Monday, October 11, 2010
real talk about the Atlanta Braves
This team really was surprisingly resilient, so it’s a little shocking and deeply disappointing that they pulled up short in the NLDS. These last two losses were so painful with all the errors, and this might be their worst post-season since 1996. Still, it's hard to feel truly bad about this team. Sure, we can second-guess and say that Kimbrel should’ve pitched to Huff, or that Hernandez should’ve subbed for Conrad in the 8th, or that Glaus should’ve been at third the whole time. But the Braves lost their team leader and Hall of Fame third baseman in August, their sparkplug All-Star second baseman in September, and their All-Star closer in October. It’s surprising they even made it to a game four in the NLDS, and at least now we don’t have to watch them strike out a dozen times against Lincecum on Wednesday. They’re still positioned well going into 2011, and a key outfield trade or signing could put them over the top. It’s a sad way for Bobby to go out, but at least they made the playoffs, and hopefully the next manager will have an entirely different set of weaknesses than the ones that have frustrated us for the last dozen or so years. Tonight's rough, but I'm excited for the off-season to begin and can't wait for spring training.
This team really was surprisingly resilient, so it’s a little shocking and deeply disappointing that they pulled up short in the NLDS. These last two losses were so painful with all the errors, and this might be their worst post-season since 1996. Still, it's hard to feel truly bad about this team. Sure, we can second-guess and say that Kimbrel should’ve pitched to Huff, or that Hernandez should’ve subbed for Conrad in the 8th, or that Glaus should’ve been at third the whole time. But the Braves lost their team leader and Hall of Fame third baseman in August, their sparkplug All-Star second baseman in September, and their All-Star closer in October. It’s surprising they even made it to a game four in the NLDS, and at least now we don’t have to watch them strike out a dozen times against Lincecum on Wednesday. They’re still positioned well going into 2011, and a key outfield trade or signing could put them over the top. It’s a sad way for Bobby to go out, but at least they made the playoffs, and hopefully the next manager will have an entirely different set of weaknesses than the ones that have frustrated us for the last dozen or so years. Tonight's rough, but I'm excited for the off-season to begin and can't wait for spring training.
