80: The Case Against Terry Pendleton

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by Berigan

Well, that is a strong sounding title for a new lead, blog, whathaveyou, isn’t it???

Yet, I do think anyone who reads here would defend TP both as a former player and as a man. He was a great player, the kind of player we need today – and I bet he will someday make a fine manager.

But, as a hitting coach??? Not so much.

TerryPendleton
He became the hitting coach in November of 2001. Next year, Javy Lopez hit .233, the lowest BA of his Braves career.

In 2001, team B.A. was .260.
In 2002, the team B.A shot all the way up to…. .260.
In 2003, the team average did improve to .284.Marcus Giles, Chipper, Andruw and Garry Sheffield all hit above .300.

Credit to TP, God given skill, or a little help from steroids???

As I mentioned before, can anyone remember a hitter saying Terry really helped them??? Or even complimenting him in general??? Someone that wasn’t Bobby Cox??? It must have happened somewhere, but I sure don’t remember it….
TPandCox

Sports south ran that “David Justice in his own words” a few weeks ago…I guess I always caught the last part, but watched it from the beginning. It was interesting on several levels. One, to see Justice realize he made some mistakes, how he would do things differently now…wishes he knew then what he knows now…Also how hitting coach Clarence Jones told him basically that he could continue to hit 20 homers a year, or start hitting the ball the other way, and how he could hit 40 in a year, which he did in 1993.

Again, the sort of thing I don’t hear mentioned with TP. Does he try to get Frenchy to not only hit the ball the other way, but with power??? Does he or the Batting practice guy throw him dozens of pitches outside to show him if it ain’t a strike, you CANNOT hit it??? He may…I don’t know.

How often do you see him interviewed??? I may have missed it, but you would think a few times a year he would talk about his hitting philosophy, what he always wants guys to remember. In fact, I rarely see any coach ever interviewed! I saw McDowell the other day and it made me think how DOB had even said how he wasn’t a good interview, and after being such a character as a player, how disappointed he was in McDowell the serious coach of few words.

Anyway, back to T.P. A recent article relayed the point of how hurt T.P. was with Frenchy seeking outside help with his hitting. Doesn’t that speak volumes???? Wouldn’t you think the greatest desire of a hitting coach would have, is to see a player be successful??? Especially one you had worked with all year and had no success with??? You can’t get inside someone else’s head, but I would wish the best to a player that I clearly hadn’t been able to help, and if another teacher came along(And TP has to know Rudy Jaramillo is considered the best hitting coach around) and helped him, I’d do my level best to find out what were the keys to the success, and help him stick with that plan.

The Frenchy we saw in Spring training and the first week or so of the season, looked like a new man, a man with a plan..a man with a smooth swing. Now look at him. He has a strange, powerless swing. Stance is more closed up. Even the home run hit the other day looked like total luck, not a good swing at all. Friday night he worked the count full and couldn’t hit a 93 MPH pitch right down the middle. If he was 35, they would say his bat had slowed down.

Does TP ever talk to him about percentages??? Me, I am just a nobody…a just a longtime fan of the game. But it’s plain as nose on your face that when a hitter has a weakness, word gets out, pitchers exploit those weaknesses. It’s not enough to say, don’t swing at balls out of the strike zone. Back that up with some stats. I bet TP could in 5 minutes find out how many pitches were strikes that Jeff gets with 2 strikes. As with Andruw the last few years, wouldn’t you think 80% of 2 strike pitches were outside??? Ok, one in 5 times you will look silly with the bat resting on your shoulder for strike 3, but the other 4 times, you will make the pitchers work. You might get a walk, or a pitch down the middle if the count goes from 1-2 to 3-2.

Hasn’t TP ever watched a Yankees-Red Sox game??? Every time I see them play each other, or other teams in the league, you see guys down 0-2, or 1-2 end up getting walked. Then the next guy works a 3-2 count, and the pitcher, not wanting to walk back to back hitters, will grove a pitch that is a double or a homer. Even a dope like me can recognize patterns in the way the game is played today. What works best today.

TP was a great player, a team leader. An agressive hitter that rarely walked. Probably not the best guy in the world to be a hitting coach. Like any hitter, he must have figured out some things he can pass on to hitters, but it sure doesn’t seem like enough to help those who can’t hit balls low and outside for a double….

After all this pounding on Terry Pendleton, hitting coach, I could still see him making a fine manager. His weaknesses as a hitting coach would be strengths with this team. It needs to be more aggressive on the base paths, to have more guys play with a chip on their shoulders….I think Terry wouldn’t coddle guys that were hitting .200, he’d bench them….

Meanwhile, Bobby is likely to manage the team for at least the next year or two, so I guess we will have Terry to kick around for awhile yet.

~Ber~

BravesAndStuff@hotmail.com

262 Responses to “80: The Case Against Terry Pendleton”


  1. 1 Carolina Lady June 10, 2009 at 5:26 pm

    Excellent, Ber! MANY THANKS!
    :holsters 6-shooter:
    😆

    Like

  2. 2 Gil in Mechanicsville June 10, 2009 at 7:25 pm

    Great lead Ber… Think maybe you could mail this one to Frank Wren? Like I opined earlier, sometimes if you are always working, you don’t have a clue.

    Like

  3. 3 Gil in Mechanicsville June 10, 2009 at 11:31 pm

    Looked like Escobar got punked by Monroe tonight on a ball hit up the middle. Craige Monroe scored from second when Yuni apparently fell asleep at second base while holding the ball. Heads up play by the Pirates. I think if Bobby felt he had an alternative to go to, he would have pulled him out of the game.

    Like

  4. 4 flbravesgirl June 11, 2009 at 12:14 am

    Good stuff, Ber. I agree completely.

    Just finished watching the game on DVR. We went to the beach this evening. Boys & girls, it is HOT here.

    Like

  5. 5 Berigan ll, (WSOML) June 11, 2009 at 9:35 am

    Thanks for the kind words! I sure see some things I should have written better. Oh well…
    Gil, somehow I imagine after Smoltz left, his email is very private! 😉

    FBG, not exactly having to wear jackets here! 😉

    Like

  6. 6 Gil in Mechanicsville June 11, 2009 at 9:47 am

    Don’t forget.. Today is a day game, perfect thing to do is watch baseball with the A/C from home. Like having your own sky box…

    Like

  7. 7 Carolina Lady June 11, 2009 at 10:16 am

    ….with a private restroom!

    Like

  8. 8 Voice of Raisins June 11, 2009 at 11:09 am

    Barbaro Canizares is playing 1B today and batting cleanup!!!!!!!! 😯

    (Norton DL’d… how convenient.)

    Like

  9. 9 Carolina Lady June 11, 2009 at 11:34 am

    A prize to the one who can give the correct answer:

    ❓ Q: Where does a king keep his armies? ❓

    Like

  10. 10 Voice of Raisins June 11, 2009 at 11:46 am

    In his sleevies?

    Like

  11. 11 Voice of Raisins June 11, 2009 at 11:47 am

    😆

    Like

  12. 12 Carolina Lady June 11, 2009 at 12:08 pm

    A cold Diet Coke to Raisins!!!

    😆

    Like

  13. 13 Voice of Raisins June 11, 2009 at 12:09 pm

    I was right??? I was just being a smart-aleck!!! 😯

    Like

  14. 14 Voice of Raisins June 11, 2009 at 12:10 pm

    Hilarious quote from DO’B:

    One player said this was what he was told about Canizares: “I hear he can’t run, can’t throw and can’t field, but the sumbitch can hit.”

    Like

  15. 15 Carolina Lady June 11, 2009 at 12:12 pm

    OK – let’s try another one:

    ❓ If athletes get athlete’s foot, what do astronauts get? ❓

    Like

  16. 16 Voice of Raisins June 11, 2009 at 12:15 pm

    Today’s lineup:

    1. Nate (needs a good nickname…)
    2. Yunel
    3. Chipper
    4. Barbaro Canizares, 1B
    5. Diaz, LF
    6. Benchy
    7. Ross
    8. KJ
    9. Vazquez

    6 righties in today’s lineup against southpaw Maholm.

    One potential problem… Canizares was reportedly contacted at 10:30ish, but has not yet arrived at Turner Field.

    Like

  17. 17 Gil in Mechanicsville June 11, 2009 at 12:40 pm

    Likely he thought he was having a dream and went back to sleep… Or can’t find Turner field…

    Like

  18. 18 Gil in Mechanicsville June 11, 2009 at 12:42 pm

    Raisins.. from my observations and assessments of Barbaro over the past couple of years in the minors, I’d have to say that assessment of his skills is spot on…

    Like

  19. 19 Gil in Mechanicsville June 11, 2009 at 12:43 pm

    Could play left field and not notice any drop off in defense from Garrett

    Like

  20. 21 Voice of Raisins June 11, 2009 at 1:11 pm

    I am guessing that Barbaro made it to the Ted since I can see him on the field on TV…

    Like

  21. 22 Berigan ll, (WSOML) June 11, 2009 at 1:25 pm

    Gee, last time I checked, no one was around. Lots of news, eh???
    Either Norton got “old” in the last 6 months, or another guy who doesn’t want to ever DL. After last night, I was thinking he got old…
    Seeing Barbaro at first with sunglasses, looks a bit like Andruw.

    Like

  22. 23 Berigan ll, (WSOML) June 11, 2009 at 1:34 pm

    that strike 3 to Barbaro, Joe sure didn’t think that curve was a strike.
    Braves seem to be swinging hard in case they hit it. 🙄

    Like

  23. 24 Voice of Raisins June 11, 2009 at 1:58 pm

    The called strike 3 to Barbaro was NOT a strike. Not even close…

    JV is dealin’

    Like

  24. 25 Berigan ll, (WSOML) June 11, 2009 at 2:11 pm

    Matt Diaz steals 2nd, and Frenchy hits a hard liner into Right…who are these guys??? 😛 Now Frenchy steals 2nd!!!

    V, I was thinking about this, lets see how Javy pitches the 5th and 6th. Absolutely on fire now, but haven’t we seen this before??? Lights out, then a trouble inning. Lets hope he avoids that inning today.

    Like

  25. 26 Voice of Raisins June 11, 2009 at 2:44 pm

    Francouer – 2 hits, 1 RBI, 1 walk thus far…

    Weirdness abounds in day games…

    Like

  26. 27 Voice of Raisins June 11, 2009 at 2:45 pm

    … and I forgot to mention the Stolen Base!!!

    Like

  27. 28 Voice of Raisins June 11, 2009 at 2:50 pm

    Nice defensive play by Barbaro, and hosed by the ump… 😡

    Like

  28. 29 Berigan ll, (WSOML) June 11, 2009 at 2:59 pm

    V, that was a good play by him, wasn’t it??? Shoot, as good as he has hit in the minors, he deserves a chance to show what he can do here.
    And Javy, one bad pitch, other than that, great day. Should be in line for a win. Come on guys, score a run or 3!

    Like

  29. 30 Carolina Lady June 11, 2009 at 3:02 pm

    A Brave got a BUNT down???

    Like

  30. 31 Berigan ll, (WSOML) June 11, 2009 at 3:14 pm

    CL, they say Javy has 9 sacrifice bunts, Lowe is 2nd with 4. you might notice neither started in the Braves org.

    How can it be 96 and cloudy???

    Like

  31. 32 Berigan ll, (WSOML) June 11, 2009 at 3:22 pm

    CL, can you change a word in the lead???

