Fish @ Braves: The Swan Song of John Smoltz
by gondeee on Jun 4, 2008 12:34 PM EDT
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PrintMiami Marlins at Atlanta Braves, Jun 4, 2008 1:10 PM EDT
It was nice to see that we got a one-run "win" last night, but today there was a pretty big let-down; John Smoltz will have season-ending arm/shoulder surgery. I think most of us knew this might happen when he first started experiencing arm problems and then continued to have setbacks.
Oh well, not much we can do but moan about it and move on. Feel free to vent a bit in this business-man's special open thread. Perhaps Trader-Wren will find the next best thing on the trade market. Who would have thought that Glavine would last longer than Smoltz this year?
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its on peachtree i believe
I’m listening to the pregame on radio, and they had Tim Meadows on there saying he was at the game promoting a show on TBS. I can only hope that he goes on Peachtree and Skip is doing the broadcast, that might be tv for the ages. Mighty ballsy of TBS to promote a show at a Braves game.
it makes the afternoon more pleasurable, especially if you have a boss that doesn’t care if you listen to the game.
I have to Alt-Tab like a mad man when we have games during the day.
by Smoltz's Beard on Jun 4, 2008 1:10 PM EDT up reply actions
They need to put
a “boss” button on here for you guys. Like they do for the NCAA basketball coverage.
by jug on Jun 4, 2008 1:11 PM EDT up reply actions
Anybody want to camp out at the hospital...
...here in the Magic City to see Smoltz after surgery?
(probably should put on here that I’m kidding, in case nobody realized)
I figured it out...
.....but on that note. I will make the pilgrimage from Oregon to Cooperstown when that day comes.
I am hoping
that Smoltz and Maddux and Glavine all retire the same year and get voted in the same year. Because I can’t choose and I’m not sure if I can make 3 trips to NY.
by jug on Jun 4, 2008 1:10 PM EDT up reply actions
If Smoltz goes another year
Maddus and Glavine better to. I don’t want to have to trek up there three years in row.
Ah turd.
Chipper isn’t playing today, just cuz. That’s bad.
Well
It’s time to get to work pretending like I’m working.
No wonder nobody likes you, Tuttle... everything's a (Pujols) damn debate.
Is that any worse than Jorge Cantu, like last night?
by Smoltz's Beard on Jun 4, 2008 1:12 PM EDT up reply actions
It's a left handed pitcher you see.
And Bobby is unable to do anything but play the splits.
F'n Norton...
...even he’s admitted he’s comedy when it comes to playing LF. He wasn’t signed to be a starter…he was signed as a bench bat. He has no business starting, ugh….but it seems Bobby has developed a man crush on the Rake.
If it helps.
MLB.com seems to think they are all changeups.
Didn't Tommy used to be around 89-91 back in the day?
I mean 80 mph is even slower than what Moyer throws out there.
He’s not getting any calls from the ump either… this could be a long day.
by get swoll yunel on Jun 4, 2008 1:18 PM EDT up reply actions
Reading Living on the Black...
And Glavine is convinced that the speed of his fastball doesn’t matter as much, as long as he has a change-up that is at least 9mph slower.
No wonder nobody likes you, Tuttle... everything's a (Pujols) damn debate.
That's a nice theory and all
but throwing faster forces the hitter to react quicker, causing them to make mistakes… there’s a reason power pitches are always sought after and more highly regarded… and why Glav was a more effective pitcher when his fastball was in the high 80’s.
by get swoll yunel on Jun 4, 2008 1:20 PM EDT up reply actions
Blech.
I have a strong feeling this game isn’t going to end in a W for us. Especially with no Chipper.
Have a little faith
I know the circumstances are bleak, but we’re at home. I heard we’re kinda good here…
No wonder nobody likes you, Tuttle... everything's a (Pujols) damn debate.
online feeds
someone once posted a link to a website that had a BUNCH of available radio streams with the game on it. Does anyone still have that?
Or does anyone remember the last day game during the week? I can look back at that thread.
here's the link for the video feeds
Since I’m on my work computer I use the ones that Media Player files so I don’t have to download anything.
