If it's Monday, then it's the Atlanta Braves fan confidence poll. Yes, the FCP will now be taken every Monday during the season. As always, this poll and therefore your confidence level should encompasses several areas of the team. These areas include, but are not limited to, the team’s ownership, current management, talent, minor-league system, and general playing ability on the field. The poll will stay open for 48 hours, and then the results will be posted and graphed against the previous weeks.
0 recs | 84 comments
Still at a 10
I still have high hopes for this team. Heyward is living up to my expectations, even if not yet ready for canonization. B-Mac is off to a hot start. Prado has me thinking “Kelly Who?” We’ve had a couple of games already where it could have gone either way, which we lost. The pitching has been solid and as I have said all along, Lowe just seems to find ways to win, even if his stats are not as good as our other starters.
We also ahve a rough opening month schedule as pointed out in a previous post here. Once we get the kinks out (not just in Chipper’s oblique and back) this team is going to roll around the first of May.
DawgB - April 12, 2010
Just for fun:
Kelly Who? How ’bout Kelly .368 .478 .947 1.426 3-HR Johnson?
justincredubil02 - April 12, 2010
Like i've said before.. You have a man crush on Kelly Johnson. You've got to be..
his brother, sister, mom, or dad. I just don’t know how one person can be so obsessed with a player like kelly johnson.
BravesFanScout - April 12, 2010
I didn’t bring him up…
justincredubil02 - April 12, 2010
Nor did you hesitate to jump in...
once someone did.
Mr. Sanchez - April 12, 2010
and then….?
justincredubil02 - April 12, 2010
No “and then”!
Smoltz's Beard - April 12, 2010
RAWR!
justincredubil02 - April 12, 2010
Well done...
one of the few bright spots of possibly the worst movie I’ve ever seen. That, Bug with Ashley Judd, and The Big Hit probably top my “worst” list off the top of my head.
Mr. Sanchez - April 12, 2010
Top of your “worst” list? Damn, it was bad but not like…Batman & Robin, The Ring 2, The Spirit, Crash, or The Happening bad.
Smoltz's Beard - April 12, 2010
Never saw those...
except a few minutes of The Happening. Wife saw that one and told me how awful it was, she was straight pissed at the ending.
Mr. Sanchez - April 12, 2010
Surprised you didn’t see Crash. Most people talk it up about how amazing it was.
Smoltz's Beard - April 12, 2010
It won an Oscar right?...
the “ensemble” cast of stars and overall premise turned me off. Plus I’d already seen Go, and figured Crash would be like a crappier version of it, but with more stars instead of Jay Mohr and the guy from Party of 5.
I’ve seen a lot of movies, but there’s a ton that got lots of hype/Oscars that I just never wanted to see. Crash was one of them, like Titanic, Million Dollar Baby, or Chocolat (which I’ve heard is delightful).
Mr. Sanchez - April 12, 2010
Yes, a very undeserved Oscar. You hit the nail on the head as far as the “ensemble” cast was concerned…over acting on the part of pretty much everyone in what appears to be an attempt to steal the show. The writing was poor, the whole racism theme repeatedly smashed over your head over and over and over again. I liken it to a smart movie for stupid people.
I think Munich should have won it that year, although Brokeback was good too. Capote and Goodnight & Goodluck were decent.
Smoltz's Beard - April 12, 2010
Good night and good luck...
is the only one of those I actually saw in full. I liked it, especially Straithern. Munich I’ve seen bits of, and liked them.
Most of those huge “ensemble” casts when they are all big name stars tend to be shite imo and that’s why I generally shy away from them. Maybe it’s a casting director/producer calling in favors to bump up a crap movie, maybe it looked good in script but not on screen, but for the most part I think those movies often turn to crap (except Departed, that was great).
Mr. Sanchez - April 12, 2010
Definitely watch Munich the whole way through. Very good movie.
Smoltz's Beard - April 12, 2010
This. Munich was badass. Eric Bana is straight pimp. Too bad he stopped doing action movies and now does chick-flicks.
justincredubil02 - April 12, 2010
Problem is, I've seen like the last half...
not enough to know what’s going on, but enough to not pay full attention.
Mr. Sanchez - April 12, 2010
“If any of us get laid tonight it’s cause of Munich.”
cbwilk - April 12, 2010
+1
Mr. Sanchez - April 12, 2010
Crash was a shit movie….