    Yet, I don’t think anyone that reads here would defend T.P.
    As a former player, or as a man???

    Can you change the would, to wouldn’t??? thanks!

    Like

  32. 33 Berigan ll, (WSOML) June 11, 2009 at 3:26 pm

    and maybe take out the ??? Man, I suck! 😛

    Like

  33. 34 Voice of Raisins June 11, 2009 at 3:36 pm

    @#($%^&*) 😡

    Like

  34. 35 Carolina Lady June 11, 2009 at 3:45 pm

    Done, Ber.

    KJ was safe!

    Like

  35. 36 Berigan ll, (WSOML) June 11, 2009 at 3:52 pm

    Thanks CL! Still reads poorly.
    And he sure was safe! 😡 how much moola does the first base ump make on a pirates win???

    Still, there needs to be more offense. I think Nate is a fine leadoff hitter, but we need him down further in the order driving in runs.

    Should be interesting seeing the braves with a DH. Might even be able to score more than a run in a game. 😕

    Like

  36. 37 Berigan ll, (WSOML) June 11, 2009 at 3:53 pm

    Still reads poorly…not unlike that line! 😉
    Hey, what did ya pay for my lead???

    Like

  37. 38 Berigan ll, (WSOML) June 11, 2009 at 4:13 pm

    Chastity Bono — Becoming a Man
    http://www.tmz.com/2009/06/11/chastity-bono-becoming-a-man-2/?icid=main|netscape|dl3|link3|http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tmz.com%2F2009%2F06%2F11%2Fchastity-bono-becoming-a-man-2%2F
    When we were both about 5 years old…I had such a crush on her….sigh….

    Like

  38. 39 Carolina Lady June 11, 2009 at 4:37 pm

    Hey, what did ya pay for my lead???

    Pay?

    :adjusts belt holstering 6-shooter:

    Pay? I thought you did it out of the goodness of your heart, Ber!

    Like

  39. 40 Carolina Lady June 11, 2009 at 4:44 pm

    Check the re-editing and see if that smoothed it out for you, Ber.

    Like

  40. 41 Savannah Guy June 11, 2009 at 4:46 pm

    Good to be home sweet home. Almost fell asleep while driving back listening to that slow, sleepy, uninspired game. Got home just in time to see Soriano cough up two runs. The ump at first needs to be fined, suspended, beaten, something.

    Too bad, Vasquez pitched like an ace. Hard to get wins without getting runs. Hard to get runs without getting hits. Hard toget hits without, uh, enough good hitters. Splitting a series with the Pirates is pretty sad. If I didn’t love baseball I wouldn’t like it.

    Had to get a new computer in Atlanta and lost many settings. Now I can’t see to type once again. Now I have to remember how I enlarged the font size the last time. WordPress is not organized to be user friendly… not for techno-challenged anyway.

    Like

  41. 42 Berigan ll, (WSOML) June 11, 2009 at 4:57 pm

    Thanks CL! You should go out to LA to become a script doctor! 😀

    Like

  42. 43 Berigan ll, (WSOML) June 11, 2009 at 5:00 pm

    SG, the Pirates are 28-32 , 5.5 out in the central.
    The Braves are 29-30, 6 out(Pending the outcome of the Phils-Mutts game) Are the Pirates that good, or are we that bad?? I think Boog mentioned how close the offensive numbers were between the Braves and Pirates.

    But, the Braves have a 96 Million budget, the Pirates have a 48 Mil budget.

    Like

  43. 44 Carolina Lady June 11, 2009 at 5:04 pm

    You be welcome, Ber! 😀

    Hey, SG! New ‘puter? A real one this time?

    Like

  44. 45 Salty June 11, 2009 at 5:11 pm

    But, the Braves have a 96 Million budget, the Pirates have a 48 Mil budget.

    Money well spent, huh? 🙄

    Like

  45. 46 Savannah Guy June 11, 2009 at 5:15 pm

    Real? REAL? Hey, is there another computer other than a superior Mac? I would ask all you PC users about all those viruses but I won’t. Wouldn’t be prudent. Especially since CL has those siz shooters strapped on. 😆

    Like

  46. 47 Savannah Guy June 11, 2009 at 5:16 pm

    siz shooters? I’m blaming that on this 4 point font size.

    And my eyes ain’t gettin’ any better the older I get.

    Like

  47. 48 Savannah Guy June 11, 2009 at 5:20 pm

    Salty, the Braves sounded (on the radio) then looked (last two innings on tv), like they had somewhere else to be today. No drive no passion. No patience at the plate. Really ticks me off.

    The person I look to when almost the entire team is in a slump is not the batting coach, it’s the manager. Bobby is still up to business as usual and we’ve seen that does does not work without 3 HOF aces.

    Like

  48. 49 Savannah Guy June 11, 2009 at 5:21 pm

    Hey, has anybody seen the Scribe? Seems his last update on his blog was mid-April. He ok?

    Like

  49. 50 Savannah Guy June 11, 2009 at 5:22 pm

    Made it back just in time to have a nice convo with me own self. 🙄

    Like

  50. 51 Salty June 11, 2009 at 5:24 pm

    Not speaking with yourself, SG…just really good acoustics! 😛

    Like

  51. 52 Savannah Guy June 11, 2009 at 5:59 pm

    Anybody in here?

    Oh, Hellooooooooooo?

    Oh, Helloooooo…

    Oh, Hellooo…

    Oh, Hello…

    Oh, Hell…

    Guess you’re right Salty. Acoustics. 😆

    Like

  52. 53 Savannah Guy June 11, 2009 at 6:01 pm

    Bear, nice lead. You are very diplomatic.

    Terry is doing what all the coaches do around this manager… don’t rock the boat. Don’t make waves. It’s a country club. Go along, get along and maybe there’s a promotion in the future.

    I’ve recently heard Chipper and before that, other great hitters like Tony Gwynn, Ted Williams and others say over and over in interviews that they anticipated what the pitcher would throw. They would get into his head, know his habits and history, know the count and the game situation and be prepared to “sit on” a particular pitch. They made an educated guess about what was coming. Part psychology, part memory, part intelligence, part ability to adjust. Mental. That’s hitting.

    Not many hitters master that strategic thinking, mind reading, mind games, process of deduction and common baseball sense… obviously. On the other hand, some hitters (swingers) don’t have a clue about what to expect from any given pitcher on any given count or situation. They got through the minors on sheer passion and athleticism.

    I’m afraid Id have to put our boy Francoeur up as a prime example of a batter at the bottom of the latter category.
    Pendleton can’t help with that. I’m not sure Terry could even ‘coach up’ someone with those abilities, but he has to be like fire on gas with French. Sometimes I think Terry is just going through the motions and when he tries in earnest to coach, he winds up just confusing our kids.

    None of us know what goes on behind the scenes (except Mr. Fly of course), but we do have a pretty large sample size and we do have players pre, during and post TP stats. Maybe someone has done the research and posted them somewhere? That research and compilation of comparative statistics is not something I would or could do (can hardly spell it), but just watching the games and remembering players before they were in Atlanta, while they were here and after they left, I’ll bet money that TP has a pretty low batting average as a hitting coach.

    As has been said, it’s not how hard one works, it’s the results they achieve.

    Like

  53. 54 Savannah Guy June 11, 2009 at 6:04 pm

    Is there an echo in here?

    Like

  54. 55 Carolina Lady June 11, 2009 at 6:10 pm

    Hey, is there another computer other than a superior Mac?

    Um, any of them?

    😆

    Especially since CL has those siX shooters strapped on
    You have to remember the title of Ber’s very first lead: “Carolina Lady made me do this”. It sometimes takes a little persuasion…. 😆

    Like

  55. 57 Carolina Lady June 11, 2009 at 6:16 pm

    SG, I haven’t heard from scribe in a very long time. Can’t seem to make contact with him. I’ve been concerned.

    I did hear from Chris briefly last week, though, so I’m relieved about that.

    It’s worrisome when friends disappear into cyberspace!

    Like

  56. 58 Gil in Mechanicsville June 11, 2009 at 6:18 pm

    What a waste of a great pitching performance by Javy… Rafael was not bad, LaRoach hit a pitcher’s pitch.

    And this umpiring crew sucked. I use to say the biggest differences between the minors and the major leagues were the pitchers and the umpires… Well, it is down to he pitchers because these guys were just awful.

    Of course hey were fair about it, they blew calls for both sides.

    Biggest difference in teams today and those of 5 years ago is the ban on amphetamines.

    And yes, the Pirates are not really all that different from the Braves. Braves a bit older but the Bucs have some pretty decent pitching.

    Like

  57. 59 Gil in Mechanicsville June 11, 2009 at 6:24 pm

    And the t keeps sticking on my keyboard… drops out every so often. must be from the coke I spilled on it the other night…

    Like

  58. 60 Carolina Lady June 11, 2009 at 7:01 pm

    Give it a good washing, Gil! Be sure to rinse well. Soap makes a mess on keyboards. 😆

    Like

  59. 61 Gil in Mechanicsville June 11, 2009 at 7:33 pm

    🙂

    Like

  60. 62 Savannah Guy June 11, 2009 at 7:52 pm

    Glad to hear that Chris is OK. Scribe’s site looks as though it was abandoned in mid-April. Hope he’s and his family are ok.

    Maybe he’s world traveling, covering soccer?

    Like

  61. 63 Carolina Lady June 11, 2009 at 7:53 pm

    Dunno, SG, but I am concerned.

    So ya got another …. one of those things, huh? Thought you wanted a computer!

    Like

  62. 64 Carolina Lady June 11, 2009 at 8:08 pm

    The new guy got Andruw’s #25?? Huh!

    The little I read pretty much confirms that the guy hits. That’s all. Just hits.

    ***************************************************************

    Memo to pitchers: Do NOT throw to first! Ever!

    Memo to 2nd basemen: Cover 1st as often as possible when not absolutely required at your own position.

    Memo to catchers: just stick it in your pocket. Doesn’t matter how accurate your throw is, just stick it in your pocket unless the runner attempts to go to 2nd. Throw to 2nd, if the 2nd baseman has returned from backing up 1st, or if the SS is covering for his frequent absences.

    Like

  63. 65 Savannah Guy June 11, 2009 at 8:43 pm

    CL is on a tear. Memo pitchers… 😆

    Too bad she has to be limited with that PC. Never know when a bug, a worm or a virus crawls in there and starts chewing. Could be a PCandemic. :mrgreen:

    Ironic, with the same number 25 on their Braves jersey, Barbaro can do what Andruw couldn’t… hit. And Andruw could do what Bararo evidently can’t… field.

    Like

  64. 66 Berigan ll, (WSOML) June 11, 2009 at 8:44 pm

    CL, honestly he didn’t look terrible today…not at all…Perhaps he has improved??? Remember how bad Matt Diaz was his first year here??? People thought he was terrible even after he improved…

    Like

  65. 67 Carolina Lady June 11, 2009 at 8:49 pm

    At least mine IS a computer! 👿

    Like

  66. 68 Carolina Lady June 11, 2009 at 8:52 pm

    Ber, I only got to see a little of the game – the 7th, a minute of the 8th, and the last strikeout of the 9th, so I can’t really say.

    When stomachs start to growl around here, I have to drop whatever I’m doing and start preparing/cooking food – which can be anywhere from 3:00 to 6:00.

