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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
414 comments Add your comment
RC
October 21st, 2011
2:43 pm
Wow, I will rush out and by season tickets now?!%@(*%
Is there anyone short of Ted Williams reanimated corpse that would have prompted you to buy season tickets? Didn’t think so.
Boom-Boom
October 21st, 2011
2:44 pm
Dunn was due to hit the age wall (belly in the way)and I believe Becham was way overrated as a hitter in college because of the bats.
Maybe
October 21st, 2011
2:45 pm
ok, time will tell on this hire. Now the questions is, who will replace fredi?
Joe Maddon
October 21st, 2011
2:45 pm
Didn’t I tell you folks that Philly would lose in the first round?!?!?!? Yes, I did.
My Rays came up short, but those Rangers are one heck of a team. Don’t stop believing in yur Braves, either. A strong fanbse is necessary to get back to the top in your case.
Oh well, we’ll be back in 2012, better thn ever. RAYS WORLD ORDER!!!!!
Glenn
October 21st, 2011
2:45 pm
This guy ruined Adam Dunn’s stroke and caused all kinds of issues with other batters in the locker room, not to mention his team was batting in the .250’s in the AMERICAN League, which is known as a HITTER’s League. Nomar Garciaparra should have been offered the job. He went to GA Tech; was a three time American League Batting Champion, and is a broadcaster for ESPN. Lifetime batting average of .313 with over 200 home runs, six time All Star, AL ROY, good pedigree.
Big Dog
October 21st, 2011
2:45 pm
I remember the World Series of 2005. In a key moment in the Series, Walker predicted what the pitcher would do, and advised the batter to react accordingly. His comments were overheard in the dugout on the telecast. What Walker predicted happened exactly as he said it would. The batter did as he was coached to do, and the Sox won the Series. The announcers were impressed. I was as well.
Vegas Insider
October 21st, 2011
2:46 pm
If that last stat is correct on TP’s success as hitting coach, then all the bloggers who cried for TP to be fired practically every day are nuts; just proves that the average blogger does not know what they are talking about. Reminds me of my ex-wife, never satisfied! lol
Chipper is still a redneck
October 21st, 2011
2:47 pm
Try again…
“But he drew criticism for the regression by former University of Georgia star Gordon Beckham’s since the Atlanta native’s 2009 rookie season, “
prBrave
October 21st, 2011
2:48 pm
Thanks kerryb, O-me
phil
October 21st, 2011
2:50 pm
As I’ve said often since the collapse wrapped up, no more games at the Ted for me until they fire FG….save your money and stay home.
Maybe GW will pan out….what choice do we have but to see…
I once played backyard baseball and did so for 6 or 7 years….I’m qualified to speak knowingly.
O-me
October 21st, 2011
2:53 pm
I have no problem with DOB but I don’t agree with him all the time. Does any one agree all the time.
RC thanks for link. Wren did a great job on Bourn!
John A.
October 21st, 2011
2:54 pm
Now that the Brave have hired Greg Walker a hitting coach, when are they going to replace Roger McDowell? Billy Wagoner would make a good candidate in my opinion. Something drastic needs to be done to shake things up…..something more than changing the hitting coach. The problems the Braves have are not short term, they have been in existance for a long time. Even last year….we got knocked out in the first round….REMEMBER?
jch
October 21st, 2011
2:55 pm
The icing was on the cake on this one when they found out he’s from Georgia. It seems the Braves ALWAYS hire people from Georgia irregardless of their history or performance. No other team cares if the staff or players are “local”, why should we?
So, we’re looking for a guy to help get our offense back on track after several of our hitters were well below their norms. So, naturally, we find the hitting coach for the team where the majors saw the only worse season-to-season drop in performance in Adam Dunn.
I guess just having held the title of “hitting coach” and being from Georgia is enough… sigh.
