have no need to seek validation here.
It is a sports blog, not war, death or global warming.
fandave - June 3, 2009
Then lighten up when people don’t agree with you. All you do is complain about it.
Smoltz's Beard - June 3, 2009
It is the abusive viciousness that I’m responding to. The fact of disagreement is wholly beside the point.
fandave - June 3, 2009
I live in Texas
and I knew about his comments…being in NY is no excuse…the internets go everywhere.
Frenchy SHOULD be frustrated…he is the worst position player in baseball and demands more money? He is the worst hitter on the team (some pitchers included) and he demands a higher spot in the lineup? He is the worst player on our team last year and demands no to be sent to AAA?
He is FORTUNATE to be on the Braves right now. If he played for any other team, he would be either in AA or out of a job.
justincredubil02 - June 3, 2009
yes
something not always told by someones OBP, FB/HR % or all of the other statistics that are conjured up to determine a players ability.You wont catch me trashing Frenchy, I live and die Brave baseball.When he came to the plate he knew it was no time to hit to rightfield. He laid off an outside pitch and swung through the first fastball he saw. Then the Frenchy from 2006 and 2007 saw the same pitch and crushed it. An inning or two later he advanced a base runner with a bunt . He went back to the dugout to a bunch of high fives. He was credited with a sacrafice bunt. It was his first ever. He hustled down the line.
mikie baseball - June 3, 2009
lol
I appreciate and recognize intangibles as much as the next anti-stats person is, but this just made me lol.
royhobbs - June 3, 2009
Sorry...
But one night worth of “heart” doesn’t overcome an OPS under 700 from a corner OF. Or his sluggish defense.
MichaelProcton - June 3, 2009
Now im no frenchy fan,
but you cant really knock his D. Knock GA for that
Zeus12888 - June 3, 2009
Sure you can...
He’s got an arm, but his reads and playing of the field are average at best.
MichaelProcton - June 3, 2009
And we've all seen him play it better...
which is why you’d be disappointed in the first place.
MichaelProcton - June 3, 2009
Yes you can
The weight fluctuation from 2007-2008 has killed his foot speed, and he’s being victimized on pop fouls and anything flying down the line now. He plays too far in too regularly, and hasn’t seemed to recognize when a lefty pull hitter with power is up at the plate when positioning himself.
royhobbs - June 3, 2009
Case in point: the Rockies game with the Helton grand slam and the horribly misplayed triple. TOO FUCKING SHALLOW.
bigjoe - June 3, 2009
Do you realize that coaches on the bench have a large measure of responsibility for defensive positioning? Or do you simply not care about that small detail?
fandave - June 3, 2009
He does it constantly. I also can’t imagine that they would tell him to play shallow for Todd Helton with the bases loaded, but maybe you’re right.
I honestly feel like he plays that shallow so that he has a better chance of throwing people out at home, but what do I know.
Smoltz's Beard - June 3, 2009
some players strength is going back, rather than in, on ballsand are, therefore, intentionally positioned by coachs to play swallow.
defensive positioning is primarily a coaching responsibility.
fandave - June 3, 2009
Well, it seems obvious that FYF’s strength is not going backwards on fly balls…so why play him so shallow?
Smoltz's Beard - June 3, 2009
In the 1st place, since I’ve not been sitting by the field evaluating his positioning, I do not necessarily accept the premise that he is routinely positioned too shallow. I know I am supposed to accept as fact essentially everything asserted by the esteemed regulars, but since I’m actually pretty grounded in reality, I find it difficult from time to time to do so.
And since I saw him make an excellent play going back last night on a shot in the 11th inning, I also don’t know how obvious it is that going back is not a strength. Unless, of course, mistiming one jump on a ball that actually cleared the fence is all the proof that is needed.
Finally, you are deflecting the point that defensive positioning is primarily a coaching responsibility. Do you seriously dispute that???
fandave - June 3, 2009
I get it…you think that everyone on here who is a regular is a piece of shit with no life who doesn’t know what there talking about. You guys bitch about people being mean to you, but all you do is make your own veiled disparaging comments. And then you have the audacity to suggest that we’re immature? Please…
If you have watched the games on a consistent basis it’s not hard to notice when a ball is hit to him that a fair amount of the time he is playing too shallow. And no, I’m not deflecting the point…what I’m saying is that the coaches should be able to realize that he is not strong when it comes to breaking backwards on a fly ball. If they are the ones responsible, then they are incorrect.
But I forgot, the managerial is infallible right?
Smoltz's Beard - June 3, 2009
That’s not it at all. Frenchy is being relentlessly ripped, now for playing too shallow since balls go over his head (including balls going over the fence). So, if that’s correct, all I’m saying it is obviously in large part a coaching problem.
And I think talking chop is great and there are tons of extremely knowledgable and engaged fans. But the mean, vicious personal attacks that are so commonplace very much strike me as just wrong.
Personally, i am not so bothered by it because I frankly don’t give a shit one way or the other, but mikie baseball was hurt today. Again, just wrong.
fandave - June 3, 2009
I’m aware…you don’t care because you’re better than everyone else on here. You’ve made your point, you don’t need to continue your pissing contest.
