Braves Report

One of the few bright spots for the Braves this season has been the play of Chipper Jones. Chipper completed the year with a batting average of .364, which was good enough for him to win his first Batting Title. He beat out Albert Pujols, who hit .357.

His .364 average is the highest to win a NL batting title since Barry Bonds hit .370 in 2002. It was the highest to win a Batting Title in either league since Ichiro hit .372 in 2004 to win the AL Batting Title.

He became the first Brave to win the Batting Title since current hitting coach Terry Pendleton hit .319 in 1991. He became the 11^th Brave to win it. He joins the likes of Terry Pendleton (.319 in 1991), Ralph Garr (.353 in 1974), Rico Carty (.366 in 1970), Hank Aaron (.355 in 1959 and .328 in 1956), Ernie Lombardi (.342 in 1938), Rogers Hornsby (.387 in 1928), Hugh Duffy (.440 in 1894), Dan Bouthers (.373 in 1889), Deacon White (.387 in 1877 and .367 in 1875), and Ross Barnes (.425 in 1873 and .432 in 1872).

He is the first switch hitter to win the award since Bill Mueller won the AL Batting Title in 2003 hitting .329. He fell just short of beating Micky Mantle’s record of .365, the highest of any switch hitter in a single season. He was a single hit short of beating that record.

Chipper, as many may recall, hit .400 until June 18^th, 73 games into the season. His lowest average was .356, which came on September 6^th. He had 3 months in which he hit .400 or better; March/April (.410), May (.417), and September (.408). His worst month average wise came in July when he hit just .270.

Congratulations to Chipper Jones, for winning his first Batting Title in his Hall of Fame career.

Ironically the guy whose injury got the snowball started took the hill to close the season out. He pitched well the majority of the starts he had this season. He earned his 9^th quality start in his 13^th start. He pitched 6 innings and allowed 3 runs to cross. He allowed 5 hits and struck out 5 while walking nobody for the first time this year. Jeff Bennett came in to pitch the 7^th and allowed only a single hit in his lone inning of work. Julian Tavarez came in to pitch the 8^th and last frame of the season. He struggled and loaded the bases with no outs, but was able to get out of the jam without giving up a run.

The Braves’ lone run was Brent Lillibridge, who was driven in by Corky Miller, of all people, in the 5^th. Matt Diaz returned to the starting line-up for the first time since May 27^th. He was 0-3 for the game. Josh Anderson continued his push for a job on Opening Day 2009 with a hit. Casey also had a hit, as did Kelly Johnson, who had a pair and hit .429 for the month of September. Chipper pinch hit and was walked. Chipper won the Batting Title. He hit .364 on the year. He beat out Cardinals first baseman, Albert Pujols, who hit .357

Braves lose 1 – 3 and finish the season at 72 – 90.

Next game is on April 6^th, at the Phillies at 1:05 Est.

Braves-Report will cover the off-season. So check back early and often for your Braves fix during the off-season. 

According to Yahoo Sports, the Braves have traded outfielder Mark Kotsay to Boston for a minor league pitcher. Stay with Braves-Report for updates on this breaking news.

What else can be said about this team? They just don’t seem to care anymore and appear to just be going through the motions. I can not ever remember seeing the Braves doing this.

Sunday was just another day at the office. Another game, another loss. Another hitless game for Francoeur.

The offense was able to muster a measly 7 hits. With Martin Prado, making just his 4^th career start at first base, getting 2 hit’s the only Brave to do so. Gregor Blanco got a hit and a RBI, but he struck out in his other 3 Abs. Jojo Reyes saw that the offense want going to help him so he decided to help himself getting himself a hit and a pair of RBIs. The Jones boys, Chipper and Brandon, each got a hit. The remaining hit came from Greg Norton when he pinch hit for Blaine Boyer.

As for the pitching, Jojo started the game. He definetly didn’t have his best outing but he has had worse. He went 5.2 IP. He allowed 9 hits, 6 runs (5 of which were earned), and 4 walks all while striking out a pair of Cardinals. Blaine Boyer came on in the 6^th with 2 on and 2 out, and in 2 pitches got Ryan Ludwick to pop out to end the inning. Manny Acosta made his return from the DL, he pitched 2 innings, allowed a pair of hits and walks, but no runs and struck out one poor soul.

Braves lose yet again, falling to the Cards 6-3.

Next game (or loss) is Tuesday, August 26^th, at 7:00 EST against the Marlins. This game is not nationally televised.

Being the son of a scout has its advantages, like knowing how to play fundamental baseball and being fundamentally sound. Kotchman’s glove is just as good as Teixeira’s. He has a short, but sharp swing. He should be a high average hitter. He possesses power to the gaps which should mature into a 25+ home run thread. He has good plate discipline. His K:BB ratio has taken a turn for the worse after the Angels pressed him to be more aggressive at the plate this year. The main negative on Kotchman is his durability. He has a knack for fluke injuries. His ceiling is that of Todd Helton only with less power. He is under the Braves control through the 2011 season. That will allow the Braves to develop Freddie Freeman. Tomorrow I will examine Stephen Marek, the other player the Braves received in the trade.