I'm Glad This Is The Last Year of Bobby

The Atlanta Braves currently reside in 1st place, and will continue to do so no matter what happens tonight in Philadelphia. But that isn't the point. The point is, Bobby Cox lost a game his team was winning 10-1 today by doing the usual Bobby Cox nonsense that has likely cost this franchise a couple of extra championships over the years.

Of course, you won't hear that from anyone affiliated with the Braves, certainly not the usual SportSouth team of Chip Caray and the usually excellent Joe Simpson.

With a 10-1 lead, Braves starter Jair Jurrgens started to lose it a little bit, and he gave up 4 runs and it was suddenly 10-5. OK, well that's bound to happen in Coors Field, one of the most ridiculous parks ever due to the thin air and the extremely huge outfield. But, inexplicably, Jair was out there again in the 6th inning. And, inexplicably, he was out there as he continued to struggle. In comes Peter Moylan finally, but he starts walking guys, and before you know it, it's 10-8.

OK, so then things calm down a bit with new pitcher Eric O'Flaherty, and then the dependable Johnny Venters comes in the 7th and mows down Rockies batters. All right, way to go Johnny...now take your shower...oh, wait, you want him to pitch another inning? And wait, after he walks a .201 batter? And then the bases get loaded? He's still in the game after all that?

Players like playing for Bobby because he's a "players manager" but the loyalty goes way too far. Venters should not have started the 8th inning at all, and he definitely shouldn't have been there after he allowed the lead-off walk. The Braves have a million arms down in the bullpen and Bobby Cox wanted to pitch a guy who had not pitched more than 1 inning very much this season to pitch another inning in freaking Coors Field.

Losses like today's 12-10, 11-unanswered-run debacles lie squarely on Bobby's shoulders. I've had enough. There's a lot of good he brings the team, obviously, and the Braves ability to come back has been amazing this year, but when the game requires actual management, the Braves are screwed. If they make the postseason, can't wait for that usual "let's play the game like the regular season" thing the Braves always do.