If anyone out there doesn't think we need another starter
they’re in denial.
Glavine consistently going 5 and Campillo going 4 with smoke and mirrors isn’t gonna cut it forever
I love what I’ve seen from Jo Jo the last two starts, but Jeff Bennett’s and Boyer’s arms are going to fall off unless we get some guys consistently going 6-7 innings.
GODDAMMIT YUNEL QUIT SWINGING AT THE FUCKING FIRST PITCH
AND GODDAMMIT BOBBY TAKE HIM OUT OF THE LEAD OFF SPOT
FUCK
But...
..if you look at his B-R stats – in 2008 he’s hitting .400(ish) on the first pitch. Still, it has to drive them insane..take a damned pitch for crying out loud.
I find this incredibly hard to believe
but stats do not lie.
by get swoll yunel on Jun 4, 2008 1:28 PM EDT up reply actions
Want to really get your mind blown? Pretty sure Frenchy has an OPS of over .900 on the first pitch.
by Smoltz's Beard on Jun 4, 2008 1:29 PM EDT up reply actions
It's all good
“KJ was really the lead off guy and Yunel sacrificed him to second.”
No wonder nobody likes you, Tuttle... everything's a (Pujols) damn debate.
Where the fuck has Terry Pendleton been here?
Does he not feel the need to maybe sit Yunel down and lecture him a bit?
The first pitch swinging shit just has not worked.
by get swoll yunel on Jun 4, 2008 1:27 PM EDT up reply actions
Lets hope Glavine pulls his usual...
...routine of locking in for the next 4 innings. We need early runs.
live video feeds
from this site…might have to download some software.
http://www.myp2p.eu/broadcast.php?matchid=13243&part=sports
or just http://www.myp2p.eu if that link doesn’t work.
ah, gotta love corporate BS
Your organization’s Internet use policy restricts access to this web page at this time.Reason:
The Websense category “Web Chat” is filtered.
URL:
http://flashirc.wyldryde.org/getchat.php?channel=xssports
dude is king of hitting towering fly balls
and when we need a towering fly ball, no dice
by get swoll yunel on Jun 4, 2008 1:30 PM EDT up reply actions
C'mon Tex.
All you had to do was hit it in to the deep outfield.
Ha
“GNorton” Silent G. Still pronounced “Norton.” But I’m spelling it Gnorton from now.
Wait, check that – Gnortony.
No wonder nobody likes you, Tuttle... everything's a (Pujols) damn debate.
”/>
Any time I see Norton
I think of that White Sox guy on WGN who used to always pronounce his name “Nahton”
When you're praying for a vidro every inning you're in the field...
...it’s normally not a good sign.
I emphasize
let’s ship this guy out for Zito or Hoffman while he’s still got value. Who knows what he’ll turn out to be…
by jug on Jun 4, 2008 1:50 PM EDT up reply actions
Well. I suppose I'll take that.
That’s what, like 3, from Escobar?
are you serious? when did FYF’s hitting approach become contagious?
by Smoltz's Beard on Jun 4, 2008 1:44 PM EDT up reply actions
it’s an afternoon, and I’ll leave it at that…
by Smoltz's Beard on Jun 4, 2008 1:46 PM EDT up reply actions
what else do you expect
from a kentuckian!
I saw him play in Lexington for Houston’s farm team.
by jug on Jun 4, 2008 1:46 PM EDT up reply actions
I shall take it.
Take advantage of that defense.
haha, something big must have happened for you to say that.
by Smoltz's Beard on Jun 4, 2008 1:56 PM EDT up reply actions
Apparently
HanRam rammed that ball out of the GameCast window.
No wonder nobody likes you, Tuttle... everything's a (Pujols) damn debate.