But if you or anyone else don’t like these “vicious personal attacks”, which quite frankly I think are being blown way out of proportion, then stop posting here. Go find somewhere else where you aren’t offended so easily. Royhobbs put it perfectly during another similar argument…Talking Chop is like the “bar” of Braves blogs on the internet. People get rowdy, people get called names, people get drunk and say inappropriate things. Not everyone in the world likes that atmosphere, so they avoid it. There are plenty of “classy restaurants” on the internet to frequent…perhaps you should get your Braves information from there instead. It’s naive to think that you could walk into a bar in real life and ask the manager to tell people to settle down. Just doesn’t happen. If people were being racist, or sexist, or just flat out spiteful…that’s one thing. If it happened in real life something would be done about it. But it doesn’t happen here, so again…maybe your time would be better spent on another site.
Most people on here would agree with me that the majority of posters are very fair and level headed when engaging in discussions with other posters who have an open mind to baseball. If you are unwilling to alter your view on the game, then as stated before, maybe it would be better to get your Braves information elsewhere.
Smoltz's Beard - June 3, 2009
I don’t care because I am secure in who I am. Blogging here is a recreational activity and is interesting because I am a hardcore baseball fan and especially a Braves fan for well over 40 years. To the extent I have somehow made a bunch of virtual enemies for simply expressing my views and offering my perspectives, that is not a great thing, but it says more about my virtual enemies than me.
Thanks for your take on the atmosphere. Its good. But I will not be run off very easily and since I’m being called out on open-threads, it seems pretty disingenuous to attack me as the one pissing.
fandave - June 4, 2009
If you want to live in a little fantasy world, that’s fine. But as Justin pointed out above this is the same guy that bitched when he was sent down to the minors, and the same guy who bitched about hitting behind McCann and Anderson…two guys who are doing better than him this season.
If you really love the Braves as much as you say you should take offense to that. But instead it sounds like you’re blissfully ignorant. I can see the benefits, but I’d never want to live my life that way.
And heart still doesn’t change the fact that he went .229/.243/.284 for the entire month of May.
Smoltz's Beard - June 3, 2009
I know...
that you are so “all knowing”, but need you be so vicious in your personal attacks?Again, calling one “blissfully ignorant” does not advance the argument. When you consider that rooting for a young Brave player can bring on such comments is kinda sad on a Brave fan board.
mikie baseball - June 3, 2009
What’s he supposed to say? Every logical argument says Francoeur is no good, but you’re continuing to defend him. If it’s not blissful ignorance, it’s willful ignorance.
cbwilk - June 3, 2009
You are, and have always, completely ignored and dismissed any and every statistical comment brought up to counter your view. That is being blissfully ignorant.
Smoltz's Beard - June 3, 2009
If you think this was "vicious"
you need to disagree with Yondaime and Large Joseph. SB is one of the more friendly posters here!
And he didn’t personally attack you. He referenced your comments and disagreed with them by using stats and facts.
justincredubil02 - June 3, 2009
You may...
enjoy being called blissfully ignorant. I certainly do not. To be sure that is not friendly. He has done this before. My comment that Francouer showed “heart” last night was one of emotion. I am not sure how one can argue that comment statistically or factually. The fact that contributors and other posters seem to think that is okay, indicates to me that I should not be posting on this board.I will however, continue to read all the good Brave stuff that is posted, unless that is unacceptable.
mikie baseball - June 3, 2009
Ignoring FYF’s 2 and a half year track record for one game with a couple flashes of “emotion” is at the least, blissfully ignorant.
If you think FYF showed heart last night, fine. More power to you. But to argue that he has potential and should remain on the roster (even though he is the worst player on the team and is hurting us WAY more than anything else) is just wrong and can be debated with facts and stats.
If being called “blissfully ignorant” is an ad homenem attack to you, you might want to find another website to get your info from, because around here that is nothing.
When someone calls you a F-ing retard, then you can feel personally attacked.
But, it is a free country and you may read what you want to read and say what you want to say. Nobody here will dispute that. It is completely acceptable to do so, but be warned, when you comment on the topic, you are openning yourself up for rebutal – if that is acceptable.
Trust me, I think I have had “discussions” with just about everyone here in the past. But, at the end of the day, we are all Braves fans and will celebrate victory together and complain about defeats together.
group hug
justincredubil02 - June 3, 2009
Funny
Telling mikie to take a hike if he can’t take it — after all, “fucking retard” abuse is fair game around here — pretty much says it all. Oh, but group hug.
what a bizarre little universe this is.
fandave - June 3, 2009
I cheer for anyone who wears the uniform too!
I just wish that certain players wore a different uniform.
But seriously, none of us hope that FYF strikes out every time he bats. In fact, I think it is safe to say that we all WISHED he did really well and was a good ballplayer. The sad reality is that he is NOT a good ballplayer and he does more harm than good on our team. Last night was the exception, not the “new beginning”.
justincredubil02 - June 3, 2009
good to hear...
that you do not wish for him to strike out everytime. I wish for him to do something good every time he gets up.I am not ready to give up and say at the ripe old age of 25 he is NOt going to be a good player.Heck, the theory goes something like a player doesnt mature until he hits 27.
mikie baseball - June 3, 2009
But Francoeur hasn't shown any growth...
that would lead one to believe he’ll be trending upwards at that point. Nothing but regression and bad statistical rates since he came into the league.
MichaelProcton - June 3, 2009
It is...
A disturbing trend to be sure. Could it just be that a slump turned into a game inside his head at the plate? I remember how Andruw struggled with that. It was painful to watch. That said, there is a guy who everybody on this board would love to be playing on the Braves, Jason Bay, who had a real down year or two as I remember.
mikie baseball - June 3, 2009
Even in his worst year...