    Like

  67. 69 Savannah Guy June 11, 2009 at 9:36 pm

    I’m hungry. Tummy growling. Need popcorn…

    Like

  68. 70 Carolina Lady June 11, 2009 at 9:46 pm

    Check the kitchen! I’m off duty now! 😆

    Like

  69. 71 flbravesgirl June 11, 2009 at 11:04 pm

    Vazquez deserved a better fate. He pitched great. And Barbaro looked fine at first. Better than the guy pretending to be a ML umpire.

    Like

  70. 72 Voice of Raisins June 12, 2009 at 9:38 am

    And Barbaro looked fine at first. Better than the guy pretending to be a ML umpire.

    Amen to that!!!

    Barbaro should be the DH through the AL park tour. It will be his showcase…

    Like

  71. 73 Gil in Mechanicsville June 12, 2009 at 10:23 am

    Good morning Stuffville… I had considered driving up to Baltimore to watch the Braves take on the Orioles but it would mean driving near DC… Not a pretty thought.

    Like

  72. 74 Gil in Mechanicsville June 12, 2009 at 10:30 am

    Barbaro will not err on every play, his fielding skills are comparable to Scott Thorman’s.. As long as people are aware of that, they won’t be surprised when he muffs a couple of ground balls.

    By the way, he was a catcher for the Cuban teams he played for, then he got big…

    Like

  73. 75 Carolina Lady June 12, 2009 at 12:51 pm

    OK, since the second riddle has been studiously ignored –

    Q: If athletes get athlete’s foot, what do astronauts get?

    A: Missletoe

    Like

  74. 76 Carolina Lady June 12, 2009 at 2:05 pm

    The heat index has reached 97. I think I’ll be staying right where I am!

    Like

  75. 77 Voice of Raisins June 12, 2009 at 2:40 pm

    The heat index has reached 97. I think I’ll be staying right where I am!

    Work is slow, so I decided to mow the lawn early in an effort to beat the heat. (I still use a push mower on the bermuda portion of my lot.) I mowed, trimmed and edged… got done about 12:30p. I thought by doing it early, I might beat the heat. I shoulda started at 6:30a… 🙄

    Like

  76. 78 Berigan ll, (WSOML) June 12, 2009 at 3:00 pm

    My best friend Brian(BFF!!!) in Pembroke(near Savannah) makes a living doing lawn care…he’s in his mid 40’s and HATES the heat. He has his AC set at about 62 year round….naturally he wonders why he’s in the field he’s in….but it was a business opportunity he couldn’t turn down.
    somehow I don’t think he will stay in there more than another year or so.

    Like

  77. 79 Carolina Lady June 12, 2009 at 3:53 pm

    Heat index: 99

    Nope, nothing outside requires my presence or attention!

    Like

  78. 81 Carolina Lady June 12, 2009 at 4:12 pm

    BAL: 25 – 35 – .417
    ATL: 29 – 30 – .468

    Interesting.

    Hanson (0-0) vs Berken (1-2)

    Like

  79. 82 Carolina Lady June 12, 2009 at 4:31 pm

    Berken: b. 11/27/83 Green Bay, WI
    R/R Ht: 6′ Wt: 175
    Debut: 5/26/09
    College: Clemson

    Hanson: b. 8/2/86 Tulsa, OK
    R/R Ht 6’6″ Wt: 220
    Debut: 6/7/09
    College: Riverside CC, CA

    Yep, interesting! 🙂

    Like

  80. 84 Carolina Lady June 12, 2009 at 4:55 pm

    First time this year: 100 degrees 😦

    Like

  81. 85 Gil in Mechanicsville June 12, 2009 at 5:40 pm

    Actually, the temperatures were pretty moderate here today. I think there is a cold front pushing down from the north. Highs in the low 80s today. Still was warm enough to go swimming however.

    CL.. I think the Braves record is 29-30…

    Still, they are 6.5 games out. They need to get things turned around if they are going to have a shot. Even without good pitching, the Phillies don’t appear to be losing any ground.

    Like

  82. 87 Carolina Lady June 12, 2009 at 6:00 pm

    Or maybe I copied info badly. 😀

    Like

  83. 88 Savannah Guy June 12, 2009 at 6:13 pm

    I’m hungry again. Tummy growling.

    Like

  84. 89 Savannah Guy June 12, 2009 at 6:20 pm

    Q: If athletes get athlete’s foot, what do astronauts get? A: Missletoe

    Or GAstronomic discomfort due to hunger. :mrgreen:

    Can happen during a computer PandemiC.

    😆

    Like

  85. 90 Carolina Lady June 12, 2009 at 6:25 pm

    SG, there is an enormous cauldron of home-made vegetable beef soup in the kitchen. DELICIOUS, if I do say so myself! Ritz crackers, bologna sandwich to dunk in it? Doesn’t get any better!! Help thyself! 😀

    “Can happen during a computer PandemiC”

    :grumbles: Ok, give me time…..I’m working on a comeback…..
    uh ….. um ….. I’ll get back to you on that~ 😆

    Like

  86. 91 Savannah Guy June 12, 2009 at 6:26 pm

    Looks like French is getting lots of ink these days, from all sides. This will surely test his character. Hope he does (and says) the right things now that the microscopes are all on him.

    His would make an interesting sports psychology case story. We just don’t know the results yet. Hopefully it’s a happy ending, but he will need to do everything he can to do the right thing. He’s already been blessed, yet we never know the trials that await us.

    We’re usually our own worst enemy when we forget that.

    Like

  87. 92 Savannah Guy June 12, 2009 at 6:31 pm

    Hommade veggie-beef soup and baloney sammiches, mmm… I’ll be right over. Can you give that, uh, bologna a few turns in the fryin’ pan and slather both sides of that bread with mayo?

    There I go bein’ a choosy beggar. 😳

    Like

  88. 93 Carolina Lady June 12, 2009 at 6:50 pm

    Done, SG! Come on in!

    Like

  89. 95 Berigan ll, (WSOML) June 12, 2009 at 7:29 pm

    Sigh…sad to see Mac cultists in action, ain’t it??? :p
    So far no mention of the old chestnut, it just works. 😀
    Perhaps there is something in the water down in Savannah, as my aforementioned friend Brian loves them as well…

    Here’s a fun site. If you hit refresh, the blurb changes each time!
    http://www.mac-sucks.com/

    Like

  90. 96 Carolina Lady June 12, 2009 at 8:12 pm

    Ber, it’s a psychological thing. Some people just can’t manage a REAL computer, so they get that “Mac” thing that sorta acts almost like a computer – and they pretend that the wannabe is superior, etc. We REAL computer people have to have patience with them. They are doing the best they can.
    :mrgreen:

    Like

  91. 97 Carolina Lady June 12, 2009 at 8:22 pm

    sigh. Ok, this stinks. I’m in the ‘blackout’ zone. 😡

    Like

  92. 98 Savannah Guy June 12, 2009 at 9:05 pm

    CL is all riled up. 😆

    Yes, it’s all psychological with mac users. They think Bill Gates is psycho and Steve Jobs is logical.

    But I have to hand it to PC users, They do possess a great power of rationalization. It’s a necessity. :mrgreen:

    I’d better hush my mouth lest I be disinvited for soup and sammiches and sent directly to the dog house.

    Like

  93. 99 Carolina Lady June 12, 2009 at 9:42 pm

    What soup?? Sandwiches???

    Anybody know where the key is?

    😆

    Like

  94. 100 Berigan ll, (WSOML) June 12, 2009 at 9:43 pm

    CL, sorry you can’t get the game! You and the other folks that are blacked out need to complain. You are far too far away to go to a game.
    Not missing much, to tell the truth. Hanson didn’t look very good, more a gutting it out game. But, in line for a win. Looks like a couple of .500 teams playing so-so.
    And I really enjoy interleague play. Much better than having to watch the Nats or Mutts a dozen or so more games….

    Like

  95. 101 Gil in Mechanicsville June 12, 2009 at 10:29 pm

    BMac must like Camden Yards, Barbaro went 2-5 and hit the ball hard all night. Still won’t be confused with an gold glover but he didn’t embarrass himself.

    Good game though. Tommy Hanson did not look sharp at all but gutted one out.

    Like

  96. 102 flbravesgirl June 12, 2009 at 11:26 pm

    Good learning experience for Hanson IMO. Bobby left him in there to work through some hairy spots & he got through it.

    Y’all get stuck with the O’s broadcast? Thorne does alright but Palmer is rather full of himself. 🙄

    Like

  97. 103 Gil in Mechanicsville June 13, 2009 at 7:01 am

    Actually FBG, I thought the Orioles’ broadcast was pretty good. Very fair and knowledgeable about the teams. As for Jim Palmer… Well, he is what he is… 🙂

    I caught the end of the Mets vs Yankees game and also the Red Sox and the Phillies tilt. A good night for Braves fans. Luis Castillo has a Kelly Johnson moment and dropped an A-Rod pop up in the bottom of the ninth with two outs allowing two runs to score and snatching defeat from the jaws of victory…

    I expect he will really hear it from Mets’ fans for a while…

    Like

  98. 104 Savannah Guy June 13, 2009 at 7:59 am

    FBG is right, last night was a good learning experience for Hanson. He didn’t have the stuff he had in the first 3 innings of his first start and had trouble with command the entire outing, but I’d take this one over his first game any day and no doubt he would too. Toughing it out will toughen him up. A hard fought win. The first of many… as long as he doesn’t break his neck with that head jerking delivery.

    After watching a few innings I began to wonder if McCann was suited to catch Hanson. Seems the pitch calls were a bit off. Something wasn’t clicking there. Probably was just unfamiliarity, since this was the first time Mac has caught him. Still, David Ross seemed more in synch. Could Ross be the catcher to Hanson like Charlie O’Brien to Mad Dog? Gives Mac a break every week might not be a bad thing, although I hate to lose his bat in the lineup.

    Heard somewhere, I think Joe or Boog, that McCann speaks highly of and credits Ross for improving his own game. Mac’s defensive game has improved quite a bit… he’s gunning out base stealers and he’s smothering balls in the dirt much better than even a month ago, so Ross must be helping. That was nice to hear. Mac is a good guy for giving props to his backup. Ross seems to be a good guy too. Like a Greg Olson with a bit more muscle and pop.

    Man, that Olson was fearless while blocking the plate. I was at the game so long ago when he got run over and up-ended so violently that you could hear it like a big hit in football. Broke his ankle. Can’t remember the team, the runner or much else about that game or what year it was except we lost the game, we lost Olson and that he was never the same catcher after that. I liked him a lot. Wonder where he is and what he’s up to?

    Like

  99. 105 Savannah Guy June 13, 2009 at 8:05 am

    I’m glad CL could find that key last night. That was close. Uh, hold on…

    Sorry for the interruption in my post. My Mac just brought me a cup of coffee and the paper. Just one of the many things I’ve come to expect from this superior technology.

    😀

    Like

  100. 106 Gil in Mechanicsville June 13, 2009 at 8:45 am

    SG… Did it come equipped with a shovel and a pair of rubber boots to handle the BS you are dishing out? 🙂

    Like

  101. 107 Savannah Guy June 13, 2009 at 10:00 am

    Gettin’ deep, is it? 😆

    Like

  102. 108 Carolina Lady June 13, 2009 at 10:35 am

    SG… Did it come equipped with a shovel and a pair of rubber boots to handle the BS you are dishing out? 🙂

    😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆

    Thanks for a genuine laugh right out loud, Gil!!!

