Atlanta Braves Fan Confidence Still Jittery

by gondeee on Jul 20, 2009 9:48 AM EDT

All season long the Atlanta Braves seem to be on a roller coaster of winning and losing. They'll have a good week followed by a bad week, then another good week. They have rarely found any consistency throughout the 2009 season. That inconsistency is also reflected in the weekly poll we take here every Friday at Talking Chop. The Atlanta Braves Fan Confidence Poll is starting to look like an EKG with all its ups and downs.

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I suppose with a good week last week, we can expect a bit of a letdown this week. But, if instead the Braves can manage to win the series against the Giants, then look out, we may see our highest fan confidence of the season.

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I was thinking now would be about the time the Braves would be letting us down again… Here’s hoping the roller coaster doesn’t change directions again.

But if the pattern holds true, that means we’ll take the series against the Marlins and take one or two from the Dodgers in our first series against them.

by award6 on Jul 20, 2009 10:03 AM EDT reply actions

If the Braves were a ship, I’m thinking all the leaks have been plugged up. We are primed for a playoff spot, or at least the Wild Card. Let’s win some games!!!

(self-appointed President of Yunel's Cartel~~~)
"The future is no place to place your better days." - Dave Matthews ~ RIP Roi

by Chief Noc-A-Homa on Jul 20, 2009 11:06 AM EDT reply actions

I’m convinced now, that this poll is reflecting only the following:

1. I approve of this current winning stretch by the MLB club
2. I disapprove of the current losing stretch of the MLB club.

It is ridiculous that it fluctuates so much with every winning streak and losing streak

"Actually, Justin was right."
by bigjoe on May 15, 2009 9:04 AM PDT

by justincredubil02 on Jul 20, 2009 11:20 AM EDT reply actions

people are fickle

by Sparhawk on Jul 20, 2009 12:11 PM EDT up reply actions

Well the winning and losing reflects the inconsistency that gondeee is talking about. Fans want to have confidence in their ball club, so when good things happen, our confidence goes up. That’s our loyalty to the team as a fan. We can say the same thing about how we talked about Frenchy. He did well earlier in the season, and many members on this site were saying things like, “His streak has snapped!” and “Here’s the old Frenchy.” He did good things, so we wanted to have confidence in him. I don’t think this describes how people can be fickle, but how people can be optimistic in hoping their team is improving.

by Gage23 on Jul 20, 2009 12:29 PM EDT up reply actions

Given the perameters of the poll (minor leagues, front office, owners and MLB club), the winning and losing on a week-by-week basis should not have this much effect on the poll. People are voting based on their current emotions of the recent hot or cold streak of the MLB team.

And no, this is not comparable to Frenchy. Most of us here, even when he was doing “well” early on this season were still pointing to the fact that he didn’t take walks, he had no power, and he was chasing pitches out of the zone. Those who were saying that he had “turned a corner” got ridiculed mercilessly.

If, however, your argument is that people who thought Frenchy was a good ballplayer are the same ones who change their opinion drastically from week to week, I can see that. It makes perfect sense.

"Actually, Justin was right."
by bigjoe on May 15, 2009 9:04 AM PDT

by justincredubil02 on Jul 20, 2009 12:59 PM EDT up reply actions

That is sort of my point, and I see what you’re saying, too.

I’d like to know gondee’s take on how people are voting in the polls.

by Gage23 on Jul 20, 2009 1:06 PM EDT up reply actions

I’ve been at a 7/6 all year long.

I’m really digging our team and the current lineup. The Braves are under performing and are capable of much better (hitting and closing out games with the bullpen).

The hitting has been better with the lineup we have. Prado is really lighting a fire for this team. Not sure if he’s a leader or not, since I don’t get to watch most games, but I feel his presence in the starting lineup has been positive.

Bobby just needs to stop over using the bullpen, and the team can drive in run consistently, then we have a playoff caliber team.

The starting pitching has been unreal! Please don’t trade Javy unless we can get away with a major steal.

by Sparhawk on Jul 20, 2009 12:16 PM EDT reply actions

Prado seems to be BFF with every person in the dugout. He seems very outgoing, which is great.