!!!
get swoll yunel - April 12, 2010
+1
Smoltz's Beard - April 12, 2010
To clarify, it was just soooo stupid...
very few of the jokes made me laugh, like their tattoos of Dude and Sweat, that went on probably 45 seconds more than it should. Just soooo awful, it almost became a movie that was so bad it was good (like say Jeepers Creepers, meant to be a horror but turned out to be a decent comedy). Bug probably tops the list, it’s pretty sick.
Saw 2012 this weekend, and while it wasn’t as bad as others, it was still not good. And went sooooooooooooooooooooo long. I kept waiting for things to just hurry up and kill everyone. Plus the actions scenes were almost, not quite, but almost, as believable as Rambo snapping off arrows faster and more accurate than a couple dozen SE Asians with automatic weapons.
Mr. Sanchez - April 12, 2010
Dude was one of those movies were you see it as a kid and think it’s hilarious, but then watch it again years later and hate yourself a little bit for ever liking it so much
Smoltz's Beard - April 12, 2010
Yeah, I wasn't a kid when it came out, more like around 20
Mr. Sanchez - April 12, 2010
Then that explains why you hated it right off the bat. I saw it when I was like 16 (which still should have been old enough to realize how bad it was) and thought it was funny. Watched it again in the last few years and it’s awful.
Smoltz's Beard - April 12, 2010
The Happening was absolutely horribe, but not as bad as that movie “Nine”. That was just appalling.
justincredubil02 - April 12, 2010
I wish Kelly all the best. He just wasn’t producing for us. Let’s see about their numbers after a month or so.
DawgB - April 12, 2010
Obviously, KJ wont hit a HR every other game, and Prado won’t get a hit every other AB, but I think this will probably be a breakout year for both of them.
justincredubil02 - April 12, 2010
I always liked Kelly, so I hope he has a breakout year this year. Let’s hope Martin has a whole year like the 1/2 year he had last year.
I agree that a week’s worth of numbers are not usually a reliable indicator of how a season is going to go. While most players go through hot and cold streaks during the course of a season, they are magnified at the beginning of a season due to the small sample size.
DawgB - April 12, 2010
A perfect example of this: Glaus, Troy.
justincredubil02 - April 12, 2010
And , while I would love to see it, neither Heyward or B-Mac are going to hit 81 homers this year. It works both ways.
DawgB - April 12, 2010
Of course, if that happens, the argument could be made that Kelly needed a change of scenery to turn things around.
cbwilk - April 12, 2010
Absolutely.
justincredubil02 - April 12, 2010
Dropped from an 8 to a 7 simply because of Chipper getting hurt. I sure hope the injury bug doesn’t strike us hard this year.
soup du jour - April 12, 2010
I was going to go up to 8 after the first 2 games of the season, but Chipper’s injury and Glaus’ struggles have me staying at 7 for now.
redwards95 - April 12, 2010
I’ve dropped from 8 to 7 on the basis of what I’ve seen this week: Chipper hurt, Glaus still not hitting, lack of production from the outfield (except for right field).
John Holton - April 12, 2010
Totally random....
But the Phillies schedule is a joke. 6 vs Nats and 3 vs Astros. That will definitely add some insurance wins.
Chief Noc-A-Homa - April 12, 2010
We will get both of those teams later on. As I pointed out above, we do hav a rough first month’s schedule. But last year it seemed as though we could go toe-to-toe with the good teams and just couldn’t beat the “lesser” teams, such as the Nats, when if we could have beaten them, the Wild Card was a real possibility. We are going to have to beat the teams wer are supposed to beat this yeart, if we are going to have a chance. I think we will do so. That is why I am still at a 10.
DawgB - April 12, 2010
Lowered because of Chipper's injury and Glaus's bat
taney71 - April 12, 2010
Ok...
Who are the people voting 2?
I voted 9…thought about 8…but I’m going to assume the bad luck from the Giants series can’t continue.
EricGreggWasPaidOff - April 12, 2010
That Heyward homer last night
Was the difference between a 9 and an 8 for me.
Bronn - April 12, 2010
For all of the people worried about Glaus
Let’s play a game.
I will post 4 stat lines. Match the stat line with the player that it belongs to.