I guess we can't really complain about Glavine
He’s doing exactly what we knew he’d do coming into this season
81 mph fastballs and change ups can only get you so far
Well
Maddog has always been a better pitcher and is playing half his games in Pitcher Heaven so it’s that surprising with him
by get swoll yunel on Jun 4, 2008 2:04 PM EDT up reply actions
I'm just trying not to act like all the Dodger fans
that started hating on Juan Pierre even though he was putting up the same stats he’d put up his whole career haha
They certainly showed him a lot of love last Sunday...
When I was at the game. Then again, he did throw a ball into the stands in between every inning, and scored the game-winning run.
No wonder nobody likes you, Tuttle... everything's a (Pujols) damn debate.
Gnortony
Needs to offset HanRam’s homer with one of his own, right now.
No wonder nobody likes you, Tuttle... everything's a (Pujols) damn debate.
Not what I had in mind...
No wonder nobody likes you, Tuttle... everything's a (Pujols) damn debate.
If there’s a Burger King between the start and finish line…McCann.
by Smoltz's Beard on Jun 4, 2008 2:11 PM EDT up reply actions
Wickman wouldn't run.
Unless there’s a save sandwiched in between a hamburger for him.
No wonder nobody likes you, Tuttle... everything's a (Pujols) damn debate.
he will be
a fantastic announcer one day. better than chip.
by jug on Jun 4, 2008 2:18 PM EDT up reply actions
But...
Do YOU have the rights to the Nationwide K-zone???
I didn’t think so, so STFU
No wonder nobody likes you, Tuttle... everything's a (Pujols) damn debate.
no, but in the ONE WRESTLING MATCH i did commentary for, i didn’t get one person who said i sucked. so NYAH
Backyard Wrestling
Doesn’t count…
No wonder nobody likes you, Tuttle... everything's a (Pujols) damn debate.
no, seriously. COMBAT ZONE WRESTLING – “night of infamy V”. i commentated on one match, in front of 300 people, in a real arena. SRSLY. and i’m doing a full show in post-production tonight. MORE SHIT TO ADD TO MY FACEBOOK JOBS LIST!
Can't imagine what that was like
OHMAHGAWWD!
CHAIR!
OHMAHGAWWD!
CHAIR!
OHMAHGAWWD!
CHAIR!
No wonder nobody likes you, Tuttle... everything's a (Pujols) damn debate.
the match featured a guy who does a move called the ASS PUNCH against a guy who’s gimmick is that he’s a nintendo character.
yeah.
OH PUJOLS!
MY GROWLER IS EMPTY! I FORGOT TO BUY BEER!
(just messing with you, Chief)
by jug on Jun 4, 2008 2:28 PM EDT up reply actions
I used to do..PbP
..for a local indy fed in Eugene (since folded) got to call several matches with Road Warrior Animal. Nothing like playing the heel and ripping on the guy…though I know he could squash me like a bug. lol
Honestly...
...it was a dream to call a matches with Animal. One of the coolest guys on the planet. Taught me a lot about the biz, and calling matches.
I wonder which NFL team...
Is going to pick up his kid.
No wonder nobody likes you, Tuttle... everything's a (Pujols) damn debate.
He couldn't...
...stop talking about his kid. At the time, he was still in Highschool and hadn’t decided where he wanted to play college ball.
That's because...
His kid is going to make them both more money than he ever did ‘rasslin…
No wonder nobody likes you, Tuttle... everything's a (Pujols) damn debate.
Every time I look...
...at Alfredo Amezaga, I’m reminded of something between a monchichi and a lucky troll doll.
No wonder nobody likes you, Tuttle... everything's a (Pujols) damn debate.
According to game cast
A pitch right in the center of the donut is considered a ball…
No wonder nobody likes you, Tuttle... everything's a (Pujols) damn debate.
75 through 4. unless he has a SHORT AS SHIT 5th (and with the top of the order coming up, i don’t think so), he’s not getting to 6
So you're Jeff Bennett is coming in in the 6th?
... for his 80th appearance this season
by get swoll yunel on Jun 4, 2008 2:25 PM EDT up reply actions
Just got a chance to see the scoring plays...
...I can’t believe Hanley powered that HR the way he did.