WDW
October 21st, 2011
2:55 pm
Phil..I respect your opinions and consider you a great fan.
phil
October 21st, 2011
2:55 pm
Hire Terrence Moore as pitching coach…
Lord knows the doof thought he knew everything about everything….
hornblowermg
October 21st, 2011
2:56 pm
year after year we see the braves exhibit the poorest fundamentals in professional sports. we learned so much better baseball in little league than these overrated millionaires show weak after week. bunting is beneath them. i used to say that we needed a Mike Schmitt, but now i agree with my deceased uncle who always rolled his eyes and said, “A professional baseball player should have his fundamentals worked out before he gets to the majors. A hitting coach in the majors is just plain silly.”
Fastball
October 21st, 2011
2:57 pm
Thought maybe they would get rid of Frank Wren and Fredi Gonzales. I’ll check back tomorrow.
braves
October 21st, 2011
2:57 pm
Just let Chipper be the hitting coach
phil
October 21st, 2011
2:57 pm
WDW – tx for the kind words….you vouch for GW and I’ll take you at your word so we’ll see! Hopefully the guy will be good for us….
rt
October 21st, 2011
2:58 pm
seems to me they had the right guy in the booth all the time in joe simpson. Watching 150+ games a year I heard him give his reasons why a certain player was struggleing and a change that he thought would fix the problem. His reason for ugglas problem was dead on and the change he made (getting closer to the plate) was exactly what simpson was saying.
phil
October 21st, 2011
2:59 pm
Was the deceased uncle named Joe DiMaggio?
I didn’t think so.
Pros lose their way from time to time too….or have you never watched much baseball?
@hornblowermg
October 21st, 2011
2:59 pm
My deceased uncle said “if you can’t say anything nice, then don’t say anything at all”. Obviously, this concept is lost to most.
O-me
October 21st, 2011
2:59 pm
jch, disagree my friend. Being from Georgia had don’t to do with it. In fact i’m surprised because the Braves went of of their system to hire someone. Its time we got some new blood in system.
Diskin Bailey
October 21st, 2011
3:00 pm
I live in the ATL, but I am from Coffee County Douglas Georgia.
I am going ahead and be bias, I think he is a great selection. He
is from my hometown and he has done well with the Chicago
White Sox. I believe he has always wanted to be with Braves
and there is nothing like trying to help your own state. Go
Braves Go – I am too proud of the Coffee County native (from
South Georgia we are with 1AAAAA Valdosta and Lowndes
Region).
kerryb
October 21st, 2011
3:00 pm
Glenn=Ga Tech homer. No, I wouldnt want Nomar. Just because you hit a little in the majors doesnt mean you would make a good coach. He has never been a coach at ANY level in baseball. Thats the same resume as Larry Parrish. You dont know what you are talking about saying that Walker ruined Dunn’s swing. Dunn didnt have a swing to start with. He has always been a swing for the fence, all or nothing hitter. It just caught up with him this season.
phil
October 21st, 2011
3:01 pm
Fire Chip Caray….promote Joe Simpson to assistant hitting coach/ankle taper since his wild guess about Uggla helped for one month…
Eric
October 21st, 2011
3:02 pm
Are u serious?
Feeding Frenzy
October 21st, 2011
3:02 pm
I heard that those were Libyan bloggers that got ahold of Gadhafi.
Jules
October 21st, 2011
3:04 pm
I hope Walker can build good relationbshuips with all of the Braves.
prBrave
October 21st, 2011
3:04 pm
Your probably right, kerryb. Dunn has always been a free swinger, not to mention he looked a little overweight.
phil
October 21st, 2011
3:04 pm
My living uncle hates Georgians….
BravesFanSince80's
October 21st, 2011
3:05 pm
stop the insanity: when was the last time the Oakland A’s won the WS?
phil
October 21st, 2011
3:05 pm
Of course, he hates me also…..
jch
October 21st, 2011
3:06 pm
O-me – maybe some new blood wouldn’t hurt but would you rather see someone with a track record of success? Adam Dunn???