.227 .320 .227 .547
.125 .276 .167 .443
.222 .222 .370 .593
.111 .200 .167 .367
Your Options are
A. David Ortiz
B. Kendry Morales
C. Mark Teixiera
D. Troy Glaus
justincredubil02 - April 12, 2010
Seriously, if everyone is worried about Glaus’ start and the ~$1.5 million we’re paying him imagine having to deal with Ortiz and the $12 million they have to pay him. He looks lost at the plate.
Smoltz's Beard - April 12, 2010
It’s very disturbing that our fanbase is evolving into the intellect of a Boston/Chicago base.
justincredubil02 - April 12, 2010
Agreed.
Smoltz's Beard - April 12, 2010
Wouldn’t that be reverse Darwinism? De-evolution.
DawgB - April 12, 2010
well, the earth is decaying, so I guess it could go both ways.
justincredubil02 - April 12, 2010
I voted a 9 again. I don’t think my organizational confidence as a whole should fluctuate week-to-week based on 20-some odd ABs by 1 player or a minor injury to another.
justincredubil02 - April 12, 2010
I'm still a 7
And in reference to Glaus’s 20 AB and Chips ‘minor injury’ you need to qualify both of those statements. Glaus is coming off major shoulder surgery and didn’t play last year outside of a few late season ABs in which he hit something like .125. In the spring he showed no power, which is fine, but still drove in runs. Since the season began he has shown an inability to adjust and shorten his swing in an attempt to out the ball in play and try to drive in runs in key situations. Will he turn things around? Maybe, I sure hope so. I don’t think we are condeming him either, just getting a tad nervous if that shoulder is really 100% and if he can put it together. As for Chips ‘minor injury’, we all know how fragile he is so him getting hurt 4 games into the season doesn’t bode well. I remain optimistic though, just getting overly anxious with waiting for the team to produce at a better level offensively and not repeat last years ineptitude in giving our pitchers some run support.
murph35 - April 12, 2010 via mobile
People need to get off of Chipper’s back. He’s not so fragile. He played more than any other Brave last year. If he’s able to play he will, even if hurt.
FitzFan - April 12, 2010
Minor injury, yes.
Affirmation of concerns at the start of the season? Also yes. Its willful ignorance to not agree that this team has high injury risks…and to see one manifest in one of our best players within the first week of the season (and to systematically drop 3 of 4 when he’s not in our lineup) hurts my confidence in this team and the ability to of our best players to keep on the field. Still bullish, but slightly less so.
soup du jour - April 12, 2010
I get that. I will be the first to admit that this team has injury questions – as does every team. However, a minor injury to Chipper Jones does not alter my confidence in the organization as a whole for either the immediate and long-term future.
justincredubil02 - April 12, 2010
Fair enough.
And I think we both agree that the team has a pretty solid future outlook.
soup du jour - April 12, 2010
Yes. And you just kicked my butt. My offense must be full of slow starters or something.
justincredubil02 - April 12, 2010
But with Chipper...
“minor” injuries have a tendency to linger, and being back/torso muscle issues makes it seem even more likely to be a recurring thing throughout the year. Without Chipper, I doubt this team makes the post season as it seemed capable of doing with him in the pre-season euphoria of just a week ago.
Mr. Sanchez - April 12, 2010
All valid points. My only thing is that we should have been expecting Chipper to miss some time due to these nagging injuries. Whether they happen in the beginning, middle or end of the season really shouldn’t change our confidence too much.
IIRC, Chipper missed some time at the beginning of last season too, and ended up leading the team in games played. I wouldn’t be too overly concerned with this current one.
justincredubil02 - April 12, 2010
And maybe it happens again this year...
but “in the beginning, middle or end of the season really shouldn’t change our confidence too much” I disagree with. A nagging, recurring injury that occurs now vs. mid season or later in the year can accumulate a bunch more missed games if it’s effecting him for 6 months as opposed to 1 month or 3 months.
Mr. Sanchez - April 12, 2010
I am leaning towards the idea that preventing the lingering injury is why he is out for 3 games right now. Maybe they don’t want to bring him back if they are not 100% sure this won’t keep cropping up throughout the season.
justincredubil02 - April 12, 2010
Gotta love your contrarian assumptions
Mr. Sanchez - April 12, 2010
So, let me guess – I am being completely unreasonable in thinking that the Braves are being overly cautious with their best hitter who happens to have a history of nagging injuries and who also happens to be almost 40 years old, knowing that the offense depends on him this season – one in which they have a legit shot at a WS title?
justincredubil02 - April 12, 2010
No, but it is an assumption...
and what makes “being overly cautious” today and not Wednesday? Another assumption.
