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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
397 comments Add your comment
John E. Cakes
October 6th, 2011
5:25 pm
The answer is much more difficult to solve than saying FIRE THE MANAGER!!!!!!!!
John E. Cakes
October 6th, 2011
5:27 pm
Uh.. that’s Derek LOWE – not LEE
bravesfansince80s
October 6th, 2011
5:30 pm
Mr. Cakes, I wouldn’t mind your top to bottom approach either, it’s just not going to happen unless the team is sold to an individual or group from Atlanta who care more than our current ownership. So unless that happens, JS’s role is VERY secure, so the most we can hope for currently is start next year off with a manager from outside the organization who takes a different approach towards the game. How is that wrong? Now who’s making a snap judgment?
Klesko
October 6th, 2011
5:32 pm
whoever said move Freeman to the outfield and sign Pujols or Fielder is ignorant. Freddy is A LOT better defensively than either of those guys. Pujols can play Left Field, but he wont for the Braves. And the Braves wouldnt even attempt to spend that kind of money. I do agree however that Freddi Gonzalez is terrible and needs to go…and is directly responsible for the wall that our bullpen slammed into in September.
bravesfansince80s
October 6th, 2011
5:34 pm
Klesko: agreed completely!
John E. Cakes
October 6th, 2011
5:35 pm
Then explain how Fredi’s replacement improves things while his bosses and Braves philosophy remain the same.
Question
October 6th, 2011
5:35 pm
We don’t need talk, apologies, promises and especially a DANGED form letter. We need a winning team from owners down to the lowest player in the whole organization
yunel asscobar
October 6th, 2011
5:36 pm
@John E Cakes –
@ TXBrave was indeed talking about Derrek Lee – the 1st baseman brought in for the stretch run, prior to Freddi taking the helm.
Managerial changes can indeed change the culture. Living in Seattle during the awful years of the Mariners, we were amazed at the CHANGE in culture that occurred upon Lou Piniella’s arrival. In a very short time, that team went from uninspired, undisciplined, lazy, and unintelligent baseball, to western division champs.
Leadership does make a difference and Fredi will never be mistaken for an elite major league manager. If the Braves make no change in that position, they are absolutely committing themselves to mediocrity going forward.
Mark (another one)
October 6th, 2011
5:37 pm
To me the real hard question is LF/Prado. Is it wiser to move Prado back to the infield as a backup to 2nd and 3rd, with him eventually taking over 3rd when Chipper retires (at least a year away), leave him LF even though he is not a power hitter, or trade him? If they move him, who do they get to play LF?
I see the braves starting the season with the following:
C – McCann
1st – Freeman
2nd – Uggla
3rd – Chipper
SS – Gonzo
LF – ??
CF – Bourn
RF – Heyward
Of that list only Heyward is at risk due to his poor performance but I believe he will turn it around. Prado would solidify the infield bench but who plays LF? I thought Heinske did a good job there but I like his bat off the bench when the game is late and tight. We need a LF with power.
Roger From Alabama
October 6th, 2011
5:40 pm
Say what you want to about Bobby Cox, but I don’t think Freddie Gonzalez has it. The “fire” has dimmed since Bobby retired. Someone with some stamina like Nick Saban is gonna have to kick this team in the butt and get them going.
UTILITY DOCUMENT » Braves, Giants brass apologize to fans » UTILITY DOCUMENT
October 6th, 2011
5:41 pm
[...] they’re not both technically apologies. Schuerholz’s sounds some-more like that and, as is transparent from a personalized greeting, was sent around [...]
Hubert Brown
October 6th, 2011
5:42 pm
In professional sports there is one and only one bottom line: winning at the highest level. You have enough talent to reach post season play 15 times and win one championship. That is unacceptable. You have players refusing to modify their swing to reach base, move runners, et al; not acceptable. Excuses are a dime a dozen. I haven’t spent one dime on the Braves since 1996, the Yankee series debacle.
John E. Cakes
October 6th, 2011
5:43 pm
Roger, Bobby wasn’t a “kick the team in the butt” kind of guy… neither is Fredi. Bobby won with one of the best all around teams in a long time and did it ONCE. There’s no such thing as fire or passion like a Saban with this management.
wjones
October 6th, 2011
5:49 pm
Now for the Red Sox–they weren’t quite as extravagent as the Yanks, but had their moments, and of course, like the Braves, spit out an “insurmountable lead” and are also sitting at home.
They also cut their payroll this year, down by $4 million to $163+ million.
Josh Beckett, effective most of this year, but also injury prone and 31, has three more years on his contract, and will be paid $15.75 m each year through 2014.
John Lackey, 32 and horrible (had an ERA over a run worse than Lowe!), will also be paid through 2014, each year at $15.25 m.
Carl Crawford, only 29, and pursued by many, landed in Boston and gravely disappointed in his first year. His contract goes through 2017, so he will be 35 at the end, and has limited trade choices (can block two teams). They owe him $19.5 m in 2012; $20 m in 2013; $20.25 m in 2014; $20.5 m in 2015; $20.75 in 2016; and $21 m in 2017. If he doesn’t produce better numbers than he did this year, this deal will start smelling pretty quick.
