DBS - - Atlanta Braves 2005 Part Eighteen

Ten Days in Atlanta -NLCS Edition

The final step towards the World Series started poorly as the Braves were shutout by Chris Carpenter, but the Braves then went on to win the next three games, two of which were in St Louis. Game four looked to be the match that would push Atlanta over the top as they came from behind to win in extra innings on the road for a 3-1 series lead. St Louis then took a one-run victory of their own before finding a way to beat up on both John Smoltz and Horacio Ramirez in the final two games for a well-earned comeback and a trip to the World Series.

Some fans and broadcasters are critical of a team who blows a series lead like that, but none of them gave them a chance to even be in this position a couple of months ago. So I see it as a victory to be in the NLCS, but a World Series would have been nice.

I hope you have enjoyed walking this road with myself and the Atlanta Braves. 

@ StL 0-4 L
@ StL 4-3 W
vs StL 2-6 W
vs StL 3-4 W
@ StL 2-3 L
vs StL 10-5 L
@ StL 5-7 L

DBS - - Atlanta Braves 2005 Part Seventeen

Ten Days in Atlanta -NLDS Edition

After the drama of reaching the playoffs, Atlanta continued to win tight games and progress to the next round. Great pitching was the storyline against the Astros. Next up are the playoff favourite St. Louis Cardinals who swept aside the Padres 3-0.

vs HOU 1-3 W
vs HOU 5-1 L

@ HOU 2-1 W
@ HOU 3-2 W

DBS - - Atlanta Braves 2005 Part Sixteen

Ten Twelve Days in Atlanta - Games 151-162 (89-73)

The Braves are in the playoffs! They end the last run of games an incredible 11-1, playing the kind of ball needed to win in the postseason. Three shutouts and five one-run victories means that Atlanta end the season one game above the Phillies and second overall in the National League.

The main reasons for such an amazing end to the season was down to getting those runners in scoring position home on a regular basis along with a talented bullpen. Chris Reitsma and Danny Kolb shared closing duties, picking up six saves in the process.

Andruw Jones is in yet another of my reports, but this time it's for his never say die attitude that has inspired many of his teammates as reported in recent interviews. And even the bad news isn't so bad as the only new injury is to Horacio Ramirez who should miss only game two of the NLDS against the Houston Astros (89-73).

vs PHI 4-5 W
vs PHI 3-0 L
vs PHI 0-4 W

vs FLA 6-8 W
vs FLA 3-9 W
vs FLA 3-4 W

vs COL 0-9 W
vs COL 4-7 W
vs COL 2-3 W

@ FLA 6-0 W
@ FLA 1-0 W
@ FLA 3-2 W

DBS - - Atlanta Braves 2005 Part Fifteen

Ten Days in Atlanta - Games 141-150 (78-72)

This was a fantastic road trip with plenty of offense from Andruw Jones and co. John Smoltz picked up two more wins, shutting out both the Nationals and the Mets, and Roman Colon has also given the rotation a boost after his callup.

The latest injury news is once again involving Andruw Jones who continues to play hurt through a myriad of ailments.

With twelve games to go, the Braves close on on the Phillies with a three-game home stand up next. After that, the Rockies and Mrlins visit before the season comes to a close in Florida.

@ WSH 1-2 L
@ WSH 9-1 W
@ WSH 3-0 W

@ PHI 2-3 L
@ PHI 3-1 W
@ PHI 8-2 W
@ PHI 7-0W

@ NYM 7-0 W
@ NYM 7-1 W
@ NYM 3-6 L

DBS - - Atlanta Braves 2005 Part Fourteen

Ten Days in Atlanta - Games 131-140 (71-69)

The power is back! Even with Chipper Jones done for the year, the Braves have found their big swings again. John Smoltz continues to be unbeatable right now, and the move from shortstop to third base has been an inspired move for Wilson Betemit as he shines as bright as anyone.

The only piece of bad news is a sudden rash of injuries in both Richmond and Mississippi. This leaves the Braves very short on options if anyone on the big club goes down for an extended period.

vs WSH 1-3 W
vs WSH 3-6 W
vs WSH 3-4 W
vs WSH 6-1 L

vs CIN 2-7 W
vs CIN 9-6 L
vs CIN 7-3 L

vs NYM 4-10 W
vs NYM 5-1 L
vs NYM 0-3 W

DBS - - Atlanta Braves 2005 Part Thirteen

Ten Days in Atlanta - Games 121-130 (65-65)

The city of Atlanta has just gone from sheer elation and expectation at making the playoffs, to hoping for a miracle. Chipper Jones returned to lead the Braves to their joint best record over ten games, only to go down injured for the rest of the regular season and the playoffs if the team can get that far.