Bay had an OPS of 745, which is well over what Frenchy did the last two years. Even if he’s not hitting, he draws walks, his ISOP is a good deal higher than Francoeur’s (he hits for more power even when he’s slumping), and he could blame his bad season on a low BABP (.298 to his career .335-ish.) Francoeur has been very similar to ’06 this year and last. I am interested to see, though, that Bay actually strikes out a decent bit more than him.
MichaelProcton - June 3, 2009
Jason Bay had one down year, and it still was better than almost every year FYF has had. Every single other year Jason Bay has posted an OPS of +.890
Smoltz's Beard - June 3, 2009
Yep...
I noticed all you guys have said.I also noticed that at 25 years of age, Jason was still in the minors. Braves gave up on a guy Jermaine Dye as I recall, who was 23. He started playing full time at the age of 25 and had a fairly productive career.
mikie baseball - June 3, 2009
Actually, Jason Bay won the NL Rookie of the Year at the age of 25 and OPSed .907 while playing for a dire Pirates team. His walk total that year also matched Francoeur’s career high.
But who cares about simple facts like that, right?
bigjoe - June 3, 2009
You’re a piece of work, you know that? You realize that you simply can’t compare players based on their ages, right? FYF has over 3 full seasons of major league ABs under his belt at the age of 25. Bay had 0. Bay also had a fantastic minor league career, whereas FYF had an above average one.
Smoltz's Beard - June 3, 2009
I was
not trying to compare players based on their ages. I was pointing out that some careers begin at 25 years old. I pointed out that Bay began at 25 and then after a couple years of ML experience had a down year. Is it possible that Frenchy is in that mode now? I have nothing statistically to prove what he may or may not do in the future. I agreed that the trend is disturbing. I brought up Dye to indicate that he too did not begin his offensive prowess until he was 25. I would sure not want to see the Braves let go of Frenchy at this point,only to watch him hit about 300 homers over the next 10 years and realize he might be the Brave solution at that point ,as Jermaine Dye may be now.
mikie baseball - June 3, 2009
Right...
But this one didn’t. It began at 21, and fell apart at 24. Bay, yes, had a “down year,” but he was still an above-average player. Francoeur’s “down year and a half” made him one of the worst players in the ML.
MichaelProcton - June 3, 2009
The problem with the comparisons is that you’re ignoring the statistical side of it. FYF posted a roughly 6% BB% in the minors and he hasn’t made any improvements in that regard during his ~2500 PAs in the majors.
Dye posted a roughly 7% BB% in the minors, but by his ~1500 PA in the majors he was walking in close to 9%…the following year 10%…the next year back to 9%, etc. During the same time where he started to learn to take walks he was also hitting for power on a pretty consistent basis. FYF is not doing either of these things, yet he’s been in the majors longer than it took Dye to learn it.
Finally, Bay was already was posting a 12% BB% in the minors…something he has continued to do throughout his major league career. So his comparison isn’t really valid at all.
If you want to ignore stats, that’s cool but you can’t get upset when people bring them up…they’re completely viable and alot of people on here use them. Do I hate FYF? No. Do I want him to do well? Yes. But with what’s he’s shown me thus far in the majors I absolutely do not want him to take up more outs in the middle of my lineup. I mean, do you really think we have the luxury of waiting around until he’s 27 to see if he figures out how to work a count?
Smoltz's Beard - June 3, 2009
Jason Bay
Bay never said that OBP doesnt matter because it isnt on the scoreboard. Jason Bay never complained that he wasnt getting pitches to hit becuase he was hitting in front of a rookie and a pitcher.
Jason Bay never blamed others for his mistakes. Jason Bay never ignored the fact that he had a problem at the plate. Jason Bay improved his game.
Jason Bay did not go through a 3 year slump after an above average rookie campaign.
Do NOT compare Jason Bay to FYF. FYF is selfish and a bad baseball player.
justincredubil02 - June 3, 2009
Bill Shanks is currently discussing how they think Francouer may have turned a corner, and how he could still be a good leader for this team.
10-4 - June 3, 2009
BARF
justincredubil02 - June 3, 2009
What'd y'all think of Esco's alleged faked HBP?
I thought it hit his arm, and that the WGN announcers made entirely too much of him “faking” it.
FrankyWren - June 3, 2009
What did they say about McCann getting hit on the foot and not saying anything about it?
gramsey712 - June 3, 2009
I say....
what the Mets fans said when Beltran slid into Chipper’s glove and was pronounced safe — “I’ll take it if they give it to me.” Except in this case, it didn’t decide the game.
Actually, I thought it was pretty funny. I’m fairly certain he did it one other time this season as well, and got away with it, but they didn’t make such a big deal of it.
sddbaker - June 3, 2009
Flakes by far best actor on team
Yunel (whom I call “Flakes” due to his frosted hair) did get 1b on a non-HBP earlier this year too. I don’t remember the game, but it missed his body by about 6 inches. I love the flop, then the glazed look, then the slow walk to first base with Porter’s help (who had to be in on it too btw).
ghost of tom thobe - June 3, 2009
You should have heard Mitch Williams go off on him on MLB Network. It was an absolute riot
bigjoe - June 3, 2009
That guy is a moron.
Smoltz's Beard - June 3, 2009
this
Rhyno18 - June 3, 2009
What was he saying?
Zeus12888 - June 3, 2009
The typical nonsense about RUINING INTEGRITY and how the Cubs should protest if he did throw a no hitter (what they’d hope to accomplish with that, I have no idea).
