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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
252 comments Add your comment
Pat
April 2nd, 2012
10:40 am
NICE
Stephen
April 2nd, 2012
10:41 am
Not what we need right now heading into the season.
Kelly
April 2nd, 2012
10:41 am
YOU NEVER DRINK AND DRIVE. NEVER!!!
James
April 2nd, 2012
10:43 am
Dannnnnng C-Mart…
BravesCountryBoy
April 2nd, 2012
10:46 am
Not good at all!!!!
Frazer
April 2nd, 2012
10:51 am
At least he’s getting it out of his system before the season starts.
chipfrumatl
April 2nd, 2012
10:51 am
this is a trend…
BravesFan in DC
April 2nd, 2012
10:51 am
2nd DUI under Fredi. I think he needs to lay down the law with a bit more of an iron fist…
Fish Bisch
April 2nd, 2012
10:52 am
Melden should be in the starting rotation.
meh
April 2nd, 2012
10:52 am
dag nabbit! take a cab you fool!
meh
April 2nd, 2012
10:52 am
dag nabbit! take a cab you fool!
kerryb
April 2nd, 2012
10:52 am
I guess he wants to take Derick Lowe’s place as the team drunk.
T
April 2nd, 2012
10:52 am
When will people learn that this is just unacceptable? Get someone else to drive you.
Just embarrassing.
CrαZy
April 2nd, 2012
10:52 am
I’ll never understand how a pro athlete gets a DUI when you can afford a driver. At least there wasn’t an accident. Learn from it, don’t let it happen again, and move on!!!
kevkat
April 2nd, 2012
10:53 am
If he were my manager I’d drink too..
Big Earl
April 2nd, 2012
10:54 am
At least he’s not another Bulldog!
PMC
April 2nd, 2012
10:54 am
Isn’t the legal limit .08?
Charlie
April 2nd, 2012
10:54 am
PATHETIC AND STUPID! I just don’t get it. Take a cab, stick a crowbar in your wallet and hire a driver, or call me, I’ll be your designated driver. At this time in history, there is no reason whatsoever to ever get a DUI. PATHETIC and STUPID!
CrαZy
April 2nd, 2012
10:55 am
2nd DUI under Fredi. I think he needs to lay down the law with a bit more of an iron fist…
Like Mark Richt???
CrαZy
April 2nd, 2012
10:55 am
2nd DUI under Fredi. I think he needs to lay down the law with a bit more of an iron fist…
Like Mark Richt???
phoenix
April 2nd, 2012
10:57 am
Meanwhile, the Braves have added about 550 pounds of castoffs during the past 3 days…Livan & Francisco. At least they got a good hitter (Livan)
Rojo Johnson
April 2nd, 2012
10:59 am
He’ll learn from it and move on. He’s human people!
64 year Braves fan
April 2nd, 2012
11:00 am
Don’t these idiots ever learn?
Mark Sally Venters
April 2nd, 2012
11:00 am
1. Get a cab
2. Baseball is not a sport…more of a hobby
3. Kudo’s to Carlos Checa
Ted M
April 2nd, 2012
11:00 am
Francisco is all “possible” reward no risk. Good move Wren.
Hank Williams Jr.
April 2nd, 2012
11:01 am
I thought Derrick Lowe was gone……..
T
April 2nd, 2012
11:02 am
legal limit is .08
Ted M
April 2nd, 2012
11:03 am
DOB – When might you secure an interview w/Francisco? Any chance he might play tomorrow?
BFS
April 2nd, 2012
11:03 am
The problem is that no team (Braves or Bulldogs) makes the punishment severe enough to make the players take notice. If the Braves had a policy of say, 5 years suspension for the first offense, then no one would ever consider breaking the rules or law. If all he gets is a slap on the wrist, it’s no big deal. For the UGA football players, revoke their scholarships and send them home to work at Burger King. Would that get someones attention?
Derek L
April 2nd, 2012
11:06 am
I know a guy that he should call
Tucker
April 2nd, 2012
11:06 am
Drinking and MLB go hand in hand. The Ole Diz would say, “Pop open another Falstaff, pardner!”
mw
April 2nd, 2012
11:06 am
the players association would not let that happen. it is different with professional athletes than college athletes. not too mention 5 years is ludicrous
David O'Brien
April 2nd, 2012
11:08 am
Looks like he spent about 6 hours in Gwinnett jail, was released about a half-hour ago according to the jail docket.
