Show #77: The 2009 Season Wheels Start Coming Off
A 2 – 5 week. Chipper’s future. The 2010 starting rotation. And the Post Season (very little) Hope Meter.
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September 8th, 2009 at 9:52 am
Downer show, but good show nonetheless. So, speculation abounds: let’s say Chipper DOESN’T move to 1st next year…though I agree he’d do well to get out of the hot corner and maybe get more body-rest…do we keep LaRoche next year? Do we want to? Does HE want to?
September 8th, 2009 at 9:57 am
I guess I’ll try and get this week’s comment feed rolling although it isn’t without pain and heartache. I was SO hopeful after the first two games against the fish and now I still don’t know if I can watch a game. I watched the highlights on SC with GA and Nate crashing and KK hitting a batter…in the head and wanted to vomit. What hurts the most (besides being so close) is we could have gained ground on the Phillies. I know it would not have mattered but it would have felt better.
September 8th, 2009 at 10:06 am
Wow Anne, great minds think alike. Misery loves company.
September 8th, 2009 at 1:23 pm
I still don’t see how moving Chipper to 1st helps anything. I cant’ recollect the last time he was hurt fielding his position. It’s all been swinging the bat or running the bases. And, his power numbers have dropped significantly, so he doesn’t fit that bill either.
And Anne, I think that LaRoche would love to stay. He and Chipper are big buddies.
September 8th, 2009 at 1:34 pm
My thinking behind the Chipper to first thing was to get Infante in the lineup permanently. He is a limited outfielder, defensively, so I like him better there. Maybe at 2nd with Prado going to 3rd. You save the LaRoche money for an outfielder. I would not be surprised if Chipper retires after next season, and at that point Freddie Freeman is here to save the day. They need some homegrown Tommy Hanson caliber position players here soon.
September 8th, 2009 at 1:49 pm
This was a rebuilding year and the team is going to finish 5-10 games over .500 following a season in which it lost 90 games. The team was in the hunt until late August. That’s not bad. In the long history of the franchise, this year ranks as one of the better ones. Beyond the W-L record, Hanson emerged as a true ace and that has been fun to watch. JJ is great. Medlen seemed to come out of nowhere and is the real deal. We have a RF and a 1B in the minors who are going to be very good and are a pleasure to follow. We have a real SS. We have a lot of likeable players. Francouer is gone. I enjoyed watching this club for the first time in several years. The team is heading in the right direction. Buck up, everyone.
September 8th, 2009 at 1:56 pm
I haven’t seen the clip, but apparently Chipper was on some local sports TV show over the weekend talkin’ NASCAR, and he dissed Diaz’s favorite driver or something. Chipper chose to wear a mock turtleneck and apparently he looked like a big dork…because when a local radio station asked Diaz what he thought of Chipper’s comments, Diaz wondered why Chipper was wearing a “Nerd”-el neck. Nerdleneck. Nice! You’d think we pay him enough to get a personal shopper…
September 8th, 2009 at 5:25 pm
Chipper was on ESPN college gameday and he picked against FL State and Matt was unhappy about that.
You can see Chipper around the 7:15 mark.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8suM8nXtdA
September 8th, 2009 at 10:04 pm
What about Chipper at 1st, KJ at 2nd, Escobar at SS, and Prado at 3rd?
September 8th, 2009 at 10:25 pm
Good show, guys. You folks make the Braves almost bearable.
September 8th, 2009 at 10:35 pm
Just able to turn the game on in bottom of the 8th. Could the two guys behind homeplate BE more annoying?
September 8th, 2009 at 10:41 pm
Curt, would you like to apologize one more time to Javy?
September 8th, 2009 at 11:54 pm
Thanks for the clip, Kathryn. Hey, good to get home and see a W on the board! WTG, Bravos.
September 8th, 2009 at 11:54 pm
Oh for god’s sake. Anonymity. Frakkin’ laptop.
September 9th, 2009 at 12:46 am
Yes, one more apology. He was brilliant again.
September 9th, 2009 at 10:00 am
P. W. Hjort – do you really trust Kelly offensively anymore? And, I realize that his UZR is decent, but my eyes tell me, game to game, that he can be really brutal at times at 2nd and that his miscues this year led to some big innings.