Laughing Jack (OUT LOUD)
October 21st, 2011
3:07 pm
Hatemongers on this blog use to anger me, however, now I just sit back a roar with laughter. It is my comedy hour! The opinions offered are hilarious. Red Sox for White Soix??? What’s the difference, huh? Douglas, GA being a local connection? Wow! A fellow who chose to leave a job because his leader was leaving is not the same as being fired for failure to do his job. TP should not have been passed over???? Well, maybe he just wasn’t ready or the Braves didn’t think it was his time. Calling Fredi Fruiti…such disrespect….What is with this “entitlement” mentality on this blod anyway? Keep on writing boys and girls. I love laughter as well as a great baseball game! Go Braves!
Hank Williams Jr.
October 21st, 2011
3:07 pm
It’s OBAMA’S Fault!!!!!! If it weren’t for him and espn, those Braves would have won the World Series this year!!!!!
Rilo
October 21st, 2011
3:07 pm
I have no problem hiring a guy who doesn’t have a lot of hitting coach experience because there are exceptions….re: Mark McGuire prior to 2010. However, hiring a guy that has had a history of not being able to get through to players is very difficult to swallow. I’m sure it will be an upgrade over Parrish but I am more disappointed with this hire than last year’s. I feel like our GM is clueless. I would have supported hiring Dismuke but this is so disappointing.
Douglas, GA Braves Fan
October 21st, 2011
3:09 pm
Douglas, GA is between Waycross and Tifton, GA for the person that asked where was Douglas.
This is a great hire. Greg is a great guy with a tremendous work ethic. All the naysayers will see a difference in our stats. Glad to have you with the Braves.
O-me
October 21st, 2011
3:09 pm
Braves also hired Scott Fletcher from Rockies system as asst hitting coach to Walker. So now we getting new hitting coaches from A, AA, AAA to majors..sounds good to me!
phil
October 21st, 2011
3:10 pm
phil
October 21st, 2011
3:05 pm
Of course, he hates me also…..
*************
Ok, name thief….lol
My uncle is a prince of a man….angry and grouchy and bloated but a good fella…
@Hank Williams Jr
October 21st, 2011
3:10 pm
Yeah, but Obama is withdrawing all players from MLB at the end of the year!
KK
October 21st, 2011
3:12 pm
KK’s available
Matt
October 21st, 2011
3:12 pm
Does anybody at the AJC know how to spell check? Or do they read their articles before posting? Crap work by a journalist who’s too busy quoting lyrics and acting “hip” to produce quality work.
@phil
October 21st, 2011
3:12 pm
So your uncle is Don Rickles?
O-me
October 21st, 2011
3:15 pm
jch—Adam Dunn is a life time 258 hitter..thats not success. Adam also put on about 15 extra lbs – that had alot to do with his swing.
Walker has what it takes and that WS ring backs it up..to some respect.
@Matt
October 21st, 2011
3:15 pm
It’s because they are falling over each other to create the next exciting blog, so we can fall over each other to type “First”!
NickB
October 21st, 2011
3:25 pm
Okay I’m going to try and be patient with may of you…
Just because a player was a great player doth not mean he will be (or wants to be ) a hitting coach. If you look at the history of the game, the best mgrs and coaches of all time were not very good players. They just happened to be smart, students of the game. (La russa, Cox, Lasorda,leyland, Herzog,Connie Mack,Sparky…etc) Just because Larry Walker could hit , doesn’t mean he can coach.
Dunn is a horrible reference player. In fact he’s one of the most unique hitters in the history of baseball. Very few hitters with his power and low batting avg have been able to sustain such a high OBP. He has an outstanding idea of the strike zone, yet also K’s a ton. Nobody else in history has had over 60% of their PA’s result in either a HR a K or a BB…. Not to mention he got a new big contract in a new league and may have tried a bit too hard. He’s always had issues with loving the game tho..
I’m a realist, the team had very few experienced options to work with , and I am willing to give Greg Walker a year to see if he can improve the teams OBP. He can’t do much worse than what we just had!
anonymous
October 21st, 2011
3:26 pm
When you got the bases loaded, no outs, and a three balls no strikes count on the batter at the plate – Game 2 vs. Nationals – yet still DO NOT SCORE and end up losing the game, then the hitting coach should be canned for THAT ONE GAME ALONE.