UGA Football
April 2nd, 2012
11:09 am
UGA Football, enough said…
Backwards
April 2nd, 2012
11:09 am
That’s right. You never drink AND drive. You could spill your drink. I recommend drinking THEN driving, therefore, no risk of spilling.
CrαZy
April 2nd, 2012
11:10 am
phoenix
Livan is a great addition as the long relief man and Francisco has real potential to become a solid everyday player. Castoffs?? Both were solid no risk additions!
dood
April 2nd, 2012
11:12 am
Lots of Mexican people drink and drive- cut him some slack.
CrαZy
April 2nd, 2012
11:12 am
If the Braves had a policy of say, 5 years suspension for the first offense
I could be wrong, but I’m pretty sure it’s a MLB / MLBPA issue not a Braves issue when it comes to substance / alcohol abuse and the suspension that come with it.
Stephen
April 2nd, 2012
11:15 am
This is the 2nd DUI in as many years… could this be a reflection of bobby not being in the drivers seat anymore ??
Seems like the team doesn’t have even a modicom of the respect for fredi that they did for bobby. I agree that fredi isn’t and will never be bobby. But, you do have to show respect to the position! Fredi get control of your locker room !!!!
Lisa
April 2nd, 2012
11:16 am
Its not like he couldn’t afford a cab! Come on, do be so ignorant!
WayToGo
April 2nd, 2012
11:18 am
well, ain’t that nice. I agree with kevkat. Having fredi for a manager would make anyone turn to the booze.
Bill Malone
April 2nd, 2012
11:21 am
Could be a long, hot Summer for all of us Braves fans…
BravesFan in DC
April 2nd, 2012
11:21 am
Not good… They got sent up early to “prep for a game” tomorrow in Gwinnett… I doubt excessive boozing was part of the “prep plan”… I hope Fredi takes some action here.
Atlanta Braves - Page 521 - VolNation
April 2nd, 2012
11:22 am
[...] arrested… DUI Braves reliever Martinez arrested for DUI | Atlanta Braves ****ing epidemic in baseball right now. Needs to be dealt [...]
Fan of the Game
April 2nd, 2012
11:26 am
DUI, 1st offense should be 50 game suspension and 2nd should be gone for the season and hope no one gets killed in between.
REAGAN2012
April 2nd, 2012
11:26 am
SEEMS FREDDIE CANT KEEP CLOSE EYE ON HIS PLAYERS KEEP THEM FROM TRUBOLE MAKIN IF THEY GET MORE THEN 1 MILE FROM HIM SWEAR BASEBALL PLAYERS ARE BECOMING WORST THEN FOOTBALL PLAYERS AND BASKETBALL
renegade#1
April 2nd, 2012
11:27 am
Baseball is his job he wasn’t drinking on the job. Dont they have beer in the clubhouse. Do something about the team supplying them with booze would be a start at controling the drinking
Disco Stew
April 2nd, 2012
11:27 am
Nice. RIght before the season starts and he “had” a job. Today who knows b/c JS (never mind Wren) likes to release people on the first offense unless there is major contract money on the table or key talent.
See Lowe and Furcal on that latter.
So a young pitcher who is making league min is a nice target for JS. Easy release for him and sends a muted message to the vets who drink.
Fredi continues to have bad karma or weak leadership hovering over him.
First rule of mgt = Everything is your fault….
Hiawassee
April 2nd, 2012
11:28 am
Only ignorant fans would place the blame on a ballplayer driving drunk on a manager. Why not blame the GM, the owner, the player’s third grade teacher? Believe me, everyone in the organization tries to teach these players the right way. MLB has to have a firm policy in place, but it is very difficult to put in place because of the player’s union.