Kevin Youkalis, who also is starting to break down physically at just 32, is owed $12 m in 2012, with a club option in 2013 for $13 m.
Dice-K, age 30, who only pitched in 8 games for them this year and was horrible, is owed $10 m in 2012 before his contract mercifully expires.
Adrian Gonzalez, 29, is signed through 2018, so he will be 36 when his contract expires, and he has a limited no-trade clause. From 2012 through 2016, he will be paid $21 m per year, and in 2017-2018 he will be paid $21.5 m per year. If he is productive, that is pretty good considering the market, but a long obligation if something goes wrong.
They also have 3 of their young stars, Jon Lester (age 27, signed through 2014), Dustin Pedroia (age 27, signed through 2015), and Clay Buchholz (age 26, signed through 2015), inked up for a while.
And mercifully, they lose the 35 yo J.D. Drew, and his albatross contract, having paid him $14 m this year to disappoint. They also have to make a decision on Big Papi, as his contract is up.
Again, not as bad as the Yankees, but a lot of money tied up to some questionable players.
bobby cerasuolo
October 6th, 2011
5:59 pm
This is where Mlb and Bud Selig needs to step in and say to these Owners like Liberty Media to either put money into the team or sell the team. I am for firing both Shurholtz and Wren bring in some new blood. I saw someone like Billy Beane or Jocketty. Hell i wouldnt mind if they sold the team to Mark Cuban bc i see him putting money into the team and I know this wont sit well if hes running the team I would love for them to go after Fielder or Albert and move Freeman to third bc isnt that what he came up as a third baseman. But one can dream can’t he.
Brave4Life
October 6th, 2011
6:00 pm
Classy organization…I’ll be back next year to do it all over again…hopefully next year we won’t have to classilly choke, but will classily win it all
reckingball
October 6th, 2011
6:03 pm
The main problem, was the failure of the Braves hitters, at the plate with RISP.
Two, three, or four hits at the right time with RISP, and the Braves would have been in the NL playoffs.
With twenty to thirty hits at the right time with RISP, and the Braves would not have been in so many extra inning, and one run ballgames, which resulted in the overuse of the back end of the bullpen.
You can also add the failure of the other picthers to step up, and take some of the pressure off of OVentBril, for much of the season.
IMO.
benchwarmer
October 6th, 2011
6:06 pm
Marteen & epinez, I am on your band wagon. FG has shown me little except the ability not to get his talent to perform to expectations.
WDW
October 6th, 2011
6:07 pm
Hire Greg Walker to improve the hitting..maybe he can turn this group into winners. Greg Walker for hitting coach.
Bob
October 6th, 2011
6:09 pm
Worthless and useless diatribe by JS and his spin masters…notice he didn’t enclose a rebate check or coupon for next season. Fire the whole bunch and get rid of this culture of “almost good enough” since 1996. Folks, how long will you put up with this charade?
Rowsdower
October 6th, 2011
6:10 pm
Tech75
October 6th, 2011
11:51 am
The Braves will not get anyone’s attention in this town until they show us that they’re willing to go after the talent they need to compete on a level playing field with Philly.
Why should we pay exorbitant amounts to see this product?
Personally, although baseball is what I played, I find it boring among all the other entertainment choices I have in ATL.
The only way the Braves will ever be able to compete on the Phillies level financially is if there is a salary cap. The Braves simply cannot afford a $180M payroll when they can’t sellout Turner Field to save their lives. Remember, this is a business. The Phillies have like 4 years straight of sellouts. They have money to burn. If people in Atlanta (I live in Austin, Texas) would get to the ballpark and support this great young team perhaps we would have more financial flexibility.
reckingball
October 6th, 2011
6:14 pm
Has JS ever apologized for the Mark Teixeira trade, he made with the Rangers?
fred
October 6th, 2011
6:14 pm
thanks reckingball for your opinion..now fire Fredi for his stupid moves and 99 different line ups. killing the pitchers, no bunts ,no hit and run, etc..
Do agree on walker as hitting coach.
reckingball
October 6th, 2011
6:16 pm
I think that the Braves have a very bright future, I believe that they are capable of going all the way, for the WS Championship.
I am looking forward to attending as many games as possible next season.
Bob
October 6th, 2011
6:17 pm
Go back and look at JS’s track record at Kansas City…same mess.
bravesfansince80s
October 6th, 2011
6:20 pm
rowsdower: turner field is a good bit bigger than those other parks you mention, plus Atlanta is one of the most impoverished areas in the country right now, tough for poor folks to fill out a huge stadium these days
John E. Cakes
October 6th, 2011
6:26 pm
Rowsdower: It’s the chicken or the eggs syndrome. You say pack Turner Field and they will have more money to spend… I say the organization needs to put a better/more exciting product out there to get those fans to pack Turner Field. Look – Philly had horrific attendance during the 70s and 80s into the 90s because the team STUNK. And now??? BINGO!
