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171 comments Add your comment
Brave New World
May 26th, 2011
10:46 am
Uggla will eventually come around. I think he will wind up hitting between .240 – .260 with 25-30 home runs and between 80 – 90 RBI’s in 2011.
old timer
May 26th, 2011
10:51 am
Sluggers tend to be streaky, unless they are named Henry Aaron, and then they hardly ever have slumps. Dan is going to have a big June, like Glaus’s month of May last season.
Jay
May 26th, 2011
10:53 am
So if Uggla ends the year batting .180…do the Braves get a refund? He’s not being paid to under perform. What does it say about the guy that he wants the big money, but can’t produce once he gets it?
schmeckdawg
May 26th, 2011
10:56 am
Is it college football season yet?
Brave Hokie
May 26th, 2011
10:57 am
Easy to shine, Uggla, when know one is watching, yea???
Another Brave killer who only killed the Braves more when he steals our cash and puts those career batting average killer jersey on… I only hope the worse for him {period}.
Sure fills our that jersey though ~ pretender.
alex
May 26th, 2011
11:07 am
Bottom line:uggla was brought in to drive in runs and hit HR’s, he never was or will be a 300 hitter.
He is NOT doing what he was brought in to do.He is getting paid >10%of the entire braves salary and thus we may not have better outfielders or bench players because of HIM.(chipper aside). Send him down to get some batting practice, yes we are still in it because of our pitching,he either needs to contribute NOW or be SIT.This isn’t crying, this is baseball…
Marvin Mangrum
May 26th, 2011
11:09 am
I want to say this! If you did not know Uggla was going to be a bust then you do not know poop! I can not even begin to think of the aces these guys have let go in my 63 years. And just did not sign him, promised him, regardless, ahemmm, regardless, of what he does. Can not get of him, kinda like McCloth, huh?
Yade
May 26th, 2011
11:17 am
Dan Uggla = Ray Finkle
Ryan
May 26th, 2011
11:17 am
Dan, i will help you out and take some of that pressure off you, you can send some of that $ to me. Make all checks paybal to Ryan
Thanks man and glad to help!
Jimmy
May 26th, 2011
11:24 am
I second (or third) the idea of sending him to Gwinnett for 10 games or so. This pressure thing has evolved into a confidence issue. And it’s not only in the batters box… it is creeping to his fielding – like who is covering second base yesterday.
I like Uggla and I think he will provide alot of good memories in the second half. But send him down and let him rip the AAA pitching and get his confidence back.
Skillet
May 26th, 2011
11:27 am
The Braves need mulligans from the Jays & Marlins….That way we can have Yunel & Omar back for Gonzo & Uggla…..As for the “.238 Nate” trade, the Braves & Pirates both lost on that trade.
alex
May 26th, 2011
11:27 am
dennid: DARE i SAY HGH,HGH,HGH,HGH.ohHOW I LIKE TO STIR THE POT!
1991Braves
May 26th, 2011
11:33 am
Pressure my ass. It’s a game that kids play for fun for free. These overpaid crybabies should try playing the game for fun, and for free, and let’s see how they perform then. I’m sure he is worried about how much money he is getting paid the minute he leaves turner field after a game. He gets in his $150,000.00 or $200,000.00 dollar car and speeds down the interstate to his home that is worth millions, then when the season is over, he flys to his other million dollar beach house. Please, give the damn money back and play for free, or shut the f… up. Same for crybaby Larry Jones, cant wait until the braves get rid of Larry, Hudson, Uggla:&Lowe. 4 of the most overpaid, athletes in sports, and braves fans wonder why they can’t win big anymore. If the braves owners and the puppet Wren had any balls, they would do as the Marlins have done on 2 occasions, dump these ovepaid babies and their salaries, and bring in young talent, and develop it into world championships. OOPS, forgot, Wren grew up under our previous G.M’s wings, and he only learned how to trade top young talent for aging overthehill overpaid players.A.E.(Lowe,Hudson,Uggla). LOL!!