BravesFan in DC
April 2nd, 2012
11:28 am
So in Fredi’s first 12 months as Braves’ manager, the team has had 2 DUI arrests (I assume the most in baseball) and experienced the worst collapse in team history. I’m no expert but I would imagine the white collar execs in the team’s management office aren’t thrilled. My guess is Fredi is on the hot seat this year. If Atlanta fails to make the postseason I think Fredi’s short tenure in Atlanta is done.
Brownie
April 2nd, 2012
11:29 am
Very unfortunate, and serious offense committed by a LOT of people, not just athletes. In fact I would bet a great deal of money that of all the above bloggers, at least 80% have have a DUI sometime in their past – they just didn’t get caught. I know I would be guilty several times in college a long time ago.
Doesn’t take away the fact that it was a stupid move, especially considering they all can afford a chauffeur.
Bottom line is that it sheds a negative light on the Braves for a couple of days, and then will be in the past. Hope they all learn from it.
DePort
April 2nd, 2012
11:31 am
Must be a Georgia thing….
IHEARTCARROLL
April 2nd, 2012
11:32 am
I really don’t want to make light of a serious situation, but nice to hear from Ms. Rogers.
Dawg pound
April 2nd, 2012
11:33 am
Must have went to UGA
BravesFan in DC
April 2nd, 2012
11:37 am
Last 12 Months:
1. Lowe gets a DUI
2. Roger McDowell does bad things with a bat in front of kids
3. Braves blow huge lead and have epic collapse (biggest in team history)
4. Martinez get a DUI
Clearly there’s a lack of discipline and respect for authority trending through the clubhouse. I don’t think JS puts up with this much longer… Changes are likely coming.
CrαZy
April 2nd, 2012
11:37 am
Action:
Fan reads about player getting arrested….
Reaction:
The Coach… it’s all the coaches fault… Fire the coach!!!!
Come on people stop putting the blame on the coaches and start putting the blame on the players. They’re the ones making the bad decisions!! If a professional athlete get’s arrested it’s his own d*@n fault, he’s the ONLY one to blame!!
Listen to me
April 2nd, 2012
11:38 am
As Bobby Bowden said…. Football programs are NOT required to do drug test. He said if you don’t want your players to fail you don’t need to test like a lot of other schools refuse to do.
kburger
April 2nd, 2012
11:40 am
It just goes to show that no matter what level of sports, the players still make dumb decisions. It is not always the coaches fault, it is the stupid players making the stupid decisions to do stupid things. You can point fingers at Georgia but look at any other state in the Union and you see the same things at other schools and other professional sports teams.
CrαZy
April 2nd, 2012
11:41 am
I don’t think JS puts up with this much longer…
You’re right except JS is smart enough to realize these adults that make their own decisions good or bad!! JS isn’t going to blame Fredi for his players stupid decisions just like he didn’t blame Bobby for Furcal or John Rocker. He took care of those issues by getting rid of the player.
BravesFan in DC
April 2nd, 2012
11:42 am
CraZy – If you notice a trend… It may be the manager’s fault. 1 incident would be 1 thing… but several incidents may indicate a bigger issue.
Felix
April 2nd, 2012
11:43 am
In the Lowe tradition, was he racing too?
meghan
April 2nd, 2012
11:43 am
Just so you know BFS, they actually background check you at burger king these days…no job for him there!
count_schemula
April 2nd, 2012
11:45 am
Francisco’s problem is a mix of dedication (overweight) and Dusty Baker. He is a high K low BB guy with masher power. The pickup was nothing short of brilliant for what it is.
If we can leave Prado in LF full time, we have good hitters in McCann, Freeman, Bourne and Chipper when he plays. We need Heyward to sort it out and he is a good hitter who’s OBP is well over his BA. Pastornicky is a rookie who was taking walks and getting hits late in spring.
And we have high K high power guys in Uggla and Francisco.
Francisco looks like he could hit 20HR in limited action.
I always felt bad for Prado having to play LF and 3b. That’s a tough transition.
Octavius
April 2nd, 2012
11:45 am
Next thing you know they’ll be getting drunk in the dugout.
interested observer
April 2nd, 2012
11:49 am
Wow, lots of finger pointing here. The person to blame for a DUI is the driver. Not to make light of a really bad decision, but the good news is he was caught. He could have killed someone. He has a chance to learn from being caught, something a lot of Georgians don’t get. Be glad no one was hurt.