And then he said he’d throw at him his next time up. Talk about integrity.
bigjoe - June 3, 2009
we really do need to have some sort of poll/tracker to find out what team’s announcers are the worst. I gotta say the Phillies are up there along with the Nats and Mets (3 division rivals..imagine that) so far.
justincredubil02 - June 3, 2009
Garry Matthews is without a doubt the worst announcer I have ever heard. My father, who has been a Phillies fan for upwards of 30 years, says just as much.
bigjoe - June 3, 2009
Sarge Sr. vs Rob Dibble.
Discuss.
Smoltz's Beard - June 3, 2009
Rob Dibble at least entertained me on Baseball Tonight back in the day.
bigjoe - June 3, 2009
Dibble wasn’t horrible as Dan Patrick’s whipping boy years ago when the DP show was still on ESPN radio. But wow, he is Pujols-awful doings Nats games.
Rhyno18 - June 3, 2009
This is interesting, but would require a great deal of effort from people from ALL the SBNation MLB blogs, and probably SBNation themselves. I’d propose that for example, the Braves were given only announcer samples from their four division rivals so we can’t automatically just vote for ourselves, and same goes for all the teams, and like an MLB playoff bracket, three winners and one fourth place, and figure out who is the best from there. Or worst, in this case.
royhobbs - June 3, 2009
make it happen!
justincredubil02 - June 3, 2009
It was also highlighted...
on SportCenter
MichaelProcton - June 3, 2009
Leave it to ESPN to soil a good night’s worth of baseball. Who cares if Escobar “faked” it? I was listening in my car, and they talked about how it was a free pass, and as the events of the night showed, there was no no-hitter. Arguing the what if the HBP cost the perfect game is moot and retarded.
Hm, this guy’s mowing us down, and the ump wants to give me first for free? Sure, why not. And it’s not like Chipper didn’t GIDP in the next AB to completely neutralize it.
ESPN is further alienating themselves from the rest of baseball fans by their sympathy for the Cubs much like their (over)exposure of the obvious teams. They completely ignore the fact that the Braves fought off a no-hitter and made up for an entire game’s worth of failed offense in two regulation innings and three extra innings, in anywhere else, is considered a good comeback story.
royhobbs - June 3, 2009
They didn't really harp on it...
They treated it more as a funny incident than anything else. And the primary focus of the highlight was how great Wells was pitching, how poorly the Cubs’ BP did, and how big a comeback it was. No malice towards us.
MichaelProcton - June 3, 2009
Well darn
You had me believing that they were treating the Braves like a soiled diaper again. Way to make me use my malice towards the man for nothing!
royhobbs - June 3, 2009
Misunderstanding aside, i still rarely to pretty much never watch Baseball tonight, which i used to watch all the time. The obvious bias has become unbearable. Karl Ravech, who i used to like, has become annoying with “the Nation”. Then they up it by allowing Chris Berman to host occasionally. I get my non Braves news from the interweb and by listening to XM on my drive to work.
10-4 - June 3, 2009
I recommend you skip Sportscenter and watch Quick Pitch on MLB Network, assuming you get it
bigjoe - June 3, 2009
you had to say it!
i don’t get it, i have DISH and not Directv, and it kills me not to have it. I keep asking myself if its worth all the pain in ass of switching providers for one channel, albeit a glorious one.
10-4 - June 3, 2009
Its seriously my favorite channel, man…so awesome
bigjoe - June 3, 2009
This. I can turn it on at any point in the day and whatever’s playing is better than 95% of what’s on other channels.
Smoltz's Beard - June 3, 2009
I love that show Prime 9…its like the old WHO’S NEXT? or whatever it was called ESPN used to do.
bigjoe - June 3, 2009
same here!
justincredubil02 - June 3, 2009
TWC has it.
MichaelProcton - June 3, 2009
Definitely worth it...
….I switched. You will probably save some money, too, because they always have deals for the first year of service. Plus….if you do, let me give you my account # to reference, and we will both get a check for $100!
sddbaker - June 3, 2009
sorry, my dad called dibs!
10-4 - June 3, 2009
send me an email
justin.coffey@dyess.af.mil
I am intrigued…
justincredubil02 - June 3, 2009
Will do....
when I get home from work.
sddbaker - June 3, 2009
I was just watching until the first commercial break...
because I figured our highlight would be on.
MichaelProcton - June 3, 2009
did you read rob neyer’s chat the other day in which he admitted that espn intentionally shows yankees/redsox games more?
justincredubil02 - June 3, 2009
I mean...
isn’t that their job? Those games get the highest ratings.
MichaelProcton - June 3, 2009
If it were all about ratings
why do I get to see the 2008 World Series of Poker every day and baseball games only once or twice a week? If it were about ratings, why would Jim Rome still have a show?
Sure, they are getting their ratings – because they are showing large market teams. I for one no longer tune into ESPN when they are showing the Sox, Yanks, Mets, Cubs or Dodgers, unless they are playing a team that I am interested in.
If ESPN shows the Brewers or the Mariners, I am all over that like white on rice.
I don’t think I am alone there either.
If ESPN wants to be the world wide leader in sports, they need to do a better job of actually showing a variety of teams.
justincredubil02 - June 3, 2009
The fact that this happened to the Cubs
With 40% of the attendance being their fans, I’m going to go out on a limb and say this is one of the best games ever.
royhobbs - June 3, 2009
absolutely
sddbaker - June 3, 2009
this
Rhyno18 - June 3, 2009
yup
10-4 - June 3, 2009
Agreed.