Hesalive
October 6th, 2011
6:42 pm
Keep fighting, Braves!
Bravefaninok
October 6th, 2011
7:09 pm
2-10 against ranked teams(Bulldogs) worse than collapse of 8 1/2 games??
October 6th, 2011
12:26 pm
Wanna make a statement, fire Fredi, hire Francona, tell Chipper to retire, release Lowe, demote Heyward back to AA, sign Bourne long term, and puh–leeze, find a couple of corner outfielders who can hit…..
otherwise, all this letter is is backround noise….
Ha,hire Tito who blew a bigger lead(9 games) than Fredi (8.5games)And he had 160+ million payroll….Wow what makes you think Francona is any better than Fredi????
How could Bostons choke job be less Francona’s fault he and Fredi are both getting shafted because they both blew huge leads,And get this They both lost their top pitchers to injuries(and both had big money pitchers Lowe/Lackey that forgot/lost the ability to pitch effectivly)
Coincidence? I Think NOT!!!!!!!!!!
Benny
October 6th, 2011
7:16 pm
All this talk about spending money to get top free agents is a waste of time. Only the Phillies, Yankees, and Red Sox spend that kind of crazy money. What about spending it wisely, as not signing Lowe to a cumbersome contract. As good as Chipper is, that is still a lot of money for 110 games. McLouth? Braves hitters have no plan when they go to the plate. The Yankees under Torre made hitting adjustments, instead of waiting for the long ball. When they got 2 strikes, the approach changed. Chipper is the only one that does this. Fundamentals. A decent hitting coach will drill it into players.
tmc
October 6th, 2011
7:18 pm
what a joke
billmaier misteps? and weaknesses-- fredi g
October 6th, 2011
7:18 pm
thank you j.s but the problem that you mention the missteps and the team weakness will not be fixed until the mediocre manager that took all the missteps and was the major weakness is fired–
billmaier misteps? and weaknesses-- fredi g
October 6th, 2011
7:21 pm
j.s if you had a decent manager lowe would have never been allowed to suit up again after the august 31st blowout let alone start 5or six more games
Bill M.
October 6th, 2011
7:21 pm
klesko—You didn’t exactly set the woods on fire when you played LF. Freeman is alot better than you. Of course not, they will not sign a big money player. I said if they want to increase their attendance and the prospect of having a better team that would be one way. The whole problem is Liberty. Turn some money lloose or sale the team.
bill
October 6th, 2011
7:22 pm
should have been a refund for the last mont of the season. MLB network will have to wait next year!
bill
October 6th, 2011
7:24 pm
to all the people who crticise the Braves fans FU and the phillie you road in on!
Ryan
October 6th, 2011
7:31 pm
I would like to recognize something here that hasn’t been thought of as a weakness at all, because in some views, it’s not. I’d like to say that more innings needs to be eaten up by left-handers. I would like to say that Eric O’Flaherty and Jonny Venters are in their own class when I talk about this, because they are 2 of the 3 “O’Ventbrel”. They are constantly used for 7th and 8th inning purposes, and I don’t want to count them in this. I’d like to see more innings eaten up by “specialists”, and starters, and just inning-eaters. I’d like another guy like George Sherrill, unfortunately he won’t be with us next year, just like Linebrink. Mike Minor is the only lefty-starter we have, but he is pretty good. Someone like an Antonio Bastardo, an exceptional lefty, but someone we don’t have to constantly monitor the workload of.
Here’s a look at the ?s and locks of the next season’s roster in my opinion.
SP R Tim Hudson
SP R Tommy Hanson
SP R Randall Delgado
SP R Brandon Beachy
SP L Mike Minor (there’s that lefty i’m talking about)
*Yep, no Jurrjens in addition to no Lowe. Julio Teheran is a spot-guy in my opinion, just one more year at Gwinnett, but spot starts here and there for injuries.*
-CP R Craig Kimbrel
-SU L Jonny Venters
-SU L Eric O’Flaherty (the big 3, the only ones that need to be monitored in the season, limit the appearances Fredi)
-MRP R Arodys Vizcaino (let’s have another fiery righty, but he needs to prove himself in spring training to be sure. if he can’t handle it, anthony varvaro earns it)
-MRP R Kris Medlen (he should start the season in small bullpen roles, and see what happens)
-MRP ??? We need a lefty in this role here.
