As if it were the mission of the Atlanta Braves Fan Confidence Poll, we couldn't survive even one week on an upswing without turning the poll downward once again. With the poll at a 73 last week -- a confident week, no doubt -- the series loss to the Padres sent us over the cliff once again. The fan confidence dropped to a 67, and likely should have been lower if not for an unexplained number of people who voted a 10.
I kept my vote at a 6, and unless the Braves can turn it around on the road at Florida for four, and then at home against Cincinnati, I fear that confidence may drop below a 6. On the flip side, if we can somehow beat Florida 3-out-of-4, or heaven forbid we should sweep them, then things are suddenly looking a bit more rosy. But let's not get ahead of ourselves. My 60 percent confidence doesn't really think we have a good chance at a sweep, and 3-out-of-4 will also be a hard sell. I'd settle for getting out of Florida without any sort of weather delay.
0 recs | 29 comments
I’ve been at a 6 for weeks and until they can stop losing these games they should win, I’m gonna be hard pressed to go much above that.
It’s very frustrating being a Braves fan right now, they encourage me and get me all excited when they play so well against teams and pitching that should make us struggle and then turn right around and shut down the bats and ability to get RISP when facing pitchers they should be able to hit.
If we can play well for the next 2 weeks, I’ll vote higher.
NCChopper - August 31, 2009
while it is very frustrating, it is rather exciting. It has been a while since I have been excited about having to fight for a playoff spot. For years, it was either guaranteed, or completely out of the question. Now, it is fun to watch!
justincredubil02 - August 31, 2009
If you think it's frustrating now....
…you haven’t been around for long. Try enjoying having a competitive team.
sddbaker - August 31, 2009
I’ve been watching the Braves since the early 80s.
And I have enjoyed watching a competitive team, and that team was, is and will be the Braves.
I for one believe you can be a fan of a team, root for them to do well, and still be honest about feeling frustrated.
NCChopper - August 31, 2009
And...
…I think I can be a fan of a team, root for them to do well, be honest about feeling frustrated, but not have to tell everyone how frustrated I am all the time. Sorry, I guess I’m such a proponent of the “if you can’t say something good, don’t say anything at all” philosophy that I get really frustrated with people complaining about a team that I am so passionate about. I hear the stupid jerks on ESPN and other media outlets say enough bad things about the Braves without hearing criticism from the fans of the team as well. I realize that a lot of people consider that the purpose of this site, and you have every right to be negative if you want to be negative. But I suppose I also have the right to answer the criticism.
I’m assuming a lot of people take my optimism as evidence that I don’t really know much about baseball. I will respectfully submit that such an assumption would be incorrect. I am a realist, just not a pessimist.
sddbaker - August 31, 2009
It’s everyone’s right to talk about their team however they want just like you said so I’m not sure why you are harping on NCChopper and fans everywhere to keep to themselves when they are frustrated cause that’s basically what it sounds like you are saying. Even though I don’t agree with you, I get what you are saying. I try to stay positive and mostly succeed, but I like voicing my frustrations too.
If people want to complain, let them complain. The only gripe I have is with people starting a new fanpost for every complaint. Keep it to the game thread or the next day follow up about the game or another appropriate post.
But people should also speak up more when the team does good. I do think that’s one thing that isn’t spoken of enough.
Speaking of positives, I’ll say that whether Matt Diaz is struggling or hitting the cover off the ball, that is one player kids should look up too for how he plays the game. That guy doesn’t have the prettiest swing, but usually manages to get the job done and flat out hustles down the line even if he knows it’s a sure out.
Sparhawk - August 31, 2009
Whatever....
I give up. And I’m sorry. I know, I know. It’s just that I get frustrated, too. I read and read and read, and never contradict when people are negative, and let it build up, then it just all comes out at once. So I will keep my opinions to myself. I keep forgetting that I now need to do that here.
And I agree. Matt Diaz is THE MAN, in the best sense of the word. Both on and off the field.
sddbaker - August 31, 2009
Good grief. I was just replying to the topic of the post – with what my vote was and why.
I make an effort to remain balanced in my comments. I’ve tried to make sure to point out the positives when I see them while remaining unafraid to say what drive me nuts like our on again/off again offense … especially when asked, like in the poll threads.
And yet you assumed in your initial reply to my post that I hadn’t been a fan for very long and then proceed to tell me I’m too negative, ignoring all the other positive posts I’ve made on here.
I’m not trying to pick a fight, honestly I’m not… but the wrist slapping every time someone dares say something not considered “positive enough” is tiresome.
NCChopper - August 31, 2009
If you were replying to the topic of the post....
….then why was the reply to my comment?
sddbaker - August 31, 2009
And...
I’m not slapping your wrist. Calm down.
And I didn’t assume anything about the length of your fandom, I just said if you think being 8 games out in September, and 3 out in the Wild Card is frustrating, then you haven’t experienced real frustration, in my opinion. My opinion ain’t worth much in these circles, so don’t let it bother you if you disagree.
sddbaker - August 31, 2009
I am calm. It’s a state of mind I try and maintain.
I meant, my initial post at the top of the page was to the topic.
That sounds like you assumed I hadn’t been around for long because that’s what it says. I answered I had been a fan since the early 80s and then you did proceed to inform me and others we’re not posting in a way you prefer.You then replied to what I said:
.
You’re right about one thing though, I can see I really shouldn’t reply to you specifically again. I’m a lover not a fighter and we’ll have to agree to disagree.
Go Braves!
NCChopper - August 31, 2009
What if...
I don’t agree to disagree?
Just kidding!