    It will take a while for this smile to fade!

    Like

  103. 109 Carolina Lady June 13, 2009 at 11:15 am

    funny line from Mark Bowman’s blog:

    “….. I’m sticking with Cox and holding the belief that Mike Hampton likely would have already damaged his wrist if he had to tip his hat as frequently as the Braves hitters have this year.”

    Like

  104. 110 Carolina Lady June 13, 2009 at 11:17 am

    another from Bowman:

    “Anderson is who he’s always been minus the power that he displayed during the early years of this decade. When they signed him, the Braves knew about the fact that he’s a far from vibrant personality. But it’s safe to say that they envisioned him hitting better than .254 with a .373 slugging percentage through his first 40 games.”

    Good one!

    Like

  105. 111 Berigan ll, (WSOML) June 13, 2009 at 12:59 pm

    SG, isn’t it amazing the Reds just flat out released David Ross last year????
    McCann has always had a weird way of blocking balls to his right. I believe Olay is the word in Spanish. Funny how a catcher from another organization has helped improve his skills. Wasn’t Chino Cadahia a catcher at one time??? Hmmm…

    Like

  106. 112 Berigan ll, (WSOML) June 13, 2009 at 1:09 pm

    A nice story on a 5 foot 6 reliever for the Reds.
    http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/columns/story?columnist=kurkjian_tim&id=4251819

    Like

  107. 113 Voice of Raisins June 13, 2009 at 2:35 pm

    MLBTR:

    Shelley Duncan: .310-.379-.670 in 227 PA, leading the International League in homers and RBI, and not by a small margin either. He’s played the corner outfield spots and first base for the AAA Scranton Yankees. Duncan has had a tremendous offensive season, but swings from the right side, so he’s not an ideal pinch hitter for an NL club.

    Maybe not, but he could be the ideal RF for a team with a black hole in RF.

    Like

  108. 114 Carolina Lady June 13, 2009 at 2:45 pm

    Terrific article on Herrera, Ber! Glad you posted it!

    Good point, Raisins! I really think Jeff’s time in ATL is limited. I hate that it didn’t turn out like everyone wanted and expected it. Now watch him go turn into some kind of super-star on somebody else’s team! :growl:

    Like

  109. 115 Gil in Mechanicsville June 13, 2009 at 5:46 pm

    Short people got, nobody… 🙂

    Like

  110. 116 Gil in Mechanicsville June 13, 2009 at 5:49 pm

    Watching the Mutts and the Stankies… Gee, how do you root for both teams to lose at the same time?

    Manny Acta finally go the axe today. Really unfair but I saw it coming at the beginning of the season…

    Like

  111. 117 Berigan ll, (WSOML) June 13, 2009 at 6:31 pm

    V, I saw that same story. Interesting, ain’t it??? How about Manny Acosta to the Yankees for him??? They really need arms in the bullpen, and Bobby doesn’t seem to bring him in except for mop up work, it seems.

    Like

  112. 118 Berigan ll, (WSOML) June 13, 2009 at 6:33 pm

    CL, glad you liked the story! 🙂 I sure did as well. I love underdog stories. I also liked Underdog as well! 🙂

    Gil, ESPN and MLB.com are taking the day off on the Acta story, for some reason…had to google his name and click on the news tab to find it…

    Like

  113. 119 Berigan ll, (WSOML) June 13, 2009 at 6:42 pm

    Shelley Duncan is a bit like Nick Swisher, a live wire in other words…would the Braves want a character in the dugout???
    Here are his stats…he’s 29 now.
    http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/D/Shelley-Duncan.shtml

    Like

  114. 120 Gil in Mechanicsville June 13, 2009 at 6:44 pm

    Ber, it does not take affect for a couple of more days… Now that is just weird…

    I guess DC ran out of guys to blame, they have already let the original staff go. The real culprit was Major League Baseball while the owned the franchise, they gutted the Nat’s minor league system to save money. It will take years to rebuild it.

    Like

  115. 121 Gil in Mechanicsville June 13, 2009 at 6:49 pm

    And a live wire may be exactly what this club needs…

    Like

  116. 122 Berigan ll, (WSOML) June 13, 2009 at 10:17 pm

    Gil, it may be what this club needs, but “they” might not like one….

    Gee, such a shame I only got to hear most of this game. 😕
    A few questions. I saw Kris Medlen warming up. Why didn’t he come in??? Why did Bennett only pitch the 6th??? Did he come up to bat in the 7th? 😛

    Like

  117. 123 Berigan ll, (WSOML) June 13, 2009 at 10:24 pm

    Brian McCann spotlight premiere on sports south right now.

    Like

  118. 124 flbravesgirl June 13, 2009 at 10:47 pm

    Oh sure, rub it in, Ber. 😦 Wish I could watch it.

    Like

  119. 125 flbravesgirl June 13, 2009 at 10:50 pm

    SG, I think it was Caminiti who bowled Olson over. I know Olson ran his independent team for a while (Ligtenberg for bats & balls) & it seems that I read he had gone into real estate.

    Like

  120. 126 Carolina Lady June 13, 2009 at 11:23 pm

    Didn’t Olsen design some catcher’s gear also. Seems that I remember Skip talking about it one time.

    ‘Night, y’all!

    Like

  121. 127 Carolina Lady June 13, 2009 at 11:27 pm

    One last thing: a might touchy, aren’t they??

    Umpire Ejects Entire Crowd of Unruly Baseball Fans
    Saturday, June 13, 2009

    WEST BURLINGTON, Iowa — An umpire has emptied the stands at a high school baseball game, ejecting the entire crowd of more than 100 fans for being unruly.

    Umpire Don Briggs said he had no problem with any of the student athletes during Thursday’s game between Winfield-Mount Union and West Burlington.

    He said he had to take action because fans were being unruly, yelling and arguing.

    However, West Burlington Superintendent James Sleister said he didn’t see any unusual behavior and said he thought the umpire overreacted.

    The game resumed after a 40-minute delay. West Burlington won 12-11.

    The umpire called police as a precaution. West Burlington police did not immediately respond Saturday to a call seeking comment

    Like

  122. 128 flbravesgirl June 13, 2009 at 11:30 pm

    I just read that, CL. Crazy, huh?

    Like

  123. 129 Savannah Guy June 14, 2009 at 8:41 am

    I guess DC ran out of guys to blame, they have already let the original staff go. The real culprit was Major League Baseball while the owned the franchise, they gutted the Nat’s minor league system to save money. It will take years to rebuild it.

    Thought you were going all political on us for a second there, Gil. Like past Nat’s administrations, Bush will be blamed for everything that happens for the next 20 years. DC, just due to its location I suppose, seems to screw everything up. Nat’s baseball imitates politics. Politics imitates Wall Street. Wall Street imitates Las Vegas…

    With politicians unfortunately, what happens in DC doesn’t stay in DC.

    Like

  124. 130 Savannah Guy June 14, 2009 at 8:52 am

    FBG, I think you’re right about Caminiti. Big bruiser. Of course we all know now what made him an even bigger, more aggressive bruiser. God rest his soul.

    Olson in real estate, eh? Guess he went from guarding home to selling home.

    Like

  125. 131 Savannah Guy June 14, 2009 at 8:59 am

    CL, not sure about Olson designing catcher’s gear. I know that Charlie O’Brien designed and marketed the hockey-style catchers mask. Not a big market but some guys still use them, although I couldn’t say who. Seems I recall that McCann tried one but it didn’t work for him for some reason. Those are hinged in the middle and wrap all the way around with the back-of-head protector plate. Maybe it was uncomfortable or too hot and steamed his glasses or something.

    O’Brien was a very good catcher. Now I wonder what he’s up to these days. Mad Dod loved him behind the plate when he pitched. Maybe Charlie’s a coach?

    Like

  126. 132 Savannah Guy June 14, 2009 at 9:26 am

    Mad Dod? Meant Mad Dog of course. Was I thinking Dodd? As in, Maureen? She’s mad. And bitter. And nasty. Charlie would need full head protection if he were taking her ‘hard stuff’.

    See how I have to dance around misspelled words? It ain’t right. This small, 4-point font is driving me nuts. Hate to admit, but I can’t remember where I went and how I adjusted it last time. Hate doing that stuff. Maybe WordPress is biased towards PC’s.

    Then again, I suppose I’ll have the perfect excuse for future misspellings and such. Blame it on the font size. Much like we do for the dog or cat of the house for, uh, certain things. 😆

    Like

  127. 133 Savannah Guy June 14, 2009 at 9:28 am

    Do-mi-nate, Do-mi-nate… dance to the muuuusic…

    Like

  128. 134 Gil in Mechanicsville June 14, 2009 at 10:47 am

    Watching the talking heads opine on everything from Iran to nationalize health care this morning. Funny, people are surprized that a despot would steal an election?

    Now baseball… Baltimore has the making of a good baseball team. They are still a bit on the young side but with some decent pitching and a bit of clutch hitting they could be a real force in the AL East. A lot like the Braves.. but different.

    Like

  129. 135 Berigan ll, (WSOML) June 14, 2009 at 12:38 pm

    Gil, gotta say…I feel sorry for a team like Baltimore having to compete with the Sox, Yanks, Rays and even the Blue Jays. They are supposed to have a ton of (Starting)pitching talent in the minors.

    Like

  130. 136 Berigan ll, (WSOML) June 14, 2009 at 12:38 pm

    FBG, sports south not on your system???

    Like

  131. 137 Carolina Lady June 14, 2009 at 2:47 pm

    Bush will be blamed for everything that happens

    Yes! I’m absolutely certain that he or some of his minions were directly responsible for the hard drive failure I recently experienced. No other explanation!

    O’Brien. Now that you mentioned his name, I think you’re right, SG. I got confuzzled. 😀

    Somebody Google Olsen and see what he’s up to!

    Do-mi-nate, Do-mi-nate… dance to the muuuusic… 😆 😆

    Like

  132. 138 Berigan ll, (WSOML) June 14, 2009 at 2:54 pm

    So, I took a nap, got up, and saw 7-0 Baltimore, with Lowe pitching??????????

    Like

  133. 139 Berigan ll, (WSOML) June 14, 2009 at 3:00 pm

    Make that 8-0 in the 4th. Can’t wait to see what the Red Sox can do to us…. Sigh…

    Like

  134. 140 Berigan ll, (WSOML) June 14, 2009 at 3:03 pm

    I’m sorry, 10-0 in the 4th. Mets are losing 13-0 to the Yankees, Phils losing to the Red Sox…perhaps the NL east is AAAA…. double 😡

    Like

  135. 141 Berigan ll, (WSOML) June 14, 2009 at 3:32 pm

    So, was Yunel really taken out for throwing home(late) in a rundown??? Would Bobby really be that petty??? I saw KJ drop an easy dp ball, why not take him out??? Oh right, no one else to put in there since we have to carry 7 relievers…

    Like

  136. 142 Berigan ll, (WSOML) June 14, 2009 at 4:27 pm

    Just when I think I am too negative, I read the comments on the ajc!!! 😛

    I didn’t realize that there were 2 hours, which I didn’t know before…I swear Boog and Joe didn’t say that when I saw the replay(I missed the live shot) so I understand now why Bobby did that…

    Hello 4th place, the Marlins swept the Jays and are ahead of us by half a game….

    Like

  137. 143 Savannah Guy June 14, 2009 at 4:29 pm

    Out of it by the third inning, there’s gonna be some well exercised dogs out there in Braves Nation.