No shit, man, that ball was launched
HanRam is something else…
despite his bizarre preference to hit lead off
by get swoll yunel on Jun 4, 2008 2:24 PM EDT up reply actions
Whoa
Look at Tommy battle.
No wonder nobody likes you, Tuttle... everything's a (Pujols) damn debate.
It was one of those dangerous plays where the centerfielder made a catch on a ball that was pretty much by him.
it was torched, no dive though.
He was at 45 after 3 innings. 67 after 4 innings.
by Smoltz's Beard on Jun 4, 2008 2:31 PM EDT up reply actions
Freebaseballradio
Are any of the feeds doing the game? None of those I can get to work have the game on.
And The Gamecast (note George Bush inspired unnecessary/incorrect usage of “The”) sucks.
Probably it for Tommy...
...can’t complain.
Let’s go some runs for the slew of pitchers it will take to close this one out.
Appears as though I left a word out of that sentence.
by Smoltz's Beard on Jun 4, 2008 2:47 PM EDT up reply actions
Wren...
Reminds me of that guy from Minority Report.
No wonder nobody likes you, Tuttle... everything's a (Pujols) damn debate.
Despite the F8
Francoeur showed some good patience. What gives? I think the news from today has made Francoeur grow up or something.
I’m imagining a scene from the Wonder Years...
Young Francoeur stares glassy-eyed at the Turner Field horizon…
“We got some bad news today. Smoltzie’s gone for the rest of the season. Maybe for… maybe for… and then I realized right then, and there, that baseball was the absolute last thing on my mind. Just go out, and play…”
No wonder nobody likes you, Tuttle... everything's a (Pujols) damn debate.
I'm hoping...
That Tommy’s done for the day.
No wonder nobody likes you, Tuttle... everything's a (Pujols) damn debate.
i wouldn’t be surprised if he loads his shoulder up with cortizone and begs bobby to go back in the pen in october
Nah.
He’ll just learn to pitch left handed.
Interesting
If a scrubby jerk like Wagner can do it, an athlete like Smoltz should be a breeze.
No wonder nobody likes you, Tuttle... everything's a (Pujols) damn debate.
Lefty Smoltz
Personally, I’m an advocate of Lefty Knuckleball Smoltz, who occasionally switches arms to throw some nasty heat
http://youtube.com/watch?v=8U2xkHOTvvw
No wonder nobody likes you, Tuttle... everything's a (Pujols) damn debate.
Boy I hope the pen stays solid.
We need to win as many of these home games as possible.
I sure would love some runs.
Also apparently Boyer will get to bat for himself.
Was that Anderson's first major league hit?
No wonder nobody likes you, Tuttle... everything's a (Pujols) damn debate.
Man.
What if Anderson stole second and then got to third on the bunt. That would be nice.
Great story about Glavine's first ever win
Willie Stargell held the game ball from the game, and in the clubhouse, gave it to Glavine. He told him to give it to his mother, who was in attendance.
Tommy turned the ball over, and there was a message on it – “Hey Mom
...this is the ball from my first fucking major league win.“
Glavine nearly crapped his pants, before Stargell laughed at him and then gave him the real game ball. Ahhh, major league chicanery.
No wonder nobody likes you, Tuttle... everything's a (Pujols) damn debate.
I like Boyer...
...can’t someone come up with a good nickname for him?
At the Braves Power Lunch, someone asked him what Bobby called his since he usually just adds a “Y” to the end. He said he’s not sure why, but he calls him “Boss”.
Which is pretty cool.
Tex is having a good game.
If you like striking out.
He's going for 4/4...
Strikeouts, that is. I don’t know what’s worse. The perfect 4/4 K day, or the Cycle of Suck™ (Strikeout, Groundout, Foul out, Line/Pop/Fly out)
No wonder nobody likes you, Tuttle... everything's a (Pujols) damn debate.
Seems late
on fast balls he’s not mashing…doesn’t seem like off speed pitches are Frenchy frying him
In comes Ohman.
Man he’s pitched a bunch lately.
Wondering
If we’ll see Duggla in PH capacity later on.