-LRP R Christhian Martinez
CF Michael Bourn
LF Martin Prado
3B Chipper Jones
2B Dan Uggla
C Brian McCann
1B Freddie Freeman
RF Jason Heyward
SS Tyler Pastornicky
1B/LF Eric Hinske
OF Jose Constanza
C David Ross
IF Brooks Conrad
IF Jack Wilson
Tommy
October 6th, 2011
7:31 pm
honestly as a fan I will never lose my fanhood. I’ll just never be completely happy until next season starts, or at least spring training.
billmaier
October 6th, 2011
7:33 pm
j.s apology accepted only when and if you fire the person responsible for the collapse-fredi g– using lowe as a starter time after time, using linebrink and proctor in crucial situations terrible use of the pen, not hit and running to stay out of double plays forgetting vizciano and constanza were still on the team and absolutely no fire at all and for ever saying about the collapse – it is what it is otherwise you can take taht letter and stick it where the sun don’t shine– i use to have the upmost respect for you as long as fredi g and wren are employed by the braves- i have none
Web Masters
October 6th, 2011
7:36 pm
So back up the talk with action, and cut Chipper and get a new Manager.
LJ
October 6th, 2011
7:37 pm
All of you Einstein’s calling for the team to spend more money, don’t get it. Where does it stop? All sports should have a spending limit. You can’t let the teams with unlimited money buy up all the best players.
bama cheats
October 6th, 2011
7:39 pm
Maybe we should do like bama and go out and hire a coach who will break all the rules and paid he players with suits and cars. Oh this is the Braves and not GA. Bullldogs never mind!
m white
October 6th, 2011
7:45 pm
Been a fan since 69. Not any more. Gonzalez, Prado, Haywood, Jones, McCann, Lowe … be gone. You guys are the pits.
BravesFanForever
October 6th, 2011
7:47 pm
If you can say anything, at least HUGE FAILURE has driven this team to do better. Because of the constraints put on by Liberty Media, the team has had to try harder each season to build a team which can compete. God only know what would happen if the team made it to the LCS or the World Series. I’m certain the team would stand pat figuring that “we’ve spent enough money and by god we won anyway” and that’s a HUGE mistake. So please keep losing until we can build a team which can make it through all 162 games and actually have a chance to WIN THE WORLD SERIES.
I don’t want a so-so team which limps into the playoffs. What good is that? I want to see a team which is legit and can win it all.
I think the Braves are incredibly strong in the pitching department and should try to get a big hitter for left field. Maybe someone just like the guy they lost in Hunter Pence–someone with a high BA who can hit 3rd. Maybe Freeman will fit the bill.
Meanwhile put Prado on the bench and he can fill in for LF, 1B, 2B, and 3B. I think he would make a great utility player that the team has missed since the days of Omar Infante.
Get Jason Heyward untracked. I think he will be fine. He just needs to work on a few things over the winter. Heal up, and get that swing back. I think Chipper can help him.
They also need a new batting coach–someone who emphasizes patience and getting on base. This team did fantastic when they got on base a couple of seasons ago.
I really don’t think this team needs a lot of changes. They were fine until they ended up with half the team injured, tired, and worn out by September. That’s what Bobby Cox was the master of. Notice that most of his teams were better in the second half than the first nearly every season?
The Braves can do it. They just need a few changes and they can make it to the top. The Phillies are only getting older and more brittle and they have spent way too much money. I just can’t see how they can maintain this. That team is THAT good and they have spend twice as much as the Braves. Eventually this has to backfire.
BravesFanForever
October 6th, 2011
8:00 pm
Don’t get your hopes up about Constanza people. He’s not that good. Do not figure that he is going to be a significant part of this team. The only thing he can do is run. So if you want a weak hitting guy on your bench that only does one thing then go ahead. Don’t figure that he’ll do anything like he did in 2011 ever again in the future.
Ryan's Dad
October 6th, 2011
8:16 pm
I love the Braves as a team and, for the most part, player by player. But for the last two years, we have looked like a team that was much more battle weary than our opponents. We also have a very strange knack for stranding men in scoring position. For those reasons and all others that led to the collapse, I think the Braves need to have a large turnover in roster. I wouldn’t mind seeing lateral type trades just to see if other similarly talented players could play more clutch baseball. With the exception of Michael Bourne who I think is a puzzle piece we have been missing forever, I would welcome seeing about 5 (any five) of our players dealt away for 5 similar players from other teams. Speed, power and the ability to make productive outs would be my priority (in that order). I know this probably cannot and will not happen just as I know regrettably that the 320 batting Constanza will never be able to ply his exciting talents on our team. But it would be what I would attempt if I had the chance to be GM.
DawgDad
October 6th, 2011
8:18 pm
I can’t wait to get my letter (I had purchased playoff tickets).
Everyone is disappointed in the way the season ended. I’ve been following MLB for 50+ years and no one wants to witness their home-town team take an all-time worst nose-dive out of the postseason. But perspective is needed, running both ways. A lot of other teams did not make the playoffs. The Braves are not (yet) Houston or Kansas City. And yes, the “yet” is the other side of the coin. As of right now the core veterans on this team cannot be entrusted to compete for a playoff spot next year. Sure, you can bring them all back, but DO NOT try to sell that to fans as “taking your best shot”. From my perspective,
1. The kids need to pitch and play. Lumps will be taken in the process, but the fans want to see the team play an aggressive, compelling style of baseball, not three whiffs and a slow walk back to the dugout with runners in scoring position. The Braves were a powerful team in terms of home runs, but moreso they were slow, plodding, and fundamentally lacking offensively. Too many guys in the lineup who are free swingers unable to move base runners in key situations.