    These games and this season is not a surprise. Even with good SP’s and spotty pen, with our weak offense it was just a matter of time before we went through an inevitable slump throughout the rotation like this. When that happens, it will be ugly.

    This ain’t a comeback offense. Good thing we have excellent in-game strategy. 🙄

    Like

  138. 144 Berigan ll, (WSOML) June 14, 2009 at 4:29 pm

    I didn’t realize there were 2 OUTS 😳

    David Ross now has 5 homers. More than Frenchy, Kotchman, or sleepy in left. Wish someone could be an emergency catcher and he could play in left….

    Like

  139. 145 Savannah Guy June 14, 2009 at 4:36 pm

    I didn’t realize there were 2 OUTS

    Yea, but that out was two hours ago. 😆

    Like

  140. 146 Berigan ll, (WSOML) June 14, 2009 at 4:39 pm

    True dat! 😛

    Like

  141. 147 Berigan ll, (WSOML) June 14, 2009 at 4:44 pm

    Boy, Bobby is not happy with Yunel…has talked to him several times since he’s been here… in first he said the double play should have been turned, had to be turned…anyone see that??? I almost wonder if there is any chance we’d trade him….could just be frustration on Bobby’s part…

    Like

  142. 148 Berigan ll, (WSOML) June 14, 2009 at 5:00 pm

    Hey everyone, check out this lady who has put 540,000 miles on her 1964 Mercury! She is a kick and a half! 😀
    http://growingbolder.com/media/technology/vehicles/romancing-the-road-259598.html

    Like

  143. 149 Savannah Guy June 14, 2009 at 5:40 pm

    Chariot and Rachael. Great story. Both have quite a few miles on them but still running on all cylinders.

    Another helpful tip: get products with lifetime warranties when you are young.

    Like

  144. 150 Gil in Mechanicsville June 14, 2009 at 5:45 pm

    Well… that was ugly. Like I said, that Baltimore club is a virtual powerhouse… 🙂 Yep, nothing like playing the Braves to get your club turned around. Almost like the cream puffs that IA schools would schedule at the beginning of each season so the team could gain confidence before playing the in-conference games.

    And Denny finishes 3rd at Michigan. Not a complete wipeout for me today.

    Went for a swim as the dogs are pretty free to walk themselves in the backyard.

    Like

  145. 151 Gil in Mechanicsville June 14, 2009 at 5:51 pm

    Lifetime warranties… I always asked, “who’s lifetime”?

    Like

  146. 152 Savannah Guy June 14, 2009 at 6:16 pm

    My jury is sequestered and still in debate over Yunel, but I don’t like what I see with his attitude… and of course when the jury comes in they still have to report to me, their judge. Hey, it’s my jury. I’m a fair judge. 😀

    That said, trading Yunel right now wouldn’t upset me in the least. Blonde tips, mental lapses, bat flipping, non-conversant in the clubhouse (hearsay) and all add up to trouble.

    On top of that, he’ll be too heavy and slow to play shortstop in a few years. Mark my words. Crystal ball stuff there.

    Like

  147. 153 Gil in Mechanicsville June 14, 2009 at 7:54 pm

    I doubt he will be traded anytime soon, just a case of
    1. Put player’s butt on the bench, eventually the message reaches the brain that the need to get their head in the game. Hey, it’s not like I didn’t warn you folks…

    2. You cannot let a player, no matter how good he may seem, to dictate the rules of engagement. All you anti-union type should recognize immediately the sense of entitlement some folks have. I like Escobar but he is still pretty young, someone has to be his boss. Work for Andruw for about 8 years after Bobby called him out.

    3. You can’t fire the whole team but you can make an example out of one. Again, management has to be in control whether it is popular or not, otherwise the inmates will take over the asylum.

    4. Fat and slow??? Sounds like a third baseman…. 🙂

    Like

  148. 154 Savannah Guy June 14, 2009 at 8:06 pm

    On the other hand, if Yunel is just a spirited kid, reserved and shy about his inability to adapt quickly into our culture and language, then my jury will cut him some slack. Blonde tips can be one of those silly youngster style things. Check. Mental lapses… a rookie thing. Bat-flipping, a cocky display or just an annoying habit that can be broken with maturity. Non-conversant in clubhouse… see rationale number one at the top. Youth is wasted on the young, but we can’t hold that against them, now can we? No, I think not.

    So, as judge, I’ll keep my jury out a bit longer.

    In the meantime, all of this may be rendered moot by Bobby’s actions today. He and Yunel may never forgive each other for Cox calling him out and dissing him so publicly as he did and for Yunel making a rookie mistake (that’s not the reason). Cox is not a very good or fair judge but he does hold a grudge.

    If BC were consistent and coherent, French would have been benched, sent to the minors or traded a long time ago. Cox plays favorites as anyone that watches the Braves over the years knows. Too bad. Wonder how many rookie’s spirits he’s broken? A shame.

    I’d love to see Cox called out for his many “lapses” but that will never happen. My jury is not even debating him any longer. I’m just waiting for the sentence to be handed out. In the meantime, if Yunel wants to play on this man’s club he’d best not rock the boat, suck up and learn to play golf.

    They came back with a guilty charge long ago

    Like

  149. 155 Savannah Guy June 14, 2009 at 8:19 pm

    how in the world did my last line above, “they came back…”, get moved from the third sentence in the last para where I typed it? That is very strange. WP hates Macs. Jealous.

    Like

  150. 156 Carolina Lady June 14, 2009 at 8:26 pm

    WordPress is accustomed to working with COMPUTERS, not those “other” things….
    :mrgreen:

    Like

  151. 157 Carolina Lady June 14, 2009 at 8:51 pm

    from Pete Kerzel –
    http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090614&content_id=5323020&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=atl

    I thought this was interesting:

    “Between now and the opening of a three-game series in Cincinnati, Escobar will ponder his transgressions, while Cox isn’t sure another talking-to will do much good with the mercurial infielder.

    “I’ve talked to him an awful lot since he’s been here,” the manager said.”

    The ever-patient Cox out of patience?

    Like

  152. 158 Carolina Lady June 14, 2009 at 8:55 pm

    I know the chickens haven’t even roosted yet, but I’m tired. Think I’ll turn in early – hopefully get some good sleep. See ya tomorrow, if the Good Lord is willing!

    Like

  153. 159 Savannah Guy June 14, 2009 at 8:57 pm

    “Other things”? 😯

    Is CL sleeping in the chicken coop? 😛

    Like

  154. 160 flbravesgirl June 14, 2009 at 11:10 pm

    Uuuuggllyyyy.

    Like

  155. 161 flbravesgirl June 14, 2009 at 11:14 pm

    Not sure what to think about Yunel. I like him & think he has potential to be an even better player but he seems to have a lot of these lapses. Very frustrating.

    Like

  156. 162 flbravesgirl June 14, 2009 at 11:16 pm

    Ber, no, I don’t get SportSouth or any other Braves coverage here. Only way I see the games is on ExtraInnings & you get the game only. No pre- or post-game coverage & no other stuff like Spotlight.

    Like

  157. 163 Berigan ll, (WSOML) June 15, 2009 at 7:18 am

    ….Altanta offered Jeff Francoeur straight up for Cody Ross last week, but the Marlins quickly declined. For reference, Francoeur, 25, is batting .250/.282/.345 this season with four home runs and 29 RBI. Ross, 28, is batting .270/.320/.482 with 10 home runs and 39 RBI.

    http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2009/06/marlins-rumors-hermida-francoeur-ross.html#comments

    Like

  158. 164 Savannah Guy June 15, 2009 at 7:51 am

    Francoeur may wind up being traded for bats. His is a pathetic drama playing out every game on the field. Maybe Texas has a place for him alongside Andruw. They seem to have sipped from the wrong ladle at some point in Atlanta. It took Texas to provide the antidote. Maybe a cactus derivative?

    Every day it’s getting harder to care whether he stays or goes. With our management and ownership, does it really matter this season?

    acrushingdefeatandamediocreteamisnottheendoftheworld.com

    Like

  159. 165 Voice of Raisins June 15, 2009 at 9:30 am

    Because I am very tired and the words just don’t seen to be in abundance this morning, I’m going with a simple overview. I’ll just keep things very brief…

    Opinion inventory:

    Although many think Bobby Cox is an oaf, I do not. I still believe he is an effective top shelf manager. I believe the team he currently manages is flawed and the criticism he receives is exaggerated. I agree that he makes tactical errors, but they all do. And these errors are SO easy to break down on hindsight. I think his easy-going “Aw shucks” persona makes him an easy target, but I also believe that is somewhat by design. Helps to deflect criticism from his players, doesn’t it? I believe in the old adage that every manager receives too little credit for wins and too much blame for losses. I also subscribe to the theory that the manager cannot control individual player performance, or lack thereof.

    I believe this 2009 Braves team has potential, but is greatly flawed in that there is no true power threat aside from Chipper and Mac. I believe the #7-9 spots in the lineup are currently an offensive black hole, and consequently 1/3 of the lineup is a break for the opponent.

    I believe that Jeff Francoeur can still be a productive major-leaguer, but not in Atlanta. I believe that he is in desperate need of the mythical fresh start. I do not believe that he peaked as a rookie, and will never realize his potential. But it ain’t hap’nin’ here…

    I believe that KJ should be traded NOW before his value erodes to Francoeurian proportions. I would rather see Diory Hernandez there now, and believe 2B is Diory’s real future position anyway.

    I believe that Frank Wren is doing a decent job considering the fact he is hamstrung by Liberty Media. I believe he is the consummate professional and will take every media bullet for ownership, who remains behind the curtain but pulls more levers and pushes more buttons than most realize.

    I believe most of the bloggers left across the street are and idiots. I will occasionally read over there if I believe the beat writer may have an inside track on some info, or if I want a good chuckle at what passes for discussion and discourse.

    I believe the Smoltz and Glavine events were harsh but necessary. I believe, though the 2 separate events are very different and that attempts by one of the two parties to lump them both together and grind an axe against management is wrong. I believe he needs to shut his pie-hole and pray that none of the 5 staples currently holding his shoulder in place lets go. I believe that one more staple might have been beneficial if placed across the lips.

    I believe that the Garret Anderson signing was a bad one. Period. But I believe that analyzing moves in hindsight that could/should have been made instead is wrong. I could be the greatest GM ever if I had a crystal ball.

    I believe that dental pain is underestimated. (I realize that has nothing to do with the Braves, but my toothache issues are consuming me…)

    I believe that the decision to remove the Braves from the national media presence was flat out stupid. While I think Ted Turner is a political whacko, he was a business genius and visionary. He found a way to make a mid-market team a large-market team and make a ton of coin in the process. Time-Warner, and now Liberty Media, has found a way to operate the “way back machine” and revert the team back to mid-market status… and relative obscurity in both the public eye as well as the collective eye of Free Agent players. I hate corporate ownership.

    I believe the future wave of Braves – including JHey, Freddie Freeman, Cody Johnson and even Jordan Schafer – will make for an exciting and competitive team. I believe the Braves short-sightedness regarding the future of 3B will be their flaw, though.

    I believe that it is a good thing I don’t have an abundance of words this morning, or we could be here all day. I believe I need to look up the definition of “brief”. 😀

    Like

  160. 166 Savannah Guy June 15, 2009 at 10:53 am

    Brief? 😯

    I believe… that Raisins sincerely believes 100% of his beliefs and I believe that roughly 75% of his opinions I share on the Braves.