Everyone suffers from lapses in judgment. Let’s hope he’s learned his lesson.
fuzzybee
April 2nd, 2012
11:49 am
Just get another pitcher.
Oh, that’s what he said!
FBGuy
April 2nd, 2012
11:50 am
“Must have went to UGA?” Thanks for the grammar lesson, Dawg pound. What an empty thought you had. This would make the fourth or fifth DUI case I’ve read of this spring in training camps in Florida and Arizona, proving …. what? Fred has no control? Maybe, but this isn’t much evidence. Maybe it’s a little too early to draw many conclusions about anything but what Martinez did? And puleeze, drop the UGA connections. You can as easily tie that to AL, FL or any number of nearby schools.
BravesFan in DC
April 2nd, 2012
11:52 am
I can tell you if I got a DUI I would likely lose my job… These guys need to step it up. Playing pro ball comes with responsibility. It just looks bad on the whole team and Fredi. Not the best way to start the regular season.
CrαZy
April 2nd, 2012
11:53 am
1 incident would be 1 thing… but several incidents may indicate a bigger issue.
Yeah, Fred’s probably telling them to go out and have some fun… live a little!!!! It’s all his fault. If anyone is not respected it’s the MLB / MLBPA!! They don’t suspend players for DUI’s this is what the MLB and MLBPA agreed to last year….
he parties agreed on a program of mandatory evaluation by a trained professional for Players who are suspected of an alcohol use problem (including Players who are arrested for DWI or other crimes involving alcohol), and for players who are arrested for crimes involving the use of force or violence.
Currently there is nothing in place in the agreement players have with the league that allows for punishment for a DUI.
Just google MLB’s DUI policy
CrαZy
April 2nd, 2012
11:53 am
1 incident would be 1 thing… but several incidents may indicate a bigger issue.
Yeah, Fred’s probably telling them to go out and have some fun… live a little!!!! It’s all his fault. If anyone is not respected it’s the MLB / MLBPA!! They don’t suspend players for DUI’s this is what the MLB and MLBPA agreed to last year….
he parties agreed on a program of mandatory evaluation by a trained professional for Players who are suspected of an alcohol use problem (including Players who are arrested for DWI or other crimes involving alcohol), and for players who are arrested for crimes involving the use of force or violence.
Currently there is nothing in place in the agreement players have with the league that allows for punishment for a DUI.
Just google MLB’s DUI policy
Cris Martinez
April 2nd, 2012
11:53 am
I’m hungover and got them Gwinnett jailhouse blues baby. I couldn’t sleep because some guy named Bubba wanted to be my boyfriend.
CrαZy
April 2nd, 2012
11:55 am
BravesFan in DC
I can tell you if I got a DUI I would likely lose my job…
The MLBPA is the stongest UNION in the world!! If you had them to cover your back you can almost get away with anything without losing your job!!
BravesFan in DC
April 2nd, 2012
11:55 am
CraZy – MLB is also at fault for weak policies on the issue. Agreed.
ATLFAN24
April 2nd, 2012
11:56 am
Fredi job is far more complicated than watching over GROWN men. C. Martinez made that decision and have to suffer the consequences of breaking the law. It was probably a mistake, but a costly one. The BRAVES will be just fine. Adding a third basemen and good pitcher show you they are trying to win it all. Young core group will work hard for years.
BravesFan in DC
April 2nd, 2012
11:57 am
Correct. Unions have lost focus of their original purpose and goals. In many cases they have simply become corrupt.
fuzzybee
April 2nd, 2012
11:58 am
As long as he doesn’t sweat alcohol like Lowe did. Sometimes that guy looked like he had the DTs right on the mound. I guess that could explain his pitch control!
Need to step up.
April 2nd, 2012
11:58 am
Just for the record, Lowe was not driving drunk. He was also not racing. The camera shows that the cars being chased were not Lowes. He was picked up and hassled because of who he was. All charges on him were dropped.
Now as for the rest lolololol. I guess you get what you pay for.
Cristhian Martinez (Braves) — BaseballMoves.com
April 2nd, 2012
12:00 pm
[...] Source: ajc.com [...]
