Rebuilding Year

Most days, if I tune to 680, I am reminded how unlistenable it is. But yesterday the author of the AJC article on the postseason roster was on there…Dave O’Brien, who Belue called ‘a friend of the show”. O’Brien was giving Kincaid a hard time, as well as defending the Braves. But he conceded the Astros strengths and noted that they had four players with more than 24 homers. O’Brien was where I heard the ‘best record since June’ line. He also said it's unfair to bash attendance when the working fans get two days notice as to when the game will be played, and then it's an afternoon game, as well as the no titles since 91 deal.

Not many afternoon drive options on the radio dial…any suggestions? I’m not a big music guy.

When we went to the Phillies game, near the end of Braves BP the Philly pitchers came out to throw in front of us in left field. Wagner stood out, not so much for his small stature, but because he seemed to be throwing hard from his first throw. I wanted to holler at him something about coming to play in Atlanta, but he never came close.

I went and took this test… http://www.humanmetrics.com/cgi-win/JTypes2.asp

Certainly not a lock that the Braves will beat the Astros. In addition to their dominant starting pitching, Houston also has a great closer. Smoltz is hurting, as well as Boyer. Estrada's back is still hurting, and Francoeur is only hitting .225 after his first big month. The bullpen, outfield, and catcher position were overhauled in the middle of the year, and the pen is still quite unreliable. And the Astros have the MLB's best record since June. Even if they beat the Astros, then they must face the Cards, owners of the baseball's best record.

If the Braves don't win the World Series, no one will remember that they weren't picked to make the playoffs, or that they easily won the division despite all the injuries: Jordan, C Jones, Mondesi, Smoltz, Hampton, Thompson, Furcal, Estrada, Franco, Hudson, Boyer, Powell, Devine, Perez. Francoeur even missed some time, and didn't Ramirez miss some starts as well? They won playing 18 rookies, most of whom were called up from Double A a few months into the season. And the Braves' payroll is smaller than most of the other playoff teams.

Rob's take...this was a rebuilding year. A losing season for most teams, but the Braves won 90 games and another division title. Since the 95 Series win, twenty-two teams haven't won the title, and would surely trade places with Atlanta.

Sure would like to go to Thursday's game two, with two future Hall of Famers on the mound. Will's team is practicing. I'm the assistant, and I've missed a few practices already. Matthew wants to go, and Friday's his birthday.