Mr. Sanchez - April 12, 2010
What?
justincredubil02 - April 12, 2010
I am going to use your own words to answer your question:
Let’s give him longer than a week to get back into the groove of things.
justincredubil02 - April 12, 2010
REPLY FAIL!!!!! HAAHAHAHAHA!!!
Smoltz's Beard - April 12, 2010
But, I used quotes…so it isn’t a total fail, right?
FML.
justincredubil02 - April 12, 2010
Oh I agree
As I said, I’m not condeming him yet.
murph35 - April 12, 2010 via mobile
I’m still at a 8.
Braves faced some tough pitching, and the offense hasn’t come alive yet…but it will. The pitching has been pretty damn good.
Heyward is making adjustments faster than I would have guessed. He’s a keeper!
Chipper is Chipper, and I’m confident he’ll have a much better year than last year.
Sparhawk - April 12, 2010
Our worst pitcher has 2 Ws…baseball is a funny game.
justincredubil02 - April 12, 2010
Food for Thought
Does that really make him our worst pitcher? After all, the standings are based upon won/lost records, which may or may not reflect statistical correlation. And the Braves do win when Lowe is on the mound. Must be his mojo or something.
DawgB - April 12, 2010
coincedence
and some luck
Chief Noc-A-Homa - April 12, 2010
Let’s hope he doesn’t lose it! If he has an ERA around 10.40 but a 20-0 record, I’ll be happy!
:)
justincredubil02 - April 12, 2010
Let’s hope he does. He’ll go down in history!
Sparhawk - April 12, 2010
I voted 7. The team is good but not great. Needs room to grow. That is all.
romone_braves91 - April 12, 2010
My first vote this season and it was a 7
The reason it’s not an 8 is because we’re still leaving too many men on base in scoring position. I know we’ve faced some good pitching, but we’ve still managed to get guys on base. Several times now, we’ve had men on 3rd and less than 2 outs and didn’t get them in. I know it’s early but I hope we can do better at that than we did last year.
Overall, I’m much more pleased than disappointed so far and looking forward to the great season I think the Braves have in store for us yet.
.
…and the less than 5 voters – bless your pathetic little hearts.
NCChopper - April 12, 2010
Classic. I missed you over the offseason!
justincredubil02 - April 12, 2010
Hey justin :-) And, I noticed you on the game thread yesterday – nice to see.
It was a long cold winter – I was more than ready for baseball again!
NCChopper - April 12, 2010
Don’t know if I have ever asked you this before, but where in NC are you? My family is from Lenoir.
justincredubil02 - April 12, 2010
I’m about 90 minutes from there. I’m not too far from Greensboro.
NCChopper - April 12, 2010
I voted 4. This offense looks alot like last years. It’s giving me a bad feeling.
FitzFan - April 12, 2010
Yes, it sure does.
Kelly Johnson
Yunel Escobar
Chipper Jones
Briann McCann
Garret Anderson
Jeff Francoeur
Casey Kotchman
is very similar to:
Melky Cabrera
Martin Prado
Chipper Jones
Troy Glaus
Brian McCann
Yunel Escobar
Jason Heyward
Nate McLouth
Jordan Schafer
justincredubil02 - April 12, 2010
EDIT: Forgot to put Schafer in the 8 hole.
justincredubil02 - April 12, 2010
mirror images
Smoltz's Beard - April 12, 2010
Prado batting second is a vast improvement over Yunel in the 2 -hole. Yunel is much better suited to the 6th spot than the 2nd. Glaus vs McCann. Batting 4th or 5th deending on the lefty/righty pitcher. Either one of those guys is light years ahead of Anderson batting 5th. Anyone is better than Francouer in that position (6th). Heyward vs Kotchman batting 7th. No comment necessary. McClouth vs Schaefer, 8th. I have to go with Nate based upon a career of more than 50 or so games. Not the best prodution in the league, but certainly an adequate 8th place hitter, especially if he gets on in front of the pitcher with less than 2 outs. We still need to find a ladoff hitter, though.
BTW, to those who say we should have re-signed Adam LaRoche instead of Glaus, I saw somewhere, that Adam is off to one of his patented slow starts again.
DawgB - April 12, 2010
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