Cox: Heyward taking way too many pitches

Coach K

April 28th, 2010
1:32 am

Heyward is the least of our concerns right now. McCann has done next to nothing clutch all year. McLouth sucks. Look at those to left handed hitters before singling out Heyward, Cox. Come on.

is30303

April 28th, 2010
1:41 am

Its April. . . Cox made the comment so Heyward can make adjustments. There are reports showing that Heyward is having problems with changeups on the inside.

the veterans don’t need to be told how to hit. they just need to do it. These guys will be fine. Will they be all stars? no? but will they continue to hit 200? absolutely not. And please don’t call him McLousy or Melk Dud . . . thats just so unoriginal.

Please don’t say KK is garbage either: he gets no run support (sub 4 era and 12 loses last year) he has give up 2, 4, 3 runs so far this year and has three loses. he isn’t our problem.

My suggestion: can we get Don Baylor back next year, if he is healthy and willing to be the hitting coach. That man was a pretty good influence in 1999. Terry maybe a good coach but it doesn’t show.

While Your at It

April 28th, 2010
1:47 am

Bobby please talk to McClouth and tell him to please take the bat off his shoulders before he goes down 0-2 EVERY time he is at the plate…oh yeah and FIRE FIRE FIRE FIRE TERRY Pendleton……

Chucktown38

April 28th, 2010
1:55 am

Building up Hayward into some kind of wonder boy because he started out great and look you have to eat your words.This kid will be a great player just not right now.

Play The Youth!

April 28th, 2010
1:58 am

Chucktown38 – No one will be a great player under these coaches.

is30303

April 28th, 2010
2:01 am

Bobby Cox is not the problem either. There are a handful of managers in the HISTORY of the game better than him. He may have lost a step compared to a few years ago and he’s reluctance to let his guys steal bases is frustrating. He leaves his pitcher in there too long (but he’s not as bad as to ignore common sense like Dusty Baker or Grady Little). He doesn’t abuse his bullpen contrary to what people think (Tony LaRussa, now that guy abuses his pen). He doesn’t wait for the long ball either, he’s just waiting for someone to get a hit. . . poor guy is like us in that regards. Still I can’t think of one guy i’d take over bobby cox over the course of a long season. . .

Next year, bobby will get a phone call from 29 different teams asking him to work for them. So lets get off the ‘fire bobby cox thing’, it makes you look stupid (as in you don’t know anything about baseball).

Bobby got teams into the World Series that had no business being in the playoffs (that 1999 squad was a joke – Lockhart and Ozzie Guillen were the DH at one time- against a Yankees squad with five or six confirmed steroid users). The teams in the early part of the last decade had no business winning the division as the Mets and Philis had better players.

Look at the roster the last few years and its sad what a lack of funds has done. If Ted Turner owned the Braves, Texeria would still be a brave. As would a couple other players. bobby has this team in the hunt for a playoff spot every september and i don’t think thats just by luck.

Play The Youth!

April 28th, 2010
2:03 am

Schafer – CF (when back)
Prado – 2B
Esco – SS
McCann – C
Heyward – RF
Freeman – 1B
Infante – 3B
Blanco / Diaz – LF

Make trades now for the future and let the stars of tomorrow get used to playing together like the 1990 team did before everything turned around.

David

April 28th, 2010
2:11 am

the 1991 team had quite a few players that were left for dead, as i recall…

is30303

April 28th, 2010
2:12 am

no offense but i’d take McLouth over Schafer. Schafer proved he isn’t ready. beside if Schafer comes up he shouldn’t hit lead off.

McLouth is a 260 career hitter but has never stuck out over a 100 times in his career. what does that mean? it means he puts the ball in play which is what you want from your lead off guy. McLouth is an experienced lead off hitter and he needs to be there even if he struggles – its a comfort thing too with these guys. Superstitions, routines, etc. its not good to mix it up.

Freeman is in the minors for a reason. rush him up here and you get a rookie who’s going to try too hard and struggle (delay his development. . . just like Jordon Schafer last year). Makes no sense. I’d try Hinske or Omar at first base and give Glaus a break.

is30303

April 28th, 2010
2:19 am

um that 91 team wouldn’t make the playoffs if it wasn’t for . . . wait for it. . . Bobby Cox.

Bobby put Fransico Cabrera up to pinch hit. . . . I think Cabrera was our third backup catcher or something like that. there was absolutely no reason to put him out there with a limp sid bream out on the bases.

Justice, TP, Deon: the best players other than them you had . . . Sid Bream, Blauser, Greg Olson. Belliard. Lemke. Otis Nixon. . . like the guy said – players left for dead from other teams

David

April 28th, 2010
2:27 am

So, why does Pendleton still have a job? Is Heyward going to be the next prospect he kills? How many players have come through the system, seemed to be the next big thing, and as soon as they were under Pendleton full-time, flopped or steadily declined. And the reason I blame it on Pendleton, look at Kelly Johnson and Jeff Francoeur. Immediate improvement after getting away from him. The offense has been playing horribly for the past few years. Yes, there have been some bright spots here and there, but if you had to look at the overall results, it is not pretty.

The time has come for drastic changes. A new hitting coach would top the list.

is30303

April 28th, 2010
2:29 am

my bad.

Tom Glavine, Ron Gant, Blauser broke in in 1987 lemke in 88
Justice and Brian Hunter came up in 1991 and we got deion that year from the yankees (right?)

Blauser and Sid bream from the pirates
Greg Olson and Otis Nixon from . .. .

Mike

April 28th, 2010
2:37 am

This should be the least of Bobby worries it sad to me he talks about Heyward but when Cabrera or Glaus or Mcclouth goes 0 – 30 he doesn’t say anything give the kid a break he works the count well but it’s just not going his way it’s a learning curve give him a break.

Play The Youth!

April 28th, 2010
2:44 am

is30303 – You a new Braves fan?

The Cabrera pinch hit was 1992 and Justice came up in 89 with full season in 1990. Not going to argue that Bobby was not the man back in the day. He was but that was 20 years ago. No one is trying to take away from his accomplishments (at least Im not). Just think his magic is done in Atlanta.

It’s like watching Ozzy Osbourne still trying to rock Crazy Train. Sad.

is30303

April 28th, 2010
2:48 am

nah, man, been watching the braves for along time. sorry my facts aren’t straight. its like 3 am and i’m going off the top of my head.

bobby’s not done yet. . like jordon wasn’t done when he retired from the bulls. just not the same guy

in any case, back to the modern era:
i think bobby lost us the playoff last year in that Marlins series in September when he brought in Medlen three days in a row and left him too long. He’s clearly not the same guy but he’s better than most guys who are managing right now.

Play The Youth!

April 28th, 2010
2:54 am

Young Braves from 1990 that made a difference in 1991

David Justice
John Smoltz
Tom Glavine
Steve Avery
Mike Stanton
Kent Merker
Mark Lemke
Jeff Blauser
Ron Gant

We have young talent now that I would prefer to see on the field losing than whats going on now. Let them gel together and get some real chemistry going for next season. Not like this store bought fake chemistry we heard so much about during spring training. How is that working out?

Play the youth!

And before anyone makes the Bobby Cox had a lot to do with 1991 response…. I know! And what was he? A new manager! Even though a re-hire. Just proves that change is good and I am looking forward to 2011 with the right manager. None of Bobby’s boys.

Richard Nieh

April 28th, 2010
2:54 am

I hope they don’t mess him up. I really don’t like the way TP handling his hitters. I think taking the first pitch is ok but he needs to make sure he can hit other pitches. Especially with two strikes. He needs a defensive swing for the breaking ball. If he cannot do that, he will never get a good pitch to hit.

is30303

April 28th, 2010
2:55 am

actually watching ozzie osbourne do anything is kinda sad . . . the man snorted ants and bit the head off a bat. . . now he’s just a mumbling old man on tv.

Play The Youth!

April 28th, 2010
3:00 am

is30303 – I hear ya man. Im a night person though. We agree on Bobby was a great manager and could take another team to the playoffs with his knowledge. Just dont see it with this team or ever again in Atlanta. Even he could use a change of scenery and think it would be awesome if he pulls a Torre taking another team to the playoffs. Later!

is30303

April 28th, 2010
3:11 am

Play the Youth:

if that bobby pulls a torre . . . now that would be great especially how their history intertwines.

i’m with you on playing the kids though. it worked out in 2005 (what 18 rookies that year) and they won the division. i think Freeman gets called up regardless sometime this season. i just don’t see glaus or chipper staying healthy. Hinske and Omar are good backups but I still think Freeman is in the lineup hitting 8th come August.

i just think its too early in the season to make the move and schafer is not the answer at lead off.

i really want to see someone come up with a list of better hitting coaches so we can start calling for a replacement instead of just yapping about firing terry. i think its a problem when bobby is saying heyward needs to adjust his hitting strategy when terry is the hitting coach. what is terry doing anyway? is he working with the hitters? it doesn’t sound like he is. . .

Mike Hunt

April 28th, 2010
4:15 am

It’s April (barely, but still is) and the Braves are looking like a goner already. Current ownership structure has doomed the team’s chances for success now and as long as they own the team. The Braves will never be more than mediocre under this regime and often (like now) they will be worse than mediocre (i.e., $hitty).

Mafia

April 28th, 2010
4:44 am

is, Schafer got hurt the 3rd game of the year so I don’t really know what to expect from him. He would definitely have still whiffed a lot but probably not THAT much. He’ll spend some time in AAA for the first time ever after he’s fully recovered so hopefully that will make his transition easier. And I agree on paper, you have to go with McLouth. But I think we gotta try something new. Hopefully it won’t be an issue. Hopefully by the time Schafer is ready in June/July McLouth will be himself again.

avocado

April 28th, 2010
5:05 am

Won’t get anywhere until the junkyard mentality at the top is changed, guys. The bull in the china shop at the top is where the problem begins. He apparently is incapable of recognizing a player he ought to keep. He seems to like looking for treasure in someone else’s backyard when his own has been ignored. And I’m beginning to question the “team culture”, suspecting it too, may be victim of breakage by the bull. Logic would seem to indicate that pieces of broken china fall down from the guy on top, yes?

CarolinaBrave

April 28th, 2010
5:33 am

I have been a Braves fan for many, many years and it always seems to be something not quite right with each team for the last 5 years. When there was no pitching, the offense was just enough to get 80 something wins. When the pitching got better, the bats went away. However, this team would have been better to stand pat than to do anything in the off season. I think the team of last year would have had a better record than 8-11 at this point in the season. I understand the reason of not signing LaRoche because of his usual slow start, but what do you call 5 players around .200???? I was hopping for a 94-68 year too and a trip to the post season.

Dwayne

April 28th, 2010
5:55 am

Terry Pendleton has got to go….any where. He can take Booby Cox with him too. Anyone who knows anything can see it. Look at the numbers since TP became hitting coach, for lack of a better term. Maybe he should be the NON-hitting coach.

Bye Bye Bobby

April 28th, 2010
6:00 am

I agree with others that Terry Pendleton needs to go. Of course, there will be a movement by H. Aaron and others that he should be the next manager. I guess anyone would be better than Bobby right now and at least we would have to get a new hitting coach if Pendleton is named manager.

Loyal Homer

April 28th, 2010
6:08 am

Some are still saying that he shouldn’t have made the opening day roster.

http://thesportsdebates.com/2010/04/27/the-mlb-phenom-call-up-debate%E2%80%A6-better-later-than-now/

Loyal Homer

April 28th, 2010
6:09 am

I obviously disagree

http://thesportsdebates.com/2010/04/27/the-mlb-phenom-call-up-debate%E2%80%A6-the-future-is-now/

Born2Buzz

April 28th, 2010
6:13 am

They are not going to fire Bobby in his last season. But a few more losses means something has to change. Will Pendleton be the sacrificial lamb?
It”s going to be a long sad season.

san diego dawg

April 28th, 2010
6:18 am

First I have to say that I can’t believe the Padres have a better record than the Braves. Sad times in the ATL. Anyway, we don’t exactly know when Heyward is green lighted to swing away or when he gets the take sign. I appreciate the discipline he has shown early in his career but now may be the time to let him jump on some first pitch fastballs and let him swing away on a 3-0 pitch. This team needs a spark. It is time for everyone to be aggressive at the plate.

MR

April 28th, 2010
7:09 am

We know why he is taking so many pitches. He has been working with TP. I noticed a shot on TV of Heyward standing next to TP discussing the situation. They should keep this kid away from TP. If the Braves won’t fire him then they should relegate him to the bullpen. As to Mr. Cox, he had a lineup that was being productive so he changed it. Now no one is hitting. This team will not be a winner until Cox and the entire coaching staff is history. BUT, we know what is going to happen. TP will become the new Manager because he will work for chump change. This team has talent but no management. I hope they finish dead last in Cox’s final year, he deserves it.

El Bravo

April 28th, 2010
7:13 am

And this is the problem with anointing a 20 year old kid as the savior. 2 weeks ago patience was his greatest asset but now he struggles and patience turns out to be the problem. This is a bit troublesome. Coaches at this level are more interested in Ws rather than the player’s personal development. My fear is that TP et all will mess up with this kid’s batting eye and patience and we will end up having a true disaster of a year…

Matt

April 28th, 2010
7:29 am

Bobby-Please don’t talk to, look at, or otherwise screw up J-Hey. You are going to be gone next year and don’t need to be messing with the future of this franchise!! (Oh yeah, and your track record with hitting coaches and hitters in general over the last few years STINKS!!)

Smackerel

April 28th, 2010
7:31 am

Heyward is having good at bats against lefty pitching, but has not come up with the hits. In two ab’s last night, including the ab where he struck out looking with the bases loaded, he stayed back and crushed balls with home run distance but foul off lefties. He has a short swing, is quick to the ball, stays back, has great balance and plate coverage, and an outstanding eye for the strike zone. In the critical ab last night, he was facing a very accomplished left handed veteran who is 37 years old who had an ERA last year in the 2’s. Give the pitcher some credit.