And I’m determined to find out if that was the first (and only) time in baseball history a team has been so futile.
I'm with ATL teams (Always)
October 21st, 2011
3:27 pm
Ha Ha Ha! I see a conspiracy. Wren don’t want next season to be good so that he can fire Fred Gonz.
Astro Joe
October 21st, 2011
3:30 pm
Has there ever been a hitting coach who helped everyday players 1-8 hit for at least their career average if not better in a given year (who was then released and available to be hired)? That sounds like what some of you all were looking for, a guy who had success with each and every player in the line-up for the entire tenure of his career as a hitting coach but was somehow sitting at home and available to be hired.
monarch
October 21st, 2011
3:31 pm
both are life time 260 hitters – why not put Chipper as the hitting coach -
Driver 8
October 21st, 2011
3:31 pm
Thinking that Frank was already tired before he interviewed Walker and exhausted after their conversation.
mykids4life
October 21st, 2011
3:33 pm
This guy is the best the Braves could find? The White Sox stunk it up and now we get Mr. Walker to help resolve our hitting woes. Looks like another long season ahead for us Braves fans.
Got a Chipper Jones bobble head
October 21st, 2011
3:33 pm
We need a hitting coach with a good knowledge of situational hitting, Most the the hitters at ehe professional level should already know how to hold a bat and how to bunt. The hitting coach or manager should teach the players when to swing at a pitch in certain situations. For example: when a pitcher has loaded the bases by walking the second and third hitter on 8 balls the next hitter should wait to see if he can throw two strikes before swinging. Recently we had a similar situation when the bases were loaded with no outs after the 2nd and 3rd hitter (the pitcher0 had walked on 8 straight balls. The pitcher had thrown 14 balls to the first four batters when #4 (Bourne) swung on a 3 – 1 pitch and popped it up. The next hitter promptly popped up and Mr First Pitch (Chipper) swung at the first pitch and grounded out. We went frim bases loaded and nobody out to zip for runs and lost 3 – 0. This is not and unusual situation for our Braves. Hitting strategy is what we need in a hitting coach more than batting fundamentals (that would be a bonus). Keep your eye on the ball and try to hit it where they ain’t. Less than six months till we start again.
davidinvirginia
October 21st, 2011
3:34 pm
Look at the bright side…I’m sure both the new hires are a heckuva lotta fun to have a beer with after the game and Fredi the Amazingly Stupid Manager felt *reallyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy* comfy around them.
Help with our hitters? Eh, maybe not so much, but as long as we have the important interpersonal stuff covered, that’s what matters.
timbo
October 21st, 2011
3:36 pm
Scott Fletcher played at my alma mater, Georgia Southern back when coach Stallings was running the program. Glad to see him with the Braves organization.
Rilo
October 21st, 2011
3:38 pm
“Additionally, the team hired Scott Fletcher as an assistant hitting coach who will primarily focus on video scouting. He has spent his last few seasons with the Colorado Rockies organization and the Braves created a new position just for him”
Much better news here!!!!!!
NickB
October 21st, 2011
3:41 pm
@got a chipper
I can boil down your statement down to two words: PLATE DISCIPLINE !!!!!!
This years team was wayyy too free swinging and this resulted in too many pitchers counts. When they had a hitters count, they weren’t patient enough to force the pitcher to throw a pitch to crush, they were flailing away at anything near the plate.
IMO, if you preach an offensive philosophy of patience and plate discipline you make the starters throw more pitches, you put the pressure on pitchers to throw strikes and this tends to result in more BB’s and more balls to crush. It also means you get into the bullpen quicker. All of these things tend to lead to more runs scored.
IHEARTCARROLL
October 21st, 2011
3:44 pm
FIRE GREG WALKER !
Hey you got to start ealy if you want to be the first to yell for someone to be fired.
Just kidding, though. I hope for the best and wait and see what happens.