On the other hand, Brian Jordan has really hit his stride of late and we all hope that will continue, while John Smoltz continues to lead by example with some unbeatable stuff. Mike Hampton has especially taken on board everything he can learn since his callup.

With thirty-two games left and the team back at .500, it will be an uphill battle from here until the end of the season to see if they have any chance of making the postseason.

vs LAD 5-2 L

vs SD 5-0 W
vs SD 2-3 W
vs SD 3-2 L

@ CHC 3-2 W
@ CHC 9-7 W
@ CHC 8-2 W

@ MIL 0-1 L
@ MIL2-0 W
@ MIL 7-2 W

DBS - - Atlanta Braves 2005 Part Twelve

Ten Days in Atlanta - Games 111-120 (58-62)

The Braves get through the injury to Chipper Jones with a 20-20 record thanks to a win over the Dodgers. Victory was inspired by the experienced leadership of Johnny Estrada and John Smoltz, and they were both instrumental throughout this series of games.

More good news as prospect pitcher Kyle Davies performed well after his call up, but Andruw Jones will sit out another game with his injury. Now with Chipper back, there can be one big push for the playoffs.

@ StL 5-1 W
@ StL 0-5 L

vs SF 6-4 L
vs SF 3-5 W
vs SF 2-3 W

vs ARI 3-7 W
vs ARI 3-2 L
vs ARI 8-5 L

vs LAD 8-7 L
vs LAD 2-3 W

DBS - - Atlanta Braves 2005 Part Eleven

Ten Days in Atlanta - Games 101-110 (53-57)

The offense finally dried up halfway with ten games remaining on the injury to Chipper Jones. The area most noticeable is in the power game as homeruns and extra base hits have disappeared, that is until the series against the Reds. Things will only get tougher as Andruw Jones has his reoccurring injury flare up again.

The bullpen is doing well though, but have had very few leads to protect. Elsewhere the team has seen some very strong attendances of late with talk of the playoffs in sight, but that may drop down again after this little spell.

vs WSH 3-0 L
vs WSH 3-0 L

vs PIT 3-2 L
vs PIT 2-0 L
vs PIT 5-2 L
vs PIT 1-9 W

@ CIN 3-9 L
@ CIN 5-1 W
@ CIN 9-7 W

@ StL 2-7 L

DBS - - Atlanta Braves 2005 Part Ten

Ten Days in Atlanta - Games 91-100 (50-50)

The Braves continue to win without the injured Chipper Jones, and are 12-8 without him with another twenty games until he is expected to return. Other injuries are rearing their heads though, with the bench looking the worse for wear right now. But, the bright side is that Atlanta is .500 for the first time since my second report!

This is all down to Atlanta continuing to make the most of runners in scoring position, and Horacio Ramirez remaining the unofficial co-ace of the starting rotation.

@ NYM 2-1 W
@ NYM 7-13 L
@ NYM 0-2 L

@ SF 3-0 W
@ SF 3-8 L
@ SF 5-1 W

@ ARI 8-0 W
@ ARI 4-1 W
@ ARI 2-1 W

vs WSH 5-4 L

DBS - - Atlanta Braves 2005 Part Nine

Ten Days in Atlanta - Games 81-90 (44-46)

Atlanta are closing in on .500 despite the long term injury to Chipper Jones with the offense finding a way to make up for his missing production. A lot of key hits have happened with runners in scoring positions to help out the starters, with Horacio Ramirez the beneficiary of a pair of hard fought additions to his win column.

But, another report another injury. This time Ryan Langerhans has a knock that might need to be looked at in the Winter, but for now he'll continue to play hurt.

@ PHI 5-6 L
@ PHI 3-2 W

vs CHC 2-11 W
vs CHC 2-0 L
vs CHC 3-7 W
vs CHC 5-6 W

vs MIL 2-8 W
vs MIL 3-5 W
vs MIL 7-6 L

@ NYM 4-5 L

DBS - - Atlanta Braves 2005 Part Eight

Ten Days in Atlanta - Games 71-80 (38-42)

An up and down period that showed the lack of clubhouse leadership on the team. Despite this, the veteran play of Julio Franco coupled with the impressive pitching out of the bullpen led the Braves to a 5-5 week. Florida are this seasons bogey team, but we did earn victory in a tough fought series against them.