Lizziebeth - June 3, 2009
This is good. However through those first 7 innings we had a completely different offense. They were swinging few pitches in almost every AB. Then the rest of the game they were more patient, taking pitches, taking walks etc…
We need to take that same approach we had in the later innings and use it all the time.
drumzalicious - June 3, 2009
well, in the Braves defense, that guy was throwing strikes consistently. Could they have been a little more patient? Absolutely. But he it wasn’t like he was effectively wild or something like that, Now i missed the first few innings, so i’m only going on innings 4-8.
10-4 - June 3, 2009
dude got through the 1st on 5 pitches and every other inning after was more of the same and the only batter working him was prado.
drumzalicious - June 3, 2009
I live in Northern Indiana and I went to alot of games at Wrigley with my dad so naturally (don’t hate me everyone) I have fond feelings toward the Cubbies. Don’t get me wrong, the Braves have 110% of my baseball fandom but I always find myself rooting for the Cubs on the local radio and such. Like last night, I was taking a quick trip in my truck and the game was on the radio and Santo was bemoaning Acosta getting Fukudome to ground out to himself. In that split second I found myself thinking “dang it”… then immediately, “oh damn, thats a good thing”.
I know you all hate the Cubs but it is not a very fun series for me as I would prefer niether team lose. But if someone has to win I would much, much, rather it be the Braves.
bbxxj - June 3, 2009
Rationale
I make no bones about it, I dislike the Cubs. But it’s not blind dislike. In order to dislike a team, they have to have a redeeming qualit(ies) to them. The team itself, when the Cubs sucked, I didn’t care about them at all. But their fans – Pujols almighty, I just don’t understand the blind faith in such a bad team. In short, I’m envious that Cubs have such dedicated and fiercely loyal fans, and especially ones that transplant or travel to other places to fervently continue to root for the Cubs. So when I’m at my home park, I want to see Cubs fans leave as disappointed as possible, which easily crosses the line towards dislike.
But now that the Cubs went on their spending spree, and have legitimate talent, everything is twice as annoying. On top of the loyal fanbase are thousands of bandwagon sheep who root for the Cubs just because they’re a popular team. But they all act the same. And it also sucks when the Cubs went 6-0 against the Braves last year, and pretty much all of them were blowouts.
Also, the ways Cubs fans conducted themselves last year after the passing of Skip (bless his heart) was downright despicable.
royhobbs - June 3, 2009
To me, the Cubs fans have gotten worse since Boston won the 04 Series. They just seem they think the world owes them something now.
The players on the current Cubs roster seem a little chippy the last few years, at least towards the Braves, which makes me dislike them pretty intensely. For example, I’d like to see Yunel line one off Ted Lily’s noggin tonight. See, normally, I only feel that way toward division rivals.
Rhyno18 - June 3, 2009
Ted Lilly
Has been a dick everywhere he’s been. Has nothing to do with him being on the Cubs, in rare defense of the Cubs.
royhobbs - June 3, 2009
good point
Rhyno18 - June 3, 2009
Ted Lilly is a magnificent douche
I’d like to see Yunel charge the mound, cause I’ll bet good money Lilly tries to buzz him
Zeus12888 - June 3, 2009
Oh, I agree with everything you say. I hide my Cubbie fandom because I am fearful of ever being trendy. I loved the Cubs when they were still the lovable losers not the expensive losers.
bbxxj - June 3, 2009
What did they do after Skip?
Zeus12888 - June 3, 2009
In short, Cubs fans were being themselves (drunk, loud, obnoxious, picking fights), during tribute video packages to dearly departed Skip. And went ballistic whenever the screen flashed Harry Caray with Skip as if it were a tribute to him.
royhobbs - June 3, 2009
oh gag.
I thought drunken douchebaggery was reserved for our friends in the northeast
Zeus12888 - June 3, 2009
Credit where credit is due…props to FYF for a solid AB, getting a nice pitch to hit, and staying on the ball.
Smoltz's Beard - June 3, 2009
Scariest part is Fred Hackman called it GA homered on Sunday, and apparently Joe Simpson called for it when FYF hit his last night.
royhobbs - June 3, 2009
I was laughing my ass off when Joe said he was due…and after I picked my jaw up off the floor when FYF actually DID hit one out, I laughed a little more.
Smoltz's Beard - June 3, 2009
I mean, he WAS due
He sucked for so damn long, it was about time he cracked one. It just happened to be pretty damn clutch. Here’s to HOPING itll clear some shit up for him, but I’m not holding my breath
Zeus12888 - June 3, 2009
Fred Hickman's "called shot" > Babe Ruth's "called shot"
Simply because Fred Hickman called a Garrett Anderson homer, while Babe Ruth was, well, Babe Ruth.
10-4 - June 3, 2009
lol
Smoltz's Beard - June 3, 2009
Yup...
flashed up this stat: 2 HR in last 220+ (don’t remember the exact number) ABs at the Ted
MichaelProcton - June 3, 2009
don't trade Frenchy
It’s not just about the home run, but also about his potential, his very low salary, his value or lack thereof on the trade market, his fielding especially his arm, and that huge grin and playground enthusiasm of his. Any team can carry a guy like that if they patch problems elsewhere.