NickB
October 21st, 2011
3:44 pm
In fact, i think that Parrish had it in his head that a walk was somehow a shameful thing…. I think we can all agree that when Heyward was patient at the plate and taking more walks he was getting more pitches to crush and was performing well. I actually blame a lot of his probs on Bobby Cox telling him to be more aggressive. Since that time in late august of 2010 until he started being patient again in august of 2011, he struggled…coincidence?
The best hitters in the history of the game share one trait. Patience at the plate. They may take a few called strike 3’s , but in the long run, patience is often awarded with hits and destroyed baseballs.
Old Dawg Fan
October 21st, 2011
3:45 pm
A drunk off the street would have been better than Parrish! No body can improve the Braves hitting until they actually get some players in there that can hit!!! I have watched a 15 or so of the MLB playoffs’s-Cardinals can hit (obviously) and the Rangers can hit. They actually have hitters and players that don’t look wore out and don’t have that “I don’t care anymore” attitude the Braves had end of the season. I am saying something else “behind the scenes” went on in that dugout to make the Braves stink even worse.
Good luck to the new “hitting coach”.
By the way Douglas, Ga. is below Vidalia, Ga-you know the “Sweet Onion Capital”.
Got a Chipper Jones bobble head
October 21st, 2011
3:52 pm
NickB—Exactly. Well said.
BOBBY
October 21st, 2011
3:58 pm
i have mixed feelings about this hire. i mean adam dunn who had hit 38 homers or more in 8 straight years went down the drain. but i’m going to give him a chance and lets see what happens.
Rilo
October 21st, 2011
4:01 pm
NickB.
Patience AND the ability to hit a pitch to all fields. These are what I HOPE we develop this year.
BRAVESFAN
October 21st, 2011
4:02 pm
So we got a Walker, not a talker?
Wink
October 21st, 2011
4:05 pm
They hired two guys for one position. Walker being the hitting coach primarily. I suggest they go offense defense.
Walker spends all his time with hitters, explaining the concept of hitting and work with a players swing & confidence. The other guy Fletcher should spend all his time studying how to get each of our hitter out.
Fletcher should target a player weakness and what works best in various game situation. Find out what other pitchers are doing that working and relay this information to the hitting coach & player.
Constantly pepper the hitter to get better at his weakness and identifying the game situation & what pitch he might see where.
Ultimately, its up to the player to perfect his craft.
Andruw Jones
October 21st, 2011
4:06 pm
The Braves should have hired me as hitting coach. My approach is to make up your mind before the pitch, as to whether you’re gonna swing or not. Also, it doesn’t matter if its a call strike, right down the middle, or a mighty whiff at a curveball a foot off the plate, always smile. Jeff Francour and Alex Gonzalez share my philosophy, except Alez doesn’ smile.
Hillbilly D
October 21st, 2011
4:11 pm
Don’t think you can blame Adam Dunn’s “regression” on Greg Walker. Dunn has more strikeouts than hits, in every year of his Major League career.
doc
October 21st, 2011
4:11 pm
this was a great move by the braves i know greg we are from douglas GA he will work hard he will put his best effort in the end hitters have to do their job he cant go out and hit for them some comments made are unfair beckam and dunn are not his fault gives me hope that braves will do better hitting give this man a chance he will improve the braves hitters good luck greg and look forward to seeing you and the braves go braves let him have a fair shot there was no one BETTER out there as some of these folks want he is the best available thanks greg for all you did in chicago my hometown and for all of us
Mike#1
October 21st, 2011
4:11 pm
He couldn’t fix neither Dunn or Rios. I hope he can get Heyward and Prado sorted out. Hopefully for him, he won’t have to work with McClouth.
That was quick
October 21st, 2011
4:14 pm
That was the quickest “extensive” search I’ve ever seen. Sorry TP. This should still be your job.
Nativebird
October 21st, 2011
4:16 pm
Larry Walker is the Braves new hitting coach? All right!!!…..uhh oh. Hmmph.
shred the gnar
October 21st, 2011
4:22 pm
“was hired after spending spent 8-1/2 seasons as White Sox hitting coach.”