The biggest reports out of Atlanta are about the latest injury to Chipper Jones and how the team could possibly cope without him for up to forty games. Just when things were getting back on track, this happens. It will take a lot of taking the slack to make up for this loss if the team is to have any hope of playing .500 ball yet alone making the postseason.

vs FLA 6-3 L
vs FLA 4-1 L

vs BAL 6-8 W
vs BAL 2-9 W
vs BAL 8-1 L

@ FLA 5-4 W
@ FLA 0-4 L
@ FLA 2-1 W
@ FLA 3-1 W

@ PHI 2-7 L

DBS - - Atlanta Braves 2005 Part Seven

Ten Days in Atlanta - Games 61-70 (33-37)

We pass the mid point of the season and get another winning record for the past ten games. Terrific offensive output with Marcus Giles leading the way, coupled with the Tim Hudson signing starting to really pay dividends, and just maybe Atlanta are on the way up!

It's not all great news in the rotation however as Horacio Ramirez has picked up an undisclosed injury, but will continue to play through it. Hopefully he doesn't aggravate it further. Elsewhere the minor league callups have not been living up to their hype of late, and Bobby Cox is still not secure in his position as manager, but continued form like this would surely change that.

vs OAK 2-3 W
vs OAK 8-0 L

@ TEX 8-0 W
@ TEX 8-0 W
@ TEX 7-1 W

@ CIN 4-5 L
@ CIN 5-0 W
@ CIN 3-7 L
@ CIN 6-2 W

vs FLA 6-2 L

DBS - - Atlanta Braves 2005 Part Six

Ten Days in Atlanta - Games 51-60 (27-33)

With the news that Bobby Cox had to win seven of the next ten games, the pressure was almost unbearable as we all watched the opening game against the A's with Cox's recent record standing at 6-3. But as silent as it was at times in the stands, not least of all when the tying run scored in the ninth, Turner Field just erupted when the winning run came home in the eleventh inning. The manager lived to fight another day.

Chipper Jones looks like he is back to form after his injury early in the season. It was his leadership and the closing out by Chris Reitsma that saw the Braves claim their best record over ten games. Morale has also taken a boost thanks to three one-run victories in the last four games. The only negative news I have to report on is the injury to Andruw Jones, but he will only miss a single game.

Can the team build on this emotional battle for their skipper, or is it too late to save the season?

@ WSH 1-8 L
@ WSH 8-4 W
@ WSH 2-0 W

@ PIT 0-1 L
@ PIT 3-2 W
@ PIT 9-7 W

vs LAA 0-1 W
vs LAA 9-0 L
vs LAA 3-4 W

vs OAK 7-8 W

DBS - - Atlanta Braves 2005 Part Five

Ten Days in Atlanta - Games 41-50 (20-30)

The media, the fans, maybe now even the players, are all over the manager and the next week could be his last in charge of the Braves as Atlanta has a serious problem with Cox sucking. No amount of shouting and screaming from Bobby could make up for some rather questionable lineup decisions recently.

Mental mistakes were not limited to the dugout as simple defensive plays were botched and the baserunning was almost comical in it's absurdity. The one bright point though is a return to form for the bullpen who defended what leads they had almost perfectly, but John Smoltz will miss his next start in Washington.

The media frenzy in Atlanta is reporting that Bobby Cox needs to win seven of the next ten games if he is to keep his job. I guess with the conclusion of the series against the Nationals, followed by a set in Pittsburgh, he can't ask for a better chance.

@ BOS 3-5 L
@ BOS 0-6 L
@ BOS 2-6 L

vs NYM 1-4 W
vs NYM 7-6 L
vs NYM 2-1 L

vs PHI 3-5 W
vs PHI 14-5 L
vs PHI 3-7 W

@ WSH 2-0 W

DBS - - Atlanta Braves 2005 Part Four

Ten Days in Atlanta - Games 31-40 (16-24)

The Braves picked up one more win than my last report, and they scored more than their opponents again, but they are still eight games below .500 as the struggles on the field and in the clubhouse continue.

Tim Hudson will be MIA through injury until the end of my next report, and morale is reported to have taken yet another hit after the series loss in Los Angeles, losing the last two games by a single run. Atlanta led in both games but Chris Reitsma blew both saves.

On the other side of the plate, walks have almost dried up completely as the offense has taken the decision to swing at pretty much everything coming their way, leading to easy groundouts and a very angry manager. Bobby Cox was ejected in several of the latest  games and it may be this rash behaviour that is moving through the team. Surely things will get better soon?

vs HOU 4-2 L

@ COL 9-2 W
@ COL 1-5 L
@ COL 6-3 W

@ LAD 11-5 W
@ LAD 6-7 L
@ LAD 2-3 L

@ SD 8-12 L
@ SD 0-5 L
@ SD 2-4 L

DBS - - Atlanta Braves 2005 Part Three

Ten Days in Atlanta - Games 21-30 (13-17)

Home cooking isn't what it used to be. An awful stretch of games with three shutouts in a row and a 2-3 record in one-run games.  Part of the reason is the injury to Chipper Jones, as there is an obvious lack of production with just twenty runs scored, and another reason could be the contract negotiations with Chris Reitsma causing a distraction.

