12449 For as long as I have been a Braves fan, I have never felt the despair, mixed with anger, as I did during the entirety of the 2008 season. The Braves were just downright awful in 2008 losing 90 games. The season’s disappointment held one hope before the all star break, and that was the hopeful signing of Mark Texieria. Every one knew that the Braves were going to trade him, when they were defiantly out of the playoff running, or they would attempt to resign him. But on July 31, 2007 all hopes of keeping Texieria, were dashed when the Braves traded him, for Casey Kotchman, and a few other players who were insignificant. This move really seemed to sum up how the season was going for the Braves, and to make matters worse was that the new kid the Braves received started out 2-16. Suddenly with the loss of Tex, the Braves players knew that the Braves front office was conceding that they were out of the playoff race. And the Braves players lost heart in the month of August which led to the Braves going 9-19 in that month. Then after 12 losses in December the braves ended the year with 90 losses. Now as the new seasons comes closer to us everyday, I have tried to take an unbiased look at the Braves 2008 season, and look for signs of hope in 2009 and here are a couple things I think contributed to the Braves awfulness in 2008. Mike Gonzalez who had gone down the previous year was still a long ways from being healthy on opening day. 1. 3/21/08 Placed RHP Anthony Lerew on the 60-day disabled list. 2. 3/22/08 Placed INF Omar Infante (recovering from broken hand) on the 15-day disabled list 3. 3/29/08 Placed RHP John Smoltz (right shoulder inflammation) and LHP Chuck James (left shoulder rehabilitation) on the 15-day disabled list, 4. 4/3/08 Placed Mike Hampton on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left pectoral muscle. 5. 4/15/08 Placed RHP Peter Moylan on the 15-day DL. 6. 4/18/08 Placed LHP Tom Glavine on the 15-day disabled list. 7. John Smoltz returned but again on 4/29/08 Placed RHP John Smoltz on the 15-day disabled list. 8. 5/5/08 Transferred RHP Peter Moylan from the 15-day to the 60-day disabled list; Placed INF Martin Prado on the 15-day disabled list with a sprained left thumb. 9. 5/10/08 Placed RHP Buddy Carlyle on the 15-day disabled list. 10. 5/28/08 Placed OF Matt Diaz on the 15-day disabled list with a strained ligament in his left knee; Activated Rafael Soriano from the 15-day disabled list. 11. 5/30/08 Placed OF Mark Kotsay on the 15-disabled list, retroactive to May 26, with lower back soreness. 12. 6/2/08 Activated John Smoltz from the 15-day disabled list and optioned RHP Phil Stockman to Triple-A Richmond. 6/4/08 Placed RHP John Smoltz on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to June 3, with pain in his right shoulder; Recalled RHP Phil Stockman from Triple-A Richmond. 13. 6/10/08 Placed LHP Tom Glavine on the 15-day disabled list with a sore left elbow. 14. 6/14/08 Placed RHP Rafael Soriano on the 15-day disabled list. 15. 7/6/08 Placed RHP Jeff Bennett, RHP Manny Acosta and INF Omar Infante on the 15-day disabled list. 16. 7/7/08 Transferred RHP John Smoltz from the 15-day to the 60-day disabled list. 17. 7/28/08 Placed RHP Tim Hudson on the 15-day disabled list; Placed INF Chipper Jones on the 15-day disabled list. 18. 8/3/08 Placed RHP Rafael Soriano on the 15-day disabled list with right elbow inflammation. 19. 8/15/08 Placed LHP Tom Glavine on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left elbow. Transferred RHP Tim Hudson from the 15-day to the 60-day disabled list 20. 8/19/08 Placed INF Ruben Gotay on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left hamstring. 21. 9/2/08 Transferred OF Matt Diaz and RHP Rafael Soriano to the 60-day disabled list. If you think a team that was plagued with as many injuries as the Braves, can compete in their division, then my friend please go see the doctor, because something is wrong with you. The Braves also had tragedy strike, when long time Braves announcer and voice of the Braves Skip Carey passed away on August 3, 2008. The brave’s awful woes in March may have had something to do with the loss of their long time friend Skip. But looking at 09, the braves will most likely not have to deal with the amount of injuries they did in 08, considering that they parted ways with the guy who seemingly stole money from them, by never pitching, Mike Hampton. And also long time Braves John Smoltz. If the Braves have any hope of contention in possible the toughest division in baseball, which features the world series champion Phillies, the vastly improved Mets who nearly made the playoffs in 08, the gritty Marlins who never give in no matter how little talent or money they have (or fans). And the Atlanta Braves who used to dominate the division but have stumbled on hard times of late. Could this be the year for the Braves? Could they return to the playoffs or even the World Series? Can they avoid the injuries that plagued them last year? Maybe, and Maybe not, because we can speculate all we want during the off season but when opening day comes finally, then all is thrown out the window and the team that plays the hardest and wants it the most will ultimately leave the field with the W. true 2009-01-19T12:48:14Z 77668 1 2009-01-19T16:33:25Z