“and was a .260 career hitter with a .32 OBP”
“Wren estimated that “six to 10″ ”
“I attribute a lot of my ccucess”
“We had a good relationbshuip”
“It’s kind of rate to find that.”
If you guys are looking for an editor down at AJC, shoot me an email.
phil
October 21st, 2011
4:22 pm
doc
October 21st, 2011
4:11 pm
this was a great move by the braves i know greg we are from douglas GA he will work hard he will put his best effort in the end hitters have to do their job he cant go out and hit for them some comments made are unfair beckam and dunn are not his fault gives me hope that braves will do better hitting give this man a chance he will improve the braves hitters good luck greg and look forward to seeing you and the braves go braves let him have a fair shot there was no one BETTER out there as some of these folks want he is the best available thanks greg for all you did in chicago my hometown and for all of us
*****************
Lord help the good folk of Douglas should you actually be some kind of doc….
Certainly you are no doc of the english language….wow.
phil
October 21st, 2011
4:24 pm
Fire someone…
Done
October 21st, 2011
4:25 pm
Why don’t they just hire Heyward’s Pre-K teacher too
Bill M.
October 21st, 2011
4:37 pm
Wrensanidiot—Gregg Walker wasn’t fired. With all the changes in Chicago, he resigned. Give the guy a chance. At least he’s had experience as a hitting coch.
Bravesbobblehead
October 21st, 2011
4:39 pm
I also believe the Braves need a conditioning coach also. I know with 162 games it wears on the body however the past few years they looked very tired at the end. What do ye think David?
Notso Fast
October 21st, 2011
4:44 pm
Listen, if you aren’t hiting because of something you are doing wrong, then a hitting coach can help. If you aren’t hitting cause you can’t hit, then lots of luck with tne new hitting coach.
Maybe
October 21st, 2011
4:45 pm
anyone with a pair of eyes can see the Braves will stink it up as long as doof is the manager. How many ways can it be said? The guy is a loser, with no guts to upset any of the boys. Bring in all the coaches you want, we still have a crummy manager.
Kat
October 21st, 2011
4:48 pm
I like that they’re taking a different approach for next season. Firing one guy and hiring another is one thing.. but to switch up positions, roles and the process will hopefully get some different (better) results. I’m excited to see how it works for 2012.
Hillbilly D
October 21st, 2011
4:49 pm
If you aren’t hitting cause you can’t hit, then lots of luck with tne new hitting coach.
A valid point.
Willy
October 21st, 2011
4:50 pm
I think judging this move now is asenine. I think Walker will do fine, especially with Heyward
Rx
October 21st, 2011
4:51 pm
Have you ever heard of hitters “playing signals”? In any sport, playing signals is when you make an informed guess as to what plays your opponent is going to run, and when he going to run them. Some coaches chart these as tendencies. In addition to mastering the fundamentals of swinging the bat, good hitters become better hitters by studying opposing pitchers and making educated guesses of what they are going to throw in certain situations. Do the Braves have “skull” sessions for their hitters?
Vino Fino
October 21st, 2011
4:52 pm
I’m sure it’s been asked already (haven’t read the entire thread), but..
What the FRICK happened to the comprehensive search??? I know very little about Walker, but my issue here is with Frank Wren. He must really hate to interview people- first Fredi and now this! I don’t care what line of work you’re in, it just isn’t smart business to limit your search to one person. I’m not sure managers in other industries would last very long with this approach.