September 9th, 2009 at 2:16 pm
kj should really never start for the Braves again except as an injury replacement. I’d rather see Brooks Conrad out there.
September 9th, 2009 at 3:23 pm
I’d rather see a real freaking 2nd basemen out there that can hit. Brooks had a stunning coming out party and he absolutely should have been on the bench in August instead of Norton but I think a full year of ol’ Brooksy would be killing. I believe that his 5 years of AAA ball with his .251 BA is a better indicator of his performance in the future than his .289 average in 41 plate appearances this year with the Braves.
September 9th, 2009 at 7:25 pm
I’m not saying he’s Ty Cobb, I’m just saying he isn’t Kelly Johnson.
September 9th, 2009 at 9:24 pm
Chipper and “Big Mac” are killing me!
September 9th, 2009 at 9:57 pm
Tommy Hanson is looking amazing so far. Not that that does much for my Post Season Hope Meter, but it’s at least a “2″ which is better than ABT’s collective 1.8!
September 9th, 2009 at 10:23 pm
MY GOD. IF THERE IS ANYTHING MORE PREDICTABLE THAN THE FACT THAT SORIANO WAS GOING TO BLOW THAT FREAKING GAME……………………
RASSA FRASSA
@#$^*&Y@*(U
September 9th, 2009 at 10:24 pm
is someone doesn’t destroy the bathroom they should all be fined
September 9th, 2009 at 10:29 pm
My lord that was awful. Really, guys? This is how you want to go out? Uggggh. Horrid.
September 9th, 2009 at 10:31 pm
Did we win?
September 9th, 2009 at 10:32 pm
They just said last 5 they are 1-4 and have given up 13 runs. a total joke.
September 9th, 2009 at 10:32 pm
they have scored 7 in that stretch
September 9th, 2009 at 10:39 pm
Bub…that would be a no.
September 9th, 2009 at 10:42 pm
Yikes. I picked a seriously good time to become occupied, eh? How is the team acting about all this?
September 9th, 2009 at 10:53 pm
I imagine the Braves team is very dejected at the loss especially in the setting of an excellent Tommy Hanson performance. I also think that the ABT team is getting a little more hateful than I’m comfortable with. Go Braves. See ya ABT.
September 9th, 2009 at 11:03 pm
Bub, glad the swine flu didn’t take away your sense of humor. I watched until the bottom of the 9th and then watched an episode of Dexter with the Reverend. At least I know it’s going to be a tragedy!
PS…I freakin love ABT.
September 9th, 2009 at 11:04 pm
No Tcc, don’t go! Steve isn’t hateful. Stay for Steeeeeeeeeve!
September 9th, 2009 at 11:06 pm
It was a terrible loss, but nothing new here since the swoon’s begun. No offense. Shaky closer. The biggest shame was blowing Hanson’s masterpiece and hurting his ROY chances in the process. Ugh, indeed.
September 9th, 2009 at 11:18 pm
G’night ABT. *waves at Leah*
Hey, I guess we’re “sharing a drink they call [our team sucks]-iness, but it’s better than drinkin’ alone?”
laaaa di daaaa diddy daaaa….
September 9th, 2009 at 11:31 pm
Oh dear…Bub’s mixing cold meds and beer. *waves back at drunk heavily medicated Bub*. Next year, first play off game ABT crew and faithful followers will meet in the ATL to cheer on the Bravos. I can FEEL it.
September 9th, 2009 at 11:52 pm
Leah/Bub – I’m here. And Leah, I love your optimism about next year. And I share it. Things are only looking up for the foreseeable future. And, as C in B aptly pointed out a few days ago, our short lived wildcard chase after the AllStar break was really just icing on a rebuilding year. This team was mediocre to bad much of the first half. The tease in July/August was a hell of a lot of fun. That said, I can’t ignore the fact that the tease in July/August has made this total collapse really, really frustrating. Oh, productive offense, we hardly knew ya.