CajunStorm
May 26th, 2011
11:34 am
Hey Phil…
I feel you bro. I was just trying to point out that Uggs has proven long term results. A change in enviroment, city, home, and employment affects some people differently than others. To me it looks like Uggs is trying waaaay too hard to prove his worthiness. He needs to get a grip (and he will) and show what he always has.
I’m a HUGE Braves fan! Have been since sittin on the Bayou watching the Braves on TBS as a youngster. 3 things I know for sure about this years team is 1. We will go as far as our pitching will take us. 2. Chipper and Heyward must stay healthy and 3. Uggla HAS to hit..if this team plans on anything close to a World Series run.
Fols
May 26th, 2011
11:34 am
Meh, this is all fine in spring training, it’s even fine in April since many guys take a while to get going.
Time to wake up and produce, next week is June. I’m tired of the he’ll come around talk and now that it’s blown up to this…….he just applied more pressure because all eyes are on him (and articles).
I can live with a struggle but .180 is beyond a struggle, it’s not worthy of a line-up spot and clearly he’s going to be in there.
Chipper needs to slap him upside the head and kick-start the UGG!
89Dawg
May 26th, 2011
11:38 am
Uggla doesn’t need our sympathy but he and everyone else on the roster deserves our support (regardless of contracts). Chipper and McCann are carrying the team but at some point Uggla, Freeman and Heyward are all going to bust loose…its simple laws of averages and statistics…the amazing thing is how close we are to first place despite the ineptitude on offense (Pitching has been great overall)… As far as Uggla (or anyone else slumping) you don’t stop cheering or rooting for them just b/c they are struggling…can you imagine doing that to one of your kids?
1991Braves
May 26th, 2011
11:39 am
Fols, tha’t funny. Who is gonna kick Larry Jones upside the head, and get this other overpaid crybaby started?
lexbrave
May 26th, 2011
11:44 am
it probably deserves to be pointed out that despite his low average, uggla still has more hr than votto and dunn, and only 1 less than pujols.
Skillet
May 26th, 2011
11:46 am
89Dawg, speaking of Heyward, I’d like to see a copy of his birth certificate. No way is he 22 years old, maybe 32…With all his chronic aches & pains that cause him to miss games, he may actually be 42.
Matt
May 26th, 2011
11:51 am
John 10:10, as Pedro Serrano said in Major League, Jesus is no help to hit a curveball. Stop praying and get in the cage. It’s still May – if we based everything on May, Troy Glaus would have been the MVP last year.
maaku
May 26th, 2011
11:57 am
No big surprise, He was a terrible choker when he played for the Marlins
truth
May 26th, 2011
12:09 pm
“Uggla isn’t looking for any sympathy”
umm I dont have any. He is making more in one season that I will probably make in my lifetime. heck he might make more in 1-2 games that I do all year
hdhd
May 26th, 2011
12:14 pm
Surprised no one is blaming TP yet……
savannahdawg
May 26th, 2011
12:19 pm
Luv ya……..glad you are here……….but enough of this sugar coating crap……………..get you damn head out and hit the friggin ball. Stop thinking so much and swing the stick!!!!
The rest of the team isn’t doing much better. Remember all the crap you people gave TP last year? Need him back because the current coach isn’t making any kind of an impact!!!
