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We’re Not Dead Yet
April 11, 2008 – 7:56 amThe sky is falling. The Braves are 0-5 in one run games. They’re tied for last place in the NL East. Rafael Soriano is on the DL. Mike Hampton is again on the DL. Tim Hudson is fighting the flu. John Smoltz has had recurring shoulder issues.
And two games have already been postponed.
I feel like it’s time for me to say the same thing Phillies and Mets fans said last week. It’s not over yet. 9 games into the season, and it’s not over yet.
So without further ado, 5 things that have to happen to kick this thing into shape:
- Blaine Boyer needs to stop giving up home runs. Actually, that goes for the whole bullpen. Out of the seven home runs given up this year by Braves pitchers, six of them are out of the bullpen. And the other one belongs to Chuck James, and he doesn’t count as a starter.
- The bats have got to string together some consecutive hits. Get this ridiculous offense off the ground. That’s ridiculous in a good way. And Mark Teixeira needs to get that .167 average up.
- Jair Jurrjens continues to look good. He got beat up a little in his last start and how he comes back in his next start is crucial. He seems very mature as a 22 year old pitcher so I’m not concerned.
- Bobby Cox needs to get thrown out. Show some enthusiasm, Bobby. Go out there and give some poor umpire the what’s for. It’s fun, it shows everyone you want to win, and the fans and the players need it about now.
- Like our friend Andrew over at The ‘Ropolitans, who recently shaved his beard only to see the Mets go 2-0, I began thinking back about my facial hair and the Braves. Since I started the goatee about a year, year and a half ago, the Braves haven’t made the postseason. So I’m shaving, in hopes that the lack of my facial hair can help the Braves over the next few series - most of which are against the Nationals and Marlins, with the Dodgers mixed in. I will go baby-faced if it helps the Braves.
So there ya have it - we’re not dead yet. Time to keep moving on and win the next few games. Go Bravos!
Tags: Blaine Boyer, Jair Jurrjens, Mark Teixeira
Posted in General |
By Andrew V. on Apr 11, 2008 | Reply
Ah! It’s catching on!!
Shaving for your squad! Let’s go!
By Jonathan on Apr 11, 2008 | Reply
Yep, we’re dead . . . well, if we keep swinging the bats like we have been . . . and keep having the relief pitching that we have been. It’ll all work out though….there’s always next year, folks. Ok, sorry, I had to.
As for shaving……I can grow a full (read: patchy, scraggly, looks like I live on the streets) beard in about 14 weeks…..so maybe I should grow one to support the Braves.
By Jonathan on Apr 11, 2008 | Reply
Oh, and just to clarify, the Nats are actually a half game behind us in the NL East . . . there’s still hope!
By Colin on Apr 11, 2008 | Reply
When I started writing this, they hadn’t lost that game yet. Then I fell asleep on the couch and had to finish the post this morning.
Jonathan, you should grow a beard just so you can shave it. Facial hair changes have been a part of baseball for years.
By Jonathan on Apr 11, 2008 | Reply
No beard for me, especially in the GA summers. Plus it gets really annoying when running.
By BH in LA on Apr 11, 2008 | Reply
Well, I shaved my beard and we got swept by the Rockies, so my lesson is to not shave any more. I’m predicting a 5-1 stretch against the Nats/Fish and I won’t shave until that happens.
I have a question: Is Chuck James our next Kyle Davies? It hurts to ask that question, but I can’t help but see the resemblance.
Oh, you should add a “Andruw would have hit into a Double Play/Struck Out on That One” counter. I think it would be in double digits by now.
By JBinAtl on Apr 11, 2008 | Reply
We’re playing a team that’s lost 7 in a row.
We’re sending Hudson to the mound.
Nationals park with some warmer weather may be a great place to wake the bats up.
Moylan’s been awesome.
I think we’ve got more to be positive about for this weekend series.
Plus last week’s rainout gave us new life. Maybe we need that snow day to get our heads back on straight.
JB
By JBinAtl on Apr 11, 2008 | Reply
And no we’re not even close to dead.
By JBinAtl on Apr 11, 2008 | Reply
and I’m keeping my beard!