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| Wednesday, July 12 | |||||
| Braves fans give midseason report | |||||
| We told you what we thought of the Braves' first-half performance, now you've told us. Here is what you had to say about what the Braves have to do in the second half:
They win on starting pitching and they will win again. Just think, in 1991 they were one inning away from winning the World Series with a lineup of Sid Bream, Jeff Blauser, Mark Lemke, and Greg Olson. Their off the field troubles with Rocker and the injury to Smoltz are tough obstacles to overcome and if they can get the opportunity in October, they will cash in. Braves and Yankees in the Series again. Braves in six this time.
Chase Allen Houston If the starting rotation gets more consistent and the bullpen situation settles down they will be just fine. They are still the team to beat, as long as the don't have to play Montreal and Florida too many more times!! Ryan Coday Phoenix I think the overall view was good, but I also read what you said about the Mets. If I'm not mistaken they are the ones chasing us not the other way around. We deserved 4 balls instead of 3. The Mets always get this close, but who is there on top at the end? Hiser Johnston Newport News, Va. I think (Bruce) Chen and (Jason) Marquis should replace (Terry) Mulholland and (John) Berkett in the rotation, and when Luis Rivera comes back, have him close. I think they should trade (Walt) Weiss to someone who needs defense in their lineup (Los Angeles?) for a reliever (Terry Adams?). Lloyd Christmas Aspen, Calif. I believe that some consideration should be made for the first-half MVP to be Andruw Jones. He is staring a career-high year in the face, and with the poor play of newly acquired Reggie Sanders he has picked up the slack in an outfield that has been injury plagued for most of the year. His defensive play alone has saved the Braves at least a run a game and his power numbers are tops on the team. His age is usually a factor that leaves him overlooked by most, but his performance for his age is phenomenal and should be viewed as a compliment. He is to the Braves what (Vladimir) Guerrero is to the Expos, but with a pitching staff of Cy Young winners, he tends to be overshadowed. Stephen Harris Playa Del Rey, Calif. One, (John) Smoltz is out; two, (Kevin) Milwood is struggling; three, (John) Rocker is a distraction and his performance has been spotty at best. Although, (Terry) Mulholland and (John) Burkett have done admirable jobs, they are not Smoltz or the Milwood of last season. Smoltz as a career Brave also adds an intangible element to the team. Although the Braves are hitting well, you can't always out hit a team, especially when your closer decides to walk in winning runs as in the Mets series. Oh, I forgot, number four, injuries to the bullpen. Can we have Neagle back?? Barry Warren Sylvania, Ga. It's almost as if John Schuerholz doesn't want to win. He trades away David Justice because he doesn't get along with him for Kenny Lofton, who leaves following the season anyway. But that doesn't top this year's deal of Ryan Klesko and Bret Boone, for who, Quilvio Veras? The starting pitching will always remain intact, and the lineup has more than its fair share of stars, but there are reasons why this team only has one series ring and I think we're beginning to find out the reasons why. Jason Sleik Seymour, Wis. The Braves need to fire Bobby Cox. Cox no longer commands the respect of the players on the team. Too much going through the motions, not enough fire or emotion from the talent this team has to offer. The one constant from this underachieving team since 1991 has been that with Cox, we are constantly out coached. Never has one man done so little with so much talent. If only Billy Martin were still around. Scott Smith Birmingham, Ala. All in all, I don't see a team that has made it to three of the last five World Series losing the division to a Mets team with little or no postseason experience. When it comes down to it, the Braves will be in first going for yet another pennant on their way to the Fall Classic. Hopefully they will draw the Yankees and finally beat them so all my friends will leave me alone. Raymond Elwell Utica, N.Y. Wonderful how opinions matter. The Braves get a grade of three out of four, while the Mets get a four out of four. Wouldn't it be cool if wins counted for something? Greg Appelbaum Irvine, Calif. Forget about the Rocker episode, he is an A+ and he is clutch in postseason. They just need to get another starter and deal a middle reliever, so they can get leads for Rocker to protect. Casey Unwin Bountiful, Utah It is funny, the last couple of years the Braves flew threw the regular season, not experiencing the problems they are now. Maybe the will get to the post season and fly through it. Chip Litchfield Misawa, Japan Andres Galarraga should be NL comeback player of the year. Robert Small Duluth, Ga. It is ironic that the Braves, who have so depended on pitching the last decade, would have to ride the shoulders of its offense at this point in the season. Yet, they are the Braves and have found ways to win amidst Rockeritis, tendenitis, and increased pressure within the division. I wouldn't be surprised to see Terry Mulholland or John Burkett dealt for a new arm that is a little more dependable and a hitter that is better at hitting in the clutch, possibly Manny Ramirez. John Schuerholz, as we have seen, is not afraid to pull the trigger. The Braves should win their division once again. Roger Smith Fort Worth, Texas If something isn't done about the pitching staff; both starters and bullpen, I believe it is going to be tough in going the 2nd half. Glenn Fraley Taylor, Ark. I think ESPN has overlooked two important factors for the Braves. Quilvio Veras and Rafael Furcal! When Furcal gets back after the All-Star break be prepared to see the explosive speed these two have. I think the biggest surprise to the Braves is how successful Veras is this year. If it wasn't for this guy, the trade from San Diego would have been a huge loss of talent. Get ready to see the Mets behind the Braves by two digit numbers, and get ready for Reggie Sanders to pick it up. Jon Byrd Atlanta Amazing. ESPN still engages in Rocker-bashing, when he is the only reliever in the bullpen performing close to expectations. Rocker erased all concerns with his appearance in New York. The only Brave affected by Rocker's alleged sins is Tom Glavine, who is entirely too sensitive. Biggest disappointment? You gently mention Millwood's nightmare season (which you seemingly blame on Rocker), but you overlook Reggie Sanders. We expected him to hit 0.275, and he disappoints by 100 points. Joel McLemore Duluth, Ga. Oh by the way, don't cast your MVP vote for Piazza, Edmonds, Kent or Guerrero too prematurely. Check Chipper's numbers. He's hitting .320 with 22 home runs, 68 RBI, 59 runs scored and 52 walks. If I remember correctly he was so far from these numbers at the All-Star break that he didn't even make the All-Star team. He had a torrid second half last year and all signs point to a repeat of that this second half. If so then he'll be the MVP. Especially with his impending free agency, you can bet he'll be tearing it up. Joe Wyatt Atlanta Editor's Note: Chipper Jones entered last year's All-Star break hitting .313 with 21 home runs, 57 RBI, 60 runs scored and 64 walks. Get off the Rocker thing already. The media promotes this distraction, not Rocker. What the Braves need is some more consistent pitching and an offense that is less home-run oriented Doug Owens Atlanta I can't believe that you left Reggie Sanders off as the Biggest Disappointment. He is flat out terrible this year. I know he has been good in the past, but man... I would be much happier seeing Bobby Bonilla play left field on a regular basis. I know he does not have the speed or defensive ability that Sanders has, but at least he is not an automatic K at the plate. I think inserting Furcal back in the lineup would more than make up for Sanders speed. Thankfully, Veras has been spectacular, or Schuerholz would be looking really bad for that trade with San Diego. Pietri Freeman Richmond, Va. The Braves will never win another World Series as long as Bobby Cox is their manager. He can't make a lineup, he doesn't know how to use his bench and worst of all he can't keep his players motivated and playing at their peak. Bobby's a great strategist but a horrible leader. Shon Harp Atlanta | ALSO SEE Midseason report: Atlanta Braves MLB midseason reports | ||||