Chill.
sddbaker - August 31, 2009
cat fight?
10-4 - August 31, 2009
sddbaker - September 1, 2009
Oh...
so now we’re officially telling people that their opinions are wrong. Maybe I think it’s inexplicable to vote a 6. You know, you’re not asking “how good are the Braves right now on a scale of 1 to 10?”, you’re asking “how much confidence do you have in the organization?” So if someone has a great deal of confidence in the organization, why is a 10 so absurd? Even if you don’t think I should have as much confidence as I do, that doesn’t change the fact that I feel that way.
sddbaker - August 31, 2009
amen. The disclaimer says something along the lines of conficence in the organization as a whole. I’m been voting 8 for several weeks now, and i feel thats a reasonable rating.
10-4 - August 31, 2009
I don’t think Gondee was saying your opinions are wrong, if you look at what he said then it was that there was “an unexplained number of people who voted a 10.” and i think that this is absolutely true, it is inexplicable that a large number of people voted for 10, which would imply that their confidence could not be any higher than it is now and that would just be plain dumb given the amounts of shortcomings our team is showing at the moment. I will admit that there is a lot to like about this team, however, if people have voted your confidence a 10, then I won’t go so far to say as that opinion is wrong but i would say it is misguided and irrational
FromTheBellyOfWickman - August 31, 2009
Really?
Well, I think your opinion is misguided and irrational and just plain dumb as well, so I guess that makes us even.
sddbaker - August 31, 2009
There were also idiots that voted 1, which would be saying they have pretty much no confidence in the organization, which would be misguided and irrational. We have a winning record, very much in the wild card race, and have the number one prospect in baseball followed by several other top prospects.
Someone brought it up a few weeks ago, but if you’re looking at this as a test, then the Braves have received a failing grade. Given just the few reasons that i said in the previous paragraph, i definitely don’t feel that way.
10-4 - August 31, 2009
This a brazillion times over!
justincredubil02 - August 31, 2009
Next year it might be more informative to break this poll into 2. The first question would be a general grade of the entire organization like we have now. The second would be a confidence vote in the major league team’s playoff chances.
It’s been clear for a long while that this team was destined for a season that can be described as, “Bad start, nice recovery, but a little too late to make the playoffs.” Has the team ever been closer than 3 games back of a playoff spot after the middle of April? Every time they have a chance to close within striking distance they fail and fall back. They’re only still viable due to the Rockies having an even worse week.
redwards95 - August 31, 2009
Yea, I’ve raised this point in the past. The confidence poll is a bit obscure. I mean I’m 100% confident that the Braves travel secretary is going to do her job and make sure the team has a chartered plane that will get them to their next destination on time. But I’m only about 3% confident the Braves will make the postseason this year.
And to be honest – and I hate to say this – but I’ve really lost confidence in Bobby Cox. I used to watch every Braves game on TBS and just marvel at how he would outwit opposing managers. I honestly felt he was just a huge advantage for us. But lately he just seems to sit in the dugout and pick his nose, going through the motions. He never seems to make the right calls, much less pull those rabbits out the hat that he did so often in the past. Last night’s game was a perfect example. Chipper is called out at first when he was clearly safe. Not only does Bobby not notice, but he doesn’t even bother to drag his lazy butt out there to back Chipper up and argue the call. The old Bobby would have never sat there like a bump on a log. In this game – late in the year, game on the line, season hanging n the balance, your star 15 year veteran – and you don’t protest?
DCP916 - August 31, 2009
too much like power rankings
Just like the power rankings, which are usually complete crap on any site and totally based on how things are currently going for a team, the confidence poll goes up and down. Is everyone really that swayed week to week? Confidence in something should be pretty steady Eddie.
ronjba - August 31, 2009
gondeee...
What is the point of this poll? Is it a gauge of this season or the team’s overall outlook? I gave up on this season about two weeks ago. I’m still voting 8 because we’re headed in the right direction. We’re a couple of good bats away from having a really good young team.
It appears to me you’re using the poll as a judge for this season. If that’s the case fine, but you should reword the poll.
mdhenshaw - August 31, 2009
I’m confused, too. Should the fan confidence solely be a barometer of the probability that the Braves will get into the postseason? That hasn’t been how I’ve been voting.
John Holton - August 31, 2009
Over-analyzing
This polls are in no means scientific. They should not be broadly interpreted and ultimately should just be “for fun.” Everyone seems to be scrutinizing the results as if it were the poll for the Presidential Election. It isn’t. It is biased, it is not anonymous, it is vague, and subjective. That said, I think they are interesting.
Like I said before, the really meaningful conclusions that can be drawn from the poll is where the readers of this site stand in terms of “confidence” of the organization and how those feelings change over time. In other words, if you look at the trend, it pretty accurately shows how the season has gone: ups and downs. That is based on ultimately wins and losses and where we stand in the division. Take a team like the Phillies. I be their graph would climb and then level-off. I bet the Rockies are starting to take a nose-dive.
It would be interesting to graph the team’s winning percentage after each Friday and super-impose it onto the confidence poll. I wonder if it wouldn’t be similar?
jug - August 31, 2009
Grr…“This polls.” Meant to be “THESE polls…”
jug - August 31, 2009
Exactly....
that’s why it irked me a little that the title of the post says that our confidence “should be lower”. Like I sabotaged it or something because of how I feel.
sddbaker - August 31, 2009
Yeah, it is hard to know if people are optimistic or trying to skew the numbers upward. But if people consistently do this, than it will not affect the week-to-week fluctuation.
jug - August 31, 2009
You must Login with your SB Nation account and be a member of Talking Chop to post a comment.