Phil

April 28th, 2010
7:42 am

“Next year, bobby will get a phone call from 29 different teams asking him to work for them.”

This is probably the most laughable statement I have ever seen on here. Nobody wants that clown. Did you know Cox has never been on an All Star game coaching staff except when the Braves made it to the World Series the previous year? That’s the only way he ever made it.

Other than that, no other manager has ever “asked Cox for help” in an All Star game. He’s a moron and everybody around the league knows it.

jack

April 28th, 2010
7:42 am

it did not take long for T. p. to mess up heywood did it

jerry

April 28th, 2010
7:48 am

A pretty safe prediction: The “Hinske Streak” ends with the Braves.

Phil

April 28th, 2010
7:49 am

Good one jack,
I was hoping Heyward could survive this last year of TP and Cox before they ruined him. The sooner they are out the door the better.

Clay

April 28th, 2010
7:50 am

Uh oh, when Bobby and TP get through with Jason, he’ll be back in Durham (AA). . .

dap01

April 28th, 2010
7:53 am

Jason is the least of Cox’s worries. He is the most productive hitter in the lineup. He probably should be at AAA. Cox should be at AAA. The entire lineup would be lucky to be at AAA.

The Braves stink. They are poorly focused. They are poorly prepared. They play poorly managed games. They know the fundamentals poorly.

Perhaps Heyward should critique Cox. I know I do.

Skeezix

April 28th, 2010
7:54 am

I was troubled by those six straight losses at the end of 2009. If you combine them with the first 20 games of 2010, the Braves have lost 18 out of their last 26. Nothing serious was done in the off season to adddress the anemic offense, and so we continue to lose despite great pitching. The only team in MLB with a worst record this year–Baltimore–where Wren last worked. But, it is early and we need to give this team 50 games to make a fair assessment about 2010.

We need to be realistic about the talented Heyward- he will need a large chunk of this season to adjust to MLB pitching. Once he figures it out though, he is going to light it up.

Phil

April 28th, 2010
7:55 am

Cox telling Heyward he’s taking too many picthes. Yea, heaven forbid if Jason works the count and makes the opposing pitcher throw a lot of pitches and therefore tires out faster.

We wouldn’t want that now would we? Moron Cox…..

dap01

April 28th, 2010
7:55 am

DOB: Has schaffer progress at all? Has he started hitting live pitching?

Gilligan

April 28th, 2010
8:02 am

Straighten him out, Bobby Cox. Bobby Cox is a smart man. Just like the “Skipper”!

Shug

April 28th, 2010
8:05 am

Can we please just bring back Francoeur?

WK

April 28th, 2010
8:08 am

Play the Youth: I’d be ok with your youthful line-up with the exception of third and LF (2:03 am post)…….those guys are not everyday players. Infante, Diaz, and Blanco (please!!) are role players, not everyday starters. You could make a case for Diaz and I’m a fan of his, but with your line-up, the Braves would have to have 3rd and LF be positions of proven power. I’m still ready for the old to go and a fresh breath of coaching. Times are tough right now for the Braves. Solid pitching (plenty good enough to win) and awful hitting.

georgiadawgg

April 28th, 2010
8:15 am

TERRY PENDLETON COULDN’T MANAGE A BINGO GAME LET ALONE A BASEBALL TEAM. THE BRAVES ARE GOING TO LOSE AGAIN TONIGHT. WAIT AND SEE. i HOPE THEY NEVER WIN ANOTHER GAME.

Jesse Stone

April 28th, 2010
8:19 am

LOL at Phil saying Bobby isn’t a good manager because nobody has asked him to “help” in an All-Star Game. Quit it, Phil…just quit. Did you ever think that Bobby wants a break during the All-Star game? He has been manager of enough All-Star teams, why would he want to go and be an assistant?

RomeDawg

April 28th, 2010
8:21 am

So…single out the 20 year old who at some point this year has done something. Other than Prado, none of the other Braves have done JACK! Honestly, Pendleton should be fired and I, for one, am glad this is Cox’s last year. He has no clue how to manage a team without 5 guys hitting 20 homers. Small ball ain’t Bobby’s game. Everyone knows that except Wren who doesn’t go get a big bopper but comes back with Glaus. When we faced Lincecum he had a rough few early innings but we didn’t take any pitches after the 2nd inning and he hung around til the 8th and Bobby singles out Heyward. Give me a break!!!!

Turkey's Done

April 28th, 2010
8:23 am

The Braves have not been relevent for 8 years and are becoming less a factor every year. Look no further than this blog where the host leads with music more often than baseball. Many saw the 90’s as glorious but I was left with the wonder of what could have been. Some non-book situational managing could have produced so much more (not division titles as JS said I should be happy with). Here’s the bottom line:
1. Braves are not going to the postseason this year
2. Cox retiring is the best thing to happen here since 1995
3. Should be able to find cheap tickets to TF this year

tp

April 28th, 2010
8:24 am

Hey Bobby, why don’t you just take an early retirement? Really … you’re criticizing him in public like that? For something that CLEARLY – as Chipper comments – could happen to any seasoned hitter, let alone a 20-year-old rookie!

Heyward’s the last of your worries Bobby! Get a grip – or get out of town!

Chip

April 28th, 2010
8:24 am

Everyone needs to calm down, it’s only going to get worse.

‘”We played two solid games the last two nights,” third baseman Chipper Jones said. “Swung the bats fairly well,”…………..LOL

Let’s see, The Braves got 6 hits last night, and went yet another game without a home run. Chipper is quite the misguided optimist. Oh by the way Chipper, that’s 7 losses in a row, and you’ve been a huge part of the problem with your .259 average and nonexistent power.

So Cox says he’s going to talk to the rookie. I personally think he should have a group discussion with everyone on the team. I hope Terry Pendleton doesn’t get his feelings hurt with Cox going over his head to talk to the rookie about hitting.

Obviously, the Braves fans are to blame for this joke of a team, and the fans should be fired !!!

ijudgenot

April 28th, 2010
8:25 am

This is why I hoped that they would not have brought Heyward up this year with Cox as his manager. His hot spring forced Wren’s hand I guess. Cox will have this kid swingging for the fences and pulling off balls for the rest of the year. Why would this old fart call out a 20 year old rookie in the paper instead of going to him and TP and tell him that. Why would this old fart not call out Glaus, McClouth, or Chipper? Why is it always the youngest player on the team Andruw(12 years ago), Furcal(8 years ago), Escobar(2 years ago)and now Heyward. Clearly when asked about other players who are doing nothing he gives the “well they are pitching him tough right now” response. The kid probably is taking too many pitches right now, but for his dumbbell of a manager too publicly call him out in the papers and not mention anyone else on the team’s short comings is rediculous. This year can not end soon enough so that this stupid “legend of a Manager” can be gone.

Gary James

April 28th, 2010
8:26 am

Heyward is like 1 for his last 20, right? He’s a major leaguer now and not above criticism. Stop babying him. I know he’s the newest phenom and everything, but nobody’s above criticism.

Jesse Stone

April 28th, 2010
8:28 am

Spot on, Gary.

Beauvighn

April 28th, 2010
8:29 am

Would someone in that dugout wake up and put Brokks Conrad in the lineup for 5-6 straight games….At least give the guy a chance. He couldn’t do any worse than the current crop. Heck, Ray Charles could stand there and watch strike 3 go right over the plate…The whole darn team takes too many good pitches

Phil

April 28th, 2010
8:29 am

Jesse,
Cox would want to go help if asked, after all, the league that wins the game gets home field for the WS. So yes, I think he would help if asked.
LaRussa is out there every year seems like, if not the manager then as an assistant. Nobody wants Cox.

And just what does Cox need a break for anyway? He gets a break every year during post season.

Realist

April 28th, 2010
8:32 am

Someone please take Bobby out and shoot him right now. This is the dumbest comment he has made in 20 years. Dumber than comparing Vinny Castilla to Brooks Robinson at third base.

You don’t take a 20-year old kid with good plate discipline–the one thing he really has going for him right now–and order him to swing at more pitches. That’s a sure way to ruin him.

Cox’s “Swing at the first good pitch you see philosophy” didn’t work for Kelly Johnson or Jeff Francoeur, and it’s the reason we haven’t developed a hitting prospect other than McCann since the early 1990s.

There’s a reason Bobby Cox holds the record for most playoff appearances, wins and games managed with only one championship. No one in history has been given more rope and come up with only one title over nearly 30 years of managing.

Prime Time

April 28th, 2010
8:33 am

Can this be 8-154 team? Good job Wren and Cox. I know you guys don’t hit but you control who’ll be the hitters. When do we stop saying ‘it’s too early in the season’. I mean based on what we have seen in the first 20 games, do we have any reason to be optimistic about this Braves team. Cox started his Braves career with the worst team and he’ll end it with one. Good news is 2011 season is only 11 months away.

Phil

April 28th, 2010
8:35 am

As Jesse would say,
“Spot on”, Realist

Jesse Stone

April 28th, 2010
8:37 am

Phil, how do you know Bobby wants to go? Don’t make stoopid comments like that if you’re just guessing. You have no idea if Bobby wants to coach in AllStar games or not.
Realist- “shoot him right now”…stay classy. Good plate discipline does not involve not swinging at strikes. Good plate discipline is not swinging at unhittable pitches. How many strikeouts does Heyward have the past few games? That’s not plate discipline.

Turkey's Done

April 28th, 2010
8:44 am

Realist- my thoughts exactly. Atlanta is a soft sports town and gives a guy like Bobby Cox keys to the city. Up North, Cox would be ramrodded and eventually run out of town for doing so little with the unbelievable talent he had for 14 years straight. The guy’s like an accountant and won’t take any chances. Now that his run is over, he’s starting to do out of character things like calling out Heyward. Too late for that Bobby- your run is over. I guarantee Cox will look back – if he hasn’t already done so- and regret not doing things differently in the postseason. It took years of not reaching the playoffs for Cox to finally learn you can’t manage a short series like you do the regular season. Oh well Bobby, better late than never.

Jesse Stone

April 28th, 2010
8:46 am

25 strikeouts in 81 PA’s doesn’t reak of plate discipline. I love the guy and want him to be the face of our franchise, but he’s not above criticism

Turkey Not Done

April 28th, 2010
8:46 am

Enter your comments here

Don

April 28th, 2010
8:48 am

This ia absolutely terrible. Now Bobby Cox is going to ruin Heyward. Cox’s failure to teach/emphasize/demand that hitters be patient, work the ocunt, wait for a good pitch has been one of Cox’s major shortcomings – a significant reason that the Braves hitters have not developed to their full potential and why the Braves offense has been inoconsistant over the years. Now he has young hitter mature enough to try to be patient and Cox is telling him not to. Get Heyward back to AAA and let him escape the influence of Bobby Cox in his last year – before he has a significant bad effect on Heywards future development. This is terrible, terrible, terrible.

ijudgenot

April 28th, 2010
8:49 am

“Heyward is like 1 for his last 20, right? He’s a major leaguer now and not above criticism. Stop babying him. I know he’s the newest phenom and everything, but nobody’s above criticism”

You are right he is a major leaguer and should get as much criticism as anyone else that is not performing. The problem is Cox always chooses the least of his flock to criticise. Why not man up and criticise your long in the tooth veterans who are not doing anything either. Why pick the least expereienced on your team to criticicize to take pressure off you and the aging vets. If he critiqued Glaus’s excessively long swing, Chipper’s excessively swinnging at first pitch thrown to him, McClouth’s excessive upper cut swing and inability to lay off high pitches, Caberra’s excessive swingging to pull eveerything, Escobar’s trying to go to right field on every swing, Diaz swingging at any pitch within his zip code, etc., then yes criticize the 20 year old rookie major leaguer too, but if he is not willing to do that then STFU.

Turkey's Done

April 28th, 2010
8:49 am

Why did Cox allow Andruw and Frenchie to self destruct with reckless swings for years? Sort of ironic that he’s calling out the rookie who hasn’t made it out of his 1st month. Sounds like Cox has reached point of desperation.

Braves record in last 7 World Series games under Cox: 0-7

suh muh muh beech

April 28th, 2010
8:50 am

need more bunting and stealing and such. we don’t have sluggers all up and down the line up so wee need to play small ball.

Chip

April 28th, 2010
8:50 am

Heyward along with almost every position player on this team has been horrible lately.

I’ve never seen a Braves team, even in the bad ol’ days be this bad. I’m really starting to think that this is what we’re going to see from this team except for a game here & there for the rest of this season.

It’s really sad to see how far this team has sunk.

Braves n cubs watch at home still

April 28th, 2010
8:51 am

Keep on ruinin heyward now cox n TP i sure u trade soon to cubs who are losers to lost to Nats we 8-12 and washington is 11-10 amazin and Rays in first in east Lets face it the Rays are back Now after a year off with injurys n stuff.While we have lame AJC writer n media kissin cox last year.So get u lawn chairs out n wait till Next year n the Next year Maybe 2012 we be in playoffs.While cubs struggle find out why the bathrooms stalls overflow and urinals to.Lou Pinella will be fired at all-star break so will Texas ranger manager.Lou will then go to Rangers be there Mananger while 2011 we stink with TP at helm.

Peter

April 28th, 2010
8:51 am

Funny stuff from Bobby…….a too old manager telling a too young kid how to hit.

He has been called up too soon………But hey with all the rejects on the roster no wonder !

Bottom line keeping Bobby and TP is a joke, and so thus are the Braves.

Has anyone noticed they are the worst team in the national league ?

RHR

April 28th, 2010
8:52 am

“We’re going to talk to him,” Cox said. “He’s taking way too many pitches for strikes. [As a result] he’s getting one pitch to swing at right now.”

No. No. No.