(self-appointed President of Yunel's Cartel~~~)
"The future is no place to place your better days." - Dave Matthews ~ RIP Roi

by Chief Noc-A-Homa on Jul 20, 2009 12:37 PM EDT up reply actions

I have also voted a 7 or 6 in each of the weekly polls so far this season. I am also agree that the moves that have been made to this point have been very solid and very necessary. I think your point regarding the team under performing thus far is the critical point. The team, as is, is solid enough to compete on paper but they just seem to be lacking that killer instinct to put teams away when they have them on the ropes or the confidence that they can and will come back when they fall behind early. They seem to play well with an early lead but what they do in the late innings of close games, either leading or trailing, is going to determine the ultimate success of this team. I am not convinced that they truly believe in themselves as a team yet and until they do they will continue to go through these peaks and valleys.

by Mountngrown on Jul 20, 2009 3:59 PM EDT up reply actions

With Francoeur finally traded, I expect my vote will stay in the 7-8 range the rest of the year regardless of team performance unless Wren either trades away Escobar due to Bobby’s grudge against him or makes a stunning trade for a big bat without giving up the farm. I only voted low for a few weeks because management seemed to be ignoring glaring problems (first Schafer then Francoeur). Now that those have been taken care of, I generally like the position the organization is in.

by redwards95 on Jul 20, 2009 12:39 PM EDT reply actions

I can’t believe we got Church for Francoeur… still in shock. What a steal.

by Gage23 on Jul 20, 2009 12:47 PM EDT reply actions

yeah. I couldn’t believe we got Nate at the time……and then with Frenchy goin to Church, it was like…..huh? woo-hoo!

(self-appointed President of Yunel's Cartel~~~)
"The future is no place to place your better days." - Dave Matthews ~ RIP Roi

by Chief Noc-A-Homa on Jul 20, 2009 1:27 PM EDT up reply actions

Despite overpaying Lowe and signing Garret Anderson, FW is going to get my vote for executive of the year.

1) What exactly did we give up for Vazquez? I can’t even remember. Josh Anderson and Tyler Flowers? Regardless, it looks awesome.

2) Very solid deal on the McLouth trade. He jumped the gun and may have grabbed him at a discount by getting in well before the deadline.

3) Francoeur for Church straight up was brilliant.

4) The deals he didn’t make: trading for Peavy (costing us Escobar, Morton, and Schafer), overpaying for AJ Burnett, any of the stupid Matt Holliday trades that have been discussed.

by Bronn on Jul 20, 2009 2:05 PM EDT up reply actions

I love the moves as well.

at the same time, I was fine over paying a bit for Lowe since the guy is an innings eater.

This team has struggled offensively though, but they appear to be on the right track recently. Does this have anything to do with Pendleton though? I’m not sure, but I’ll be even more excited if Bobby, TP and McDowell all left after this season. If only Glavine or Maddux would want to be a pitching coach for the Bravos. I’m almost not sure about Cry-Baby Glavine anymore since he seems to have had his feelings hurt recently.

by Sparhawk on Jul 20, 2009 2:12 PM EDT up reply actions

Yes.

With the abundence of talent we’ve had lately, these coaches clearly need to be let go.

Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.

by MichaelProcton on Jul 22, 2009 1:39 PM EDT up reply actions

Fan indifferance remedy

Every player, must learn to play as a team.I don’t see true unity between the players.They don’t seem to really like each other,and it shows on the field.The fans see it,and if throwing tomatoes were allowed,the Braves would recieve many rotten ones thrown at them on the field – especially from the rowdy Joe – six – pack don’t give a flip good old boys,who expect them to win every game that they play.These guys,who don’t like losers, really don’t like the way the Braves are playing right now.The GM,needs to do something – and he’d better do it quick.The good ole boys, are getting restless.

by tombuster77 on Jul 20, 2009 3:45 PM EDT reply actions

I must say, I don’t see that at all. As much chatter going on the field that can go on; our guys are usually pretty focued out there. We have some language barriers, but every single dude gets a high five from everybody when he does something good.

Are these guys supposed to be holding hands or something?

(self-appointed President of Yunel's Cartel~~~)
"The future is no place to place your better days." - Dave Matthews ~ RIP Roi

by Chief Noc-A-Homa on Jul 20, 2009 4:00 PM EDT up reply actions

ummm...

what? How in the world do you gather all of that? I have seen nothing but smiles from the dugout between the players. How does it show on the field? The Braves have a winning record in July, so I think you maybe meant to post this about a month and a half ago or something….

"Actually, Justin was right."
by bigjoe on May 15, 2009 9:04 AM PDT

by justincredubil02 on Jul 20, 2009 5:15 PM EDT up reply actions