No wonder nobody likes you, Tuttle... everything's a (Pujols) damn debate.
Sounds like that call got blown.
Also I’m happy to hear Pete and Skip dogging the ump for blowing a call even if it helped the Braves.
That play...
like the one that went against the Braves earlier this year….so bad, Bobby didn’t even argue it…Freddy no such good decision.
Maybe...
Fredi’s trying to inspire/fire-up his team for the late innings.
No wonder nobody likes you, Tuttle... everything's a (Pujols) damn debate.
I've been trying to remember
the first time i saw him in the late ‘80s – he was a real nuke laloosh type when he came up – tons of heat not much control, and of course there was that other young guy – the lefthander who had been drafted as a hockey player. The braves kept running the two of them out there, and they kept getting pounded, except sometimes not, actually, which was sort of surprising if you followed the braves in the 80s, and then…well, they turned into smoltz and glavine.
I remember those days...
I have a poster of the two of them, each holding a flaming ball in their hand, down to their side.
“Firing Squad” is the title. I want to get them to sign it, one way or the other.
They had a package for him this year
He came out to Prodigy’s Firestarter, but we only really got to see it once, on April 6th.
No wonder nobody likes you, Tuttle... everything's a (Pujols) damn debate.
Alright Manny.
Let’s just make this an easy end of the game. Nothing fancy, just 3 quick outs.
Well
Cue Tom Glavine calmly wishing he had the emotion to throw crap around.
No wonder nobody likes you, Tuttle... everything's a (Pujols) damn debate.
i'm so depressed
i cant believe it. The audio stream dies and ten seconds later they’ve scored a million runs
At least
Boyer gets to keep his hold.
No wonder nobody likes you, Tuttle... everything's a (Pujols) damn debate.
Man. It's getting to be so ridiculous.
If our pen can’t hold the game in the 9th we aren’t ever going to win on the road.
It's evident
The roles have switched. Boyer isn’t the DSP (Designated Sucky Pitcher) anymore, but it’s been passed onto Acosta. By law, a team is not allowed to be without one on the roster at any given time.
No wonder nobody likes you, Tuttle... everything's a (Pujols) damn debate.
Why
the hell was he still pitching? He didn’t do anything but give up hard hits. Also I hate this.
i dont believe this
i’ve never been on the “Anti-Bobby Cox” train before. But I think I might have JUST FUCKING JUMPED ON WHAT THE FUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I can't remember
The last time I saw four earned runs given up in that little time…
No wonder nobody likes you, Tuttle... everything's a (Pujols) damn debate.
its not even worth crying
its beyond tears. Its beyond sad laughter. Its moving to the BREAK STUFF mode.
Well.
Considering we somehow stole 2 wins in the first two games, this was coming.
It ain't over yet guys
we have blanco Escobar and KJ up in the inning with Chip available to pinch hit
Yeah.
That was the biggest shift in winning expectancy I’ve ever seen on fan graphs. Acosta negatively affected our chances of winning by 84%
TOo much credit
When Cody Ross got on base.
No wonder nobody likes you, Tuttle... everything's a (Pujols) damn debate.
or after the first pitch...
...when he realized he’d called in Manny instead of Rafael.
by jug on Jun 4, 2008 6:48 PM EDT up reply actions
Bobby being Bobby
Chalk up another loss on the Bobby column, if all of us can see that Acosta didn’t have it why cant Cox
by Fortune favors the brave(s) on Jun 4, 2008 4:06 PM EDT reply actions
Was Will Ohman incapable of getting one more out?! Yet another stupid decision by fucking Bobby Cox that has cost us another game. God damn it.
- Oh, Bobby. -
All this sucking
Has made my browser crash several times over just now…
No wonder nobody likes you, Tuttle... everything's a (Pujols) damn debate.
Well.
FYF. and I bet it’s the you fuck version.
Great
I can’t wait to see the headline “Marlins stun Braves with 4-run ninth,” with all the alluding to the morning’s events, to rub salt into all these wounds.