“I was on second [base],” Jones said of his vantage point on the strikeout. “Miller made some pretty tough pitches on him. It’s his first time through the league. Crunch time, you throw a sidearm lefty out there with a good slider, and you know, he located a good fastball on the outside corner. It’s not like it was right down the middle. It was located. Mac [Brian McCann] or Nate [McLouth] or any other left-hander would have a tough time with that guy.

“There’s a [learning] curve there. We’ve just got to be patient, let the kid see everybody a time or two.”

This. Chipper is the only one who needs to talk to him. It sounds like Bobby is hanging the entire season on this kid. Maybe he didn’t mean it that way but his comment was over reactionary while Chipper’s was more logical and even headed.

MikeInFL

April 28th, 2010
8:56 am

Interesting stat on Heyward being too patient:

Heyward has gone to a 2-strike count 51 times in 81 plate appearances. That’s 63% of the time.

The entire NL has gone to 2 strikes in 6104 of 12,553 plate appearances; 48.6%

Cox is exactly right; Heyward has to be more aggressive in putting wood on the ball earlier in the count.

Think it doesn’t matter? Albert Pujols is batting .179/.220/.385, with 2 strikes. The key is he only reaches that point about 45% of the time.

I don’t think Cox called Heyward out; he just made a comment about why the kid is struggling. And he’s absolutely right about it.

dub366

April 28th, 2010
8:56 am

Bobby Cox is the problem along with the front office for bringing in the wash up ball players

siskel_god

April 28th, 2010
9:00 am

Heyward????Hahahahahahhahaha! Why in the world are we criticizing the guy who has never played major league baseball and leading the team in almost every offensive category? He’s fine, how bout getting on Chipper a bit? Escobar gets blasted publicly for not playing hard but Chipper’s error against the Mets cost us the game.

Don

April 28th, 2010
9:04 am

Unbelievable! Now Cox is going to ruin Heyward. Cox’s greatest failure has been to fail to teach/emphazise/demand that hitters be patient/selective/work the count/ make the pitcher throw some pitches. This has resulted in his failure to develop young hitters or even veteran hitters to their full potential – and has resulted in hitters production being only a faraction of what it could and should be – massive waste of talent. This has been the major problem with the inconsistant run production and offense by the Braves over the years. Now he has ayoug player who is mature enough to try on his own to do this (even though he obviously needs more experience and maturity), and Cox is telling him not to. He is going to ruin Heyward and his future development. Quick! get Heyward back to AAA now and away from the influence of Bobby Cox for the remainder of the year before he has a devastating effect on his future development.

Paddy O

April 28th, 2010
9:04 am

Anybody watch the game? HOw many braves hitters let a good first pitch strike fly by without swinging – I believe this is Pendleton hitting – and it puts the Braves hitters immediately into a pitchers count. I watched that last 3 innings or so, and almost every hitter let the first pitch go by. Bad policy, bad habit, bad result.

PMC

April 28th, 2010
9:05 am

Of all the people in the lineup he could discuss hitting with Heyward is the last guy I’m concerned about. Taking a couple of fastballs is no big deal as long as he’s not swinging at 46 foot curve balls a foot outside like the former occupant of that position.

Seriously…. Heyward? We’re talking about Heyward? For taking pitches?

Maybe more criticism of the management is warrented. Geez he’s going to start hammering first pitch fast balls if they keep throwing them. He’s still figuring out the pitching of the league.

Phil

April 28th, 2010
9:07 am

I didn’t hear Cox criticizing Norton and the pitches he took last year, namely the 3rd strike looking pitch. Cox is a senile clown.

PMC

April 28th, 2010
9:08 am

They swung at more first pitches than anyone in the league last year and they lost around 30 one run games. The one thing they are doing well is getting to the other teams bullpens.

ijudgenot

April 28th, 2010
9:13 am

I sincerly hope that Penndleton is not the heir apparent for the job of manager next year. Cox came along when managers selected their stafs through the patronage system, i.e., their friends who they either played with or for in minor and major leagues, regardless of their ability to do the job assigned. Of all of Cox’s bench coaches, who would be considered manager material. If TP has sat at the foot of Cox all these years and has shown nothing in the way of instructions to hitters that would warrant him being labeled as a good coach, then he does not need to be promoted. If he has suggested things and Cox overruled him or the players refused to listen and Cox would not back him up by benching the problem player, then that is one thing, but there is no sighn that that was the case. Pitching coaches and hitting coaches to Cox are just “yes men” to stroke his ego when goes to them and says “I think he has one more inning in him” and pitching coach responds “you are right Bobby” and Cox says “I think he can hit more homeruns if he goes for them more” and the hitting coach says “you are right Bobby”.

BravesFan1972

April 28th, 2010
9:16 am

Every player on this team is taking to many hittable pitches for strikes. Swing the dang bat already. Gosh, this is getting ridiculous.

Phil

April 28th, 2010
9:16 am

Spot on Don!
Heyward was taught at AA and AAA to work the count and make the opposing pitcher throw a lot of pitches. Then he gets to Atlanta and Cox and TP want him to swing at the first pitch. They are going to do their damdest to ruin him in one year.

Cox is a clown.
TP is a clown.

ijudgenot

April 28th, 2010
9:21 am

“Quick! get Heyward back to AAA now and away from the influence of Bobby Cox for the remainder of the year before he has a devastating effect on his future development.”

Don, I am with you on that. As a long time Braves fan I would gladly wait to see Heyward and Freeman together in majors next year. Wren please don’t let Cox ruin this kid’s sroke and enthusiasm for the Braves and the game.

Realist

April 28th, 2010
9:27 am

Kelly Johnson’s pitches per plate appearance went down every season under Cox:
2005 – 4.13
2007 – 4.12
2008 – 3.76
2009 – 3.72

Guess what? His OPS went down every season from 2007 to 2009, too!
2007 – .831
2008 – .797
2009 – .692

He’s the poster child for what happens when a guy with good plate discipline gets to Atlanta, and the manager orders his players to be more aggressive. He steadily declined, and by last year he had completely lost his batting eye. He swung at everything because he was trying to swing his way back into Cox’s good graces.

What happened to Johnson this year? Very simple. He’s being more selective.
2010 – 4.42 pitches per at bat (career high)
and 1.136 OPS (career high).

Omar

April 28th, 2010
9:27 am

The starting pitching and bullpen are way to good to start a youth movement. If anything they should trade some young players for a bat.

Jesse Stone

April 28th, 2010
9:28 am

My guess is that he brought up Heyward because he was asked about Heyward.

PMC

April 28th, 2010
9:28 am

It’s an adjustment they will make as a team. Since these guys are throwing strikes early in the count, come up and be ready to hammer a good pitch…. but the idea they shouldn’t take pitches even good pitches is ridiculous. They have simply faced a few good pitchers in the last week and I think they all did drugs in the Mets series because they all forgot how to play baseball period in that series.

Chop Chop

April 28th, 2010
9:32 am

I understand that Bobby’s worried about the rook constantly being behind the 8-ball with two-strike counts. Most guys don’t hit well with two strikes. Nevertheless, the kid has to learn the game at his own pace. If you go up to the plate determined not to take pitches, you’re gonna get eaten alive. If Heyward is truly going to be a superstar in the bigs, he’ll make the adjustments. It just might not happen overnight. Bobby’s only got one season to win a title. He wants it to happen overnight.

carlchamblee

April 28th, 2010
9:35 am

RHR – 8:52 post – agree completely. Chipper basically completely contradicted what Cox said. And what happened to our beloved loyal-defends-his-players manager? He has to go public with his complaints about the 20 year old rookie but never says a negative peep about the rest of the hacks on the squad except Escobar?

We don’t need Heyward to stop being patient. As Chipper says let him learn the league/pitchers for a while then he will know what is coming. And if Bobby wants him to get more good pitches to tee off on, don’t bat him at the bottom of the order where pitches can pick away at him with no fear of walking him and facing the next hitter.

do not resuscitate

April 28th, 2010
9:36 am

That comment sure shows what’s wrong with the Braves offense. Seems like Heyward’s the ONLY one taking pitches. Everytime I watch the Braves I’m amazed at how often they swing at the first pitch, only to have it roll to the shortstop. I don’t mind an aggressive approach at the plate, but sometimes it might be nice to know that they know how to wait for a pitch.

ijudgenot

April 28th, 2010
9:37 am

“My guess is that he brought up Heyward because he was asked about Heyward.”

J Stone, you are probably right he was responding to a question, but do you seriously think that he has not been asked about any other player. Again he shows great dicipline to not criticize the aging vets, but the young kids he is willing to throw them under the bus. Its not that the kid is not taking too many pitches , its that Cox is selective in who he criticizes publicly.

carlchamblee

April 28th, 2010
9:43 am

Realist – great stats/research. Of all the things going wrong this season thus far, these comments by Cox upset me the most. I was afraid Heyward would be ruined before he could even get started and here we go.

We are supposed to be patient w Glaus/Cabrera/McLouth etc etc, but 20 games into this young man’s career and they want to take the patience out of him? Cox didn’t cry about Heyward’s patience on his GW single as he worked the count deep. I’ll say it again, you want Heyward to see better pitches to hit, you want to rush him into being your go-to RBI guy – ok Bobby. MOVE HIM UP IN THE ORDER then.

God, Cox’s retirement can’t come soon enough.

Phil

April 28th, 2010
9:44 am

Spot on carlchamblee!

Angus

April 28th, 2010
9:45 am

The Braves are 2nd in the NL in most pitches seen per at-bat and 1st in the NL in walks.

Chiefmakeanout

April 28th, 2010
9:48 am

Heyward will be fine. McLouth, Glaus now that’s a different story. Cut bait. Fire TP and let Chipper start as the hitting coach asap. He’s done playing. Trade Escobar..while you still can. I think we see that good pitching alone is not going to win…you still gotta hit.

carlchamblee

April 28th, 2010
9:53 am

“The Braves are 2nd in the NL in most pitches seen per at-bat and 1st in the NL in walks.”

That is a good thing. That is not the problem. Hitting w RISP is the problem. Not stealing bases, not situational hitting that is the problem.

The Twins, Yankees and Tigers lead the AL in walks and the Mets are second in the NL to the Braves. All those teams have winning records and two lead their division.

Realist

April 28th, 2010
9:56 am

Yes, the walks are the only GOOD thing right now. Take those away, and the Braves aren’t going to score ANY runs.

Bushwacker

April 28th, 2010
9:56 am

Here we go again, Francouer swung at too many pitches, Heyward takes too amny pitches.

They are going to get in this guys head like they did Francouer.

Fire Bobby Cox today, HE DOES NOT MOYIOVATE HIS PLAYERS!!!!

Hire Pete Rose , they need some one to kick soome ass!!

And please get rid of Escobar, what a freakin idiot.

My 9 yr old plays better fundamental baseball than Escobar.

Welcome back to the pitiful Braves of the 70’s!!

Dan Kolb's Mom

April 28th, 2010
10:00 am

The Prosebleed Section fan blog is now calling our losing streak the “Trail of Tears”. I thought that was appropriate.

http://ijustwanttofitin.com/category/sports/

Paddy O

April 28th, 2010
10:00 am

Cox does appear to me mailing it in. Yesterday, Jones got on – I don’t consider him fast anymore; and it seemed a pinch runner was appropriate, but that did not occur. Anybody concur or can argue against this point?

carlchamblee

April 28th, 2010
10:06 am

I concur Paddy. Was wonderin’ the same thing as it happened. Tying run late in game and a ball in the gap you need speed to score from first. Chipper is gimpy right now. Cox is just sitting back waiting for the big HR clapping his hands saying let’s go Glaus-y

Heywardville Knockahoma's

April 28th, 2010
10:13 am

Paddy O. I agree, but Chipper isn’t that slow either. It would have been an insult to Chipper to have Bobby pinch run him in that situation. You want to win and break out of this skid, but attitudes are down and you don’t want you best player pissed and even more down.

Don

April 28th, 2010
10:14 am

If you think it is bad now — We (for the most part) have a good pitching staff — What if we had only and average pitching staff – and STILL HAD BOOBY COX as manager????

Braves73

April 28th, 2010
10:15 am

I think it may be time for the Braves to make some real challenging decisions. Chipper is probably best served DH for a contender in the AL and Wren needs to consider other viable options at 3rd for the future. Glaus is clearly not the answer at 1st, so cut your losses now and see what a combination of Hinske and Freeman can do. Schafer needs to be given strong consideration in CF and at lead off. Lowe needs to be dropped in the rotation to 4th or 5th spot…he is just not providing quality starts now and for much of the 2nd half of last season. Find a more viable batting coach and move TP to third. TP is was and still is a great emotional leader for the Braves, but he clearly hasn’t helped progress the Braves bats.

Angus

April 28th, 2010
10:15 am

You could easily concur or argue either way Paddy.

The argument, Chipper ran just fine beating out throw in the 7th. And, nobody got a hit, so what’s the point?

BP

April 28th, 2010
10:20 am

Cox is right. Heyward is patient, which is good, but when you get 2-0 and 3-1 pitches down the middle you need to be swinging, especially with runners on. And Coach K, McCann has been bad during the losing streak, but he had a number of clutch hits on the West Coast trip.

Matt

April 28th, 2010
10:21 am

The 20 yr. old rookie is the least of our worries. Lowe had a bad inning. Do any of you know what it does to a pitcher’s psyche when he knows he pretty much has to shut out the other team in order to get the win????? Our baserunning stinks, our offense stinks, our defense has stunk as of of late. The pitching is the only consistently positive thing we are doing.

Let’s be honest. Right now this team is performing the way most of us figured it would. Rather anemic offense with no power threat and no leadoff hitter. This could be the worst year possible to place a 20 yr. old rookie in the lineup. He can’t be expected to produce when the hitters around him are struggling this bad.

