Anyone have any problems with it this year?  For whatever reason it takes a long time to load and I don't recall having to sign in every time I went on last year.  Just seems a little clunkier and harder to find my way around.  Or I'm an old fool who can't keep up which isn't totally impossible.   Anyway it's still fun to come on to and that series against the Mets was fun, great, and not at all unimportant.  A little bit of a statement made, I think, and it's kind of exciting.

So far so good for us, no?  I don't wish him ill will but he's three for fifteen thus far and I really don't miss those crappy, inning destroying, soul killing at bats.  Nice win today against the Mets.  Sunday's a big day, I think.  One note on overall energy.  Last year I felt like the Mets were always about to score and always about to kick ass.  I really don't feel that from them.  Pedro out is gigantic.  Let's win tomorrow.

The fact that - barring any freak accident between now and tonight - Mike Hampton is starting a regular season game for us.   I can barely believe the words I type. 

What does everyone think?  I think he was dreadful.  That's what he came up with after weeks of preparation?  Added is the fact that Mike Wallace and he are personal friends so the questions were ridiculously soft.  Clemens opens the whole thing by expressing that he's outraged and that he deserves respect?  Ridiculous.  He also said he didn't speak to Mitchell during the investigation on advice from his lawyers and Wallace never asked him WHY!!??  If you have nothing to hide just go talk to Mitchell, answer questions that could be helpful and leave, right? Yet Clemens (of course blaming someone else) refuses to cooperate and Wallace doesn't even ask why?  That's so weak.  Look, maybe he's innocent but he really doesn't appear to be.  If I get accused of something I didn't do I just say I didn't do it.  No outrage, no weird explanations...  Just human nature.  I think he did very poorly and wasn't a very sympathetic character.  What does everyone else think?  Oh yeah, I'm biased because I really dislike Clemens...

All I can say is FINALLY!  I've been so sick of his bulbous, gigantic head and psychotic behavior for years and he's finally been implicated for steroid use.  I've always thought that however obvious it is that Bonds has been a juice-head, it's been just as clear about Clemens.  I really think MLB has been protecting that guy for a long time and - at last - that cocky, classless jerk can face the music.  Cheers.

This is an excerpt on a great piece in the New Yorker about Scott Boras...

... A few months ago, he even called for the invention of a new statistic, the Exceptional Play, or E.P. - a way of rewarding "defensive acumen" that might also be useful ins, say, bolstering the bargaining position of a free-agent star like Andruw Jones, who has suddenly lost his stroke at the plate...

how not psyched must this guy be about the fact that all the big market teams are already out of the playoffs?  (I'm kind of including the Mets, just because...)  Phillies, Cubs, Yankees, LA Angels - and the Cubs and Angels in sweeps. It makes me less sad for some reason that the Braves aren't at the party.  I can't wait until next year...

Does anybody know anything about their payroll mandates for the organization?  I read that they are going to want to cut into the payroll, which could really suck when it comes to acquiring pitching and a centerfielder.  I optimistically thought they would let us go to town and stock up.  Doesn't seem likely.  What would it mean for us?  I mean, Glavine could take a big pay cut - I think so anyway - but what about the rest of the market?  Thoughts?

Sounds sort of exciting, right?  If it was 2002.  Seriously, though... This could be great - maybe James can get his sea-legs again, too - but it also could get ugly really quickly:  There's no reason why we should expect Hampton to be/stay healthy, and  Glavine could very well be more than winding down - and I'm not just saying that because of his Sunday meltdown.  Anyway, these guys could end up being  like Clemens or Randy Johnson this year or something.  Gonzalez will be back, which is great.  Any thoughts on this rotation?  Obviously no guarantee Glavine will be here but I expect he and Smoltz to ride off together, maybe.    

Is it me or was not quite enough made of the fact that Holliday was totally and completely out at home plate?  Just asking all you baseball/Brave fans who can be unbiased.  I heard a lot of "inconclusive" crap about the replay but it's so insane that a call that literally decides an entire regular season was so blown.  The umpire correctly waited to see if Holliday (Sp?) would get up and touch the plate, which he did not, but then just let him off the hook.  So weird.  Wouldv'e been two outs if the right call was made.  The Padres leaders just threw in the towel.  Pathetic.  

It is so pathetic how money-whore Boras is making Andruw talk publicly about wanting to stay in Atlanta and that it's "up to the Braves".  If Andruw hit .275, 40 HR's, and 120 RBI's Boras would already be pitting numerous teams against each other to start climbing to 20 million per and wouldn't even mention the Ol' Braves.  That fact that Boras is using Atlanta as a stalking horse to try to get even a little bit of traction to start the bidding is so lame.  I really don't like that guy.  