No wonder nobody likes you, Tuttle... everything's a (Pujols) damn debate.
Ten says..
Acosta goes on the DL for some unknown reason, but really is just plain sucking.
No wonder nobody likes you, Tuttle... everything's a (Pujols) damn debate.
I'm at a loss for words...
...the power went out in my office so my brother was texting me updates. After 15 mins I left and get a text that we won 4-2. I walked into my house with a big smile on my face, only to see that we fucking lost after Acosta gave up 2 2-run bombs.
WHERE IN FUCK WAS RAFFY?
Probably being Joba Rule'd
No wonder nobody likes you, Tuttle... everything's a (Pujols) damn debate.
Debating
On whether or not I want to go to tomorrow’s game – Chipper may hit #400, but today’s game really stings, along with the events of this morning. Plus, it will probably be hot as balls tomorrow as well.
No wonder nobody likes you, Tuttle... everything's a (Pujols) damn debate.
wow
I think my title today was a bit too prophetic…. if we had a healthy Smoltz he likely would have closed.
A broke Smoltz
rolling the ball over the plate could have done better.
by jug on Jun 4, 2008 6:50 PM EDT up reply actions
I'm disgusted.
It is one thing to blow a save. Happens to the best of them. You come in with a 1 or 2 run lead and blow it. But to not only give up a 2-run game tying homerun you gave up a 2-run game WINNING homerun? Come on. Totally unacceptable. Manny’s numbers are not terrible, but I have not had much confidence in him for a while. And if Raffy is on the roster then why not use him? If he is still hurt then he should be on the DL, IMO.
I’m obviously letting emotions get to me right now, but so many things have me upset right now:
Smoltz’s press conference.
Our road record.
Our record in 1-run games.
Mike Hampton.
Our lack of a closer(?).
I feel like every game we have lost we could have and should have won. Today was no exception. In fact, everyone played pretty well and we took care of a lot of little things, only to have it blown by 1 guy.
Anyway, I’ll calm down. I know things could be worse and we’re not out of anything yet. But right now, I feel so defeated.
Oh, and the Red Sox are on ESPN Wednesday Night Baseball.
I with you.
I haven’t felt this down in a really long time. I just want to go to bed and cry. But, I gotta go be around other people at church, who would think I had lost my mind to be depressed over my favorite player possibly never playing again.
But, I know it will get better.
Keep your chin up…talk to you during tomorrow’s game.
p.s. Red Sox suck.
Dear Bobby,
As manager of the Atlanta Braves you’ve given us success in a way that we’ve never seen before and likely may not see again. You brought us an unprecedented 14 divisional titles in a row and our first World Championship.
We all know you’re a brilliant manager.
But please… Dear dear Lord…please… For the love of all that is holy. Do NOT bring in Chris Reitsma Part II aka Manny A-Cost-Another-close one-in-the-ninth-inning eve again.
I’m sure he’s a nice guy but we have Soriano, who’s not perfect but so much better. Heck I’ll go in and pitch. Just don’t put Manny in there for the ninth!!!
Other than that keep up the good work.
We love you,
JB in ATL
http://bravesblog.net
We really need to win tonight...
...I’m okay with a series victory over the Marlins. A sweep was what I was hoping for, but a series split is completely unacceptable.
Oh, and btw...
...Glavine has pitched 5 quality starts, including 2 other starts where he went 5 innings and gave up less than 2 ERs…yet we are 3-8 in his starts. So for all the people who are pissed about losing that #1 pick…he’s giving us a chance to win this year, which is exactly the reason we got him.
Oh no doubt.
He is not vintage TG, but he is clearly giving us a chance. Yesterday’s game pretty much feels like the epitome of Glavine’s season this year. An early season Boyer blew three games for Tommy, Pittsburgh, Colorado, and Washington. Granted run support wasn’t great in all of those tries. Also, his last start against the Reds he should have won, pitching 6 innings giving up 5 hits and 2 ERs while striking out 5 was a blown in extra innings by Ring. So that is 4 games right there that he did all he could do and somebody else botched it for him.
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