    😀

    Like

  161. 167 Savannah Guy June 15, 2009 at 11:05 am

    Even so, that was a really good (and kind) post there Raisins. Without the toothache, it may have been even, uh, longer. :mrgreen:

    Like

  162. 168 Voice of Raisins June 15, 2009 at 12:08 pm

    The Chicago Cubs fired hitting coach Gerald Perry after 2-1/2 seasons on Sunday in an attempt to spark a sputtering offense that ranks among the National League’s worst.

    http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/braves/stories/2009/06/14/cubs_fire_perry.html

    Really? Teams do that?

    Like

  163. 169 Gil in Mechanicsville June 15, 2009 at 12:56 pm

    I believe that Raisins needs a good dose of white lightning applied directly to the offending tooth and then let it trickle down his throat.

    Yes, the Braves are probably the worst .500 team in the majors right now.

    Quick, someone tell Terry there is an opening with the White Sox…

    Like

  164. 170 Voice of Raisins June 15, 2009 at 1:06 pm

    … and the Cubs, too…

    😀

    Like

  165. 171 Gil in Mechanicsville June 15, 2009 at 1:21 pm

    Chicago, Chicago..my kind of town… 🙂

    Like

  166. 172 flbravesgirl June 15, 2009 at 1:37 pm

    Sorry about the tooth issues, VOR. ((hug)) I’d offer a cookie but chewing might hurt. How ’bout some banana pudding?

    Like

  167. 173 flbravesgirl June 15, 2009 at 1:44 pm

    I agree with darn near everything you wrote too. This has me at odds with Dad a little since he wants to tar & feather Wren & I want 2 future HOF pitchers to quit whining. They have lowered themselves greatly in my estimation.

    I’m still holding onto a few shreds of hope that Frenchy can get it going. I like him too much to just give up on him. Guess I can be too loyal like Bobby.

    Like

  168. 174 Savannah Guy June 15, 2009 at 1:53 pm

    Nanner puddin’?

    FBG, listen to your dad.

    The two HOF pitchers are not “whining”, they are merely voicing their opinions on the situation. They are allowed freedom of speech and they, like most public personalities, have microphones and cameras in their faces at all times.

    Sometimes they are characterized as whining by disgruntled fans simply because they don’t tow the company line, go along and get along. At the end of the day, they are correct, they are incorrect, Wren is correct or incorrect, there is a combination or any number of possibilities. But whining? No, I think not.

    Grown men, HOF pitchers don’t whine. There’s no whining or crying in baseball.

    Tar and feathers may be a bit extreme though. I was thinking waterboarding might be more appriopriate, given that the Braves are currently under water and such. :mrgreen:

    Like

  169. 175 Voice of Raisins June 15, 2009 at 1:58 pm

    FBG:

    I am a little more in Glavine’s corner in that the circumstances and timing were a bit dubious. Yet, I understand the business aspect. In the other case, it was nothing more than HIM making a choice. Period. He may not have liked this alternative as compared to that one, but it was still HIS decision to make nonetheless. It always flares me up when somebody says, “They owe me.” Heck, they paid him… and handsomely, too. They treated him much differently than most for his entire HOF career under the tomahawk. He was Atlanta royalty. For him to go off and pretend to have been disrespected chaps my aspirin. And his continued grumbling… let’s just say that I am amazed at his lack of maturity and lack of ability to move on. He has a tremendous amount of goodwill stored, but is writing “checks” at an Obamian rate. He needs to shut up and pitch… or at least try to pitch. That remains to be seen…

    Like

  170. 176 flbravesgirl June 15, 2009 at 2:05 pm

    Let me be clear. I wanted them both to be able to retire as Braves. I was not happy with how either situation was handled by the front office. But I do think that Smoltz in particular has done a lot of whining, snarking and generally sounding like a spoiled brat. And this hurts me because he was always one of my favorites. I thought better of him than that.

    Like

  171. 177 Voice of Raisins June 15, 2009 at 2:25 pm

    I think, FBG, that you and I are exactly on the same page there…

    Like

  172. 178 Voice of Raisins June 15, 2009 at 2:37 pm

    Tom Glavine looks as though he’ll be slipping into retirement, spending time with the kids and settling into family life. Glavine is about to receive the first of six deferred annual payments of $2.5 million from his Mets contract. He’s also shying away from a grievance against the Braves. — Boston Globe

    Like

  173. 179 Carolina Lady June 15, 2009 at 2:50 pm

    Some absolutely terrific posts here today! Good reading!

    Like

  174. 180 Savannah Guy June 15, 2009 at 2:54 pm

    FBG, just remember… Father Knows Best. 😀

    He was Atlanta royalty. For him to go off and pretend to have been disrespected chaps my aspirin.

    Raisins, I’m not sure what one has to do with the other. So, if your logic follows, since Glavine was paid well and treated like royalty for so many years, he should not utter a word about being dissed at the end? He was either treated wrong or he wasn’t. Not sure if we fans felt he was or was not able to pitch has any bearing on the reality of the deal that soured. Turns out he may have helped with the few million we were going to pay for his services.

    Does it come down to supporting the billionaires or millionaires? If so, I’ll have to side with the millionaire talent on the field most of the time. What happens to the billionaires is one of those caveat emptor thingy poos.

    So… if I’m Wren and you are Glavine, let’s make a promise to each other, shake hands and sign a contract, then I’m going to break it after you’ve lived up to your end of the bargain (because I can) when I think Hanson and Medlin are coming up to save the team and help us ride to glory. I know, I know… we all told you we were so happy to have you back and yes, you did abide by the spirit of our agreement and you worked your butt off through rehab and even pitched well in AAA. But that was then and this is now. Now we have two new aces.

    Now, Tommy boy, you’re chopped liver. Now, you are yesterday’s news. Now, we don’t need you. Now, you can just mosy on down the road and keep your trap shut because some fans already think you are washed up and a has been and a union organizer and a traitor and we have no use for you. We have the high ground in this PR thing, buddy. You earned enough in your career, so the fans won’t be on your side anyway.

    That’s right Tommy, you just skeedaddle now… and don’t speak your mind, be a good boy and don’t say anything to the press. Besides, we knew you were dedicated to the Braves because you said so before the season. We had you handcuffed at that point. We like having that kind of edge, when we know a player is committed to playing in Atlanta or retiring. Yes, we like that dedication to the team. Makes our job easier to, uh, pretty much screw you. So put a sock in it. You’re rich, you’ll be seen as a whiner.

    If the press calls you, tell them that you were just happy to have had the chance to rejoin the team you helped to build… yesterday. That’s right… YESTERDAY! The past is for chumps. What have you done for us lately? Fans throw your kind out after you’ve peaked so don’t go looking for sympathy.

    I think their conversation went something like that. 😆

    Like

  175. 181 Voice of Raisins June 15, 2009 at 3:06 pm

    …not talkin’ about Glavine, so I didn’t make it past the second sentence…

    Should I go back?

    Like

  176. 182 Savannah Guy June 15, 2009 at 3:08 pm

    Marie Antoinette was treated like royalty for years. She was rich beyond all imagination. She wasn’t the pretty girl she once was, which delighted the masses. She had no call to run off at the mouth about cake. Then, because she’d outlived her usefulness a few riff-raff went and, uh, beheaded her.

    Then again, if she hadn’t lost her head, she’d probably just whine about being chopped from the roster, uh, lower body. Ungracious trollop. She should have just picked her head up and marched right off of that guillotine and told the press that she was just happy to have been a royal. The nerve of those royals, talking about desserts in public. Sheesh.

    Like

  177. 183 Savannah Guy June 15, 2009 at 3:14 pm

    Didn’t think I’d be interested at all, but we went with a friend and it was great.

    The new Star Trek movie. Yep, very good.

    Like

  178. 184 Voice of Raisins June 15, 2009 at 3:14 pm

    Perhaps I should make myself more clear. The Smoltz and Glavine situations are eclusive and separate, even though JOHN SMOLTZ doesn’t seem to think so. I do think the Glavine release was poorly timed and handled awkwardly, but I understand the decision to do it.

    As for JOHN SMOLTZ, he needs to shut up and pitch. Thus far, he has not proven the ability to do either.

    Like

  179. 185 Voice of Raisins June 15, 2009 at 3:19 pm

    … and exclusive, too!

    Like

  180. 186 Savannah Guy June 15, 2009 at 3:24 pm

    Besides living in America, John earned the right to say anything, any time he wants about the team. He is no longer bound by the Liberty talking points or Braves country club. He earned it by talking with his arm on the mound for many years.

    The only folks that don’t like what he says are the Braves organization’s executives, the fans that loved him and are confusing team loyalty with rationality and those that think when a player leaves they should just shut up and not speak their mind (or the truth) about their beloved team.

    Whether he comes back and is an effective pitcher or not has nothing to do with his right and ability to speak the truth from his point of view.

    Me, I may be in the minority, but I believe Smoltz over Wren and company. He earned my trust as a player, as a truth-teller and as a man. Wren has not.

    Like

  181. 187 Savannah Guy June 15, 2009 at 3:42 pm

    Like Smoltzie, Mr. Raisins has also, over time, earned my trust and respect too.

    Even though he does need the occasional paradigm shift and horizon broadening assistance and nudge from time to time. He is not locked into one unmovable, unrelenting point of view. Which is why he will read my post and, after careful consideration of the logic and reason, always agree with my every word. 😀

    Like

  182. 188 Gil in Mechanicsville June 15, 2009 at 3:44 pm

    Beats me how two guys can argue the same point and not see they agree… Much like my union days…but different… 🙂

    Still…what CL said… And FBG too…

    For many years I argued against the philosophy of just because we can, we will.. You will never see that more prevalent than in Government but it seeps into society in other places too.

    I was always one who believed just because you had the right, didn’t keep it from being wrong. Continue to exercise those “rights” and pretty soon someone will put a stop to them.

    Yep, even though I would have liked to have seen Smoltz end his career as a Brave, the club seemed to be up against a hard ceiling. Wishing don’t always make it so. Simply put, the Red Sox had enough money to take a flyer on a guy who may or may not be able to help them.

    Glavin was treated shabbily, plain and simple. Nobody likes being jerked around. Folks, that’s exactly what the Braves did with Tom. Now, if the Braves didn’t have to pay him an additional million dollars to pitch for them, there is no doubt in my mind he wold have been on the mound for at least one more game.

    No game tonight so Josie get to watch her favorite shows in Hi Def. For me, there is TiVo… 🙂 hey, gives me something to watch at 4 AM.

    Like

  183. 189 Gil in Mechanicsville June 15, 2009 at 3:47 pm

    Hum. need to go back and edit that one a bit… :-*

    Like

  184. 190 Voice of Raisins June 15, 2009 at 4:01 pm

    Smoltz most certainly has the right to say anything he wants.

    Somewhere, my point got lost in the Constitutional reprimand…

    My bad. You win.

    Like

  185. 191 Savannah Guy June 15, 2009 at 4:03 pm

    Mush like my union days

    There you go again… talking about your old glory days of dog sled racing. :mrgreen:

    Gil, with all due respect, this ain’t two union guys arguing the same point. I’d say it’s a bit more nuanced than that. Maybe it’s just the way you started out, “Beats me how…”.

