Daniel Doyle's Atlanta Braves fan blog

Drop the act Kobe. I'm not buying it.

First there was Jordan. He coined the tongue out of the mouth. He was Mr. Cool. A smooth pump of his fist when he nailed a game winning jumper was all he needed. There was no question of whether it was a genuine reaction. Jordan was all natural.

Next came Tiger. In a sport where serenity and calmness were of the utmost importance, he let emotion run free. Woods perfected the fist-pump and it became an instinct for him everytime an improbable putt fell in the cup. Tiger is all natural.

Now, in the 2009 playoffs, the cameras seem to always find Kobe's scowl. His baracuda like jaw juts forward and a somewhat awkward and painful expression is created. There is a difference in the intensity of an athlete and an athlete looking mad. Kobe looks mad. Kobe is artificial.

Continue reading "Kobe, Please Stop"

I'll put away all sentimental feelings to do this. Which is not easy to do. Because I remember Glavine at his best. I remember Glavine holding the World Series Trophy, reflecting the smile that was on Ted Turner's face, and all of his incredible post season performances. The ease with which Glavine mowed down opposing lineups was matched only by his magician-like teammate Greg Maddux. In the only World Series I have been able to see my Atlanta Braves win, Glavine was named MVP. That is why it is so hard to type the next sentence. The time had come for Glavine to hang it up.

It shouldn't have come to this. Why could he have not just called it a career after his season ended last year with major surgery? He has the same problem that Michael Jordan and Brett Favre is currently having. To quote Chris Brown, "There's never a right time to say goodbye." However it is becoming more and more evident that Glavine's

Continue reading "So Long Tommy Glavine..."

Welcome to Atlanta, where the players play, Nate McLouth. Before I break into another ill-fated attempt at rap, I would like to discuss the most recent Braves acquisition, what Atlanta gave up, and the reaction I have heard from many other Braves fans.

I for one am thrilled about the deal. No doubt a win for Atlanta. McLouth is young (27 years old), has a very good bat (9 HR and 34 RBI already), played a Gold Glove centerfield last year, and is signed through the 2011 season at an incredible bargain with a club option for the 2012 season. While he doesn't have incredible power, the 9 homeruns he has already hit lead the Braves. Bobby Cox has penciled him in the third spot in the lineup, behind Yunel Escobar and directly in front of Chipper Jones, with Brian McCann sliding into the five hole. It is pretty safe to say McLouth will see a better selection of pitches hitting sandwiched between those guys as opposed to Freddy Sanchez and the LaRoche brothers in Pittsburgh. 

Continue reading "Braves acquire Nate McLouth"

Bobby Cox has achieved above and beyond what anyone could have asked for when he took over as the Atlanta Braves skipper in 1990. However, let's look at the reality of the fourteen consecutive division titles. Ted Turner provided the money, John Schuerholz chose the players, and Bobby Cox watched. Sure Cox drew up the lineup card and gave encouragement from the top step of the dugout, but when you have three Cy Young Award winners in your rotation your impact is not felt.

 I am not trying to completely bash the only manager I have ever known for America's team. He was a typical "player's manager" and he always will be. Unfortunately for Cox and the Atlanta Braves organization, they have not had the "players" for the past three years and his managing has been openly scrutinized. The most glaring weakness in his managing has been with the bullpen. Whatever the reason may be, Cox seems to have an obligation to at least one reliever a year that he must get 75 innings out of, blown leads be thrown to the way side. Last year it was Blaine Boyer. He threw the most innings of any reliever on the team (76) and posted an awful 5.88 ERA. In 76 innings Boyer gave up 10 homeruns. That same year, Jair Jurrjens surrendered 11 homeruns in 188 innings.

Continue reading "Bobby Cox's Bullpen"