This year wasn’t expected to get us back to the playoffs. When Heyward arrives and Hanson is our #1 starter, that will be our time again — so long as we don’t trade away any young players who will increase dramatically in value. We must be patient. I’d be especially careful of acquiring corner outfielders, since with Heyward and Frenchy we could wind up having enough to carry us into the early 2010’s in left and right.
The kind of trade which can help us would be one where we are giving up a player who is not really essential, plays a valued position, has been performing well enough to command some return, carries a large salary, and has little chance of being a major force in 2010 and 2011. Two out of the last three starts by Kenshin Kawakami must have been noted by scouts. Starting pitching is needed by several teams, including some who wouldn’t see his three year $23m deal as terribly onerous. He could go.
But I will not be disappointed if we fail to land a short term batter carrying a high salary. And let’s stay away from those Boras clients. Look at Matt Holiday and offer no more of a player package than you’d give for a couple of draft choices.
JimK - June 3, 2009
I don’t have the time to get into this, but I’ll simply say this…his salary is not low for the contributions he’s making thus far this season. By any means. He also plays a corner outfield position, poorly I might add, and doesn’t provide the necessary offensive production to merit playing there.
Smoltz's Beard - June 3, 2009
$4M is not low
for the worst position player in baseball last year (and just as bad this year)
justincredubil02 - June 3, 2009
+1
Don’t think we can’t agree every now and then. ;)
MichaelProcton - June 3, 2009
I think we are 100% today
justincredubil02 - June 3, 2009
Even with his improved play...
Kawakami isn’t going to net us anything worthwhile at this point.
MichaelProcton - June 3, 2009
Oh, and you can't trade for draft choices.
MichaelProcton - June 3, 2009
Attitudes like this are what gave Cory Patterson a ton of ABs in the majors.
cbwilk - June 3, 2009
Patterson hit a HR the other night…he is making a comeback and will be MVP!
justincredubil02 - June 3, 2009
One more reason to be happy
June record for 2009: 1.000%
Sure, SSS, but we’re perfect so far, considering how much the Braves hate June.
royhobbs - June 3, 2009
I was going to make a fanpost, but I guess I should just post this here because it is a rant...
Maybe I am too positive. Is it just me, or are game day threads getting to be boring/depressing? If I miss a game day thread, which is becoming more and more often lately because of work, I always used to like reading them. I could always count on a good laugh or two from comments/hilarious pictures. However, I find myself skipping many of them leaving the dreaded 485 comments, 485 unread marks on my front page.
Now it seems like it is just a stream of, “Our team sucks,” followed by an, “Agreed,” or a, “Watch Mikey G blow this game,” followed by another, “Agreed.” Take last night for example, I understand that we were getting perfect-gamed, then no-hit, but man why so much hate for “our” team? The first 750 comments were all mostly negative Bull Shit, then the last 300 were more positive because of the comeback. What happened to having faith in the Braves?
I understand that we are not a great team, but to say we suck is ridiculous. We have had (and have currently) key injuries to Chipper, Infante, McCann, Escobar, etc, and with those guys out our offense has been anemic. Likewise, the guys we are depending on to produce in the outfield just aren’t producing. However, our starting pitching has been outstanding, our bullpen has improved immensely since the start of the season, and I believe that our infield (both hitting and fielding) has been pretty solid for the most part.
Maybe everybody will disagree with me, perhaps I will get destroyed for this post, but I felt like it was something that needed to be said. The simple fact of the matter is that it is June 3rd, we are one game over .500, and only 4.5 games back from the Phillies. I believe that Frank Wren will make a deal for an impact bat in the near future, which will help our team greatly. We also have a number of solid prospects on the horizon. I am begging some of you to be more positive, the Braves will be okay, plus everybody should be excited that it is baseball season and not the wasteland that is November through March.
In sum, have a little bit of faith in our team and our front office. It makes no sense to think that our team will lose when we are down 4-0 in the 5th inning, that is why they play the game. I know that baseball by its very nature is frustrating, I mean what other sport can you succeed 1/3 of the time and be considered a HOFer?? Constructive educated criticism is good and solutions should be debated, but do things always have to be so negative??
Fire away.
mvandonsel - June 3, 2009
So
Everyone is more grumpy and less funny? Could it be the aging process? Don’t these two traits suggest one is getting old? I know it’s true in the case of my father, and his father…and his father before him….
Uninvited - June 3, 2009
lol, perhaps. But I am getting older too!
mvandonsel - June 3, 2009
I’m still funny.
bigjoe - June 3, 2009
Where did you get the idea that you were ever funny?
Rhyno18 - June 3, 2009
Senior year, I was voted most likely to trip over his own feet. That = funny
bigjoe - June 3, 2009
Best Personality
Suck it.
10-4 - June 3, 2009
Well, when you’re told your blind date has a “great personality”, it usually means she looks like a cross between Julian Tavarez and a Madagascar hissing cockroach.
If you’re “best personality”, you must be one ugly dude.
Rhyno18 - June 3, 2009
oh yeah, I remember the picture of you with Klesko. I’m right:)
Rhyno18 - June 3, 2009
/wrists
10-4 - June 3, 2009
Class Clown
And they actually let us take and put in the yearbook, a picture of me and the girl “winner” pretending to piss on a fire hydrant. I wanted to actually piss on the hydrant, but they weren’t having any of that.
“Regrets—I’ve had a few
But then again, too few to mention…”
buzzdeadwax - June 3, 2009
"Most mischevious"
right here…
sddbaker - June 3, 2009
Well said. I couldn’t agree with you more.