Surrounded by Retards

April 28th, 2010
10:23 am

Bobby is not the problem chipper is fine glaus is still healing and mclouth will return to form. everybody in this forum thinks they know everything if u can do it better than bobby call FW and get the go* *amn job. all of u retards say that u cant wait til bobbys gone, hes gonna be in the front office next year it was announced at the beginning of the season, if your not gonna get on this forum to make a legit point please just keep your f***ing mouth shut u just waste everyones time

rico carty

April 28th, 2010
10:24 am

We obviously are not a good baseball team, and it’s very painful. They probably made too big a deal of the Glaus signing, and Melky has been awful. But, if we can step back for a minute, it has been a remarkable run for the Braves. Perennial awful team became a frontrunner for 15 straight years. We owe Cox a lot for that. I too am glad this is his swan song, but he deserves our respect. When I saw Whitey Herzog’s stats, compared to Bobby’s, well no comparison, as Cox’s are far superior. Cox has been great, we just don’t have the horses.

Mike S

April 28th, 2010
10:24 am

THis article is proof positive of the detrimental effect Terry Pendleton is having on Atlanta’s hitters. Patience at the plate is one thing that Terry preaches, and it is directly effecting the agressiveness of the Braves hitters.

Terry goes on and on about patience, and then they b*tch because heyward and others are taking too many pitches.

i think Cox is one of the best managers ever, but his laid back laissez-faire approach coupled with Terry P is taking all of the natural agressivness out of this team and it is showing in lackluster performance on the field.

I really think the team needs a huge jolt – and that JOLT needs to be firing TP and bringing in a more agressive style hitting coach in my opinion. I yearn for the days when Don Baylor was out hitting coach.

Paddy O

April 28th, 2010
10:25 am

DOB: Usually, I am fairly critical of your journalism, but the last few weeks have been really good. Quotes from the participants are alway essential – it allows the fan to see what they are thinking and whether they have contracted alzheimers yet or not. I think this being Cox’s last year is a blessing.

Paddy O

April 28th, 2010
10:26 am

Who thought Melky should have been given an error for the ball bouncing off his glove? WTF? No error? Cripes.

Paddy O

April 28th, 2010
10:27 am

Surrounded is surrounded by retards in a room by himself.

TruthSeeker

April 28th, 2010
10:28 am

Cox has lost it.

Heyward’s patience at the plate is a big part of what made him the mega-prospect that he was. 20 year olds with his discipline at the plate are one-in-a-million. For Cox to suggest that he needs to change his approach because of one early season slump is beyond the pale. I’m beginning to see why promising players like Andruw Jones, Jeff Francoeur, Kelly Johnson and Scott Thorman all utterly lost their ability to hit under Cox’s management. If this is the kind of advice they’re receiving…wow.

You’ve got to let players be who they are. Look at what all their monkeying around with Francoeur did to him. Sure, it would have been nice for him to get on base a little more, but not at the cost of sacrificing his power. Cox and Pendleton turned Francoeur into a guy who looked like a perennial 30 home run guy into a singles hitter, and not even a very good one at that.

I’m of the mind that managers and hitting coaches when instructing a batter should really only focus on making sure they have their mechanics in order. You’re playing a dangerous game when you make them alter their approach. It’s hard enough to hit major league pitching without having to battle your own mind at the plate.

Thank God Cox only has 142 games left with Heyward.

jake

April 28th, 2010
10:28 am

Well that’s just great: “We’re going to talk to him.” Which means Cox and Pendleton, the dynamic duo that has had such success “talking” to Francoeur, Kelly Johnson and Andruw Jones, and no doubt is working up a pep talk for Glaus, Escobar and Diaz, too.

A couple of consultations like that and Heyward will be back at Gwinnett with his buddy Freeman.

J. heyward

April 28th, 2010
10:28 am

Bobby cox needs to worry about trimming those nose hairs and trying to find a way to get the other guys producing instead of worrying about how many pitches i swing at…I got to the big leagues without his or TP’s help and I will be the greatest player of all time without them..

Paddy O

April 28th, 2010
10:29 am

The at bat where Heyward k’d with the bases loaded was not a bad at bat; except you have to protect the plate with 2 k’s, and he swung at a couple of pitches out of the zone. BUT, they were fantastic pitchers pitches.

Heywardville Knockahoma's

April 28th, 2010
10:29 am

We are 20 games into the season and everyone is freaking out? 20 games guys. The Mets, Padres, Oakland A’s are in first place right now, do you think that will last? It’s not Bobby, it’s not TP, it’s not Roger McDowell, and it’s not even DOB. I’m going to laugh 20 games from now where we will be only 25% into the season and the Braves will be playing above .500 and in the thick of things.

I hear it on the radio, see it on these blogs….The Braves will be fine. These guys that are currently hitting sub .220 will bust out of this slump and post their career averages. You really think McCann, Escobar, Diaz, Melky will finish the season batting sub .250? We have a GREAT pitching staff and great position players. Everyone needs to calm down. Glaus is hitting the ball hard, and all the Glaus haters will be jumping ship. Do you see how hard he’s hitting the ball, or are you just looking at the box score?

Also, you don’t think that some of the Braves players get on these boards and review these comments? I’m sure they do. We’re acting and typing like fans in NY, Philly, Boston and all other great baseball towns when their team is losing. If you guys are all so dramatic about the Braves….GO TO THE GAME AND GIVE THEM HOMEFIELD ADVANTAGE AND A REASON TO PLAY HARD FOR ATLANTA!

The Braves will win, just like the Padres will lose.

Support the Braves and give it time.

Paddy O

April 28th, 2010
10:30 am

I thought the Braves showed some life. I do think I would trade Melky to a contender, where his attention span might be a little better – heck, we might get Juan Pierre – who would solve many problems.

Posi-Fan

April 28th, 2010
10:33 am

Last year we were 3 1/2 games out with a week to go and we still had playoff hopes… this year, in APRIL, we’re 3 1/2 out and we give up? Lighten up folks!

ShortBravesFan

April 28th, 2010
10:33 am

Stay positive Braves fans! Braves are capable of pulling anything off. Don’t blame Bobby! Our team knows how to hit..they just need to actually DO IT! We are not Baltimore!

Like I said before, I still believe Melky, Nate, and Troy are going to prove people wrong. I think they are going to turn everything around. Chipper is going to get his groove back! Mccann, J-Hey, Escobar?? You’re forgetting that this is a good team. Just gotta get on base and SCORE!

We have 2 more games with Cardinals. Lets try and tie the series and come back home and whoop them Astros!

Chill Braves fans!

Paddy O

April 28th, 2010
10:34 am

Heck, I am freaking out about the Red Sox – swept 4 straight by the Rays. The painful part is, we were swept by the Mets, and we should be better than the Mets. It appears that Heyward will be hot & cold all season. Rookie year, OK. He looks fairly clutch. I would stick to Glaus to the all star break, if he is still hitting less than 220, then maybe bench him. We know McCann will come around, and Chipper should hit 300. Our bullpen & starting pitching is good. Escobar looked good last night. I would drop Glaus in the line up right now. Big swing, but his timing is still off. He played 111 games last year, so he may be done. I think I would bench Cabrera and play Diaz all the time. Where does this Freeman guy play?

DP

April 28th, 2010
10:39 am

I think it’s odd (and not too smart) for Cox to tell the press that Heyward is taking too many pitches. It’s likely that opposing pitchers had realized he was taking a lot of pitches and therefore they were throwing him strikes to get ahead in the count and then trying to get him to chase. Now that they know Cox is encouraging him to be more aggressive early in the count I’d think they will throw him fewer strikes.

Why wouldn’t Cox and/or Pendleton have had the discussion with Heyward privately so he could have adjusted his approach without opposing pitchers immediately picking up on it?

BuckheadBrave

April 28th, 2010
10:39 am

The only thing that will salvage this season is to commit to our home grown players. Freeman isn’t ready but I think Hinske has already shown to be a fan favorite and he has everyday potential lets not forget he was once Rookie Of the Year. Here is the lineup I think we could all support:

CF- Jordan Schafer
2B-Martin Prado
RF-Jason Heyward
C-Brian McCann
1B-Eric Hinske
SS-Yunel Escobar
3B-Brooks Conrad/Omar Infante
LF-Matt Diaz

Angus

April 28th, 2010
10:40 am

Did anyone else catch what Smoltz was saying last night about Heyward vs. MLB pitching?

I didn’t catch it all, but I think he was saying that Heyward has never seen this level of consistency from pitchers and has feasted on pitchers falling behind and/or making mistakes at lower levels.

Perhaps, that falls in line with Cox’s comments.

BuckheadBrave

April 28th, 2010
10:40 am

now that lineup will not hit a ton of HRs, BUT i think Hinske and Heyward can hit as many as Chipper, so you are getting more there. Plus Conrad and Infante will get clutch hits, you dont have to hit it out you just have to get the runner in.

dpelfrey

April 28th, 2010
10:40 am

It’s early, I’m not giving up on the season and I still think this team will get better (can’t get any worse). But a part of me, way deep down inside, kind of agrees with the poster “Play the Youth.” If the Braves are out of contention this year, and I think we can all agree that right now this doesn’t look like a team capable of being in playoff contention this year, I would love to see them move Chipper, Glaus, McLouth, Ross, Lowe, Saito and Wagner for some young players and/or prospects (although Glaus and McLouth may not bring much in return if they keep this up). Bring up Schafer, Freeman, Hyde, Kimbrel and Minor and prepare for 2011 with hopefully Eddie Perez at the helm and a new hitting coach.

Dylan

April 28th, 2010
10:40 am

You guys have to remember that JHEY has never seen most of these pitchers… he has to take pitches. He is going to get help and succed even more.

ugaaccountant

April 28th, 2010
10:42 am

I watch every Heyward at bat with exactly this concept in mind. I see that good big league pitchers are testing his plate discipline nearly every at bat. They pitch him with the respect you afford great hitters, which says a lot to me.

Yes, I feel he takes about 10% more pitches than he should. It’s not something where I would hope Bobby has a talking to him in general. It’s something where in a film room you can go pitch by pitch and give both positive and negative feedback. It would be 90% positive though.

Mr. Turnip-Green Jeans

April 28th, 2010
10:42 am

I immediately thought the same thing Paddy. A pinch-runner was a no-brainer in that situation.

Jeff

April 28th, 2010
10:43 am

Has anyone else noticed how far off the plate Heyward stands? Last night the Cardinals pitchers were hammering the outside of the plate. He can reach some of those pitches because of his length but he still seemes way off the plate.

BuckheadBrave

April 28th, 2010
10:46 am

Lets not forget the Marlins won an unexpected World Series playing their youth. We did the same in winning the division in 2005. We don’t have to wait to be out of contention, we have the pieces. Freeman is not ready, i’m not ready to call him over hyped but he has been less than impressive in Gwinnett, Hinske is our best 1B right now. I think Wags will pitch beyond this year, i’d like to see Kimbrel setting him up for a year or two though. I think they should pressure Chipper to move to 1b where he can take less beating and focus more on just hitting, if he won’t then they need to think about a plan B. once Schafer is ready though i hope we see him in the lineup along with Conrad and Diaz who inexplicably are never used.

Realist

April 28th, 2010
10:47 am

BTW, this is an organization-wide problem. Frank Wren was on 680 Monday and he also said Heyward was taking too many pitches. Like TruthSeeker said, Heyward’s mature batting approach is what made him the #1 prospect in the game. Telling him to be ready to “hit every pitch” is basically saying “we want to dismantle that approach and make him just another hacker.”

My favorite is the inherently self-contradictory argument that by taking too many strikes, Heyward is only seeing one or two pitches to hit per at bat. What? That doesn’t even make any sense.

ugaaccountant

April 28th, 2010
10:51 am

Freeman is not ready, i’m not ready to call him over hyped but he has been less than impressive in Gwinnett

Umm, welcome to 2 weeks ago buddy. Have you checked his results again recently? He had a slow 1st week at the AAA level and has since turned it around, at age 20 mind you, and you’re not impressed? Are you aware that most 1b prospects are 22 to 24 when they reach the majors? This Ike Davis kid for the Mets is 22 I believe. Justin Smoak just called up for the Rangers is 22 or 23. Ryan Howard was 25. Joey Votto was 24 or 25. It’s very rare for a 20 year old to be major league ready, especially at a position like 1b.

Freeman’s developmental path is probably most similar to Billy Butler if you’d like to look it up and see what they were doing at similar ages so you have an idea of the hoped for outcome for Freeman.

Kel Varnsen

April 28th, 2010
10:51 am

I don’t get not playing Diaz over Cabrera. If you listen to baseball people talk about Matt it sounds like he’d be starting on other better teams over other players better than Melky.

Pete

April 28th, 2010
10:52 am

Fellows. Jordan Schafer was a product of HGH. He was an average player his first few years in the minors and then had a breakout season. The next year he was busted for HGH and has not been the same since. Wren has put together a bunch of rag tag average players. Melky does not hit for average or power and is fat and can’t run

BRAVOS

April 28th, 2010
10:53 am

Heyward has the 4th most strikeouts in the National League. That doesn’t reek plate discipline to me. All that means is he takes till he has 2 strikes, then freaks out and swings at the next one. I knew all the hype was a bit premature…

Jesse Stone

April 28th, 2010
10:54 am

Translation: By not taking the bat off his shoulders, Heyward is falling behind in the count. You can afford to do this in the minors, not in the bigs. Don’t get your panties in a wad because he’s getting criticized. He’s a big boy, he can take it.

SRF

April 28th, 2010
10:54 am

Lighten Up ? Stay Positive ?

Seriously ?

BRAVOS

April 28th, 2010
10:55 am

everyone in atlanta got all excited this exact same way about francouer a few years ago, dont you people learn anything??

geauxbraves2000

April 28th, 2010
10:59 am

Please don’t screw up JHey. Let him mature his way. He hasn’t seen a lot of these pitchers yet, so let him see what they have. He may strike out a little more know, but it’ll pay off in the future. JF swung at almost everything; now he’s a Met.