"We've got to start playing with a little more passion."

He went on to say that the Met hitters never give up or give in.  I truly believe that these statements are rightfully directed at his teammates.  My biggest gripe with this team - even during the later years of their division dominance - has been a lack of passion.  I see Mets players hugging, cheering, slapping, fist-pumping, etc.  I'm not saying false affectations equal effort, but it would be nice to see some energy from our boys.  The Brave fans - admittedly not the greatest -  are unfairly criticized.  I think we would respond and feed off a little interactive excitement right now.

This trickles down from coaching, I think.  The Mets made Hudson work his ass off and Hudson was not pitching badly.  Our hitters - granted, against a really good pitcher - were useless and still swinging at the first pitch.  Maybe Pendleton and Cox are giving too much freedom, I don't know...

Also, it's clearly not his personality but I think Chipper can step it up a bit in the enthusiasm department.  We get nothing from Andruw in that department, and never have.  I'm looking forward to him leaving, to be honest.  I remember years ago Chipper expressed relief when John Rocker was finally shipped out, and he said that Rocker's rah-rah stuff wasn't in step with the rest of the team's vibe.  Being a jerk aside, I wouldn't mind a little Rocker excitement right now.  

That's really all I can say after this one.  Wick... Well, Mets lost, Phils lost...  Gotta love the optimism.  I guess this is what it's like to back a team steeped in mediocrity as of now.  Maybe it's character building for us all, to have are hearts ripped out on a seemingly nightly basis.  Anyone have some awesomely positive things to say as we head into the weekend?

and one thought.  First, the thought:  I'm really not looking forward to back-to-back starts by Jo-Jo Reyes and Cormier.  And stupid question:  Do we back the Mets in their series against the Padres?  Even though there are 37 games left to play, the Mets just don't seem like they're going to take on a giant losing streak.  With the back of our rotation as is, it seems like it's more realistic to think Wild Card than division champs.  So... Do we hope the Pads lose as often as possible, even against the Mets, or do we always hope the Mets lose with so many games left?  My answer is maybe just a split, or the Pads take two of three.  Nice game last night, seeing the ball fly all over the park.  Hopefully we can continue the offensive output and hope that it makes up for some potential shaky starting pitching over the next few games.

last night.  Played like real contenders and the big boys all contributed and the bullpen... brilliant, pretty much.  I know I say it a  lot but tonight is a huge game.  To leave the northeast with two series wins against the chief competition and really boost the ol' confidence.  Let's see what happens.  I'm really liking this team.  Let's hope we didn't get it together a little too late.

I just returned from Shea Stadium.  Smoltz was great, Chipper was great... A great game between two very good teams.  Now the frustration:  I've been gentle on Andruw and his crappy batting, his .215 Average, etc... BUT... This game was a must win - at least I think so - and a 'superstar' like Andruw absolutely has to get that run home in the ninth and give his team a chance.  He failed, miserably, again, and gave one back to the Mets.  Francuoer, too, (with no outs) but he's played very, very well for us and has been clutch.  Wasn't asking for a HR from Andruw, just getting the ball out there and getting the run in.  Again, Diaz is 11 for 11 in the same situation (something like that) and this was a chance for Andruw to really contribute.  4 1/2 back now instead of 2 1/2. Sorry to be Debbie Downer tonight.  Tomorrow's another day.  

Anyone have an assessment?  We're creeping into the Dog Days where a lot of teams slip away and the cream really begins to rise.  Therefore, I am going to jack up my criticism of my beloved Braves!  Please don't take to much offense!:  It was a tough loss, especially considering the Phils and Mets won.  Nice pitching by James (though he really does keep his pitches up once he hits ninety or so, right?  he got away with a few) We faced a good starter having a great game, and he  pitched Renteria and C. Jones beautifully.  My criticism really lies on Salty who HAS to get that run in.  I know it's baseball and it's tough but I think it was a very poor at bat.  (Did you hear that Diaz was nine for nine in getting the runner home from third with less than two outs?  That really amazing.)  Anyway, the other guys have to kick it up to that level right about now.  Francuoer really delivered with that double and playoff teams don't waste clutch hitting like that.  The Mets are starting to play like the good Mets and we've drifted to four back.  Time to get serious.  I love this time of year when we're in contention and loved watching those late games all week.  Cheers.  

And two out of the wildcard.  With all the doubt and frustration - with the rotation, Andruw's troubles, injuries to Chipper, Smoltz, Gonzalez, et al...  With all this we can't ask to be in a much better place right now. Maybe we can make a push at this in the second half.  And this message board has made it fun, so thanks everyone for the posts.  