I’m the eternal optimist and the game threads at time can just get down right depressing.
cmdpsu15 - June 3, 2009
Stick to your guns, there is nothing wrong with being positive.
I feel the same way about some of the open threads now too. If I miss a game, I don’t really concern myself to see what was said the previous night, especially if it were a loss. I came home a little late last night and watched the last two innings of extras, but didn’t really think about getting on my laptop. It comes as no surprise that one negative action can be met with 12 critical comments, and one positive action is usually summed up in one comment. It’s hard work, but it’s like trying to save money when it’s so damn easy to spend it instead.
Things tend to weed themselves out in the long haul; there’s always that stretch right around/after all-star break in which people get burnt out on baseball a little bit, and just want to go out and enjoy their summers. I sure as hell know it happens to me every year.
But as I said, don’t change on account for others acting like dead weight. Just don’t be a dick about it and go “I told you so” once good fortune comes rolling around and others have to feel silly.
royhobbs - June 3, 2009
What can I say, Igloos are boring, nothing else for me to do.
That is the truth. You know how I know that this team doesn’t suck? Bigjoe hasn’t started talking to himself in the game day threads.
Don’t worry about me, I’m not an I-told-you-soer
mvandonsel - June 3, 2009
Eh, when Francoeur homered last night, there were probably a good 40 or so comments in the minute that followed
bigjoe - June 3, 2009
Yes, I agree, I read that, but the first 700 were negative for the most part. Game day threads are feast or famine, just like the Braves offense, people either post, “we suck at baseball,” or, “this team is spectacular.”
mvandonsel - June 3, 2009
The first 700 were negative because we were held hitless for the first 20 batters of the game. What the hell are we supposed to say, “wow, I really like the way we jumped on the first pitch there!”
bigjoe - June 3, 2009
lawl
Gage23 - June 3, 2009
Back in the day, you knew when things were going bad when we went off on tangents from beers, restaurants, movies, video games, to 80s-90s nostalgia
royhobbs - June 3, 2009
I always try to do that, but no one bites anymore. It sucks.
bigjoe - June 3, 2009
haha
Smoltz's Beard - June 3, 2009
That's because
we know you’re actually sitting in Carabbas sharing a brasato and growler of honey wheat with Ronnie the dillweed in your Raphael underroos, one eye on the Braves game and the other eye flipping between the hostess and the forgotten, dusty asteroids machine in the corner.
Totally kidding, I know you wouldn’t share your growler with anyone.
Personally just been waiting for some of the annoyances to go away, as well as been having to spend more time doting on the g-rents lately.
Lizziebeth - June 3, 2009
LOL.
mvandonsel - June 3, 2009
That hurts.
bigjoe - June 4, 2009
Seriously?
Lizziebeth - June 4, 2009
i had the “Johnny” the other night. F-ing awesome.
10-4 - June 4, 2009
That was awesome.
mvandonsel - June 3, 2009
ooooh
80s-90s nostalgia…you guys should bring that back, as i love my memories and would like to talk about how awesome GI Joe, James Bond Jr, Ninja Turtles, etc were!
justincredubil02 - June 3, 2009
No, it is fine to a point, but to say we suck (which happens quite often) is ridiculous. We are not the Natinals.
mvandonsel - June 3, 2009
joe, since I was so curious, I went back and looked after the fact. Most of those comments were of the he massively sucks but yeah he managed to finally do something, but he still sucks variety. Oh course, looks like the he massively sucks hater crowd is out in full force today. all is well!
fandave - June 3, 2009
Last NIght's Game
I was bowling last night and following the game-day on espn-mobile. When FYF hit the 2 out 2 run hr in the bottom of the 9th, my first thought was “I wonder what the game thread guys are saying about THAT?”
When I got home, the first thing I did was check that game-thread, scroll down to the FYF HR and laugh my ass off!
justincredubil02 - June 3, 2009
I gotta agree with you
I know I’ll get angry when we fuck up in games, and it’s the heat of the moment, but outside of games, it’s real easy to be positive. We have a pretty good team and a great future!
Zeus12888 - June 3, 2009
i agree.
I got home around the 5th last night, and turned on the laptop, and after seeing how things were going, i put it down. After Francouers homer, i turned it back on, made only a few comments (mostly because my computer wasn’t handling the comment overflow too well). I stuck it out just to get the joy i get for putting up Bubb Rubb after that great comeback. I’m not perfect by any means, i’m sure i’ve made my share of negative comments,
But yeah, i agree with you, the constant one liners of “we suck”, “how will he mess this up”, are getting old as hell. I’m not perfect by any means, i’ve made my share of negative comments, but the constant bitching gets really old.
10-4 - June 3, 2009
The whistles
go whooo-whoo!
“It’s only for decoration, ya’ll…just for decoration”
justincredubil02 - June 3, 2009
i did a great job of proofreading this, btw.
10-4 - June 3, 2009
You know....
how I feel about this.
sddbaker - June 3, 2009
I was wondering if you would see this! : )
mvandonsel - June 3, 2009
One of the "dead weight" here....
I’m just as guilty as any at bitchin’ and moanin’ about our lack of offense, no patience at the plate and missing key opportunities with runners in scoring position during the games. However, I also celebrate with enthusiasm whenever we score, pitch a great inning and/or make a key play on defense.
Silly me, I thought the “open threads” of the games were for that type of thing. The posts reflect the game as it happens without the luxury of reflection and arm-chair coaching that happens the next day. Have I hit “post” on something I wish I could retract – yeah, more than once….but overall, to me it’s an honest reflection of the game real time by the fans who participate.