Ed from Woodstock

April 28th, 2010
10:59 am

DOB- How’s 9-for-29 a .429 average! I wish some of the other big players would come out of their hitting funk. It’s been very frustrating to watch, but we’ll turn it around. GO BRAVES!

Tralfaz

April 28th, 2010
11:03 am

Mozart uses too many notes….

Mr. Turnip-Green Jeans

April 28th, 2010
11:04 am

In hindsight, I wish the Braves had waited till the current regime was gone to bring Heyward up.

Heyward’s patience, at his age, is one of the most impressive things about him. Bobby’s public criticism is mind-boggling. He glosses-over the incompetence of our veteran slackers, yet singles the kid out for PUBLIC criticism. AMAZING, and a HUGE mistake.

Paddy O

April 28th, 2010
11:05 am

buckhead – I forgot about Hinski – he can also play outfield – is VERY clutch. I would probably agree with your line up, but leave Chipper and have Conrad play 1B, hinski OF. How is Shafer playing in the minors?

Mr. Turnip-Green Jeans

April 28th, 2010
11:06 am

Maybe I should have said “Glauses-over.”

Jeff Treadway

April 28th, 2010
11:14 am

Mr. Turnip-Green Jeans Spot On !
Although I do think they should have brought him up (Hey) as they did….just imagine what the Braves record would be if Heyward was at Gwinnett…LMAO !!!

Don

April 28th, 2010
11:15 am

To Bobby Cox’s credit — He can’t really be as stupid as he sounds when he makes comments about the team.

BringBackBoog

April 28th, 2010
11:15 am

You can’t get too up or down in the opening month of the season. When I first looked at our April schedule, I thought .500 would be great give or take 2-3 games above/below. The Braves are fine. I think we need a consistent lineup out there everyday that’s more resemblant to the start of the year:

1. McClouth CF
2. Prado 2B
3. Jones 3B
4. Glaus/Hinske 1B – hits in 5-spot vs. RH
5. McCann C – hits in 4-spot vs. RH
6. Escobar SS
7. Heyward RF
8. Diaz/Cabrera LF
9. JJ, Hanson, Hudson, Lowe, KK – in that order

BuckheadBrave

April 28th, 2010
11:15 am

Schafer isnt healthy yet, supposed to be back in Gwinnett sometime in May

Braves Fan since 1956

April 28th, 2010
11:17 am

So—– Heyward’s problem is taking too many pitches and getting behind in the count. Have you ever paid attention to Prado? That is exactly what he does. Our manager proves once again he’s lost a feel for the game.

Don

April 28th, 2010
11:19 am

Mr. OBrien – “For skidding Braves, might be time for the speech”.
How about from Mr. Wren – “Today we are replacing Bobby Cox and Terry Pendleton. We realize that in mid season we may not be able to find the best of replacements, but we do not have anywere to go but up.”

BuckheadBrave

April 28th, 2010
11:20 am

forgot about Hinskie being an outfielder, why has that not been tried. Seriously the fact that starting caliber players sit on the bench while we struggle is beyond my comprehension. If bobby is that set in his ways and that uncreative why has been tolerated up to this point? The fact that bobby is so OCD he refuses to switch up his lineup just makes me see him like some sort of mix of Rainman and the guy that hears voices on a beautiful mind, only he’s not as smart. so let me get bobbys style down, he gives struggling players at bats to get things right, so if they get improved, then he benches them to get the guys on the bench their at bats, so we never at one time have the hottest hitting lineup on the field because if you are hitting well, in bobbys mind you dont need at bats

hard to figure out

April 28th, 2010
11:23 am

So it is all TP’s fault? So since Chipper and McCann always run to their fathers for guidance how is that working out for them? Their batting averages are in the 250’s as well. These guys are paid MILLIONS to hit a baseball, I repeat MILLIONS! A coach can only give so much advice, at some point these millionaires have to start doing what they are paid to do. Like in the real world!

Chip

April 28th, 2010
11:25 am

It’s pretty bad when you’ve got fans clamoring to replace utility players, marginal players & aging veterans that start, with other utility players because there are absolutely no other options….Braves not good.

Braves Fan

April 28th, 2010
11:26 am

I don’t understand Cox’s criticism. Isn’t that what you want in a hitter is to be paitient. We have always criticized the braves line up for being over aggressive. Now you have a guy who’s not and he gets criticized for not being aggressive, I just don’t get it.

tristan

April 28th, 2010
11:27 am

You guys have it all wrong. Bobby is saying that Heyward is taking too many pitches every at bat. The other teams know this and are just throwing first pitch strikes to get ahead. Then they are throwing second pitch strikes and he is getting two strike counts on him which his average with two strikes is sub 100.
I don’t condone what Bobby has been doing, but I understand what he is saying. Bobby has no fire in his soul. Him shaking up the lineup lately has been the first time he has done things like this in years, but it still isn’t working. I am tired of hearing the announcers say “we will break out of this soon”, “we don’t get breaks”, “we are hitting balls hard but right at someone”, etc. Stop making excuses. We are losing plain and simple. Take the nine guys that have the deepest desire to win and hustle in their bones and put them out there. Hinske over Glaus, Infante over Chipper, Melke plays hard, Escobar plays hard when he wants to. Diaz over Heyward (who is slower than Diaz in the outfield). Keep McLouth because you have no other option. Ross plays harder than McCann and his desire far exceeds McCanns. Go with these guys for a week. I have tickets to the Braves Nats next week and I am not even planning to wear any Braves merchandise I am so embarassed.

BuckheadBrave

April 28th, 2010
11:30 am

if you put Diaz OVER Heyward your entire lienup would have less HRs than Heyward will hit himself this year, i’m glad you aren’t manager. Melky plays hard? Really? It’s not little league, i would play hard too, very hard, but i can’t hit a fastball so it means jack sh*t

Jeff Treadway

April 28th, 2010
11:30 am

Buckheadbrave – so let me get bobbys style down, he gives struggling players at bats to get things right, so if they get improved, then he benches them to get the guys on the bench their at bats, so we never at one time have the hottest hitting lineup on the field because if you are hitting well, in bobbys mind you dont need at bats

that is correct sir – see if these names ring a bell —–Kelly Johnson, Mark DeRosa, Jermaine Dye, Ryan Klesko, and the list goes on and on

sportsmandh

April 28th, 2010
11:33 am

There is a big difference between taking pitches and swinging at bad pitches. The whole idea about ‘taking pitches’ is a little off in my opinion. There’s nothing at all wrong at not taking a lot of pitches as long as you’re not swinging at bad ones. THAT was Franceour’s biggest problem. He constantly swund at BAD pitches.

We are not going to have to worry about Heyward consistently swinging at bad pitches. AND they don’t need to make him change his game. They just need to tell him to be more agressive when he sees a good pitch. Tell him if you get a good pitch, attack it. It really is about that simple.

Players get into slumps when they start not seeing the ball well, or their mechanics get off, or they get in habits of doing pitchers favors and swinging at the pitcher’s pitch (see Frenchy again). I don’t think that will happen with Heyward. He is too good. Again, just tell him that taking pitches is not good if it makes you get behind in the count. So be more aggressive when you can be. It really is that simple.

MitchC

April 28th, 2010
11:33 am

Originally, I thought TP was going to be the Braves next manager. One of the writers for the AJC (I cant recall which one now) said that he now thinks the Braves will look outside the orginization.

Bottom line: Heyward is 20 years old. A team that wants to contend for a wild card or division can’t depend entirely on a rookie. Logic says Heywatd will have his ups and downs. I remind everyone. A man named Tom Glavine. 2-4 with a 5.54 ERA in his first season. He’ll be in the Hall of Fame. A man named John Smoltz. 2-7 with a 5.48 ERA in his first season. He’ll be in the Hall as well. Even Maddux was something like 6-14 with a 5 ERA his first season.

This lineup needs another hitter.. now. I dont know why Wren is sitting with his finger stuck up his you know where, while the losses pile up.

Bobby is gone at season’s end. TP may well be too, but if Wren doesnt do something soon, he should be fired, bottom line.

bravesfanbob

April 28th, 2010
11:34 am

Last night was the first time we’ve put runners in motion to create scoring chances, and it worked great. It caused defensive problems for the Cards, and it turned double plays into runners at 1st and 3rd. We don’t have much power on this team, and we have to take advantage of what little speed we have. We need to put the speedier players in between the slower players to create more holes for the slower guys. This needs to be the starting lineup:

1: Martin Prado He can run pretty well, and has a great OBP

2: Chipper Jones He needs to have speed in front of him and speed and power behind him to help him adjust to the fact he has lost so much power. He will get more holes to hit through, and can hit to all fields. Putting Prado in motion will give him more defensive openings.

3: Jason Heyward His power, speed, and his ability to hit to all fields makes him a perfect #3 hitter.

4: Brian McCann He is the only choice we have for a clean-up hitter, although I’d much rather he be a 5 hole hitter.

5: Matt Diaz: He has some sneaky power, but has great base running skills, and will get Glaus or Henske at the 6 hole more RBI chances because of the extra speed in front of them instead of Jones and McCann.

6: Troy Glaus/ Eric Henske: First of all, Henske needs at least 2 starts a week against right handers, and with Diaz in front of him, it creates a 4,5,6 of lefty, righty, lefty to cause managers to blow up their bullpens later in the game. But either will have some power, and will have more RBI chances with 2 lifetime .300 hitters in front of them in McCann and Diaz. Henske will be a great hit and run guy, as he makes good contact, and allows you to put Diaz in motion to create holes.

7: Yunel Escobar: He is the type of hitter that when he slumps, can bring an entire lineup down with him, so he needs to hit behind them. Besides, if you watch baseball, the 7 hitter leads off more innings than anyone except the 1 hitter, because the 6 hitter is generally your last power hitter who strikes out often, and will end innings. So Yunel will be like the other leadoff hitter. Also, he can get a lot more RBI chances in the 7 hole, and is usually a great hitter with men on, and won’t get those opportunities with Melky or Nate and the pitcher hitting in front of him as the leadoff hitter.

8: Melky Cabrera/ Nate McLouth: Only by default, one of them has to play, and we’re only batting them 8th because there’s not a 10 hole.

As you see this mixes speed in between our power to allow us to run more. We have GOT to create more scoring chances on the base paths if we have ANY chance to win this year.

carlchamblee

April 28th, 2010
11:35 am

Bobby needs to worry more about his lousy defense on the field. Errors aplenty and even worse non-errors but plays that should be made like Chipper not turning two last night and Cabrera playing volleyball in LF (use the glove Melky not the wrist)

Dorothy Davis

April 28th, 2010
11:35 am

Excuse me, but now we have Chipper Jones critisizing Heyward for taking too many pitches. Shouldn’t you have to be able to hit the ball yourself, before ctitisizing your team mate? Who has the better average? Sounds like a lot of self faults coming to the surface. At least Heyward doesn’t “MISPLAY” balls that cost a run. Time for Chipper to retire?

90s are over

April 28th, 2010
11:35 am

LET BOBBY GO

LET TP GO

THE 90S ARE OVER!

helmet head

April 28th, 2010
11:36 am

Heyward takes too many pitches…Francouer didn’t take enough…Schaeffer may be ruined. Great job with the talent coaches. Thank goodness McCann listens to his father and not TP

Jeff Treadway

April 28th, 2010
11:37 am

tristan – Heyward is slower than diaz in the outfield? you were doing ok until this part – Heyward runs rings around Diaz as a defender not to mention he covers more ground…ever seen Diaz make a routine catch? I dont think so – every ball to him is an adventure..very uncoordinated and make sure you watch closely the next time he throws a ball – Diaz can hit but his Defense scares the Braves record out of me !

and Id take McCann everyday over Ross – bad judgement on that one too

Ted Abernathy

April 28th, 2010
11:38 am

Great! Let the lameduck regime ruin some more of our players before the regime leaves. Heyward has never seen a major league curveball, so give him time. Let’s hope we get through this year and get some real coaching, not the has-beens we have now trying to manage a major league team.

Gastro

April 28th, 2010
11:40 am

If I see another dingbat here post something about being annoyed at the Braves’ patience at the plate – working pitchers deeper into the count and getting walks – I will go ballistic! THAT’S NOT THE PROBLEM!!! As a matter of fact, that’s the ONLY thing they’re doing CORRECTLY!

armchair

April 28th, 2010
11:42 am

JHey’s numbers will keep falling, I sadly predict, and then the Braves will have ZERO power. The guy is 20. I never for a moment thought he was going to show up with the big team and have a big year. When you’re dependent on a 20-year-old, less than a year out from AA ball, you are in trouble.

NO MORE BOBBY

April 28th, 2010
11:44 am

APRIL 27 – Cox: Heyward taking way too many pitches

“We’re going to talk to him,” Cox said. “He’s taking way too many pitches for strikes. [As a result] he’s getting one pitch to swing at right now.”

MARCH 31 – Braves lead majors in walks, OBP

“We’ve had good at-bats, we really have,” Cox said. “Haven’t chased a lot of [bad pitches]. I think it all started with Jason Heyward. People started to talk about it. He has good at-bats, doesn’t swing at pitches that bounce and all that.”

tristan

April 28th, 2010
11:45 am

and this Chipper Jones. How do you have the nerve to say its just a pitch here or there to win games? How do you have the nerve to say the team has played solid? That is what you have turned yourself into. You think that those things are acceptable. You don’t want to do what it takes to win. You don’t want to accel on those “little things”. You don’t want to play great, just settle for solid. You don’t have the desire it takes to win championships anymore. You are a helluva hitter and a very good student of the game, but you no longer have the desire and inner workings of that killer baseball player that refused to lose. I would think that you belong on a team that was looking for someone who could mentor younger players and show them professionalism. This team has settled for “professionalism” for years and it has showed in the standings. Just look at the Rays and Phillies if you want to see teams who throw professionalism out the window and just grind wins out with determination, guts, and sheer will.