chief pitchanono
May 26th, 2011
12:25 pm
THIS IS WHAT MAKES BASEBALL SUCH A CRAZY SPORT. IT IS VERY MUCH MENTAL, AND I AM SURE THE BRAVES ARE DOING ALL THEY CAN TO GET HIM TO MAKE THE ADJUSTMENTS THE NEES TO MAKE. FREDDI SHOULD KNOW HIS SWING VERY WELL WHICH SHOULD BE TO HIS ADVANTAGE. AS FANS WE JUST HAVE TO BE PATIENT AND HOPE. EVERYONE’S HANDS ARE TIED AS FAR AS UGGLA IS CONCERNED. YOU REALLY CAN’T BLAME ANYONE OTHER THAN MAYBE FATE OR KARMA OR THE BASEBALL GODS. WREN AND THE BRAVES MADE THE MOVE IN THE OFFSEASON THAT THEY NEEDED TO MAKE. HE’S NOT OLD, NOT COMEING OFF AN INJURY, HIS PAST NUMBERS ARE AS CONSISTENT AS ANYONE’S. RIGHT NOW ITS JUST BAD LUCK. NO ONE COULD HAVE PREDICTED THIS KIND OF PERFORMANCE SO FAR. SAME WITH HEYWARD, WHO KNEW A 21 YO WOULD BE SO INJURY PRONE, HIS FIRST YEAR AND 2 MONTHS IN THE MAJORS. WE JUST GOTA KEEP PULL’N FOR THESE GUYS AND HOPE WE CAN MANAGE TO STAY CLOSE UNTILL THEY TURN IT AROUND. I LOOK FOR THIS TO BE A REAL STRONG SECOND HALF TEAM, AND I STILL BELIEVE IF THE PITCHING STAYS HEALTHY WE WILL HAVE ALLOT TO CELEBRATE IN THE FALL. GO BRAVES!!
59bulldawg
May 26th, 2011
12:39 pm
It’s frustrating . . . but he’ll come out of it! He’s too good of a hitter!
Arthur Redding, Jr.
May 26th, 2011
12:49 pm
Braves fans are frustrated with Uggla: he was supposed to be the missing piece, the right-handed power guy anchoring the middle of the line-up, the extra edge the offense has needed . . . .
Perhaps Uggla’s worst statistic is his average with runners-in-scoring-position: .128. Ouch! Not exacly the kind of RBI-machine the Braves need in the 5th spot in the batting order. (McCann’s average with RISP, by contrast, is .368.)
Still, there’s no reason to question the trade Wren made for him. His production numbers with the Marlins are the best ever for a 2nd baseman in his first 5 years. The best EVER.
The Braves are only 3 games behind the Phillies despite the offensive woes because the pitching has been so good.
Uggla’s hitting woes have been tough to watch, but the odds are pretty good his production numbers over the next 110 games (Uggla has never had injury problems) will be a lot better.
Braves’ overall offensive production is bound to improve. I still believe they’ll be right there with the Phillies come September.
Brave Hokie
May 26th, 2011
12:58 pm
Uggla regular season = Gary Sheffield’s Braves #s in the post season.
It amazes me how dawning a Braves uniform turns O numbers into utter crap…
Phil
May 26th, 2011
1:04 pm
Maybe he could go to the Royals and learn how to hit like Frenchy!
Wolf
May 26th, 2011
1:10 pm
I am wondering if a week or so in Gwinnett would help Uggla, go there and get in 40-50 AB’s in a more relaxed atmosphere, face good pitchers but not the ace pitchers on ML clubs, get some base hits. Uggla is not a player with a LOT of natural skill, and it doesn’t take much to throw these types into a slump. They don’t have the base of natural skills to carry them though. Some games in triple-A might benefit the guy. As it is, he just seems to get worse and wrose.
Lemke's Knuckler
May 26th, 2011
1:11 pm
Speaking of Frenchy, I love it when the predictable things in life never disappoint. Jeffy’s splits…
.316 avg, .623 slg, 8 HR, 24 RBI – through May 4, 29 games
.217 avg, .319 slg, 1 HR, 5 RBI – since, 18 games
E-6
May 26th, 2011
1:16 pm
Had to comment on a post from last night listing all the Len Barker types over the years. Among them Casey Kotchman – who was acquired as direct result of the worst trade JS ever made – our farm system for a guy who never hit in the clutch and was later peddled to the Angels for Kotchman, who, by the way, is hitting .349 as the Ray’s regular first baseman.
Dawg In Malta
May 26th, 2011
1:20 pm
Bruce Sutter, Nick Esasky, Jeff Blauser, Mike Hampton & now Dan Uggla.
Atlanta is notorious for signing guys to multi-year guaranteed contracts that don’t pan out.
Atleast Blauser was a Brave before signing his contract… well maybe not!
