Kevin Pate
I’m sure that no one wants to relive the Atlanta Braves poor showing tonight. Fredi Gonzalez was none too pleased and had this to say after the game, courtesy of David O’Brien‘s twitter account:
This was #Braves manager’s postgame presser: “He was pretty good, and we weren’t. And that’s about it, boys. That’s all I’ve got for you.”
All season we have watched a 40 year old play like he is a teenager all the while wondering, “is this the last home run,” “is this the last…” Sunday was a definitive last- Larry Wayne Jones played his last regular season home game for the Atlanta Braves. Atlanta has at least four more games, three in Pittsburgh in the regular season, and at least one playoff game.
Oddly enough, during Chipper Jones weekend, it was not Chipper Jones carrying the Braves. For some fans, this was surely disappointing, but honestly, it should be relieving. All season, those of us covering the team have told you it is not a good thing for the best player on your team to be the guy who will not be here next year. Finally, Atlanta does not need Chipper as their spark- at least not this weekend. Martin Prado, Kris Medlen, Freddie Freeman, Jason Heyward, and Mike Minor were the stories on the field. Atlanta won a record 23 games in which Kris Medlen started on Sunday, Minor’s win on Saturday further highlighted his incredible second half turnaround. Prado, Freeman, and Heyward each stepped up with key RBI to give both pitchers enough run support to get the wins. All of this while Chipper went one for the weekend.
I understand you wanted the Chipper Jones heroics you have become used to over the last 19 years, but your happiness should be in that the Braves can win without him. This was something that I myself was skeptical of at several points during the season. The faces of the Braves as Chipper announced his retirement showed sadness and even doubt. Maybe, just maybe, this was something that this team was not certain of themselves, but now that they are, you may be for a Hall of Fame ending to a first ballot Hall of Fame career.
Photo courtesy of MLB. Click for this and more photos of Chipper Jones weekend.
It was a big week for the old man. He is named to the All-Star team, and later that night has a five hit, four RBI game. He is now within two of the career RBI title for third basemen now held by George Brett, one behind Mike Schmidt. Once again Chipper makes the case for 40 being the new 20!
JONES: 5 HITS AT AGE 40
From Elias: Chipper Jones, age 40, went 5-for-5 in the Braves’ 10-3 home win over the Cubs. The last player over 40 to record five hits in a nine-inning game was Paul Molitor (41), for the Twins on August 8, 1998 against Baltimore. Jones is the oldest Braves player in the modern era (since 1900) to rack up five hits in a game. Johnny Cooney was a slightly younger 40 than Jones when he had five hits for the Boston Braves against the Pirates on May 7, 1941.
Atlanta Braves, Chicago Cubs
JURRJENS WINS WITH UNUSUAL LINE
From Elias: Jair Jurrjens allowed three unearned runs on nine hits in five innings, earning a 10-3 win for the Braves over the Cubs. Since earned runs became an official statistic a century ago, only one other Braves starting pitcher has won without allowing an earned run despite giving up four more hits than innings pitched. Steve Avery allowed 12 hits in 7 2/3 scoreless innings against the Pirates on July 18, 1993.
National League All Star manager Tony Larussa has taken a name of the final ballot by naming Chipper Jones Matt Kemp’s replacement. This announcement comes with two days left to vote for the last roster spot. Which means you have plenty of time to #VoteBourn!
I am really tired of being told “this time it counts” when obviously, the only thing that counts is page views on MLB’s website. If it really counted there would not be so many true All-Stars are left out of the game. No, I am not speaking of Bryce Harper’s so called snub. (I cannot look at the teenager as being snubbed when all three Braves outfielders Martin Prado, Jason Heyward, and Michael Bourn, and Chipper for that matter, have better numbers than he does.) I am speaking of the » Continue reading “MLB All-Star Game Or Homecoming Court?”
That’s right the Atlanta Braves that started the season 0-4, then 5-0, and then…Simply put, the Braves are streakers. Prior to Atlanta new three game win streak, they lost six of seven and went 20 scoreless innings. These streaks are enough to turn your hair gray (at least that is the excuse I am using). » Continue reading “WE’RE GOING STREAKIN’- “Old School” 2012 BRAVES”
Jair Jurrjens was optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett, only an hour after the Braves’ 7-2 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Jurrjens (0-2) gave up nine hits and five earned runs and left without recording an out in the fourth inning.
This was the first time in 42 starts since April 29, 2010 against St. Louis where Jurrjens failed to record a strikeout due to a strained left hamstring.
Braves general manager Frank Wren said in a text message after the announcement, ““We optioned Jair tonight to give him a chance to work through his difficulties at the Triple-A level and hopefully come back ready to help us contend.”
Jurrjens is 0-2 with a 9.37 ERA in four starts. Last year he led the Braves with 13 wins despite two trips to the disabled list and pitched in his first All-Star game. Since the 2011 All-Star break, Jurrjens has lasted five innings or fewer in six starts including all four this season and has allowed 44 earned runs and 79 hits in 57-2/3 innings.» Continue reading “Braves: JJ to Triple A”
Kevin Pate