Chip

April 28th, 2010
11:46 am

DOB, have you heard anything about Wren trying to somehow get another bat for this team in the next few days?

P Rose

April 28th, 2010
11:47 am

Heyward looks patient to me – taking a few pitches, working the count, seeing the pitcher’s stuff – as opposed to Frenchy, who looked desperate, swinging at the first pitch every time. I think Bobby is making a mistake if he gets into the kid’s head and makes him think he’s got to be swinging away at everything like Frenchy did.

Chop Chop

April 28th, 2010
11:47 am

Don’t post stuff like that, NO MORE BOBBY.

It hurts my brain.

Gastro

April 28th, 2010
11:51 am

No way Wren will make a move now… he’ll wait to see if the bats wake up before he makes that move. That said, he had better be targeting a slugger – a bonafide hitter and not another experiment with a former great who’s ready to retire – to help these guys over the next month or so…

TRH10

April 28th, 2010
11:51 am

Are u guys crazy! Bobby cox is the reason baseball is even in atl! How could any of this be his fault! Baseball is a game of failing! Come a good batting avg is hitting Around 300! That’s means 30% of the time that play produces a hit! And to say Bobby doesn’t motivate! Then why in the world does evry player want to play for him!! He is a legend! You guys are crazy! If they were winning right now everyone of y’all would be saying how awesome Bobby is. Learn to back ur team up no matter what! Jason is going to be fine! I played ball with him in high school and trust be he will prevail! And buddy ur son doesn’t have better fundamentals then escobar! That’s alittle extreme! Obviously the guy has skill or he wouldn’t be payed to play ball! Quit running ur mouth Bout things you don’t know or I’m sorry understand!!

BuckheadBrave

April 28th, 2010
11:55 am

Bobby Cox is baseball’s Bobby Bowden. Only instead of sleeping during the day in his office Bobby cox gets to sit and nap during the games

BuckheadBrave

April 28th, 2010
11:57 am

TRH10,
Escobar isn’t being paid much to play ball right now, perhaps there is reason behind the reluctance to give a long term deal, just like there was for Francoeur…they didn’t flinch in giving on to McCann

tristan

April 28th, 2010
12:00 pm

Jeff, Matt Diaz doesn’t look great defensively, but Heyward looks to be getting horrible jumps on the ball. If it isn’t speed, then it is bad reading the ball off the bat. Diaz has a K every four at bats, and Heyward is better than one in three. Buckhead, I want to see a team with determination, not professionalism. We have had the same ho-hum team for years now. Let’s get the guys we have on the team that go out and put in 100 percent. I see 100 percent from those guys more often then the other ones on the team. Ross’s average was .08 behind McCann’s last year, but Ross’s homerun every 18 at bats was better than McCanns 1 in 23 at bats. Check the numbers if you want. Ross plays with much more enthusiasm. Baseball is supposed to be fun and these guys hardly have any fun unless its a walkoff deal. I am merely saying don’t give the starts to those guys who are statistically better, give it to the guys who will try the hardest and play with the best emotions.

Gastro

April 28th, 2010
12:00 pm

I agree with TRH10 to some degree – that Bobby isn’t the biggest issue right now; it’s Wren and the players he is fielding first and foremost. Secondly, I think TP is mediocre which doesn’t help.

That said, I really do want to see someone come in with a different hitting philosophy. I like Bobby’s personality re: standing by his players… not one player has ever said they disliked playing for him. His strategy and philosophy, however, is not something I like…

dozer

April 28th, 2010
12:01 pm

This is perfect – Heyward isn’t the prototype “Bobby” offensive player – swing hard, swing early, swing at anything – then he can be in the hallowed tradition of Andruw, Frenchy, Escobar, Diaz, et al. Thank God he’ll only have one year of this…….

Stone

April 28th, 2010
12:02 pm

I can’t believe that Bobby or Chipper would have anything to say. Where is this type of article when Chipper dropped the ball in NY which lost the game? where is the artical of Glaus hitting into double plays to take us out of the game? Are you just pointing out what Heyward does and not the team? This is full of Sh%+. Bobby is too old to know what a strike is he only contributions to Baseball has been getting thrown out of a game and beating his wife and yall celebrate that? And now the only good thing about the Braves is Heyward and now you want to trash him. hope he goes somewhere he’s apprecicated.

BuckheadBrave

April 28th, 2010
12:02 pm

Escobar has every skill in the world, but maybe just not the passion. I played baseball my whole child hood like a lot of people, but once you get to a certain level usually sometime in HIgh School you have to decide if you want it to be your life, i love the game, but i love a lot of other things to. i have the passion to watch in, support it, but i didn’t have the passion for 6 am practice before class, being away from home for long stretches, and all the other grind, just for an astronomical chance i could do it for a living. Escobar never had that choice, baseball was his way out of his country, but now that he has freedoms maybe he realizes he doesnt have the passion to make it his whole world, there is nothing wrong with that. But he needs to decide one way or the other and stop phoning in his effort.

Gastro

April 28th, 2010
12:05 pm

Uhhh… nobody is “trashing” Heyward and you’re way off-base with the comment about Bobby beating up his wife. How aold are you, Stone?

Dorothy Davis

April 28th, 2010
12:09 pm

And if Heyward is taking too many pitch’s, Prado is not? Are we watching the same game? The whole team is taking too many pitch’s, Brian included. They need to get aggresive at the plate and the sooner the better.

OCHOLOCOBRAVOS

April 28th, 2010
12:10 pm

The only knock on Heyward is that he takes too many pitches?? That’s not bad, it’s constructive criticism, and it’s true, but it isn’t a big deal.. He just needs to make some adjustments at the plate when he’s facing certain pitchers. Everyone else at the Major League level does it. the kid isn’t going to just step foot in the Majors and know everything about how to do everything versus everyone.. It takes time.

that being said, yes – he needs to swing at more pitches. Not more bad pitches, but if he gets a first pitch strike over the outer half of the plater then why not swing and try to knock it into LF? Not to toot my own horn, but I’ve literally watched every game this year (yes, even the last 7 L’s) and he just takes & takes & takes pitches til it’s too late. Glaus was doing the same thing early in the season, taking fastballs down the middle til he was down in the count them he’d whiff at the breaking pitches.

All Cox is saying here is that Jason has to be a little more aggressive, adn there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that!

Jeff Treadway

April 28th, 2010
12:13 pm

For those that dont know: TP’s school of hitting is to take the first pitch no matter what — do you guys remember watching him bat? For some guys, it helps to see a pitch, Martin Prado for example–for other guys, this does not help – The rest of the team for example

Gastro

April 28th, 2010
12:17 pm

Dorothy – you’re wrong. Taking pitches = GOOD. The Yanks and Sox have been doing this forever. We, on the other hand, have been known for swinging at anything around the plate – no discipline whatsoever. Now we are finally doing what smart teams do – make the opponents’ pitchers work! If we ever get a slugger or two in the line-up we’ll be outstanding. It’s Wren who needs to be ripped – not the fact we’re taking pitches!

BillS

April 28th, 2010
12:20 pm

I suppose this is a minority view, but — We’re not 30 days into the season yet, and while we don’t look good, we’re not out of the race. We actually have time. This team isn’t going to hit .200 for a season. Nor is Cox a “moron, “senile clown” or bozo” as described here. He struggling to find a way to make this team work (sort of the way we struggle on this blog, only his counts, and he’s a professional, which no one here is). It’s fun and cheap to call out the dogs on Cox and TP — more reason for the latter to go soon — but let’s admit they are not resigned to a fold this season the way some of you are. Like i said, a minority view. I’m hopeful, just not quite as optimistic as I was.

Ted M

April 28th, 2010
12:24 pm

Why the heck aren’t the coaches talking to Heyward everyday or even every at bat?

AJ

April 28th, 2010
12:24 pm

Face the facts, folks….there is no pipeline of major league ready hitters in the minors right now, and it is too early for major league teams to have fire sales on their talented but high priced players. Don’t expect much more than what you currently have. The Braves had an unbelievable 14 year run. Those days are long gone. If the Braves are going to get better anytime soon, it will come from homegrown talent, like what has worked for the Marlins. They don’t have the budget to buy their way into the postseason. It will take a different model of rebuilding the minors to put the Braves back in the right direction. Team speed, defense and pitching with decent offense will bring the Braves back.

Ted M

April 28th, 2010
12:26 pm

Joe Mauer never swings at the first pitch.

Gastro

April 28th, 2010
12:29 pm

Some guys are phenoms, Teddy. Look at the history of the Yankees or Sox… that’s a better gauge than one or two players with that kind of talent!

Clay

April 28th, 2010
12:29 pm

This is what makes me mad about Cox. Taking pitches is not the problem. It’s swinging at the first pitch. If your going to be on one extreme, I would rather Heyward just take pitches. With the terrible quality of bullpens across the league, making starters throw some pitches is not a bad strategy.

Gastro

April 28th, 2010
12:30 pm

Also meant to say – that’s exactly right…

Loyal Homer

April 28th, 2010
12:36 pm

Can’t believe this guy believes Heyward should still be in the minors. Keep up the good work DOB.

http://thesportsdebates.com/category/tsd/the-mlb-phenom-call-up-debate/

Paddy O

April 28th, 2010
12:38 pm

Taking pitches depends on the pitcher – habit & quality. If the guy throws good first pitch strikes, and you can hit, you should probably hit it unless your the top 2 guys in order, or you have a few guys who can steal. McCann & Chipper you don’t worry about; the rest of the line up probably needs better coaching.

Braves20

April 28th, 2010
12:44 pm

Oh, if only Heyward were our largest problem.

corkylikesbeer

April 28th, 2010
12:44 pm

Hey,

What about the team chemistry. This teams seems to love each other. It is early in the season and I have fate in our Bravos. We will turn it around. Troy Glaus sure was looking good last night. I like how he is swinging the bat.

Ted M

April 28th, 2010
12:44 pm

To bad bravesfan isn’t here to tell his story again. He apparently is a friend of Francoeur, who said essentially the Braves don’t do any coaching at all.

61 year Braves Fan

April 28th, 2010
12:46 pm

When you are in a losing streak and getting beat by an average of 5 or 6 runs per game, that’s
because of lack of talent. When you consistently lose by 1 run, then you have a major managerial
problem. It all rests with Cox.

Greg Norton

April 28th, 2010
12:47 pm

Bobby Cox: Since you haven’t been responding to my emails, I thought I’d leave a meesage on this blog. Have no fear, I’m here ready to step in and help the offense whenever you need me. To stay sharp, I have been attending the Troy Glaus school for hitting.

El Bravo

April 28th, 2010
12:47 pm

Does anyone here really believe that Heyward wants to take a 3-1 fastball down the middle? He is just either not recognizing the pitch, not getting it in the area he is looking for or he is just unable to pull the trigger. That happens to every hitter from time to time. He is not sitting there looking to take that fastball! That’s what you get from a 20 year old with less than 150 ABs above class A. He is going to be great but it’s going to take a while. My fear is that I flat out don’t trust TP to be the one messing with his pitch selection…

dpelfrey

April 28th, 2010
12:48 pm

Look on the bright side, nobody else in the NL East (or the entire NL for that matter) is looking very good either. The Mets have been incredible the past week, but they won’t keep it up. To play as bad as the Braves have the past few weeks and still only be 3.5 games out in the division is a huge break.

Jeff Treadway

April 28th, 2010
12:49 pm

61 year Braves Fan – Spot on Sir ! good post !

corkylikesbeer

April 28th, 2010
12:50 pm

Why can’t Bobby tip his cap to the Cardinal’s Pitching or To Larussa last night with his great bullpen moves?

Jeff Treadway

April 28th, 2010
12:51 pm

corkylikesbeer – because the cards bullpen was horrible – but our plate appearances were worse

Braves20

April 28th, 2010
12:52 pm

Ditto what 61-year and Tread said. This is also the reason that post season, where the games are typically close, has been abysmal for the Braves over the past 20 years.

Ted M

April 28th, 2010
12:53 pm

dpelfrey – True, but the Braves are just looking like the least likely to turn it around. Still they have left the door open for us so maybe.

corkylikesbeer

April 28th, 2010
12:53 pm

Jeff,

Seems like we make most pitchers look like Cy Young..as Bobby says sometimes you have to tip your cap to the opposing team. I would like to point out that we have great team chemistry

Jeff Treadway

April 28th, 2010
12:53 pm

Braves20 – EXACTLY !! Thank you !

Jeff Treadway

April 28th, 2010
12:54 pm

This is my 3rd screen name in this thread? Which one do y’all like best?

corkylikesbeer

April 28th, 2010
12:54 pm

DOB,

What did Chipper get for his birthday?

Jeff Treadway

April 28th, 2010
12:55 pm

From what I hear we have Great Team chemistry – other than opening day and the miracle walk off game – I havent seen it

Jeff Treadway

April 28th, 2010
12:56 pm

….because I’m a great judge of team chemistry. I can tell from my sofa.

Jeff Treadway

April 28th, 2010
12:57 pm

LOL ! good one wanna be ME

jay dubu

April 28th, 2010
12:59 pm

When you look at things, if the Braves had not brought Heyward up this year, who would the outfielders be? Would they have gone out and signed another Garret Anderson type to go with Melky, Diaz, & Nate?

That would have been horrific!!! They made a calculated risk to bring Heyward up:

1 – money would not be an issue
2- excitement for the fan base
3-breath some life into the dead team

Roy Hobbs

April 28th, 2010
1:00 pm

Hold up a minute. Who is giving this guy advice? TP? Bobby? His own hitting coach? Please dont mess up Heywards head by having 10 different people trying to tell him how to hit.

Find the best hitting coach on the planet, and hire him to work with your team. If thats not TP, then fire him. If Cox does not feel TP is doing his job, he should address it with TP, so that TP can address it with Heyward.