Skillet
May 26th, 2011
1:23 pm
Arthur Redding, Jr., saying that Uggla will come around and be the hitter we Braves fans thought he would be, is pretty much the generic reasoning for any optimistic Braves fan. Fact is, Uggla himself said the big contract extension has affected his hitting due to the pressure he has put on himself.
These are untested waters that Uggla has put himself in, and this could very well be a wasted & dismal season for Uggla. If Dan is really sincere about wanting to help the team, than he needs to do like others have said, and go try and get himself right in the minors. The Braves are well into this season, and Uggla has been horrible.
Ghostrider
May 26th, 2011
1:27 pm
I have faith in Uggla, he will come around. I’m still glad we signed him. His defense is been great.
Mark's for the Braves
May 26th, 2011
1:30 pm
We’re in your corner, Dan. Relax. Hit to RF or where it is pitched and the hits will come. Hang in there!
nique
May 26th, 2011
1:34 pm
Dear Dan,
You never have to “work” a day in your life again. You are super-rich. Just go out and play baseball like you’ve played all your career. Enjoy it!
-nique
Braint
May 26th, 2011
1:50 pm
Remember the good old days when we ran people like AJ out of town because he hit 26 HR and 94 RBI? When is the last time we’ve had an OF get anywhere near those number? Other then Francoeur who was also ran out of town….
Barry
May 26th, 2011
2:09 pm
1) Uggla needs to see a shrink
2) Uggla needs to spend an afternoon with hitting coach and watching video
3) UGGLA NEEDS TO STOP TRYING TO PULL EVERYTHING!
Pitchers are doing nothing but throwing him balls on the outside corner. He NEVER makes the adjustment to go the other way…NEVER. Until he makes that adjustment he’s going to be hitting around .100 before the next week is over.
WBuckATC
May 26th, 2011
2:18 pm
Uggla is not doing much, but he has aproven track record of power and production even if he has a low avg. As was mentioned earlier, Andrew Jones hit arond .220 his last season, but it was a productive season wiht HR’s and RBI’s. Getting that from your 6 ot 7 batter is OK, but your 4 or 5 guy needs some avg to go with it.
Good thing Hinske, Mather, and then yesterday Conrad have come off the bench to produce.
Can anyone thing of a better lefty reliever than Venters right now?
With EOF going good and Sherril coming around, our bullpen lefties are tough. Moylan is really missed form the right side.
David Bowie
May 26th, 2011
2:34 pm
Sing along now “Cha cha cha choking. Turn and face the choking”.
Wren can’t even keep a player long enough to win a trade.
Melkey is currently ranked 50th among hitters in Yahoo’s scoring system.
BA – .281, 6 HRs, 29 RBIs, 28 Runs scored, and 5 stolen bases.
Those numbers are in a league with better pitchers and Melkey cost one fourth what Uggla does.
Plate Appearance
May 26th, 2011
2:34 pm
WREN’S RUSH CONTRACT: UGGLY!
For all those people who say Uggla is going to turn it around, have you taken a careful look at his approach at the plate?
He’s been regularly swinging at curve balls off the plate with a two strike count.
This has to be Wren’s worst move yet — due to the contract length (5 years) and monetary amount spent (62 million). Wren rushes in and gives Uggla a contract that no sane GM would dare to give him (except maybe the cash rich Yankees, and even the Yankees wouldn’t be so foolish). But that’s Wren’s tendency — to rush in and do foolish things.
Wren rushes in and acts where even fools dare to tread!
Why couldn’t you have waited to see how Uggla’s tenure with the Braves was going Frank — before giving the largest contract ever to an aging, one-dimensional 2nd baseman?
Didn’t you learn anything from what happened with Andruw (i.e. rapidly diminishing skills post 30)? I guess not!
You’ve saddled the Braves fans (who are now forced to watch every Uggly at bat) and the organization (with valuable dollars — that could have been used much more wisely elsewhere — thrown down into a sinkhole) with an albatross of your own making Frank!
Do you know the meaning of the word “albatross” Frank? Perhaps Webster can help you:
“Something that causes persistent deep concern or anxiety. Something that greatly hinders accomplishment. An encumbrance.”