September 9th, 2009 at 11:55 pm
I haven’t read any comments yet, but another night mismanaged…yet again. *le sigh*
September 10th, 2009 at 1:14 am
Yeah, I trust Kelly Johnson. I think he’s gotten better defensively and has fallen on some hard luck at the plate this year, but I think he’s an above average MLB second baseman on both sides of the ball.
September 10th, 2009 at 8:13 am
2010 season tickets are on sale…when?? I’m in.
I’m also with Bub in picking an awesome time to be busy. Go Brav…oh, never mind.
September 10th, 2009 at 8:36 am
P.W. I like your commitment. We all loved Kelly going into the season. Steve got to interview him and he is a very rootable player. A super nice guy. I would like nothing more than for him to be a solid 2nd baseman for the Braves.
I’m not sure how we are being haters? I guess we can’t express disappointment with the team? This has been a frustrating season. Add last night to that list. Another brilliant start, another display of an anemic offense, another example of questionable managing from Bobby Cox, and another heartbreaking loss. That’s not hating, that’s the facts.
September 10th, 2009 at 12:15 pm
Ditto Curt. What he said. I don’t think it’s hate, rather passion. If Braves fans were more passionate about their team maybe more key moves would be made re: the skipper and big players with tiny bats. May the force be with you Tcc.
September 10th, 2009 at 1:11 pm
I remember the days of Frank LaCorte and Dave Bristol. You want frustration, try some of that.
September 10th, 2009 at 2:07 pm
So true, Chris in Boston. How about Biff Pocoroba? Nick Esasky? We could go on all day.
September 10th, 2009 at 3:06 pm
Ah, Biff Pocoroba. He was one of my favorites. I love the Braves.
September 10th, 2009 at 7:23 pm
You guys should change the post season hope meter to a finish above .500 hope meter.
September 10th, 2009 at 9:11 pm
D. Lowe being true to form. Allowing the bad guys to accomplish the improbable.
September 10th, 2009 at 11:20 pm
If Tejada had won the game in walk off fashion two nights in a row I literally would have cried. Nobody knows what I’m talking about because you all had better things to do with your time which makes me feel a bit like a loser. Go Braves!
September 11th, 2009 at 12:24 am
Just came to say hey.
Hey.
(seriously, are we like on a complete losing streak or something? Nobody’s being very detailed and I refuse to go to any other blogs… it’s all so mysterious this way.)
Leah, having nothing better to do with your time than take in baseball is the American Dream. I just ain’t there yet.
September 11th, 2009 at 6:36 am
Hate???? the only hatred on this board is our collective hatred of losing, hatred of not living up to obvious potential, hatred of ESPN, and my personal hatred of Hamilton and everthing he stands for, his family, and his ancestors, the Hugenots who burned our village. other than that ABT is a love fest, a fount of mirth.
September 11th, 2009 at 6:45 am
oh, and nice win today…!!!
…hanging on in quiet desperation is the English way….the time is gone, the season is over, thought id something more to say..
September 11th, 2009 at 7:39 am
I cried once: Darrell Evans got traded for basically nothing. I think I was eight when that happened.
I vomited once, too. The Mets had scored something like 15 runs; David Palmer threw inside to Gary Carter; and Carter and Strawberry came out and beat him up while the rest of the Braves watched. At that point, I had run out of beer and had moved on to gin. I hate gin.
September 11th, 2009 at 9:41 am
I love Will. Too much. That is why he hates me. He hates the love like he hates looking directly at the sun. It is too much for him. Don’t hate Will, everyone. Hate my love for him.
September 11th, 2009 at 10:19 am
we hated on Frank Wren…I will admit to a bit of that….but that was ages ago and the Frank Wren redemption tracker is on 95% redeemed in my book…time has proven him right, and we were a little bit sissy to cry so hard about how they blew all the goodwill with the three kings…Smoltz and Glavine have looked rather foolish…especially in contrast to Maddux. I want Frank Wren on my side in a street fight.
we don’t hate Bobby…we just…well its love/hate….its realism, totally agree with Curt. even though i hate him.