2. Management needs to own up and say “We tried, but we couldn’t land the left fielder we needed to balance this lineup”. Fans are beginning to think they’re deluded enough to believe Anderson, Cabrera, and Prado were actually solutions.
3. Stop trying to sell Dan Uggla as something he isn’t. He’s Dave Kingman playing second base. He hits a LOT of home runs. The rest of his game leaves something to be desired, though he deserves credit for turning the DP reasonably well. He is very likely to be paid more than he’s worth.
4. Get something of value for the Boras clients and move on. Do not hold the team hostage in another Boras charade.
5. Stretch out the starters a bit. The kids need to learn how to pitch in the sixth and seventh innings.
That’s my list. I not asking for or expecting a wholesale change, but stop playing for second place and focus on building a team that can win the Division.
ben
October 6th, 2011
8:24 pm
I understand some anger at the team. I just dont understand why people arent FURIOUS with ownership. The cut payroll to 86mil which is near the bottom half in MLB. Yes we had a good team but great teams keep their big dogs, not rebuild with young players. I love our young talent and wouldnt trade any of them. However, when our good young plays are hitting their primes they will walk ( for sure, Hanson too if Tehran develops a little) Then we will have to choose Mac or Freeman. Then venters or kimbrel. You cant guard against another collapse if most of your players are under 26.
wins-by-a-link
October 6th, 2011
8:25 pm
Go ahead and blame whom ever you want from FG to FW to the Bat Boy, But the fact is this organization will never win a championship as long as Liberty Media remains the owner, They will never put up the money required to win in the era of big budget teams, The Phils and Yankees will continue to dominate the game because they can buy the players required to win.
Braves, Giants brass apologize to fans | | UTILITY DOCUMENTSUTILITY DOCUMENTS
October 6th, 2011
8:33 pm
[...] they’re not both technically apologies. Schuerholz’s sounds some-more like that and, as is transparent from a personalized greeting, was sent around [...]
bravesfansince80s
October 6th, 2011
8:40 pm
Dawgdad: well said sir, I agree with pretty much all of that though Rob Deer comes to mind for me in regards to Uggla:)
fred
October 6th, 2011
8:48 pm
McQuerik sp said Money was not a problem that Liberty had always put up what he asked. Its management that don’t ask…are BS… they thrill themselves with talent off waiver wire and released player pick ups. Cheap cheap..Why Diaz over Willingham? because of Good ole boy crap and he was cheap. You get what you pay for except the fans who get cheated. Wren and Fredi needs to go but the Good ole boy system is stll in place..kissing each others –s.
All the fans that got letters should send them back asking for Fredi’s head..fire the joker..
Tdawg
October 6th, 2011
8:48 pm
Josh Gr, Let me see if I get this right. It would have been better if the braves were to have choked in front of sell out crowds. You may be onto something here. If there had been more fans in the stands, then the braves could have better heard them screaming about how pathetic they were. That makes sense.
wisconsinbraveswin
October 6th, 2011
8:50 pm
this is so bad I love my braves we need to get
Ted back and pay for the players that will carry us to the ws an win it
enough with has been players having a winning season is not enough anymore
it would have been great to see the braves an brewers go at it, I’m going to root for the cardinals
to take the Phillies OUT
fred
October 6th, 2011
9:01 pm
Tigers up on yanks now in 3rd 2-0..hope Tigers win. Cards and Diamondbacks hope win.
Its sad, nothing to look forward to next year!
Najeh Davenpoop
October 6th, 2011
9:02 pm
Couple things to clarify. I don’t follow you, DOB, on Twitter. I, like many I know, used to follow AJJBraves before it became “Daves lunch and musings hour.” I do read the AJC because I love the pro teams if this city and like consuming the media that covers them. Well, at least when they get to it. I dint mean to be as harsh i come off. Maybe the paper doesn’t want you traveling that much. Don’t know. I do know that I travel all over and am constantly catching games in other cities and reading coverage in other markets and I can say, without a shadow of a doubt, that this paper breaks less stories and has a beat writer that misses more games than any I’ve ever seen. And this paper should thank it’s lucky stars that it’s consumers don’t apparently travel out past Tennessee or read much past this paper. If they did, they’d know what they are being robbed of. Im sure your a great guy and probably love what you do and try hard at it. Just, outside of your amazing desire for interaction (which give you credit for) and knowledge of music, you fall short in giving this fan base a true sense of anything outside of what Brad and Beth wants us to know. But this fan base doesn’t care enough to show up half the time so who cares, right?
Plate Appearance
October 6th, 2011
9:17 pm
STEP IN JOHN!
John has always showed class and did so again with this letter!
But John, I do wish you would step in and reevaluate Frank’s decision to keep Fredi on as the manager.