Here are two examples of an albatross-like moves from Webster:
1. The signing of Dan Uggla.
2. The extension of Frank Wren as the Braves GM.
Yes, the Braves definitely have AN UGGLY SECOND BASEMAN and AN UGGLY GM!
David Bowie
May 26th, 2011
2:35 pm
Melkey is contributing big time on many of my fantasy teams but then I’m not an idiot like our GM.
What no contract
May 26th, 2011
3:07 pm
Regardless of a contract extension he is being paid millions already to play ball. We can call up a minimum paid minor leaguer to play this bad
Bobby's chauffer
May 26th, 2011
3:08 pm
Why would anyone rag on Uggla? Do you guys think He really feels like I’ve got the money now I will relax and enjoy getting booed and cussed for the next 5 years? Things happen! He has always been a slow starter, no big deal..then he gets thinking I got to start hitting these guys depend on me, that’s why they brought me here..then for a while whatever he hit was right at someone..then he starts becoming a head case by trying to do too much. thus all the wild swings. etc. etc. I bet if he could make a pact with the guy upstairs.he would gladly give up a lot of money to have his self esteem back. Money is nice..but man a guy has to have pride and self worth. Remember he didn’t go begging to the braves for the money. He could have gone to other teams, but we won the lottery. He will be fine in time. I for one will support him. As for comparing him to Mike Hampton.. give me a break. Hampton sat on his butt and took the money. Dan is giving all he has now.. actually he is over compensating to try and help the team. I wish him the best.
T.C
May 26th, 2011
3:22 pm
It amaze me that nobody is calling for the hitting coaches head like they did terry pendleton.Hmmmm i wonder why????????????????
jerry
May 26th, 2011
3:45 pm
Uggly, don’t even think about playing the “pressure” card. Oops, sorry, you already did, you moron. By the way, the Marlins are doing just fine without you….or Freddi.
Skillet
May 26th, 2011
3:48 pm
Bobby’s chauffer, the Braves can find lots of good guy MLB players that’ll work their butts off for a chance to play 2nd base in the majors, and most of them would be producing a lot more than Uggla. The Hampton — Uggla remark was about what these players have done for the Braves, and the answer is, not much at all.
I wish him the best too, but it’d be nice if our nice guy would start hitting. The “he has always been a slow starter” BS is getting old, and it’s just a lame excuse for a guy who is failing miserably. I sure hope June is not too soon for Uggla to contribute, because the Braves pitchers sure could use his help.
Chuck
May 26th, 2011
3:55 pm
Lots of reasons, none of which are related to race – if that’s what you’re implying. The Braves have so many unknowns going this year that it’s hard to say the hitting coach could be the problem and not the players. Chipper doesn’t take instruction from the coach, so he’s out. Freeman always started each level with a couple of months of .220. Gonzalez was new halfway through last year, so not enough data. Prado is hitting well, McLouth was a big question mark in the first place. Heyward’s swing tells me it’s not the coach’s fault – his vicious, long swing tells me there are holes there to be exploited, and he wasn’t up long enough for eveyone to get book on him last year. McCann doesn’t need instruction. So, basically, the hitting coach job in Atlanta is going to get a pass for this year. Pendleton was no help with obvious, easy to fix problems. Watching Andruw, Francouer, the lazy left fielders, Kotchman, and the cocky SS trying to make contact was brutal. And most of them had contracted the same bad habits, and these were gathered over a number of years. I would more say the race card is why he’s still there rather than why he took a bunch of heat, but that’s just a guess – I don’t have any data on that.
Andrew Bailey (no, not THAT Andrew Bailey)
May 26th, 2011
4:01 pm
Dan,
True pressure comes from being jobless and a family to (help) support. But I feel for you. Give each of all the people who responded to this story $10,000 and that should lighten your burden. Then, I’ll have no doubt you’ll be putting up Hall of Fame numbers once again. Just trying to help.