September 11th, 2009 at 10:28 am
I love the love, the hate, and the “OMG did he just say that” comments from Bub. This website makes the Braves bearable. Bub, Wed. Hanson pitched 8 shutout 3 hit innings striking out the last batter he faced with flare and Soriano gave up two runs in the 9th which, sadly, was enough to give the Astros the win. Last night with McCann’s three hit night along with the offense that finally decided to show up the Braves were ahead 7-9 in the 9th. Gonzo comes on bringing his drama and with two on gets Tejada to hit into a double play to end the game. The double play ball looked similar to Chipper’s contribution to the game along with his TWO errors. I think his mind was on GaTech and Clemson.
September 11th, 2009 at 10:30 am
Never vomited at a Braves game..but Chief Nokahoma’s tent scared me to death when I was in little league.
September 11th, 2009 at 10:51 am
Chipper announces today that if his 2010 season resembles his 2009 season he is done.
Discuss….
September 11th, 2009 at 11:40 am
If Chipper’s halfway smart like Maddux…he’ll hang it up before it’s embarrassing. Leaves him more time to hunt, fish, and…fill in the blank.
September 11th, 2009 at 1:44 pm
A guy at work just walked by and said, “Once it’s mathematically impossible for the Braves to get to post-season…we’re gonna play some BALL, I KNOW it!!”
September 11th, 2009 at 5:57 pm
I’m not good at speculating the future but I have all sorts of thoughts about the past. It used to drive me crazy when Chipper would be put on the DL…again. I will never question him again. Please for the love of all that is good go on the DL when something’s killing him.
September 11th, 2009 at 9:41 pm
I think it is odd that he wins the batting title just a year ago and now all this noise. Did he get poisoned? I think it is a slump, and that next year he is fine. Unless he has stopped taking the PEDs…or is feeling the side-effects after long years of use….no don’t go there.
September 11th, 2009 at 9:54 pm
DEE FENSE DEEE FENSE!
It took 5 outs but nice inning!!!
September 11th, 2009 at 10:03 pm
that would be the 6th against the cards, I am talking about…
we got lucky…
I love this team, YE, Prado, Infante, Diaz, McLouth, Laroche, McCann, Chipper, our pitching staff
bases loaded, one out, chipper jones at bat.
Lets see what happens here..
CMON GUYS!!!
September 11th, 2009 at 10:07 pm
……..fffffftt
September 11th, 2009 at 10:17 pm
Chipper should have gone on the DL mid August. See how good I am at calling things as I see ‘em after the fact? Freakin genious!
September 11th, 2009 at 10:23 pm
JJ is looking just unbelievable. And how about the defense? Chipper’s candor is, as always with him, very impressive (and not just because I called this to a T in last week’s show). What other future Hall of Famer, who just signed his fat extension, would say things like that? It makes me respect Chipper even more.
September 11th, 2009 at 10:52 pm
Nice win, JJ!
I agree Steve.
September 11th, 2009 at 11:09 pm
Steve, don’t bait Scott with your Chipper mancrush. That’s plain mean.
September 11th, 2009 at 11:23 pm
I respect him also but don’t you think he needs to be benched for a while? He needs a super long rest or something. I’m glad you think he’s cool for next year but right now he’s got nothing. Also, do you think it starts messing with a hitter’s head when pitchers walk you intentionally or pitch around you too much? Maybe you start swinging at junk more or is he just tired? Is that too many questions for one comment?
September 12th, 2009 at 2:28 am
Or maybe he’s a juicer.
September 12th, 2009 at 7:09 am
i said don’t go there!
September 12th, 2009 at 7:44 am
Bring it, Curt. Way to bring that up, seriously. More like maybe…WAS?
September 12th, 2009 at 9:07 am
Always keepin it real Curt. Glad Tcc didn’t see that, he would have gone balistic. Weren’t they testing on a regular basis last year when he was awesome? Anyway, good win last night. JJ rocks and I’m even more excited about next season after seeing him shutout the cards.
September 12th, 2009 at 9:07 am
Someone brought it up on talk radio yesterday morning and it had never occurred to me – or maybe I never wanted to think about it being a possibility – but if everyone else gets the glaring eye of doubt, why not him.
September 12th, 2009 at 9:09 am
For the record, I do not believe he used steroids.