The way this sounds, Heyward is getting different advice from different people, which we have seen is hard for established players. I cant imagine the pressure it puts on a 20 year old rookie.

Jeff Treadway

April 28th, 2010
1:02 pm

jay dubu – you missed my earlier post –imagine what the Braves record would be if Heyward was at Gwinnett ! LMAO !!

Ted M

April 28th, 2010
1:03 pm

I bet a good clubhouse brawl would spark this team more then team chemistry at this point.

jay dubu

April 28th, 2010
1:03 pm

@Gary,

When did Cox ever, and I mean ever, criticize any of his players in the media? I’ll wait…

Ginger

April 28th, 2010
1:06 pm

Pendleton is the problem. Pitching is good. Get rid of Pendleton before it’s too late!!!

Drew

April 28th, 2010
1:06 pm

He’s mistaking nervousness for plate discipline

Ted M

April 28th, 2010
1:08 pm

I bet Bobby Cox sits Heyward tonight.

AthensBrave

April 28th, 2010
1:10 pm

On a side note:

I went to 2 concerts recently where the tomahawk was started between the end of the set and the encore. Last Friday at My Morning Jacket @ Chastain; and this past Monday at Band of Horses in Athens.

Pretty freaking cool. Both times I thought the Braves had won the games, check my iphone and they had lost. I dont know why the chop was started, but definitely cool.

Ted M

April 28th, 2010
1:11 pm

lefties are 1 for 12 against Garcia .083. and Heyward is hitting .182 against lefties.

rbraves fan

April 28th, 2010
1:20 pm

Why does our third baseman have more baseball sense than our coaches?

steve h

April 28th, 2010
1:32 pm

Bill Shanks’ article from FoxSportsSouth

http://www.foxsportssouth.com/04/28/10/Time-to-Gel-Not-Smell/landing.html?blockID=224763&feedID=4318

tell it like it is.

April 28th, 2010
1:32 pm

This team won’t win a 100 games this year without some help.How anybody can stomach watching them is beyound me.

Jesse Stone

April 28th, 2010
1:39 pm

I’d settle for 90 games

steve h

April 28th, 2010
1:41 pm

Well, at some point you have to think they’ll turn it around. Last night’s game was another infamous one-run loss but what it was NOT was error prone. Yeah, we left about 9 or 10 on and Heyward had a golden chance with bases loaded but things looked a lot better last night than Monday’s effort. Lowe pitched a heck of aa lot better than I thought he would and was sailing fine the first half. The Cards made two consecutive bad throws; one from CF (Rasmous sp) to pitcher, pitcher to home plate, both throwing the ball into the ground. So, at least what comes around goes around and there’s a lot going around in the NL right now. The Mets won’t be playing 500+ ball all year and the Phillies won’t be playing sub-.500 ball either. The Nats — well, who knows but two things we know about the Nats and that’s that they can swing it and they’ve always had our number. When they bring up Straussberg (sp), he’ll only be a threat once every five days.

Chin up Braves fans. This team is a lot better than we’re seeing and we’ve already seen that they can hit. The Braves (for as long as I can remember) have always been a second half team.

Bob

April 28th, 2010
1:45 pm

When is someone going to make Wren accountable for his bad moves and missed moves? Other than a couple of young pitchers, Heyward (a future star in 2 years probably) and an all-star catcher, the Braves are a team with less talent than 80% of the teams in National league. How the mighty have fallen.

Ow! My Oblique!

April 28th, 2010
1:49 pm

Don Baylor is the hitting coach with the Rockies. Why would he leave?

JUST SAYIN'

April 28th, 2010
1:50 pm

A week ago I asked if anyone had noticed that Heyward ALWAYS takes the first pitch? Well NL pitchers had noticed and strikes are all he has gotten on that first pitch.

Bobby Cox has also noticed it. Thank God. Maybe tonight Heyward will swing at that first pitch strike right down the middle.

And one other point:

Will the posters on here stop stomping on Jordon Schafer. The boy broke a bone in his hand last year and someday will be the Braves star player in CF. And it won’t be long, no longer than it takes him to get over the surgery on that wrist.

Jesse Stone

April 28th, 2010
1:52 pm

Just sayin’- I agree on your first point, but not sold on the last. Jordan had a breakout season in ‘08? Not sure if he can duplicate that.

The Real Don Steele

April 28th, 2010
1:52 pm

This team is as bad as any that the Braves have fielded since coming to Atlanta in 1966. As bad as any of the terrible teams of the 70’s & 80’s. There are too many automatic outs in the lineup. The reason Prado, McCann & Heyward aren’t hitting is simple: they aren’t being pitched to. Pitchers would rather pitch to Chipper (old, hurt, bat slowed down); Glaus (finished, old, slow) and McLouth (Looking completely lost;as bad as any bad hitter in A ball right now). When you’ve got hitters this bad, your couple of good hitters will not see pitches. It’s fundamental baseball.

Jesse Stone

April 28th, 2010
1:55 pm

Don- If you think this team is as bad as any we’ve had in Atlanta, you are mistaken. I mean, Zane Smith was once our ace.

The Truth

April 28th, 2010
1:58 pm

The whole team takes too many pitches. The Phillies fight off every pitch especially when they’re down in the count. The Braves watch every pitch and then complain about calls when we strike out looking.

ttough44

April 28th, 2010
1:59 pm

I live and die with the Braves, have been since 1966 when I was just in the first grade. My Goodness, the run production is so pathetic, can someone do something? Wren, Cox, Pendleton, if you are the hitting coach, FIX IT! And, who is the fielding coach, our defense has been sub-par. Come Cox, right this ship immediately or go ahead and jump off and let someone who will….remember A DEAD FISH STINKS FROM HEAD TO TAIL!

Phil

April 28th, 2010
2:00 pm

Countdown clock at 142. That’s how many games Cox has left and then the massive celebration can begin. No, not playoffs, but free from 20 years from that moronic buffoon.

papafoxx

April 28th, 2010
2:02 pm

You knew the old scouts would figure out how to pitch to Heyward now he and TP needs to figure out how to hit what’s thrown at him

northbeach Scott

April 28th, 2010
2:03 pm

Could Shank’s article be more devoid of content? What a fluff piece. The Braves really stink, right now. Not sure I understand how that could be after those dramatic come from behind wins, seven losses, ago.

Sure hope Schafer gets mended and does well in Gwinnett, because the Braves may have a firesale at the All Star break and may need him in CF. Freddie Freeman needs to get it together, as well, because Glaus will also be gone if he does not come around.

The Truth

April 28th, 2010
2:03 pm

Sadly, Cox is going out like Bobby Bowden. It’s obvious that his player’s coach methods have gotten to the point where his players just aren’t being coached at all.

JimK

April 28th, 2010
2:04 pm

Sure, blame the rookie. Before listening too carefully, Heyward should look over at Nate McLouth and consider his career arc since coming under the tutelage of Cox and Pendleton. More to the point, what have Andruw Jones, Jeff Francoeur, and Kelly Johnson learned elsewhere that they didn’t learn here about hitting? That trio has 16 homers, 32RBI and an average in the .280’s this season. Before Jason Heyward “learns” too much from the Braves’ council of elders, he should figure out what to do with their advice by watching that great Seinfeld episode, “The Opposite.”

DawgDad

April 28th, 2010
2:04 pm

“Make trades now for the future and let the stars of tomorrow get used to playing together like the 1990 team did before everything turned around.”

Essentially that’s what happened over the winter. Signed Glaus as a stop-gap for Freeman and traded Vasquez for a Class A pitcher and a replacement-level outfielder; did not sign a power-hitting outfielder for this year (Holliday, Bay, etc.). Half the team is young core, the other half one step out the door into retirement. Half of each half is doing absolutely nothing right now, and it’s becoming contagious.

I don’t have a problem with Heyward striking out too much. The pitch last night was set up to look like a breaking ball on the outside edge that would dive out of the strike zone and he took it; unfortunately it was a fastball with just a tad of movement away. Leave him in there to work out his problems. The REAL problems on the team are: McLouth, Cabrera, Jones, McCann, Glaus, Escobar, Diaz. A couple of these guys are clearly over the hill, a couple are clearly overrated, and a couple are just plain puzzling.

It’s always dangerous to RELY on a catcher to carry a big load. McCann can be a great hitter, but catcher’s are constantly dinged up and there are very few Yogi Berra’s, Johnny Bench, and Pudge Rodriguez types out there that consistently hold up over a full season. Normal McCann-type performance should be viewed as a bonus, not a building block. And, I disagree heatedly with some radio analysts characterizing McCann as a good defensive catcher; he’s one of the worst starting catchers in the league in that respect.

The Braves defense overall has been generally sub-par and troubling, with the occasional nice play in the outfield or from Escobar/Prado. For a team built around solid pitching this is indicative of a shortcoming in the GM’s roster-building. The lack of an offensive contributor in left field is beyond explanation at this point.

Glaus has shown signs of lighting into some pitches lately; he’s also shown signs of degrading to “track power”. If the brass believes he will strengthen as the season progresses I’d stay with him; otherwise, sayonara. Cabrera is replaceable with any AAA outfilder. McLouth is a mystery. Chipper’s problems were predictable. Most likely you need to ride with this roster until the end of May, then if you’re 6-10 below .500 or way back in the race you blow it up and bring in the kids. Problem is, nobody is going to take the dead weight except for Wagner and maybe Saito/Kawakami if they hold up. You might be able to send McLouth somewhere for a second-level prospect, but you might be better off betting on Nate to come back. Could trade Prado or Infante, but we’d have a hard time capturing full value for Escobar.

Phil

April 28th, 2010
2:07 pm

Truth,
I said the same thing last year here on these blogs, that Bobby Cox has turned into Bobby Bowden. And just like FSU, we let Cox stick around WAY too long, just like they did with Bowden. Both of them completely senile and clueless during a game.

Marc in FL

April 28th, 2010
2:10 pm

I hate to be the meat in a in a herd of wild animals… But Bobby is right. Heyward is taking too many pitches. Of course, so is McCann and Glaus.

papafoxx

April 28th, 2010
2:10 pm

For several years now the Braves Coaches, GM and ownership have been satisfied with losers so until we have all who want to win we are stuck with what we have.

Marc in FL

April 28th, 2010
2:12 pm

Yeah, you can’t build around a catcher. Wait, didn’t the Twins do that recently?

Pete

April 28th, 2010
2:13 pm

JUST SAYIN agree with you; not hard to notice JH takes a lot of 1 and 2nd pitches right down the middle. Not just with his bases loaded AB last night, but others as well. I bet he changes that approach soon, and I also bet the Braves will rip off a 10 out of 12 or 13 win streak sometime in May.
They are getting no breaks at all, and soon that will change in many ways, in my opinion.

DawgDad

April 28th, 2010
2:21 pm

“They are getting no breaks at all, and soon that will change in many ways, in my opinion.”

Pete, I keep watching and hoping, trying to be optimistic. But is has to be acknowledged they are shooting themselves in the foot far too frequently. Sit Escobar for lackluster play and what happens? Jones drops two can-of-corn popups. That does not bode well for team chemistry. As I’ve said before, at Chipper’s salary, as the team leader, and under those circumstances with Escobar being benched he should have been fined $1,000,000.

JMac12203

April 28th, 2010
2:27 pm

For the past 2 or 3 years I have been saying to anyone that will listen that Bobby was a good (not great) manager who mis-managed the Braves terribly in their glory years. There is no excuse in the Braves winning all those overrated division titles and winning only 1 world series. Now it is obvious that the time of Bobby Cox has come and has happily gone. He should have done the right thing and “retired” 5 years ago. The Braves are a poorly coached team with a few good young players. Their pitching staff has been terribly overrated, and they continue to be possibly the worst team in the league fundamentally. Their catcher couldn’t even throw out one of the slowest runners in the league (Molina), as he stole second, even after he started, stopped and then re-started. Your 2010 Atlanta Braves are nothing more than a mediocre team that is poorly managed and coached. Chipper and Lowe need to go NOW so rebuilding, youth movement can begin.

Kelly Leake

April 28th, 2010
2:33 pm

How dare Bobby say Heyward isn’t perfect!!

FUWren

April 28th, 2010
2:33 pm

No comments at all about Melky trying to catch that sinking liner with his freaking elbow? That play and Chipper’s non-double-play lost the game. Melky can’t play outfield and can’t hit. Why is he in the f@#i%ing lineup every single night?

The only constant so far has been pretty good pitching and consistently terrible defense. The hitting won’t be this bad all year, but how is the defense going to get better?

"S" Crowbar

April 28th, 2010
2:33 pm

I weally, weally, weally, do dink I need a bacation !!!!!!!!!

Pete

April 28th, 2010
2:41 pm

DAWG, agree completely. But just my opinion that shots to the foot will end as well, because soon no one will have any feet! Thats one of the “many ways” I was referring to. I happen to believe that Cox last year is having some impact….whether that means they try too hard or whatever, I dont know. But that is NO excuse, and Im not trying to suggest it is. They need to forget Cox last year, etc. and play baseball.

Donny Corleone

April 28th, 2010
2:43 pm

C’mon guys! Buck up little troopers! This team’s goin’ great! We’ll win it all this year!

Donny Corleone

April 28th, 2010
2:46 pm

I’m looking for them to score a hunnert tonight!

Mikey

April 28th, 2010
2:49 pm

Taking pitches early in the count and making the opposing pitcher work is precisly how every hitter in the Yankee organization is taught. The Braves problem is, they are not being aggressive when the count is in their favor ie. 2-1, 3-1 etc. They also have the strange habit of taking strike 3!!

nique

April 28th, 2010
2:49 pm

Don’t see what good it is for Cox to publicly criticize Heyward at this stage.

