Sep 29 2008
Braves wrap up worst season since ‘90 with 90th loss
By Bud L. Ellis
braves.today.com
Astros 3, Braves 1
Top of the Order: The Braves concluded their worst season since 1990 with their 90th loss, ending 2008 with a 72-90 record and finishing in fourth place, 20 games out in the NL East.
The Good: Kelly Johnson finished his blistering September with two more hits, ending the season with hits in 24 of his final 25 games and raising his average to .287. Ruben Gotay had a pinch-hit single. Corky Miller, the absolutely unquestioned worst player in the majors, drove in the only run (of course, he made an out on the play). Brent Lillibridge scored the only run. On the mound, Mike Hampton pitched very well in what was likely his final appearance for the Braves, giving up just four hits and three runs with no walks and five strikeouts in six innings. Jeff Bennett and Julian Tavarez pitched one inning of scoreless relief. Jeff Francoeur threw out two runners on the bases, one at home and one at second base. Matt Diaz made his first appearance since late May, going 0-for-3. And finally, Chipper Jones locked up the NL batting crown, walking in his only plate appearance. Hoss finished the season hitting .364 – the highest mark in the majors – beating Albert Pujols by seven points.
The Bad: Of course, the Braves lost, ending the season in fitting fashion. Atlanta made three errors – Miller (of course he makes an error), Hampton and Lillibridge. Francoeur struck out three times, finishing the season with a .239 average. Mostly, though, the bad news is the season is over. Yeah, I’ve begged for this thing to end for weeks; we all have. But now that it’s over, it sucks. No more Braves games until spring training.
View from the Sports Garage: The TV flipped back and forth between the Brewers’ win over the Cubs and the second installment of Mets Choke In September. Seeing the Brewers get into the playoffs was great; 26 years since Milwaukee last graced the October stage. Of course, seeing the Mets fold up again was fantastic. But somehow, it all felt hollow to me. It wasn’t too long ago that the Braves spent late September celebrating another division title and preparing for October. Now, it’s been three years and counting since the last time Atlanta made the playoffs, and it’s really getting old. When you compare it to a city like Milwaukee, which last made the playoffs in 1982, it seems silly to complain about not going to the playoffs for three years. But still, you play all season long to be one of the eight teams that advances into October. The Braves didn’t make it. And it sucks.
On deck
The offseason
The Skinny: It’s going to be the most interesting offseason the Braves have ever seen, I believe. At least one, if not two, starting pitchers are needed. So, too, is a power-hitting left fielder. Who will be back? Who won’t be? I know this: We’ll be here every day writing about this team from now until it reconvenes at Lake Buena Vista in mid-February (man, that seems like a long, long time from now). Starting Tuesday, we’ll kick off our offseason coverage with a detailed look back at 2008. What went right (not enough). What went wrong (everything else). The key moments in the season, good and bad. We’ll also start examining the roster, player-by-player, looking at their 2008 season and their prospects for 2009. Along the way in October, we’ll keep tabs on former Braves who are in the place the Braves – and all of us – wish we were in: the playoffs.
Thank you so much for making Braves.Today.Com a success in our inaugural season. Make sure to check us out every day during the offseason, as we bring you daily analysis, news and discussion on the Bravos!
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Bud, at least I can say that I am happy it is over with.