Archive for March 31st, 2011

WASHINGTON – Fredi Gonzalez was in a cab with some coaches early Thursday morning on their way to the ballpark when his cellphone rang.

It was his old boss, Bobby Cox, aka “The Skipper” to Gonzalez, always.

“He was having coffee, and he called to wish us good luck and to have a good season,” the new Braves manager said of the call from the iconic ex-manager.  “And he said he’d be watching the game.”

Someone asked what time Cox called, and Gonzalez smiled.

“He knows the [routine], so when he called he said, ‘Are you guys getting out of the cab?’ I said, we’re right around the corner from the stadium. [Gonzalez laughed]. So we talked for a little bit.”

The Braves beat the Washington Nationals 2-0 on Thursday in the first game of the post-Cox era. The win came in the same city where Gonzalez won his debut as a big-league manager in 2007, when his Marlins beat Manny Acta’s Nationals on opening day in the first matchup between two major …

Continue reading New Braves manager gets early a.m. call from Cox »

manager FREDI GONZALEZ

“I tell you what, from D-Lowe all the way to Craig at the end, we had a lot of good things happen. Defensively, Gonzalez a couple of nice plays.

“D-Lowe had that sinker going good and even the base hits he gave up were choppers or balls through the infield. That’s a nice sign to see from a sinkerball pitcher.”

On Chipper Jones’ double:

“That’s was good baserunning. That’s the kind of stuff we like to see. He goes out there at age 38 – he’s probably feeling pretty good opening day – he got a double, then a base hit from the right side. I hope that keeps up for a while.”

On Jason Heyward homering for the second consecutive Opening Day:

“Maybe we need to trick him on Saturday, tell him it’s Opening Day again. He hit that ball a ton. The very next inning, I thought Ankiel got his, and he made it the the warning track. It tells you how strong this guy Heyward is

On rookie 1B Freeman’s scoops:

“That’s not surprising. We saw …

Continue reading Braves’ quotes after opening win at Washington »

WASHINGTON – Just when it seemed like Jason Heyward might be “old” news at age 21, making room in the spotlight for the opening day debuts of rookies Freddie Freeman and Craig Kimbrel, here came that familiar mighty swing.

After introducing himself to Major League Baseball last opening day with a monster home run on his first swing, Heyward was back turning heads Thursday with a first at-bat homer to help the Braves beat the Nationals 2-0.

Heyward took his time getting his first home run this year. Two swings.

And this time Freeman was “in the hole” in the Braves dugout to enjoy it.

“Again?” Freeman said he kidded his friend when Heyward returned to the Braves dugout. “I was just happy for him. A little cutter, he said. He drove through that with his top hand. It’s pretty impressive to see from the side angle like that. He hit that ball hard. Got to, to hit it out in this weather.”

Heyward joined former New York Met Kaz Matsui as the only other player in …

Continue reading Heyward supplies more magic on opening day »

WASHINGTON – Pete Rose once said of Opening Day, “It’s like Christmas, except it’s warmer.”

Pete Rose dove into Opening Day.

And he was right. Except it’s not warmer today here in D.C. It’s about 40 degrees with a light rain as your Bravos prepare to start a new era under manager Fredi Gonzalez.

Fans are pouring into Nationals Park and the red, white and blue bunting is affixed to the facades of each seating deck. It’s cold and miserable, but it’s Opening Day, and that’s all we care about here.

Bobby Cox passed him the baton in October. Today, Fredi Gonzlez runs with it.

It’s the beginning of the long, winding road, the great, uncharitable annual journey that for most of us – you, me, the players, coaches and manager – is the season that everything else revolves around. The baseball season.

By the way, guess who’s not wearing long sleeves? No, not your Crusading Everyman. I’m rocking a sweater and waterproof boots. (Only one scribe forgot we were …

Continue reading Braves Opening Day: The Fredi G. Era begins »

WASHINGTON – Jair Jurrjens pitched a pain-free bullpen session on Thursday in Washington but the Braves could still decide to disable him rather than tempt fate with his sore right side.

Even if Jurrjens goes to the disabled list, he would still be eligible to pitch by Saturday, April 9 during the Braves home-opening series against the Phillies. The Braves could call on minor leaguer Mike Minor to make a spot start in Jurrjens’ place Wednesday in Milwaukee.

“We’re shooting for that (April 6), but the window is getting smaller and smaller,” Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said of Jurrjens’ Thursday morning.

After the game, Gonzalez was noncommittal about the Braves’ plans for Jurrjens, saying he would provide more information on Saturday, an indication the Braves might play it safe.

“I felt good,” said Jurrjens who mixed in all his pitches during a 30-pitch session in the tunnel at Nationals Park. “I’ll just play it day-by-day and see what kind of decision …

Continue reading Braves could play it safe with Jurrjens – updated »

Braves 2011 Opening Day lineup vs. Nationals

1. Prado LF
2. McLouth CF
3. Jones 3B
4. McCann C
5. Uggla 2B
6. Heyward RF
7. Gonzalez SS
8. Freeman 1B
9. Lowe RHP

Continue reading Braves Opening Day lineup »