The single best off season move you could make would be to fire Fredi, irrespective of the two remaining years on his contract. He’s quite simply hurting the team more than he’s helping and was the single greatest reason the Braves didn’t make the postseason.
Paul Lebowitz said it well in a recent blog:
“Having watched Gonzalez with the Marlins and Braves, I was wrong about him in thinking he’d be fine as Braves manager. He makes too many strategic mistakes that a team fighting for a playoff spot can’t afford to have happen and I’d fire him.” — End quote
Step in John and do the courageous thing. Do what truly needs to be done above all else.
Fire Fredi!
Furman Bitcher
October 6th, 2011
9:40 pm
Sory Mr. Poop, I love DOB and his columns
JAFO
October 6th, 2011
9:57 pm
Cmon rows. Knock that bs attendance argument off. You know better. RISP and FG have nothing to do with the finish.
Mister Frisky
October 6th, 2011
10:02 pm
Talk is cheap,go get 5 or 6 hitters.
bwash21
October 6th, 2011
10:12 pm
I feel exactly the same way I did about Ga Tech basketball when Hewitt was here. Total apathy. I just don’t care anymore or try not to anyway. I know how it ends. I’ve seen the final chapter sooooo many times.
Can’t win the big game and don’t play with enough emotion to get anyone out of their seats. Country club attitudes. You need to have a mix of level headed guys with a a few straws that stir the drink. I don’t see enough. The only guy that shows his feelings was Alex Gonzalez. I can’t stand him but at least I know he cared. The only problem was is I knew he was going to pop out everytime and then throw his bat and helmet. It was too predictable.
If they want fans to care, they have to show they care. The players have to show more emotion, spirit, love for the game, and most of all, passion. There are a handful that play with passion, but it’s the guys on the bench, Hinske and Ross, that you know bring it every night. You need your leaders on the field to play with that passion and lead others. I’m just not seeing it and that’s why I choose not to care anymore. I know how this ends.
WRG
October 6th, 2011
10:15 pm
I get tired of everyone knocking on the Braves for not selling out more games. The phillies sell out but its only 43,000 seats. Turner field is over 58,000. The Yankess manage to sell out a big stadium but its the Yankees.
Bill
October 6th, 2011
10:16 pm
You heard it first here..White Sox name Robin Venture Manager…..How about that?
Monumental Collapse
October 6th, 2011
10:19 pm
That letter means absolutely nothing until they prove it and turn this team around. Facts are facts, they had the biggest collapse in NL history and they choked miserably. Sorry, but that doesn’t sit well with me as a fan of this team for the better part of the 33 years I have been on this planet.
The only reason that letter went out is because the Braves are afraid of losing money. They don’t care that the fans are mad as hell over this collapse, they just don’t want to lose money. So John Schuerholz can take that letter, crumple it up, and stick it straight up his ass. Don’t talk or send letters, just improve the team. Don’t tell, show us fans that you mean it.
the truth...
October 6th, 2011
10:19 pm
@GrahamLIOG
Hey you and anyone else that wants to trash Uggla for his defense should meet him in a dark alley and trash him face to face.
Uggla had the “bad defense rap” coming her, but unless you are blind or plain stupid you saw this year that it is so far from the truth it is absurd….
So which are you Blind or Stupid? I’m betting on the stupid……………
JAFO
October 6th, 2011
10:20 pm
um, everything TO DO. 63 home games rowsD. I will not renew until FG is removed. That pr disaster by him one day after the collapse sealed it. The tolerance of mediocrity has reached its end.
Janie Brandstetter
October 6th, 2011
10:23 pm
I have been a braves fan for 13 yrs. It is the same all the time no hitting. We buy older players on the last years of their contract. They need to spend the money wisely and bring in hitters so the pitchers can get the help they need. People will buy more tickets and support the team if we can get out of this long term of no hitting. Everyone knows it will be the same old problem every year. Wren needs to prove they are serious about competing or we will look forward to 2012 being the same old Braves.
JAFO
October 6th, 2011
10:42 pm
Braveinok- you have to be kidding I’m sure. DO NOT mention TF and FG in the same sentence when it comes to being a skipper. If you’ve been around baseball for 3 minutes you understand. Disgraceful comparison.
When no one noticed
October 6th, 2011
11:07 pm
I have the original parade celebration picture of the Brave in downtown Atlanta, in 1990 or so when they won the penant and went to the World Series. They were, at that time, touchable. There was a connection to the fan base, to the city, because no one expected it. Then the greedy owner(s) stepped in and raised ticket prices, and forbade fans from bringing their own food, beverages, and snacks to the game. This caused a fan backlash, but did the management back off? No they didn’t. They may have made the playoffs in the ensuing years, but the management continues to dissapoint with the kind of play that they are playing. I haven’t watched a full baseball game in years. I watched the final game thinking that-oh yea!, the Brave will take this one against the Phillies to force a deciding game against St. Louis, but they couldn’t even procure enough runs to take a decent lead into the later innings. Pitiful and pathetic. Prior to 1990, their was a time when people couldn’t pay you to accept a free Braves ticket, and I turned down many of them. No one wants to go downtown, spend gas money, take Marta to losersville.