    Anyway, yes, I think I know pretty much where everyone in Stuffville stands on most fundamental, important issues and I would say that we all agree on those. Yet, when having a discussion (not argument), it’s the nuance and perspective, ends and means that happen to fascinate me. With baseball and life, it’s not always batting average or home runs, OBP and such, but the way the game is played, the inate ability in clutch situations or winning against all odds due to physical limitations or the competition. Those off the sheet, out of the contract philosophies and character issues and such.

    Anyway, that interest allows me to enjoy much more than the game on paper or enjoy a season even if we don’t win. It’s every pitch, every at bat, every manager’s in-game move. Uh, well, maybe not that last one.

    Like

  186. 192 Voice of Raisins June 15, 2009 at 4:05 pm

    😀

    Like

  187. 193 Voice of Raisins June 15, 2009 at 4:11 pm

    Hmmm… the separation of one post from the other kinda alters the contextual meaning of each. There’s a metaphor there somewhere…

    Like

  188. 194 Savannah Guy June 15, 2009 at 4:16 pm

    Oh, goodie!!! I’ve worn down and beaten Raisins into submission. He lay bloodied and beaten. I win, I win!!!

    No, wait… he is being serious and I was being respectful. Not a reprimand. I wasn’t trying to win. Oh, well, the old “Constitutional reprimand” card was thrown on the table. That’s too easy but nevertheless fair in baseball. I’ve been known to exaggerate a bit to make a point but the Constitutional aspect of free speech was beside the point but was not the point.

    No point of view was changed, no ground was ceded, no inspiration or revelation occurred or relationship improved… therefore, I have changed nothing, won nothing and accomplished nothing.

    But I have tried to make an ethical, philosophical point and have failed, which I suppose is better than not trying or caring enough to make a point in the first place.

    Like

  189. 195 Savannah Guy June 15, 2009 at 4:19 pm

    Now, I’ll have to take my points and move along. Much to do. Thank you for putting up with my rambling. Spare time is rare these days.

    Like

  190. 196 Gil in Mechanicsville June 15, 2009 at 4:25 pm

    Yes, union days were much like driving a dog sled, I can remember many times folks saying “it would be a cold day in h**l before they would agree to a demand”

    Of course h**l froze over a few times while I was there too, rough on the plumbing to say the least… 🙂

    Like

  191. 197 Voice of Raisins June 15, 2009 at 4:27 pm

    He lay bloodied and beaten.

    That’s just my tooth…

    Like

  192. 198 Gil in Mechanicsville June 15, 2009 at 4:28 pm

    And where be Berigan? Taking the day off?

    Like

  193. 199 Gil in Mechanicsville June 15, 2009 at 4:28 pm

    Raisins, in the absence of moomshine, if you place an aspirin on the affected tooth and bite down, you will gain much temporary relief.

    Like

  194. 200 Voice of Raisins June 15, 2009 at 4:35 pm

    No point of view was changed, no ground was ceded, no inspiration or revelation occurred or relationship improved… therefore, I have changed nothing, won nothing and accomplished nothing.

    Now, SG… You and I both know that neither of us is going to change our well entrenched opinions on these matters. The point was not for one of us to beat the other into submission, but rather to beat everyone else senseless. 😀

    Plus, I just like to hear myself talk… or type.. whatever. You know what I mean…

    Like

  195. 201 Carolina Lady June 15, 2009 at 4:45 pm

    Berigan? He’s busy filling my email box. 😆

    Like

  196. 202 Voice of Raisins June 15, 2009 at 4:52 pm

    Raisins, in the absence of moomshine, if you place an aspirin on the affected tooth and bite down, you will gain much temporary relief.

    Biting anything is a bit uncomfortable right now. I had 2 fillings replaced 2 weeks ago, and one tooth had a hairline crack and a slight hint of the root exposed. It is basically a borderline root canal situation. My dentist felt it was possible that the exposed area was small enough that with the new filling, it would heal without needing to do the root canal. One week in, I was in alot of pain and back in the chair feeling that the root canal was inevitable. Much to my surprise, and my dentist’s as well, the symptoms didn’t all add up that way. Bottom line: I am in a waiting and hopefully healing period during which my tooth is very sensitive and aches often. In the next week or so, I’ll know whether it is improving, or dying. Either way, it is not comfortable in the interim.

    Kinda like waiting for the trade deadline… ‘cept different.

    Like

  197. 203 Carolina Lady June 15, 2009 at 5:01 pm

    Raisins, you have my deepest and most heartfelt (toothfelt?) sympathies!!! Lordy mercy, do I ever understand what you’re talking about!

    Like

  198. 204 Gil in Mechanicsville June 15, 2009 at 5:11 pm

    My dentist felt it was possible that the exposed area was small enough that with the new filling, it would heal without needing to do the root canal Hmmm…

    He must have decided to forgo the leather package on the new Mercedes…

    Like

  199. 205 Savannah Guy June 15, 2009 at 5:40 pm

    tap, tap, taptaptaptap, tap, tap… click, click, tap…

    Just listening to myself type. :mrgreen:

    I’ll bet some of you remember the old, “kachung, clack zzzzzzz, click” at the end of each sentences back in the day.

    Conference calls that are an hour late. Hate those. Whatever happened to punctuality? Seller = punctual, buyer = late. That’s business in 2009.

    Like

  200. 206 Carolina Lady June 15, 2009 at 5:49 pm

    Seller = punctual, buyer = late.

    Buyer = rude, disrespectful!

    Like

  201. 207 Savannah Guy June 15, 2009 at 5:51 pm

    CL=correct.

    Actually, methinks they are just disorganized as all getout. Can say on blog?

    Like

  202. 208 Carolina Lady June 15, 2009 at 6:46 pm

    This has nothing to do anything we’ve discussed here – but it has a powerful message that I wanted to share with you:

    *Just for this morning, I am going to step over the laundry, and pick you up and take you to the park to play.

    *Just for this morning, I will leave the dishes in the sink, and let you teach me how to put that puzzle of yours together.

    *Just for this afternoon, I will unplug the telephone and keep
    the computer off, and sit with you in the backyard and blow bubbles.

    *Just for this afternoon, I will not yell once, not even a tiny
    grumble when you scream and whine for the ice cream truck and I will buy you one if he comes by.

    *Just for this afternoon, I won’t worry about what you are going
    to be when you grow up, or second guess every decision I have made where you are concerned.

    *Just for this afternoon, I will let you help me bake cookies,
    and I won’t stand over you trying to fix them.

    *Just for this afternoon, I will take us to McDonald’s and buy us both a Happy Meal so you can have both toys.

    *Just for this evening, I will hold you in my arms and tell you a story about how you were born and how much I love you.

    *Just for this evening, I will let you splash in the tub and not
    get angry at the mess.

    *Just for this evening, I will let you stay up late while we sit
    on the porch and count all the stars.

    *Just for this evening, I will snuggle beside you for hours, and
    miss my favorite TV shows.

    *Just for this evening when I run my finger through your hair as
    you pray, I will simply be grateful that God has given me the
    greatest gift ever given.

    *I will think about the mothers And fathers who are searching for their missing children, the mothers and fathers who are visiting their childrens’ graves instead of their bedrooms, and mothers and fathers who are in hospital rooms watching their children suffer senselessly, and screaming inside that they can’t handle it anymore.

    *And when I kiss you good night I will hold you a little tighter, a little longer. It is then, that I will thank God for you, and ask Him for nothing, except one more day……………

    Like

  203. 209 Savannah Guy June 15, 2009 at 7:08 pm

    Wow, CL that’s beautiful.

    Like

  204. 210 Savannah Guy June 15, 2009 at 9:02 pm

    Soup and sandwich,

    soup and sandwich,

    go together like a…

    For the life of me I can’t remember how that ad jingle ends.

    Like

  205. 211 Carolina Lady June 15, 2009 at 9:15 pm

    Thanks, SG! A cousin out in New Mexico sent it to me – and I thought it was truly worthy to be shared.

    For the life of me I can’t remember how that ad jingle ends Did it have anything to do with doghouse keys? 😆

    (Anybody know where those keys are??)

    Like

  206. 212 Savannah Guy June 15, 2009 at 9:30 pm

    Doghouse keys? Was it me? Is it I?

    I found the answer! Soup and sandwich…

    Like

  207. 213 Savannah Guy June 15, 2009 at 9:33 pm

    Forbidden on this server? WP is the evil empire. Well, the evil constable.

    Like

  208. 214 Savannah Guy June 15, 2009 at 9:36 pm

    Maybe this’ll work:

    Soup and sandwich… rel=”nofollow”>Soup and sandwich…

    Like

  209. 215 Savannah Guy June 15, 2009 at 9:37 pm

    I give up. too tired. I solved it. Now I can rest.

    Like

  210. 216 Berigan ll, (WSOML) June 15, 2009 at 9:47 pm

    No, you didn’t SG!!! 😛

    Like

  211. 217 Berigan ll, (WSOML) June 15, 2009 at 9:53 pm

    So, let me get this straight….The one day I don’t get on the computer til 9 PM, everyone and their brother posts, and on a day the braves have off??? 😯 No Berigan really brings the comments out of people. 😥
    CL, my secret shame…berigan Sr. now emails everyone in the address book, including my friends-Berigan Sr…”Do you think your friend “CL”* would like this story on cats??? How about this story on Obama, how about…”
    “Oh Pa, just send whatever you want, she has a delete button! ” 😉
    So, long story short, my Dad has a cold and has Bogarted the ‘puter all day. FBG would not understand, but it can happen!

    Like

  212. 218 Berigan ll, (WSOML) June 15, 2009 at 9:57 pm

    Missed a big ol fight on Smoltz too! 😡 Can I stir up the dying embers of this kerfuffle??? No??? Everything has been resolved??? Drat. 😦

    Like

  213. 219 flbravesgirl June 15, 2009 at 9:57 pm

    Seperate email accounts, Ber!

    Like

  214. 220 Berigan ll, (WSOML) June 15, 2009 at 9:59 pm

    FBG, everyone says that…but this is via desktop email, not say going to hotmail or something…we would need two different email icons…my Pa is 77, I can only teach him so many new things, old dog and all that! 😉

    Like

  215. 221 flbravesgirl June 15, 2009 at 9:59 pm

    And why would I not understand your dad hogging the ‘puter? Mine does that everyday. 🙄

    Like

  216. 222 flbravesgirl June 15, 2009 at 10:02 pm

    I see. Ours is set up differently, you click “mail” & enter a username & password.

    Like

  217. 223 Berigan ll, (WSOML) June 15, 2009 at 10:04 pm

    “That’s a joke… I say, that’s a joke, son daughter.”

    Like

  218. 224 flbravesgirl June 15, 2009 at 10:06 pm

    Carroll has a very good Q & A with Schafer up on ajc. Sounds like he has a great attitude & a very mature outlook.

    Like

  219. 225 Berigan ll, (WSOML) June 15, 2009 at 10:06 pm

    Hmmm, I wonder if there is a way to do that now…sound like a lot of trouble. 😕

    Like

  220. 227 flbravesgirl June 15, 2009 at 10:14 pm

    It worked! Yay!

    Like

  221. 228 Berigan ll, (WSOML) June 15, 2009 at 11:22 pm

    Nice story on Schafer FBG. Sure hope he can work it all out.