This might make me hugely unpopular but just thought I'd bring it up... The TBS 'casters are always seemingly baffled that Murphy isn't inducted and undoubtedly deserving.  Am I totally wrong or am I missing something?  I really dig the guy - During my early years as a fan, in the mid-80's he was the guy I'd check the box-score to see - but I don't think he deserves to get in.  Great guy, great player, I know he's moral and all that but I think his numbers are just too low.  The MVP's are nice but the numbers have changed and if he got in there would be a deluge of lobbying for players with similar or even better numbers.  Fifteen years ago four-hundred was the big number to get in, home runs I mean.  Murph came up short, but don't you think now the number is five-hundred, at least?  Can anyone sway me if you think I'm totally wrong?  

Is there an realistic scenario in which Andruw finishes this season with roughly the same statistics he's put up in the first half and that it ends up that he would be better off signing a one year deal with the Braves to kind of give himself a do-over at his contract year?  Just a thought.  Maybe the Braves could get him below market for a year, Andruw makes adjustments and improves, then everyone wins?  Not a totally original idea on my part, but just thought I'd throw it out there.

So, something continues to be not right with this guy.  I really don't think it's injury as I believe he's learned his lesson from not piping up when he can't pitch (ruining a couple games, maybe both Hudson gems from what I remember?)  He's pitching badly, no confidence, getting behind hitters which is just not how this guy has made his career, which has been staying ahead, throwing strikes...

Anyway, it was a nice couple of series and I really didn't expect to take his one from Dondre Willis anyway, so it was almost a nice surprise (Imagine having Benitez as our closer...  Kind of like days of Kolb)  And Philly took one from the Mets which was important, so we really didn't lose ground.  These next four in LA are big games, I think.  Oh yeah, and I was excited to see Orr on base until I realized he was a pinch runner.  Figured there had to be a some reason he got to first.

This is a good sign, I think.  It'll be a log jam, seemingly, for a while in the East, and we'll probably split - give or take - with the Mets and Phils - so beating the teams like the Nats is essential.  Last year we failed miserably at this.  We'd have a heroic performance by Smoltz against a great team and then drop the very next game against a crap team.  That hurt us a lot, I think.  Anyway, it's nice to win, against anyone.  Of course, Mr. Orr couldn't get a hit tonight but you can't expect all miracles at once.  

Okay... Some positive energy time.   A little gratitude.  We are playing poorly.  I was about to say inconsistently but we are a rung on the ladder lower than inconsistent.  We are playing poorly, BUT...  I like Saltalamacchia at 1st.  Harris hasn't been just a burst of energy then coming back to earth.  He's good.  Kelly J. is getting better.  Chipper is back.  Against all odds Hudson and Smoltz haven't been out on the DL.  

Look, we're not so good right now and we're a game and a half out.  Let's toast to that.  Also, we've managed to stay above five hundred with a c-minus rotation, Gonzalez gone, Wickman deciding to walk people and pitching shaky (when he put two on the other night again... Anyone have Kolb memories?)  
And Andruw in there is like having Rick Mahler batting in the five spot all year... The point is that we could be out of it by now and we're not.  We have life, we have a chance, we can still make a big move for a starter... That's good.  Can anyone else shine a light of gratitude on the present situation?  Thank god the Mets are inexplicably imploding, but I don't think it'll last, just my opinion.

One thing that always bothers me about Bobby C. - and I've said it before - is that he is seemingly unable to cut losses (and players).  Is the terrain of available players out there so desolate that Orr and Woodward and Prado (I know some people on this board like him.  It escapes me why) continue to stay with this team?  They cannot play at this level.  Maybe on some crappy team that wins 65 games, fine, but is this the best we can put out?  It embarrasses me, seeing these guys go out.  NONE of them have an RBI between them since Chipper's been out.  It's really frustrating.  Maybe someone can shed some light on why we still put these guys in the lineup and don't cut them.  Very frustrating.  Thanks.

What are we going to do about starting pitching?  I know Cox sees what we do, but Lerew, Redmond (Sp?) etc., I'm sure they have their abilities but they are not starting pitchers on a team that people say is Top Five in the Majors.  My fear is that - and I think it's starting now - the Mets are going to create space - they're two up now - and we are going to be chasing them without enough arm-power.  Sorry to be negative.  I live in NY, love the Braves, and let me tell you... These Mets are absolutely stacked.  They're  (I HATE them) and if they lose someone, a pitcher say, they'll jump into the market and grab someone great.  The Braves just won't, it seems, and Hudson and Smoltz need help.  Any thoughts, anyone?