Caseyatthebat
October 21st, 2011
4:54 pm
Hitting coach or not, this team doesn’t improve until it gets a couple of proven hitters. Guys who are contact hitters with a lower strikeout rate who know how to work the count and don’t give at bats away. Guys who don’t stick their feet into the same to divets they’ve been using for the last 35 hitless at bats. It would also help if when a guy is hot and on a streak Fredi doesn’t decide to give him a day off.
smoltz29
October 21st, 2011
4:56 pm
This “earthshaking” news really shook my New Jersey residence today! WOW
chipper's ACL
October 21st, 2011
4:57 pm
Nothing wrong with this hire. Things that the Braves wanted to address will be with the hiring of Walker. Funny how you people think because Walker’s personal career wasn’t hall of fame quality that he can’t teach. Was Tino a dominate player? Washington? And what about the little guy in Minn? These types of players make excellent coaches because they observe and have extreme work ethic to make up for lack of God given talent. As far as Dunn and Gordon’s complaints, did anyone ever think it may have to do with the players? Dunn has struck out over 200 times a season numerous times. Think he’s listened to any coaches? Walker was a contact hitter with a good eye. Let’s hope that’s what he brings to the table.
White Sox Fan
October 21st, 2011
4:57 pm
As a long-time White Sox fan, let me put in my 2c worth regarding Greg Walker. He was basically run out of town for his failures with the team for the last several years.
There was no doubting his work ethic–he was a 24/7 type guy who worked his butt off. THE RESULTS WERE JUST NOT THERE.
athdog
October 21st, 2011
5:00 pm
I watched this guy in Chicago when I was there, he is as good as they get! Great hire!
NickB
October 21st, 2011
5:01 pm
The Braves seem to have their eyes on a particular person and hire them. (in fact i think most teams do this, some just choose to put out the facade of multiple interviews).
I’d be willing to bet that 90% of teams know who they are going to hire within a week or two of firing the original coach/mgr.
The Braves can hit. But ,as with all teams, they must be put into the best position to succeed. If this Walker guy promotes patience at the plate and encourages players to take more pitches and work the count, Fredi won’t have a chance to mess up the bullpen cuz our starters will have enough runs to work with to take it a bit easier. Seriously, our starting pitching didn’t have any breathing room all year long. They had to grind it out every dadburn night!
athdog
October 21st, 2011
5:02 pm
I watched this guy completely screw up Beckham. An awful hire!!
athdog
October 21st, 2011
5:03 pm
He’s had some success…seems like a pretty good hire. Not great, not awful
That should cover all the bases
White Sox Fan
October 21st, 2011
5:04 pm
Sorry, I hit the wrong key. Continuing, his biggest rap was that most of the hitters were not listening to what he had to say. Beckham, who was successful in his 1st year when he sprayed the ball to all fields, tried to pull everything and swung at pitches way out of the strike zone. Other hitters also tried to pull every pitch and/or try to jack it out of the park.
Maybe
October 21st, 2011
5:04 pm
Where is Sonny Clusters when we need him?
Shinebone
October 21st, 2011
5:08 pm
Is this the best this front office and coaching staff could do. 260 ba. We will never ever win anything with this front office and Bobby Cox meddling in these decisions!
ryan
October 21st, 2011
5:14 pm
Fear the Nats there going to big spenders rumors them getting a big bat ether Jose Reyes or Prince Fielder from the of looks of things Braves standing pat again this winter .
Delbert D.
October 21st, 2011
5:20 pm
Should have hired the guy who was Dave Kingman’s hitting coach while he was with the Cubs. He turned a lifetime .236 hitter into a .278 hitter for the 3 years with Chicago. Hmm…maybe it was the short fences…never mind.
JASon
October 21st, 2011
5:32 pm
1)Braves hitters do not have a clue how to put a good swing on a first pitch.
2)If they are in a situation where they are going deep into a count, they have no idea how to fight off pitches until they get a good one to hit. (Its always swing and miss.)
3)They have no clue how to hit a sacrifice fly. Texas did it twice last night. In a row.
garcia
October 21st, 2011
5:34 pm
GREG WALKER:
I like this hire. He has been out of action for a while, but he always had a smooth aire about him. A lot of people criticized him for his pandering to a broder audience, but I think that he was the sort of team player that made everyone else play better. Check out this link, I think that you will agree that Greg is adaptable and displays great range.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTGuTkbY7As
Welcome to the club Greg. Bring Carlos with you to spring training. The team could use a little soul.