September 12th, 2009 at 10:49 am
Whew…glad to here it. If Eeyore sees sunshine rather than rain I’m convinced.
September 12th, 2009 at 2:17 pm
Of course I mean “hear”…don’t judge me. I have a MS education.
September 12th, 2009 at 3:09 pm
A friend who is a life long Cub’s fan just sent me this link. Hilarious and encouraging all in one.
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/columns/story?columnist=reilly_rick&id=4439324
September 12th, 2009 at 4:40 pm
Holy Crap Huddy! Make a ballgame out of it why dontcha!
September 12th, 2009 at 4:45 pm
Huddy must be juicin’ to have hit that one out…Don’t worry though, the Commish will just look the other way like he is with A Rod.
September 12th, 2009 at 4:52 pm
Huddy’s homer was unbelievable. Finally, the offense has arrived to save the season.
I’m off to hear Dale Murphy speak tonight. And hoping to nail down the interview while there as well. Wish me luck.
September 12th, 2009 at 5:00 pm
Luck!
September 12th, 2009 at 5:09 pm
GL to Steve!
September 12th, 2009 at 7:25 pm
Great game..great win.
September 12th, 2009 at 7:29 pm
Ditto Tcc! Awesome win! Big Mac looks great. We need to hire his dad. Congrats Huddy. Feels good to be a Braves fan tonight. What if we swept the Cards! I write short choppy sentences when excited.
September 12th, 2009 at 11:02 pm
Got to speak to Dale for a few minutes tonight. He could not have been nicer. You hear about what a nice guy he is, and it was jarringly true. There’s been a few unreturned phone calls the past week as I’ve tried to nail down the interview and he was extremely apologetic about that and told me to call him at a specific time this coming week and that we’d set it all up and get it done. Again, he was just extremely cool.
And was very funny and charming as he spoke tonight. The funniest thing, I thought, was relaying a story about being in a slump during a contract year. Ted Turner, he recalled, came in to the clubhouse and yelled across the room at him, “keep it up Dale, your saving me 100′s of thousands of dollars next year.” As a side note, I love that a story about contracts in the 80′s is on the 100′s of thousands scale as opposed to millions.
September 13th, 2009 at 1:08 am
That was a great win today. That 8th gave me a panic attack, but a stirring comeback. I was flipping back and forth from the football, and it was as thrilling as any of those games today. I like that they are still out their competing.
September 13th, 2009 at 1:16 am
Awesome, Steve. Can’t wait to hear the interview.
September 13th, 2009 at 2:55 pm
Batted around against Carpenter??? Who are these guys??
September 13th, 2009 at 2:57 pm
Tcc – I just headed over here to make the same post. 6 runs against the potential Cy Young winner? Unbelievable. Oh, what could have been this year …
September 13th, 2009 at 4:30 pm
4 in a row. 5/6 road trip. Tremendous job by JV today. Looking forward to the next podcast, guys.
September 13th, 2009 at 4:58 pm
Get swept by the Reds at home…sweep Cards on the road. I don’t get it.
September 13th, 2009 at 5:28 pm
I was at the Falcons game. Glad to hear the good news. Really a bipolar team. Weird. What a week though. If only….
September 13th, 2009 at 9:24 pm
Steve, sounds like a super good deal with Dale. I’m proud for you. Good luck.
So now we’re winning again, huh? It’s like missing three weeks of a soap opera, ya don’t lose much of the story.
September 13th, 2009 at 9:36 pm
So true Bub…they came back to life which someone always does on a soap opera. How’s the swine flu?
September 13th, 2009 at 10:37 pm
Leah, the flu seems on its way out, thanks for asking. One of the mildest versions I’ve ever had, actually. I’m glad it’s not turned into the nightmare (so far) that a lot of people feared.
I’m glad the boys are showing life again, even if it won’t translate into the playoffs. Should be a big mental lift going into next season.
G’night ABT. Go Braves!!!!
September 13th, 2009 at 10:39 pm
Yikes, I hope I wasn’t responsible for a hundred posts a week the last two weeks, but I bet I was.
I ain’t counting…