Andrew
jerry
May 26th, 2011
4:20 pm
A few stats on Uggla: He is not selective.Strike out looking percentage is the lowest in his career and his pitches swung at percentage is the highest of his career…they go together. In other words, he is swinging at everything.
No homers vs lefthanders.
murphy
May 26th, 2011
4:28 pm
“PRESSURE” is 40 hours a week at a 7-11 in order to keep your head above water…hit the ball.
NO MORE BOBBY
May 26th, 2011
4:35 pm
Stop playing names on a jersey. If they don’t perform they don’t play. Why is Uggla too good to sit for a few games? Holding him out one game did nothing. I’m thinking a week and see if that does anything.
NO MORE BOBBY
May 26th, 2011
4:36 pm
Maybe when he reaches five feet tall he will start hitting. He is still growing right?
Chipper Jones
May 26th, 2011
4:44 pm
I thought I was stealing from the team !
Joe Lunch Bag Braves Fan
May 26th, 2011
4:45 pm
Yeah, Dan. We can feel your pain ! It must be tough, especially on pay day.
Richie
May 26th, 2011
5:39 pm
I appreciate Dan’s honesty. This is expected. You are now one of the faces of the franchise. That’s a lot of pressure in itself
Powder Blue
May 26th, 2011
6:09 pm
Sit him and play Prado at 2B and Hinske in LF. Uggla’s not helping his team right now.
alex
May 26th, 2011
8:12 pm
t.c. are you implying RACE in ,of all cities,ATLANTA. The city too busy too hate, but never too busy to play the RACE card: i believe our new mayor played it today. Such a positive game, filled with brilliant thoughts and people. Such a complex and intellectually stimulating concept and so novel, you must be so very PROUD of yourself, tell your friends “I’ve come up with a COMPLETELY new idea in this wonderful metropolis.” Then you can fix the Atlanta Public School problems and ANYTHING else in this fair (oops) city by claiming,you guessed it RACISM. I shiver with (say it) ANTICIPATION !!!!!!
AlabamaRamblinwreck
May 26th, 2011
8:47 pm
Bottom Line: He cannot hit tough pitching unless that pitching makes a mistake. That is it….he is a strikeout king.
Jim Bakker
May 26th, 2011
9:36 pm
where do I get a job that pays whether I perform or not?
Jim Bakker
May 26th, 2011
9:38 pm
Oh wait. I had one.
Johnny Beach
May 26th, 2011
11:20 pm
Give him a week off ……………….that may be all he needs
Logan
May 26th, 2011
11:50 pm
That’s it folks. The wine cellar is closed. You don’t have to go home but you can’t stay here.
jayvee
May 27th, 2011
1:19 pm
only a matter of time before he gets back to his old dangerous self.
bostonbravo
May 27th, 2011
3:07 pm
move Uggla 6″ closer to plate! give him some xtra pads if he’s worried…he’s literally reaching.
Ed Glennon
May 27th, 2011
3:23 pm
Good luck Dan. He hustles down the line and is playing good defense. I feel for the guy. Things will get better for him.
Memphis
May 27th, 2011
3:26 pm
Dan played collegiately at the University of Memphis. I as thrilled to know that my alma mater’s best baseball player would be playing for my favorite professional sports team (the Braves). I’m with the majority. Hang in there Uggs, will always pull for you, you’ll get it going. Hopefully sooner rather than later. Now Nate McClouth on the other hand…
Robert
May 27th, 2011
5:46 pm
“But just the same, let’s dump Fredi”
Why? The man has done a good job
Hmmmm !
May 29th, 2011
10:32 pm
Dan Uggla you’re A outstanding ball player you been truly blessed. Don’t worry about what other people say or think. Continue to let the light shine on you and keep smiling. Go to our father in heaven for advice privately you will find the answer to your situation.
Line ‘em Up | I-285 Sports Blog
February 19th, 2013
11:13 pm
[...] two seasons (OK maybe a little), but because I think it would be beneficial for two reasons. First, Uggla has spoken openly about the pressure to uphold the big contract he signed two years ago, which has obviously been a detriment to his [...]