With one injury out of the way, another one rears it's head for the second of the Jones boys as Andrew Jones has picked up an undisclosed injury and will continue to play. Inside sources however say he will need surgery and that will have to wait until the season is done. The outfield in general has found itself in a bit of a state with it's defensive duties.

The Atlanta and baseball media has been sharing their thoughts on the roster moves of Bobby Cox, and they all agree he has made some odd choices.


@ NYM 0-1 L
@ NYM 2-1 W

vs StL 2-1 L
vs StL 9-0 L
vs StL 4-0 L

vs FLA 6-0 L
vs FLA 3-4 W

vs HOU 10-8 L
vs HOU 9-3 L
vs HOU 3-2 L

DBS - - Atlanta Braves 2005 Part Two

Ten Days in Atlanta - Games 11-20 (11-9)

A pair of series wins, along with a couple of split decisions, pushes the Braves over .500 for these past ten games and the season. But it may have come at a price, at least short term, as Chipper Jones will miss the next ten games. He has been leading the way so far and without his offense the team may struggle a little.

In better news, Adam LaRoche has been getting a lot of airtime on Baseball Tonight, with the word "star" sprinkled in discussions. I think he needs to perform like this for more than three weeks myself before that word can ever be used! Danny Kolb continues to maintain his breathtaking form, and a couple of batters have been called up from Richmond, slotting in nicely and doing what they need to do. It may be too much to ask if they can cover for Chipper, though.

@ PHI 5-2 W
@ PHI 9-7 W

@ HOU 9-0 W
@ HOU 3-7 L

@ WSH 7-1 W
@ WSH 2-4 L

vs PHI 7-10 W
vs PHI 0-6 W
vs PHI 8-0 L

@ NYM 2-9 L

DBS - - Atlanta Braves 2005 Part One

Ten Days in Atlanta - Games 1-10 (5-5)

This will be my personal account of how Atlanta does this coming season. I will be taking a look at their season and delivering them to you ten games at a time. I am hopeful this is a good sample size to get a good size window for the bigger picture while keeping  focus on the details.

The new season is here and the Braves outscore their opponents 59-39, but it all ends in a 5-5 record through the first ten games. There is also a mixed bag in terms of other news. The bad news is that the farm system is suffering from a sudden rash of injures, several of which could have long-lasting effects. Here's hoping the no-one's career is over before it has begun!

On the brighter side, Chipper Jones has started the season well, pulling along a lot of the younger players with him with his inspiring plays with bat and glove.Tim Hudson and John Thomson have looked outstanding already, and Danny Kolb has been almost lights out when he is asked to come out of the bullpen. If the pitching can stay at this level we won't need to call any survivours from the minor leagues.

Finally, reports out of the dressing room are that morale is high after coming back to gain some victories, most notably in extra-innings down in Florida. So, a good week despite the .500 record and things look very promising going forward!

@ FLA 3-6 L
@ FLA 10-9 W (extra innings)
@ FLA 0-6 L

vs NYM 0-08 W
vs NYM 2-1 L
vs NYM 6-10 W

vs WSH 1-8 W
vs WSH 1-9 W
vs WSH 7-3 L

@ PHI 1-7 L

Dream Season Baseball - Atlanta Braves 2005

Something cheap and cheerful now with Dream Season Baseball, available to download for free at Nailbiter Games along with several other games for various sports. DSB is quick to play and, while the instructions guide you through playing as a single team, I do not see why you could not play through an entire league if you do not mind some extra bookkeeping.

Your team(s) will have four ratings: Offense, Defense/Pitching, X Factor, Manager Rating. The first two are rated in how good the team was in those categories. So for example, Atlanta are 21 for both out of the thirty teams in MLB. The X Factor going 1-8 (7 for ATL) deals with farm systems and intangibles (© Joe Morgan), and the manager is ranked on his job security with 3 being the highest, and 1 indicating that they were fired or very close to it during that season.

You play out blocks of ten games at a time before adjusting the team ratings with dice rolls. The chart you use depends on if you were under .500 during those ten games or not. These charts give you bonuses and penalties for all ratings with a reason for them including injuries.

This has been fun to play and had many interesting twists and turns throughout the year.