George Washington
October 6th, 2011
11:21 pm
Is Francona hired? When that chore is taken care of, I’ll know the Braves are serious. FG Sux, hire a proven World Series manager! Are you so blind you cannot see?
JAFO
October 6th, 2011
11:21 pm
And I promised the boss i would get off the drip. A relapse. The hope is DOB can somehow convey the passion and disappointment in a way that JS and FW can measure. My lack of STH renewal is all I can do as a fan. Phil is leading the parade.
braveeli
October 6th, 2011
11:25 pm
A classy letter from a professional organization.
C G Mosley
October 6th, 2011
11:25 pm
Several comments about how tired the players looked begs me to ask: If I am making over a million dollars for playing a season of baseball, what can I do to be at the top of my form for the WHOLE season. Do I get enough rest, am I eating healthy lean food, am I taking vitamins, working out…in other words: am I preparing for a million dollar plus use of my body? The first and middle of the season they looked like a well oiled machine. The Braves lost their steam in September…they looked pooped and played like they were pooped….they did not even look like a team. Think this over…proper nutrition will keep a lot of injuries away. And for goodness sake: get that hugh wag of junk out of your mouth….it sends poison to your brain! Ha! and you dopes thought the trouble was the coaching!
braveeli
October 6th, 2011
11:28 pm
Response to FRG: Contrary to popular mythology, the Yankees have NEVER sold out their new stadium.
jester
October 6th, 2011
11:39 pm
its just a game, no body REALLY? cares anyway, players,Instructors coaches,managers,CEO’s Owners, fans,nonfans, and especially the ppl that never even heard of Atlanta Braves. Now Go Tigers.
Bill Donohoo
October 7th, 2011
12:02 am
I do not understand why anyone is interested in Francona. He failed in Philly, did well in Boston with gobs of money spent. I guess he would be better than Fredi but they both failed miserably this year.
I agree with most of the letters, the proof is in the pudding (new pudding that is). Until our hitters learn to hit the other way, learn to bunt and learn to move runners there will be no change.
It does seem management finally recognizes what they have been doing just isn’t working. The Braves have been trying to live off marginal MLB players, players who have a couple of years left on cheap contracts and NO SPEED.
I am still in favor of moving McCann to LF. He is just getting too beat up behind the plate. If he gets in a little better shape and stays that way during the year hopefully his overall production (if he hits to all fields) will improve. The Braves can find anoher catcher to platoon with Ross. Surely we can find a SS who can hit better. Hopefully, Prado will get back to 300.
Hopefully, the bench will also improve.
Rick M
October 7th, 2011
12:36 am
Watching my AL team just beat the Yankees eases my pain of the collapse.
Losing a 8.5 game lead really has no excuse but it did not take a genius to figure out the Braves gassed their BP and the blown save in STL was the start of the collapse. I seriously doubt the Braves would have gone very far but who knows. What a shame.
Word in to the organization: Jason Heyward will be a bust. Injury prone and a swing as long as the traffic delays on 285
Root for the Tigers – they are just down the road off I-75, albeit a long road…Too bad Medlen had not been ready 2 weeks earlier.
jed
October 7th, 2011
2:02 am
well if this isnt obvious, i dont know what is. a letter like that is all well and good, but why not prove your commitment by hiring francona? like someone said earlier, he’s practically fallen into our laps.
Packer Ed
October 7th, 2011
7:09 am
Mr. Schuerholz, your time and efforts woud be better spent convincing Mr. Malone of Liberty Media to spend more than $80,000,000 for the annual Brave payroll as the Phillies spend $160,000,000 per year.
How serious are you in your letter to Brave fans, Mr. Schuerholz?
Bravos
October 7th, 2011
7:44 am
Lets sign FURCAL to play short, put Constanza in right, Bourn at center…..there is THREE speed rabbits right off the bat…what do you think??
poolcue
October 7th, 2011
8:16 am
I DIDNT GET A LETTER,THE LETTER I WANT IS THE ONE THAT SAYS FG HAS BEEN FIRED!!!!!!! THE LOCAL BASKETBALL TEAM “WHATS THEIR NAME”, HIRED A MANGER ON THE CHEAP AND IT DIDNT WORK, AND IT WONT WORK FOR WHAT WAS THEIR NAMES AGAIN, OH YEAH THE DUMB AND DUMBER ATLANTA BRAVES!!!!
AhiaBravesFan
October 7th, 2011
8:29 am
I applaud Mr. Schuerholz for this action. However, if the Braves weren’t able to beat the Phillies in the series finale, what real chance did we have of beating them a few days later in the NLDS? The team was hit hard with injuries and maybe it’s best to rest our arms and force Mr. Wren to take a long hard look at the team dynamic or lack thereof and as Mr. Schuerholz said build upon the strengths and improve the weak areas. I really HATE the Phillies and speaking for only myself, I’d rather see the stronger team (this year) in the Cards take the Phillies to the brink and possibly eliminate them tonight. That would give me some solace on a season filled with disapointment. As for next season, if Chipper comes back, I’ll be happy. That’s my thoughts, for whatever they are worth. GO BRAVES!
