The Launching Pad - Latest Comments in Where Did It All Go Wrong?

Re: Where Did It All Go Wrong?

Travis — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 14:37:35 -0000

I was at the game where KJ dropped that pop up and for the rest of their year I bitched about Major Leaguers not catching pop flies with two hands! It isn't KJ's fault, he's a young player and bad things happen sometimes, but I do think that was the starting point of our free fall. Let's go get'em next year, because what else can you say?

Our team was DESTROYED by injuries and then on top of that, someone got inside of Francoeur's head. I think his wifey should stop giving it up, that way he can think about sex while at the plate instead of thinking about striking out. He wants to do good, but you can just see his mind work. He swings at the first pitch far too often, I wonder if the old little league advice of "don't swing till you get two strikes" might work for him. At least then he may have a favorable count because no pitcher is dumb enough to throw him pitches in the zone early in the count.

Here's to 2009, may it be a better year! I will be at the games regardless, go Braves!

One other thing...

Skip Caray, we will miss you!

Re: Where Did It All Go Wrong?

grantmc — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 19:51:26 -0000

I would boil it all down to one word: injuries.

This season has turned into a regular train wreck, and it's like I can't help but keep looking. Here's to retooling and reloading if it can be done this off-season. Could be a slow build to get back to October.

Check out my latest blog for more thoughts like yours.

Good stuff as always,
G-Mc

Re: Where Did It All Go Wrong?

Jan — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 23:48:03 -0000

Yep, I was just reflecting on the KJ dropped pop up in the game against the Phils as I looked in on that stinker tonight with the sound off - did he just whiff that one play when he didn't throw to 1st? or were there more? It was too icky to watch much.

Re: Where Did It All Go Wrong?

USAFCCF — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 17:44:47 -0000

This reminds me of the end of the movie "A bridge too far" when the Generals were discussing what went wrong. That was depressing and this is too......

Re: Where Did It All Go Wrong?

Andrew Vazzano — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 10:37:47 -0000

It might have been those one run games. Take those into account, flip those to wins...and look where you are. Wow, that's actually kinda scary.

Hate to say it, but last night was fun. Thank you for handing the Mets that game on a silver platter.

;)

Re: Where Did It All Go Wrong?

Bud — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 22:39:01 -0000

JB, very well done. For what it's worth, to me the KJ pop-up-drop was the turning point, if you have to point to one moment. That started a horrendous week that ended with Jeff Ridgway hitting a batter with the bases loaded to force in the game-winning run in extras at Wrigley. KJ and Ridgway, the bookends to a six-game losing streak where the cart began careening down the cliff toward nowhere.

Indeed, I believe baseball runs in cycles, and I still remain optimistic this downturn won't last too long. Too much talent in place, but gotta go add some key pieces to the puzzle to make sure the Braves don't suffer through this type of season in 2009 ...

Wait. There will NEVER be another season like this, not with all the injuries, not with all the one-run losses (another one tonight, on the road of course). This team has invented about 15 new, agonizing ways to lose close games. It's been tough to watch.

Makes you appreciate 1991-2005, doesn't it.

Again, great post. Very well written and spot-on.

Bud.
http://braves.today.com

Re: Where Did It All Go Wrong?

Dave Doyle — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 19:30:47 -0000

Nicely done JB. The good news is that Tom Glavine isn't "devastated" by the Braves having a wasted season.

Re: Where Did It All Go Wrong?

Todd — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 15:58:38 -0000

At least we are better than the Nats

Re: Where Did It All Go Wrong?

launchpadder — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 13:24:02 -0000

Thanks, Dan. With a DL roster like this one I was bound to forget at least one player.

Re: Where Did It All Go Wrong?

Danny Thornton — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 13:21:30 -0000

JB, all great points. The aging staff was an issue in the beginning. The Braves use to be so good at have good young pitching and I do not know the last time I saw a dominate steve avery or tom glavine come from the minors to take the pitching world by storm.

As for hurt braves, do not forget Yunel.