    Like

  222. 229 Gil in Mechanicsville June 16, 2009 at 6:56 am

    Good morning fellow Stuffians… Wow, I can’t believe I actually slept the entire night. Well, not that I didn’t wake up 4 or 5 times, just refused to get up…

    Yes Ber, quite the discourse yesterday. And Schafer… still a ways away but folks always want to believe the hype coming out of the front office. Didn’t folks clamor for Frenchy to hurry up and get to the big leagues, now they can’t wait to run him out of town…

    And poor Moylan is being raked by the morons across the street. Give me a break, the guy is only one year removed from TJ surgery. It is why I don’t expect anything out of Tim Hudson until 2010. It’s not that they can’t pitch, it that that they can’t pitch effectively for about 2 years following the operation.

    For that matter, some never completely mend. Or at least never come all the way back.

    Now.. time to do my crosswords…

    Like

  223. 230 Savannah Guy June 16, 2009 at 7:25 am

    Didn’t folks clamor for Frenchy to hurry up and get to the big leagues, now they can’t wait to run him out of town…

    Exactamondo.

    Dittos on Moylan too. Wish Bobby realized, before he drags him out of the pen so often his arm falls off.

    Like

  224. 231 Savannah Guy June 16, 2009 at 8:29 am

    Didn’t work again? Glad I didn’t know that last night… would have stayed up all night. The video link won’t work on WP, maybe the website will. The ad is on page 3, top right corner. Here goes, last try:

    Soup and sandwich…

    Like

  225. 232 Savannah Guy June 16, 2009 at 8:29 am

    😀

    Like

  226. 233 Savannah Guy June 16, 2009 at 8:43 am

    Mm-mm good…
    Mm-mm good
    That’s what Campbell’s soups are
    Mmm-mm good!

    If it says Libby’s, Libby’s, Libby’s
    On the label, label, label
    You will love it, love it, love it
    On your table, table, table…

    N…E…S…T…L…E…S…
    Nestle’s makes the very best…chocolate.

    My baloney has a first name, it’s O-S-C-A-R.
    My baloney has a second name, it’s M-A-Y-E-R.
    I love to eat it every day and if you ask me why, I’ll saaaaay….
    Oscar Mayer has a way with B-O-L-O-G-N-A!

    Rice-A-Roni, the San Francisco Treat

    Rice-A-Roni, the flavor can’t be beat

    One pan, no boiling, cooking ease

    A flavor that is sure to please

    Rice-A-Roni, the San Francisco treat!

    Like

  227. 234 Savannah Guy June 16, 2009 at 8:47 am

    Sitting here wasting time with these silly jingles when I should be doing something productive… trying to figure our who we can put in right field. And left field. And second base. 😆

    No, wait… must get back to work.

    Like

  228. 235 Savannah Guy June 16, 2009 at 8:49 am

    Before I go, do we need to put out an APB on Scribe and Klobber?

    Like

  229. 236 Gil in Mechanicsville June 16, 2009 at 11:07 am

    Okay, my good deed is done for the day.. Waxed Josie’s car for her this morning and detailed the inside. Also mowed the side yard. CL might be right, time to invest in critters to take care of it for me. If gas keeps going up, I may follow the Commonwealth’s lead and just sow wild flowers and stop mowing altogether.

    SG, remind me some day to site all the Hinny Wine commercials from the 70’s.. You know, the wine with the pop top can… The winery was owned by Thor, Big Red and Ophelia Hinny… 🙂

    Like

  230. 237 Voice of Raisins June 16, 2009 at 12:26 pm

    Wow… Bowman gives Yunel, Benchy and KJ a thorough boot to the glutes…

    http://markbowman.mlblogs.com/archives/2009/06/mental_blunders_tarnishing_esc.html

    Like

  231. 238 Voice of Raisins June 16, 2009 at 1:21 pm

    Kotch is supposed to be back from the DL today… wonder who goes down to make room? I hope it isn’t Barbaro. I like his bat on the bench – especially going into 2 more AL parks where he can DH.

    Like

  232. 239 Savannah Guy June 16, 2009 at 3:16 pm

    After Boston and AL games with DH, we can put Kotch on the bench and start Barbaro at first. Until he stinks it up over there anyway. He may surprise everyone and play adequate D. We could sure use the lumber and he looks like he knows how to handle the 2×4’s pretty well.

    Can Kotchman play second?

    Like

  233. 240 Gil in Mechanicsville June 16, 2009 at 3:20 pm

    An observation on Escobar… I think Bobby tends to have higher expectations of players who have unique skill sets. Don’t think Bobby didn’t wince when he had a chance to look at the video of Escobar’s academy award performance when he acted as if a pitch had hit him in the head rather than hit his bat. Don’t think he will ever get the benefit of that call again unless he can show blood because umpire keep a book too.

    Of all things, Bobby Cox respects the game. Just like when Robert Fick tried to to use a forearm shiv on a first baseman. Stunts don’t sit well with BC. it’s stuff like that that will get you gone from a Cox coached team.

    As for Kelly Johnson getting a pass, well, Kelly is not as gifted as either Frency or Yunel but Bobby appreciates hard work and effort. KJ has never exhibited the same type of attitude. Therefore, Bobby will go with him until there is a viable replacement available. That may not be until next season. There is no one in the pipeline as far as I can tell. One thing about Kelly… he has courage, he will play anywhere the coach wants him to. Diaz is the same type of player. He may not be blessed with a wealth of natural talent but he is a gamer and he is going to give you 100% of what he has got every game. Isn’t that all we can ask of a team?

    Like

  234. 241 Gil in Mechanicsville June 16, 2009 at 3:25 pm

    Barbaro is a hitter, plain and simple. I know, you folks have a pretty small sample size to assess his ability. Trust me, he is not “Big Cat” around the bag. Hit.. Heck yeah.. run, not so much.. field. Well.. don’t expect the term gold glover to be mentioned in the sentence as Barbaro Canizares…

    Like

  235. 242 Gil in Mechanicsville June 16, 2009 at 3:27 pm

    Still, I too would like to see him stay on the roster for a while longer. I think he is a more viable back up for firstbase than Martin Prado right now, at least until his groin pull heals up.

    Like

  236. 243 Gil in Mechanicsville June 16, 2009 at 3:30 pm

    Okay folks, I promised I would take Josie to the horse races today. I hope the Braves can start out on the right foot against the Reds tonight.

    Catch up with ya’ll later.

    Like

  237. 244 Voice of Raisins June 16, 2009 at 3:43 pm

    Dang… Barbaro sent back…

    Like

  238. 245 Savannah Guy June 16, 2009 at 4:06 pm

    Barbaro sent back? That’s right, we have plenty of hot sluggers on the team already… don’t need him. 😯

    Seems BC the skipper doesn’t want anyone sharing his monogrammed towels.

    Like

  239. 246 Berigan ll, (WSOML) June 16, 2009 at 4:11 pm

    SG, funny you should post that cool commerical site…I was just reminding a friend about the Libby’s Libby’s Libbys ad a week or so ago. Just like Rice-a-Roni(Had a girl at Borders with the first name of Roni!) they just decided one day there was no reason to advertise. Weird, eh what???

    Like

  240. 247 Berigan ll, (WSOML) June 16, 2009 at 4:17 pm

    and about Peter Moylan, on pace for 86 games!!! Has anyone ever been back sooner from Tommy John surgery??? I mean, he had the surgery may of 2008, and was pitching this spring. I know relievers are supposed to come back sooner, but good grief. And I don’t see how Tim Hudson can come back this year either.

    Like

  241. 248 Berigan ll, (WSOML) June 16, 2009 at 4:22 pm

    And V, when you were mentioning that Kotchman was coming back, I just knew Barbaro was the one to get sent down.
    Besides, Diory Hernandez is a total stud at the plate, we HAD to keep him up here! :Roll: Well, I guess we do if Bobby wants to sit Yunel for a day or two(Just guessing-imagine he will be in the starting lineup)
    I wonder if we could get Ruben Gotay back from the pirates, his .235 BA doesn’t look so bad know, does it??? 😛

    Like

  242. 249 Berigan ll, (WSOML) June 16, 2009 at 4:32 pm

    Since I am posting in the middle of the day, and the braves are playing tonight, the next comment will come in around 11 pm From FBG! 😡

    Like

  243. 250 Carolina Lady June 16, 2009 at 5:04 pm

    Hey, Ber! Dad’s been busy today, huh? 😆

    It is SO easy to set up his own email account right in the same email program you’re using now. Click to switch back and forth between the two.

    Speaking of email, sent one to the scribe this afternoon. Will advise.

    Must take myself to the kitchen….. again …..
    Mustn’t dis the mana! At least, we’re blessed with food to be prepared!! (Quit grumbling, CL! Git crackin’!)

    Like

  244. 251 Carolina Lady June 16, 2009 at 5:13 pm

    One small note from the local news that is close to my heart –
    On the link’s page, down a little, is a flash video. Click on it and see some people close to me. (I couldn’t be there this year.)

    http://www.starnewsonline.com/article/20090616/ARTICLES/906169979/1177?Title=N-C-Indian-Youth-conference-fuses-fun-education-and-culture

    Like

  245. 252 Berigan ll, (WSOML) June 16, 2009 at 6:30 pm

    Cl, Trying to make a liar out of me??? 😉

    Like

  246. 253 Berigan ll, (WSOML) June 16, 2009 at 6:37 pm
  247. 255 Savannah Guy June 16, 2009 at 7:54 pm

    CL, nice NC powwow article.

    Looking at the weather map and the system heading your way, the rain dance part must’a worked.

    Like

  248. 256 Berigan ll, (WSOML) June 16, 2009 at 7:57 pm

    CL, I was sayin’ no one was going to show up til FBG at 11 pm, and you made a liar out of me! 😛

    Rain delay…just as well, need to go out anyway…I love late games! 🙂

    Like

  249. 257 Carolina Lady June 16, 2009 at 9:11 pm

    Oops! Sorry, Ber!

    Thanks, SG! It is such a neat event! Some really neat people!

    Like

  250. 258 flbravesgirl June 16, 2009 at 11:43 pm

    Sorry, Ber, I’m late. Combo of rain delay & ongoing phone/text conversation.

    Like

  251. 259 flbravesgirl June 16, 2009 at 11:47 pm

    For some reason the ExtraInnings channel the Braves were on wouldn’t come in on the living room TV so we were watching on the master bedroom TV ’til Mom was ready for bed. She, of course, has to work in the morning. So I’m recording the remainder.

    Like

  252. 260 Berigan ll, (WSOML) June 17, 2009 at 12:34 am

    FBG, spoiler alert, do not read til you have watched the game!!!

    Sure hope everyone stayed up for this classic!
    Hard to get 12 hits, yet only score 2 runs, but if any team can do it, it’s the braves! 😛

    Truth be told, with the rain delay and all, I just checked online while Pa and I rewatched some old Sledge Hammer shows. Made the right decision.

    Like

  253. 261 Gil in Mechanicsville June 17, 2009 at 5:50 am

    Ach.. What a debacle that game was… Someone please get Frenchy a pair of glasses…

    Certainly not all his fault however, but this team does have the feel of a team playing out a string, sadly, we have not yet reached the All-Star break.

    Plain and simple, the Braves could not take advantage of the Reds\’ mistakes and the Reds could not help but take advantage of every mistake made by the Braves. The proof is in the pudding… And the final score…

    Like

  254. 262 Carolina Lady June 17, 2009 at 10:45 am

    NEW BLOG IS UP!!
    Thanks, SG! 😆

    Like


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