GT Fan
October 7th, 2011
8:55 am
The Braves should have sent this letter to everyone in the state of Georgia, since they let the whole state down. I’m a little disappointed that I did not get one.
John A.
October 7th, 2011
8:55 am
John….if you are sincere, I suggest that you fire Frank and hire Theo Epstein. Theo has demonstrated time and again he is a knowledgeable baseball man, where as Frank has demonstrated his inability throughout his stay here in Atlanta.
Examples; salaries that are way out of line for worthless pitchers (Lowe, Linebrink, Kamakisi), and trades that stripped the organization….i.e., Salty, Felize, Harrison, Andrus for Texeria. All of those involved in that trade are starters with the Rangers (with the exception of Salty who is with Boston). The people in Dallas love Frank, and why not….that one trade has put them in the WS and playoffs two consecutive years.
Franks actions speak louder than words.
John
October 7th, 2011
8:59 am
The Braves have a bright future. After this coming season they will clear Chipper and Lowe’s salaries. (30 mil combined) They can then go out and sign an ace to the rotation. After this coming season they should be able to peg 3 other starters to go along with that ace. They will choose from Jurjjens, Hanson, Beachy, Minor, Delgado, Teheran, & Medlen. The offense should develop fine over time with a new hitting coach. The bullpen looks great. They need to work on strengthening their bench. Conrad needs to go.
Garfkinle
October 7th, 2011
9:25 am
braves are worse than stinky poo poo poo poo poo you know what it is tboy wild
Jay Dubu
October 7th, 2011
9:26 am
Nice jesture, but watch ticket prices increase.
Garfkinle
October 7th, 2011
9:26 am
ayyyyyyyyyyy what up baby jrod tboy in that comp class truuuuuuuuth
Garfkinle
October 7th, 2011
9:28 am
i think the braves are worse than any other teams in their division. it is time to actually win the sereies like the marlins or phillies. Braves don’t hae the heart of a champion at all
Garfkinle
October 7th, 2011
9:29 am
nutman tboy wild you know that stank is coming from the braves ugly fans complaining bout the weather tboooooooooy
Garfkinle
October 7th, 2011
9:30 am
mcintosh high school sucks and their students are imbeciles
steve jobs
October 7th, 2011
9:31 am
im dead
Donovan
October 7th, 2011
9:44 am
The picture in the paper this morning showing players in the dugout either holding their head or having their arms crossed over their chest while sitting amongst all the garbage that they throw around says it all.
This team has multi-millionaire players who get paid to perform at a professional level. They only play for 6 months, don’t take care of themselves in the off-season, go to spring training and do kindergarten exercises to shake off the rust, get injured later in the season for ridiculous reasons, talk about just going out there to “have fun”, drive super expensive cars, live on ranches, expect buckets of bubble gum, buckets of nuts, mounds of fresh folded towels, and can’t even place an empty cup in the trash can in their dugout. Take a look at what the dugout looks like after a game. This is the mind-set of these overpaid prima-donas. No wonder we get the results of a 9-18 September.
MDBravesFan
October 7th, 2011
9:45 am
The only thing better than the Yankees losing last night would be the Filthies losing tonight (apologies to my hubby the Cubs fan). Now that there are no AL East teams in the playoffs, whatever will ESPN do?? I hope JS’s ltr signals that they are ready to take some bold steps (as much as their payroll will allow). I am a Tigers fan for as long as they remain in the hunt.
Reducing Your Carbon Footprint at the Altar
October 7th, 2011
9:56 am
[...] Braves send letter to disappointed fans The Braves keep trying to scrape by on the cheap. If I was a season ticket holder (reside in DC area), I would recognize receiving this letter. Let's see…File that in the round filer. Ya know, I'm glad to see that both Wren and JS are not taking any of … Examine much more on Atlanta Journal Structure (weblog) [...]
monarch
October 7th, 2011
9:56 am
we will end the Phillies reign in the NL east next year- bet on it
JOJO
October 7th, 2011
10:13 am
Braveeli..Classy letter~~lol
How about Classy losers…Fire FREDI & WREN..stop the BS and get a real GM and manager.
stupid Braves fan
October 7th, 2011
10:27 am
The Braves have there own Fast and Furious operation cover up. Hold Wren and Fredi responsible. Fire both (John S) and get this team back where we belong. Wren has cost the organization millions and Fredi has cost us a year of he!! and pain to fans. With the right manager we could have won!
stupid Braves fan
October 7th, 2011
10:27 am
Yes, stupid for caring!
MR
October 7th, 2011
10:33 am
Talk is cheap John. Prove it then I’ll believe you. I’ve had enough of Braves front office chin music. Just do whatever it takes. Just do it. Just do it and shut up talking about all the past failures.