NCChopper - June 3, 2009
The eskimo is just a crybaby…don’t listen to him. Seriously though, I don’t think you’re part of the group of people he’s talking about.
Smoltz's Beard - June 3, 2009
gosh…how many “groups” are we going to have on this site???
We have the “Top 11”
We now have the “Bottom 11” (of which, I own 10 slots…)
and now we have the “Bitchy Bunch”
justincredubil02 - June 3, 2009
The 11 (women who post on this blog)
bigjoe - June 3, 2009
Gee Thanks.
mvandonsel - June 3, 2009
Hmm…I expected a better comeback than that.
Smoltz's Beard - June 3, 2009
lol
mvandonsel - June 3, 2009
It just seems sometimes...
that now people try to outdo each other to see who can complain the most. It didn’t used to be like that. People expressed how they felt…I guess they just didn’t feel as whiny.
sddbaker - June 3, 2009
That’s what the open threads are for. When I do participate I don’t call people out on it, nor do I express my disdain for it, because that’s what it’s there for. And if/when I do get a little disappointed over the negativity, I leave without much a mention. It’s as simple as that.
It’s what sports fans do – bitch when their teams underperform, celebrate when they do and go above and beyond. You should hear half the crap that comes out of my mouth in person; if I put the things I said to myself or present company while watching a game into open threads, there would be about 300 more comments a night, but at the same time, it’s impossible to capture the celebration and joy in text when Chipper hits a game winner or something. I hit my hand on a ceiling fan last night doing a celebratory Dragon Fist Pump, yelling like an idiot. I just refrain from putting it in the open threads, because I’d rather not have those mostly negligible remarks put in writing, and for anyone who wishes to see, see them.
royhobbs - June 3, 2009
SB is right, I am not speaking about any poster in particular. I do appreciate the people who celebrate when there is a big play for the Braves. But like royhobbs said, there seems to be a litany of negative comments (that occur over an extended period of time) when something bad happens, while there is a short burst of positivity when something good happens. To me, when you are a fan of a team you take bad times along with the good times and you NEVER EVER count your team out of a game. People can think what they want, I think we have a good team. Could we be better? Of course!! But I would honestly take our team over any other team in the NL East.
The simple fact is that there are certain players on the team (off the top of my head KJ and Kotchman), who could go 5 for 5 three consecutive nights, but go 0 for 4 the next and people would say that they don’t deserve their job. I just don’t get it. Open threads can be whatever people want them to be, all I know is that they used to be much more fun then they are currently. I just prefer to never count the Braves out of the game no matter the inning or who they are playing.
mvandonsel - June 3, 2009
Right. Just like when your kid/niece/nephew is playing.
Lizziebeth - June 3, 2009
Pssssh, when I have kids and they are down by more than two runs/points I am out of there, they will know better than to lose at an athletic competition. I will only accept pure domination.
mvandonsel - June 3, 2009
Strike Hard, Strike Fast, No Mercy
My kids will never know what a save is. I’ll have to create a new stat for them – the RW – REAL win, because if they don’t win by more than three runs, it’s not really a win at all. Heaven help me if they don’t come out the the favorable side of the game at all.
royhobbs - June 3, 2009
I like the way you think.
royhobbs’s kid: “Daddy, what is the asterisk by these two games we won?”
royhobbs: “Well son, you won those games 3-2 and 6-3, that is too close and we can’t count them as REAL WINS. I’m sorry, it would have been better if you wouldn’t have played those games at all. Congrats for wasting my time.”
mvandonsel - June 3, 2009
lol
Nice.
royhobbs - June 3, 2009
I would say “daddy?”, but my dad stuck around to scream bloody murder and obscenities. :)
And of course, 30 minutes after posting that, I hear the “Braves”, a.k.a. Effed up Frank Wren, have released Glavine. Just for the record, I hold FUFW responsible, not my team…but it makes my heart heavy to watch the game tonight. And very difficult to go to the Ted and not throw things up at FUFW.
It’s ridiculous and rude that they put him through all this rehab just to release him now. Bleh.
Lizziebeth - June 3, 2009
I agree
this was very unclassy…bush league.
justincredubil02 - June 3, 2009
I just saw this, wow.
mvandonsel - June 3, 2009
They put HIM through it?
He could have retired any time he wanted. Further, how do you know he didn’t demand his release if they weren’t going to give him a rotation spot?
MichaelProcton - June 3, 2009
"The 43-year-old Glavine, who was coming back from shoulder and elbow surgery, threw six scoreless innings for Class-A Rome on Tuesday night and proclaimed himself ready to pitch in the majors again."
I fail to see where he has said he wanted to retire, in this quote or any other this year, especially since signing the contract FW offered him.
As to your second question, I re-read my post and I fail to see where I claimed to know whether he did or did not demand a release. I can’t answer a question on information I never even formulated or typed out. Ridiculous.
Lizziebeth - June 3, 2009
Some people just like to prove their lack of Braves’ knowledge
The simple fact is that there are certain players on the team (off the top of my head KJ and Kotchman), who could go 5 for 5 three consecutive nights, but go 0 for 4 the next and people would say that they don’t deserve their job
justincredubil02 - June 3, 2009
weird
that was all supposed to be in a block quote…
justincredubil02 - June 3, 2009
.......Savvy?
: ))
Chief Noc-A-Homa - June 3, 2009
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