As the hopes of the postseason fade from reality, the confidence that Atlanta Braves fans have in their team also continues to fade. This poll was posted last Friday, and closed on Sunday, so even before we were swept at the hands of the Reds the fan confidence had taken a huge hit from the disappointing split series with the Marlins.
No doubt if the poll were taken today we might see the confidence level much lower, perhaps the lowest it's been all season. The last time the FCP was this low was at the end of June. The low point then, and for the season, was 48%. The current 54% and the on-going decline may beat that low next week if the Braves continue their lackluster play when they head on the road to Houston and St. Louis.
For most fans, the realization has hit them -- the Braves season is over.
0 recs | 27 comments
It was clear this wasn't a playoff team a month ago...
Not sure what people had their hopes up for. Let’s fight on this season and revamp for a run next year. Again let’s…
1) Let Bobby Cox go and get a new manager.
2) Somehow and someway get a power bat for the middle of the lineup.
3) Find a replacement for Chipper Jones.
taney71 - September 8, 2009
Replace Chipper?
Except that we just signed him to a three year deal at the beginning of the season. What sense would it make to then release him and find a quick replacement?
JBinATL - September 8, 2009
Not replace..
find a replacement for him. We need to start thinking about getting someone ready to cover the 20 to 40 games that he’ll most likley miss in the next 2 to 3 years. I guessing he’ll be out more but I hope for the best. Maybe that person will turn into a short term solution to our Chipper “Getting Old” Jones problems.
taney71 - September 8, 2009
At the beginning of the season, did anyone really expect us to make the playoffs? If I recall correctly, most people around here were harping on the "fact’ that this team would be fortunate to finish above .500.
Our confidence at the low part of the season was due to the fact that we were about 6 games below .500.
Now that we are roughly at the same confidence level, we find ourselves 5 or 6 games above .500 (on the day the poll was conducted). Things could not be looking better for the Braves, IMO.
We have the best prospect in all of baseball who is absolutely dominating at every level of the ML that he has played in so far, to include AAA. We have our Ace of the future dominating at the big-league level as a rookie. We have Jair Jurrjens who has been awesome. Kawakami has been better than anyone could have imagined, and has only gotten stronger and better as the season has gone on. Hudson is looking like the Tim Hudson we all remember, and Vazquez has been one of the top 5 pitchers in the league this season.
Why did I say all of that about our Pitchers? Because they are all under contract to be back next season! Remember the 2010-2011 mantras we used to all spout? Well, guess what. This is 2009. We weren’t supposed to win this year. This was a “rebuilding” year for us, and we STILL found ourselves right in the playoff hunt in September. What more could you ask for?
We have some STUDS in the ML right now (Kimbrel, Tehran, etc) and our future is bright.
Frank Wren got rid of Jeff Francoeur, patched up the holes in the OF, and has put together a solid pitching staff to say the least. My confidence in the organization has never been higher, playoffs in 2009 be damned!
justincredubil02 - September 8, 2009
+1
Lets hope the legend of Frank Wrens balls continues to grow by nudging Cox out the door. If he does this, they might be worthy of having a ballad written about them.
10-4 - September 8, 2009
I think Wren keeps Bobby if for no other reason than this season is such an improvement over the 08 season. Whether you agree or not , Cox will get some credit for the improvement. SI did a poll concerning which manager would you most want to play for. Bobby Cox was the top vote getter. And this was from players who were on other teams (players couldn’t vote for their manager.) Bobby has a reputation throughout the league as being a players coach & his loyalty to the players is probably affecting his judgement & getting him in hot water w/the fans. Some fans might want him gone but the players don’t & that’s something Wren has to take into consideration because he knows players will play for a coach who has their back.
adc62 - September 8, 2009
ABSOLUTELY
sddbaker - September 8, 2009
+1 justin…I came in here to say about the same.
Braves fans have a lot to be excited about. Heyward should be manning RF next year. With just one more power bat, and the current pitching staff, this team will make the playoffs.
The only thing I’m uncertain about is how the bullpen will turn out next year.
Sparhawk - September 8, 2009
agree
this has been the most optimistic and fun season to watch in four or five
traphicg - September 8, 2009
These are the reasons my confidence in the organization has remained high. The guys in the minors are causing a stir that hasn’t been heard since Chipper was coming up. The pitching staff (with a few exceptions) has been solid all season, and has remained healthy all season. Frank Wren made some hard choices (and a few enemies) that nevertheless needed to be made.
This team is far and away better than last year’s. I’m bummed that, barring an incredible win streak, the Braves won’t be in the postseason, but I still think they should go out and try to win every game, and I think that they are capable of doing that. We can talk about what needs fixing after the season.
John Holton - September 8, 2009
well said
secondbass - September 8, 2009
Your confidence in the team is higher than it was a week ago? Sure the organization’s future looks positive on a macroscopic scale, but taking into account this losing streak I find it hard to believe that you aren’t even slightly more concerned about the offensive struggles than the week before.
soup du jour - September 8, 2009
My confidence that this 2009 team will make the playoffs is down, sure. Who’s isn’t?
But, that isn’t what this poll is supposedly asking. It is asking about the org as a whole, and quite honestly, I cannot think of another organization that is set up for current contention as well as long term success as much as ours.
justincredubil02 - September 8, 2009
These are the reasons I still voted an 8 last week. And these will be the reasons I continue to vote high on the polls for the rest of the season.
Gage23 - September 8, 2009
A sobering realization...
!Vive la Francoeur! - September 8, 2009
Last time I checked....
the season still has 25 games left in it, at least. So I’m confused by the statement that the season is over.
Buncha whinebabies.
sddbaker - September 8, 2009
circa rockies
yeah, we can go 23-2 to finish out the season…..
traphicg - September 8, 2009
if we finished 21-4 and the Rockies floundered at 13-11, we would tie and have a 1 game tie-breaker to decide the wild card winner.
I agree, of course, that 21-4 is unlikely, but just sayin’ …
fandave - September 8, 2009
duh
i knew that…. duh…. which is why i said 23-2…. sheesh….
traphicg - September 8, 2009
The season is not over...
even if we aren’t going to make the playoffs.
Of course, I always remain optimistic that the unlikely could occur. But even if it doesn’t, I still get to see my team — a very good team, with a lot to look forward to — play 25 more games. So it bugs me to hear “the season is over”.
sddbaker - September 8, 2009
Game over, man.
TradeAndruw - September 8, 2009
I am with you.
fandave - September 8, 2009
You’re right. The statement should read “Braves’ playoff chances are over.” There’s still games left to enjoy, but the playoff drive is all but over barring a miracle.
soup du jour - September 8, 2009
I'll be watching my Braves play until the end of the season......
Win or lose…..Playoffs or not….I still look forward to the games!
Go Braves!
HEYJUDE - September 8, 2009
Overall I agree with the sentiments expressed
I am strongly curious about the search to help out Chipper. Bobby, and TP and the minor league harvest are all second fiddle in my song’s theme, “Who will relieve Chipper over the next 2-3 years?”.
KomaGawa - September 9, 2009
The Lights out yet?
first off let me appologize for coming back to the states early and hexing the team to another postseasonless year…had to kind of went on the DL..
But the bright side is, Depending on who we retain for our closer next year’s team should be able to win at a .600+ clip all year!…again I appologise …but if somehow we make the playoffs this year…..!@##$ going to work overseas! (unless it is in Japan)
bravestatoo - September 9, 2009
edit...
“had to, went on the DL”
bravestatoo - September 9, 2009
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