tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11175154.post111322335816086202..comments2024-03-22T05:48:26.129-05:00Comments on Braves & Birds: To quote Yoda, this is why you failMichaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08365733949431139562noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11175154.post-1114873957032691482005-04-30T10:12:00.000-05:002005-04-30T10:12:00.000-05:00Oh Greg McMichael, you took a year off of dads lif...Oh Greg McMichael, you took a year off of dads life.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11175154.post-1113254549519079462005-04-11T16:22:00.000-05:002005-04-11T16:22:00.000-05:00Peace, don't underestimate the importance of Cox's...Peace, don't underestimate the importance of Cox's loyalty to his players. It makes players decide to play in Atlanta for less money and it's a factor in the Braves' ability to squeeze production out of trash heap players. Bobby gets ejected a lot to show his guys that he'll stand up for them.<BR/><BR/>All that said, it does cause him to make suspect decision, like leaving Smoltz in. He's made some truly bad post-season pitching decisions out of loyalty to his guys. Starting Glavine in games 1 and 5 against the Giants in 2002 comes to mind, as does his use of Greg McMichael in '96.Michaelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08365733949431139562noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11175154.post-1113232831253404412005-04-11T10:20:00.000-05:002005-04-11T10:20:00.000-05:00After the 6th inning when Smoltz had 14 Ks, Daniel...After the 6th inning when Smoltz had 14 Ks, Daniel and I discussed whether Cox should allow him to run up his pitch count if he has a chance at 20 Ks. Smoltz resolved that issue by striking out only one in the 7th, making it almost impossible for him to tie the record over the final two innings. Bobby might have wanted Smoltz to break the franchise record of 15 Ks in a game.<BR/><BR/>What Cox does do very well is engender loyalty in his players so that they'll run through a wall for him. His decision to leave Smoltz in probably needs to be viewed in that context.Michaelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08365733949431139562noreply@blogger.com