Castrologist

April 28th, 2010
2:52 pm

Sell the franchise…it’s all over…warm up the bus…these guys are no good..we’ll never be relevant again….blah…blah…blah. Can we get through April without the entire fan base thinking that the players and leadership are absolute buffoons? Give it some time. After all, how do they say it in baseball, we’re due. Then again, so are the Pirates. We could use a little of that 90s magic. Can Franky Cabrera play the outfield?

When will the Braves win again? How about it Kawakami? Can someone please throw a shutout? That seems to be the best option for us winning again.

castrologist.tumblr.com

ShortBravesFan

April 28th, 2010
2:53 pm

Okay Melky didn’t catch that ball, but actually got on base and scored!

Marc in FL

April 28th, 2010
2:53 pm

I think if you read it again you’ll see Cox isn’t bashing Heyward, he’s simply making an observation. You have to remember these comments stemmed from someone asking him why he thought Heyward was struggling, not because he just felt like pointing out Heyward’s shortcomings.

All you people that act like you understand Bobby so well, and then you act like he just out of nowhere started getting on Heyward’s back about taking a few too many pitches. When does Bobby ever just come out of nowhere and start chastising his players during slumps. This is not Ozzie or Lou we’re talking about here.

Kelly Leake

April 28th, 2010
2:56 pm

Mikey, when did you play in the Yankee organization?

ShortBravesFan

April 28th, 2010
2:59 pm

I agree Marc. Bobby loves his players and always sticks up for them.

BraveFalconHawk

April 28th, 2010
3:04 pm

Wow I actually said the samething about Heyward yesterday during the game. Swing away kid!!!

ATLiens

April 28th, 2010
3:05 pm

just breezed through the three pages of comments and damn. it amazes me that DOB continues to chug out these blogs when he just gets slammed for doing his job. the doomsday rhetoric and pseudo-sarcastic threats against BC and TP have gotten ridiculous. the fault for this start is not on one single person, manager, gm, etc. its a collective effort and responsibility should be dished out accordingly. keep up the work DOB, at the rate your words incite verbal anarchism maybe glenn beck will give you a call for a promotion

Mikey

April 28th, 2010
3:05 pm

I read the Yankee playbook on how to win World Series….seriously watch them play, they lead the league in total pitch count, walks and OB% yearly…and unfortunately in longest games!

Jac

April 28th, 2010
3:06 pm

Whats up with all the Cox haters or Fire Cox chant. He is only given us more success than we ever have had. If it wasn’t for him we would be still enjoying the losing seasons like we had in the 80’s. If memory serves correctly Braves always start slowly than rebounded very nicely.
Cox is the man in atlanta and knows what is best for the braves.

So all you cox haters go to Pittsburgh and watch a real group of misfits play baseball

Jac

April 28th, 2010
3:08 pm

HELL WITH THE YANKEES

Jesse Stone

April 28th, 2010
3:24 pm

Mikey…..or the key to Yankees success is a bottomless pit of funds.

bill

April 28th, 2010
3:24 pm

I AGREE GET RID OF BOBBY AND THE ENTIRE STAFF NOW. MORE THAN 1/2 TIMES CHIPPER SWINGS AT THE FIRST PITCH WITH MEN ON BASE HE GROUNDS OUT. LEAVE HEYWARD ALONG YOU OLD THINKING MANAGER!

Greg Norton

April 28th, 2010
3:28 pm

I’m available to be the new hitting coach!

Greg Norton

April 28th, 2010
3:31 pm

Enter your comments here

Rafael Belliard

April 28th, 2010
3:34 pm

I would be a better hitting coach than Norton!

The J-Hey Kid

April 28th, 2010
3:42 pm

The J-Hey Kid doesn’t see balls. He sees code. Heyward is the least of the Braves problems right now.

http://jasonheywardfacts.com

Jac

April 28th, 2010
3:42 pm

Bill is apparently fallen off his rocker. They obviously will not fire Cox which is just plain stupid and a ignorant thought.
Sorry Raf Norton has more HR so he gets the honors. I wonder if Aaron will come out of retirement to coach.

The Real Don Steele

April 28th, 2010
3:47 pm

Jesse Stone, not talking about pitching. Am talking about the position players. There is no there, there. Escobar made another base running blunder in Monday’s game. His head is not in the game. This team has to play flawless defense and run the bases with precision to have a chance at winning. So far, they’ve not been able to do it. I’m a real fan of McCann but he simply cannot throw anyone out at second. He’s not as bad as Mike Piazza was but he’s a very close second. Teams will steal at will against the Bravos.

steve

April 28th, 2010
3:51 pm

I understand why Jason is taking so many pitches as he has not faced these pitchers and so he is trying to get a better look at what pitches they throw and how much movement they have, I would like to see him start looking for a 1st pitch fastball and if he gets one then swing away, I have to wonder if our so called hitting coach has not got him screwed up also like Francouer and Johnson plus all the rest of the team because we just can”t hit the ball worth a crap and there has to be a reason for it. Bobby to late to make a move Cox should worry more about how he has mismanaged several games already instead of worrying about Heyward.

NO MORE BOBBY

April 28th, 2010
3:59 pm

corkylikesbeer – DOB, What did Chipper get for his birthday?

Hookers and Icy Hot for his aching joints.

papafoxx

April 28th, 2010
4:01 pm

Heyward is Young and will learn & improve which is more than be said about Chipper & other players on the team

Phil

April 28th, 2010
4:08 pm

Jac,
Cito Gaston took over for Bobby when he left Toronto and won 2 World Series with Bobby’s players. Just think what Torre or somebody like that would have done with Bobby’s players in the 90’s. We would have about 5 WS titles.

The Real Don Steele

April 28th, 2010
4:09 pm

Has anybody noticed that Adam LaRouche is having the best April of his career?

Marc in FL

April 28th, 2010
4:15 pm

Laroche is having a nice start to the year, good for him. His away splits are too few to judge, but he is looking good all around so far.

As for Kelly Johnson, go to Baseballreference.com and check out his home and away splits. It’s veryus. obvious he’s booming in that sandbox of a park over there. His away splits are worse than when we was with

Marc in FL

April 28th, 2010
4:16 pm

“us.”… Weird type glitch there.

Phil

April 28th, 2010
4:18 pm

LaRoche is just like Kelly Johnson and Francouer, once he got that TP & Cox disease out of his system, he’s doing much better.

Jesse Stone

April 28th, 2010
4:26 pm

MORE FALSEHOODS FROM PHIL. Jimy Williams took over for Bobby Cox. How did he do in Toronto. Bobby had no Jack Morris, no Roberto Alomar, no Joe Carter, etc. Try again, Phil.

Kentavo

April 28th, 2010
4:26 pm

I’m all for letting the kids play; Having Chipper and Glaus kick the ball around the infield is maddening.
Does anybody in the entire organization have speed?
Cut bait with Glaus and call up Freeman already. Just do something Wren, becuase this wretched collection of has-beens and never-was is going nowhere fast. At least switch Glaus and Hinske’s roles – that’d help. At least Hinkse can field and make consistent contact.
Since we can’t hit anyway, I’d like to see Booby try a defense-minded lineup: Put the best defensive players on the field and see what happens:
C, Ross
1B, Hinkse
2B, Conrad
SS, Esco
3B, Prado
LF, Melky
CF, McClouth
RF, Heyward
(That’s not the batting order, just around-the-diamond order).
I know it benches two of our best hitters (Chip and Mac), but if this lineup is paired with Hanson or Hudson, we might could squeak out a 1-run game.

Jesse Stone

April 28th, 2010
4:28 pm

The ONLY player from the WS Blue Jays that Bobby managed that I can remember is Kelly Gruber.

The Real Don Steele

April 28th, 2010
4:29 pm

It obvious now why the Yankees didn’t re-sign Cabrera. He is one of those players that has slowed right before your eyes. It looks as though he has put on a lot of weight since last season but whether or not that’s true, the fact that he has slowed considerably cannot be denied. He’s not anywhere near the player he was last year in NYC.

SC Smith

April 28th, 2010
4:29 pm

We mostly stunk thru the late 60’s, 70’s, & 80’s. But with hitters like Aaron, Carty Cepeda, Alou, Torre, G.Matthews, Murphy, Chambliss, Horner, Baker, Burroughs, Evans ect… We were at least fun to watch. Too bad Niekro couldn’t pitch everyday, they would have won 5 Championships.

Kentavo

April 28th, 2010
4:32 pm

Hey Moron, the Yankees didn’t “re-sign” Melky because his contract was not up. They traded him. Big difference.

Jesse Stone

April 28th, 2010
4:33 pm

This is the true Melky. Not surrounded by an all star team and not playing his home games in Williamsport.

Marc in FL

April 28th, 2010
4:38 pm

There are several “realistic” trade possibilities in the next month or so. At this point though I’m thinking the best would be Schafer and Viszciano (sp?), and if need be a second rate throw-in prospect to the Indians for Grady Sizemore. He has a reasonable contract and isn’t so elite that he’ll demand 20mil a year once he hits the FA market. He is someone would could realistically sign long-term.

Yes, his offense is off to a slow start, but that’s why I think he might have a shot, well that and the Indians don’t expect to go anywhere this year or the next for that matter. He may be the best defensive CF in baseball right now.

McLouth would have to move to LF, which could be a huge improvement over what we have now if he could adapt.

Just an idea.

hotstove.com / archive » Hot Stove Update: Phillies’ Rollins Likely Back by Mid-May, Braves’ Jason Heyward Taking Too Many Strikes, more

April 28th, 2010
4:41 pm

[...] Braves phenom Jason Heyward needs to stop his Par Burrell imitation at the plate, being way too selective. [...]

Paddy O

April 28th, 2010
6:05 pm

Mikey – you are making a logic error, called hasty generalization; plus you deduction is erroneous. They are not good because they take a lot balls. Because they are good, high quality ball players, they know the difference between a ball and a strike. A good pitcher gets you swinging at bad or borderline pitches. Only true power pitchers make a living off of just tossing the ball in the strike zone & daring you to hit it. If you do not have great hitters – most of the Yankees will hit at least 300 this year – then your team is more see good pitch, hit good pitch, or you must be lucky and guess right (a lot of scouting & video). Our older hitters, which now is really just Chipper, can hit by feel. The other guys, who are not natural hitters (relatively few guys – Boggs, Gwynn, Mauer are natural hitters and will consistently smash at 330), we must hope do a lot of video so they can pick up pitchers tendencies. I thought Heyward had a good at bat yesterday, but they did run a scheme against him that the pitcher executed very, very well. His long foul was a great defensive swing. Also, a lot of stupid, snob hitters of today ( such as JD Drew) dependent too much on their knowledge of the strike zone. If you have 2 strikes, you must defend the zone – if it is close, you intentionally foul it off. However you cut it, our offense is bad – we were NO HIT. McLouth, Glaus Melky – are all guys we picked up. They are all, currently, bad. Factor in McCann’s, Chippers and Heyward slump, plus the pitcher, and our best hitting prospects are Prado & Escobar. They should be 1,2 with McCann 3, Chipper 4 then Heyward; with Glaus then McLouth. I would replace McLouth & Glaus with Conrad & Hinski – because despite of everything, the key is being clutch; and it appears Conrad is & I know Hinski is.

Robert

April 28th, 2010
6:06 pm

” Chipper basically completely contradicted what Cox said.”

Chipper’s take on this situation makes sense.

Robert

April 28th, 2010
6:10 pm

Right now, Heyward is hitting .220-something because he is a rookie going thru a learning curve. A learning curve that holds promise to be a steep one if he goes about things properly

Having him alter his basic plate philosophy such that he flails away at anything that remotely looks like it might prove hittable would be a surefure way to turn him into a .220-something hitter

crymeariver

April 28th, 2010
6:20 pm

He is.

adam

April 28th, 2010
6:27 pm

Everyone says TP should go but looking at some stats he actually has helped hitters. However, that was a random sample. TP might be one of those guys who makes a better manager than hitting coach. But we might not know til its too late!

Don't-win-it-4Bobby-but-4the-FANS

April 28th, 2010
8:02 pm

Tonight game’s lineup looks terrific!

{4th} Our cleanup hitter hitting a cool .200 (he’s been improving lately)
{5th} Next is Diaz with a .195 average (he’s due, he’s gonna have a 2-hit performance tonight, with at least an extra-base hit)
{6th} Melky hitting .179 (having good cuts lately, but don’t know what to expect from him)
{7th} Everything OK with Ross
{8th} MkLouth .149 (same as Melky)

Oh, and Chipper hitting third facing a lefty. I wish he could swing without problems tonight.

tim

April 28th, 2010
8:03 pm

I am amazed chipper didn’t strain his eyes from second and come out of the game and sit the rest of the week. hopefully TP and BC will leave this kid alone haven’t the two of them screwed up enough young hitters. take a look they are scattered throughout the majors and all doing well now that pendleton can’t touch them anymore. how about ned yost next yr for manager and hopefully he will bring leo back. the only coach i would keep is hubbie the rest have GOT TO GO along with glaus,chipper,lowe kk jojo and a few others bring up the kids

Don't-win-it-4Bobby-but-4the-FANS

April 28th, 2010
8:09 pm

Just watched the standings and the Braves currently sit 4.0 GB behind the… METS? I hope it doesn’t last long.

Don't-win-it-4Bobby-but-4the-FANS

April 28th, 2010
8:11 pm

By the way, Kelly Johnson with the winning HR for the D-Backs this afternoon. Good for him!

Mike

April 28th, 2010
11:22 pm

You know they say the same thing about Joe Mauer not saying Heyward is Mauer but I’m saying he’s pretty good at what he does and I see no reason Jason cannot be suceessful give him time Bobby and stop making idiotic comments.

Dstrick

May 12th, 2010
12:55 pm

Heyward is a young cat with the skill set to be whale of a ballplayer
He proved himself as a threat early on so now pitchers are toying with his head. Give him time to develop mentally. Apart of that is not having to think so much at the dish.

Cox: Heyward taking way too many pitches

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Cox: Heyward taking way too many pitches

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