The Marlins are Idiots

Okay, maybe that's a little harsh, but word came down not too long ago that the Florida Marlins have agreed to trade Dan Uggla to the Atlanta Braves for infielder Omar Infante and and reliever Mike Dunn.  I think the Braves got the better end of this deal.  Infante had a nice season, but he's no Uggla.  And, Dunn? Well, honestly, I have no idea who he is in the first place.

So, why are the Marlins idiots?  You don't trade one of your best players to a team in the division... you know, one of the first teams that you have to beat over the course of the season.  Okay... maybe it worked out for the Philadelphia Eagles, who traded Donovan McNabb to the Redskins... but the Redskins didn't just make the playoffs like the Braves did.

But perhaps the greatest part in all of this is Mark Bowman's tweet on the situation.

@mlbbowmanMark Bowman

#Braves appear to very close to nearing deal for Dan Uggla.

35 minutes ago via web Favorite Retweet Reply

That's right, the Braves were indeed "very close to nearing a deal."  This guy's a writer?  Geez!

Bobby Cox Goes Out in Style

Long time manager of the Atlanta Braves appeared in his final game when the Braves lost 3-2 to the Giants in Game 4 of the NLDS.

I was going to putting a touching tribute to Bobby starting with It's So Hard to Say Goodbye by Boyz II Men.... then I came across this clip of Willie singing it.... and well.... it just fits so much better with the rest of what's going on here at BLB.  I'm not really sure why Willie is wearing what he's wearing.... just embrace the serenade as you view the pictures of Bobby.

                              
                             
                            

The only fitting way to end this post is to say something that Bobby has heard a record number of times, "You're outta here!"

Giants Advance to NLCS

The San Francisco Giants have advanced to the NLCS by virtue of another 3-2 victory over the Atlanta Braves.  One thing is for sure about this year's NLCS - there probably isn't going to be a lot of runs scored. The Giants and the Phillies have put together phenomenal pitching performances so far this postseason, led by Roy Halladay and Tim Lincecum.

I think that I'll be rooting for the Phillies in this particular series.  Not so much because I like their mascot better than the Giants' mascot, but because I can't stand Tim Lincecum.  For a stoner, girly-haired, foul-mouthed pitcher, he's pretty good, but I can't root for a guy who has absolutely no control over his language.  To get an idea of what I'm talking about, you can check out this highlight from mlb.com (he's the girly-haired dude whose profanity doesn't get drowned out by the fan noise), or jump back to this post.

Braves Win NL Wild Card

If the Giants defeating the Padres no longer put them in the discussion as the "feel good" story of 2010, then that means the Braves now have that distinction, as this will be long time manager Bobby Cox's last chance to blow it in the postseason for the first time since 2005.

Speaking of Cox, here's your first picture.  It's Bobby Cox... arguing with an umpire.  I'd like to imagine that the conversation went like this:

Cox: Where do you want to go to dinner tonight?
Ump: How 'bout that new barbeque place?
Cox: You mean the one that's straight ahead?
Ump: No, the one off to the right.

I like BBQ restaurants....

For your bonus picture, here's Braves rookie Jason Heyward, whose hands are so huge that he gives "sevens" instead of "fives" in the postgame.  Seriously, look at how large his hands are.

Matt Diaz is Straight Trippin', Yo!

Ever since this incident:

The police have not been allowed on the field at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia.  Consequently, when someone does decide to be an idiot and runs out onto the field, Citizens Bank Park security are the ones who have to chase him/her down.  They, as you'll see in the clip below, aren't all that effective at "running."

That's where Braves outfielder Matt Diaz comes in.  Diaz had clearly seen enough of this clown in a red suit, and decided to pull a dirty soccer move on him.



Rumor has it, as the Braves are slowly playing themselves out of playoff contention, Diaz has been contacted by Citizens Bank Park security for a postseason position.

Lincecum Digs Deep

In a game against the Braves last week, Giants starter Tim Lincecum was starting to get a little hungry.  In the fifth inning, he stopped for a bite to eat while the Giants were batting.

Apparently, the extra fuel didn't help.  Timmy gave up what would be the winning run the next inning.

Thanks to Deadspin for the picture.

Ankiel/Farnsworth Could Teach Dunn Something

Rick Ankiel and Kyle Farnsworth were traded to the Braves at the deadline, and according to a report by Mark Bowman on MLB.com, they "gladly welcomes the opportunity to spend the next two months playing meaningful games with the Braves."

As one tweet put it - the Braves were falling in line with the "You Break It, You Buy It" philosophy by picking up Ankiel who lost his control as a pitcher in the 2000 NLDS against the Braves.  More importantly, however, buried deep within this "no-duh" opening sentence is a point to which Adam Dunn should pay close attention.

If you'll remember, Dunn is mildly upset that the Nationals have yet to offer him a contract extension this season, even though, apparently, his camp made an initial offer during spring training.  I think what he fails to realize is that by signing a contract extension, he is contractually obligated to play in Washington on the Nationals - a place that has not seen, nor will see, significant baseball in the last two months of the season for several years.

Of course, if he does sign a contract extension, he could be a major topic of discussion every season when the end of July rolls around.  Hmmmm.... maybe he IS a genius!

Tigers Girl-fight Their Way to Rout of Braves

On Sunday, the Tigers and Braves met in Atlanta and the Tigers proceeded to girl-fight their way to a 10-4 victory.  The Tigers scratched out (get it?) 16 singles as a part of their 17-hit barrage against starter Tommy Hanson and 3 relievers.  The one blight on the Tigers quest for singles perfection was a home run.  Manager Jim Leyland was ejected for the game for running out on the field after RF Brennan Boesch screwed up the whole thing by hitting a 2 run HR in the 5th inning.

Leyland on the incident: "I was pissed.  We just scored five runs the previous inning by hitting singles, and this jerk has to show up his entire team by putting one in the seats?  We could've had a perfect game!"