Braves outtahere
April 2nd, 2012
12:00 pm
Ok lets get rid of Sunday sales now. Georgia you cant handle it.
MuttH8ter
April 2nd, 2012
12:01 pm
Only a few years ago you had to blow a .10 to even receive a DUI. Most the people on this board, the Governor, most of the legislature and ALL cops have driven at .10. Law needs to concentrate on the people who blow high numbers and repeat offenders. They are the real (very real) killers. They need to be dealt with harshly by the law including prison. The current .08 law is a money maker.
.08 is so low that I never drink anything and drive as my life can be severely damaged by a cop.
Rusty
April 2nd, 2012
12:01 pm
BravesFan in DC,
You are a complete and utter idiot. First off, Lowe’s ‘DUI’ got dropped. 2nd, they are grown men and Fredi is their boss at their job. If I go get a DUI this weekend, should my boss at my job get fired, obviously not as it happened away from work and had NOTHING TO DO W/ HIM.
If you are in DC, please become a Nationals’ fan, I hate to think that we support the same team.
reckingball
April 2nd, 2012
12:01 pm
It is stupid to drive under the influence anytime, especially when you are making $400,000 a year. No excuses.
illo gical
April 2nd, 2012
12:01 pm
Yes, it’s ridiculous that the coach doesn’t escort these guys home from the ballpark and tuck them in- making sure they don’t do anything stupid. Probably should fire him. Then the braves could hire Mrs. Doubtfire or Mary Poppins to to manage the team. That would solve everything.
fuzzybee
April 2nd, 2012
12:03 pm
After the steroid debacle, you would think that MLB would see where ignoring substance abuse will get you in the long run but I guess not.
The team owners are CEOs and just about next quarter’s profit and winning tomorrow.
The players are all about protecting their own and their next big paycheck.
Screw the game.
How's that??
April 2nd, 2012
12:03 pm
Hey DOB, the tag line says that this was posted at 10:37 AM and the article refers to Martinez being released at 10:41 AM? You have some insiders at the precinct?? A crystal ball?? What are the numbers for the next lotto??
Ted M
April 2nd, 2012
12:04 pm
Unions lost focus decades ago.
reckingball
April 2nd, 2012
12:05 pm
These people that say this is Fredi Gonzalez’s fault are wrong.
northbeach Scott
April 2nd, 2012
12:05 pm
Hopefully, this will be a wake up call for young Martinez and he can put childish things behind him. Having some cracker Gwinnett cop bust him likely scared the black beans out of him.
BravesFan in DC
April 2nd, 2012
12:07 pm
Rusty – Hi, I’m Earth. Have we met?
Read all my posts before you post crap on the blog and take an inappropriate direct shot at someone you don’t know. The DUI was 1 part of several reasons why I feel there is a general lack of respect for authority in the clubhouse (see above posts). I never said I think Fredi should be outright fired (although he was fired in Florida for what many feel was issues related to a lack of respect from key players). I said I think that JS will make changes if several trends (like this and the McDowell issue continue) and the Braves fail to make the postseason this fall. Boom.
reckingball
April 2nd, 2012
12:08 pm
Lowe’s arrest for DUI, was evidently the result of some overzealous police “work”.
sainthater
April 2nd, 2012
12:08 pm
DLowe was arrested but not convicted, innocent until proven quilty.
Confusted...
April 2nd, 2012
12:09 pm
Wow…ok –We need to give Martinez a break he’s human and made a very stupid mistake and besides there’s plenty of blame to go around.
1. Marty – next time take a cab or be prepared to face the music.
2. Marty – was not alone that night – hey guys if you know your TEAM Mate has had too much to drink..take his/her keys..give him/her a ride or offer them a bed at you place for the night.
3. Coach – set a higher expectation for your TEAM.
4. The Public (this means you) don’t be so quick to judge – …he who is without SIN let him caste the first stone……
Sober up Marty – learn from your mistakes and move on………
Ted M
April 2nd, 2012
12:10 pm
Great he is plying today…that was fast. He certainly didn’t loligag getting here.
Taylo
April 2nd, 2012
12:11 pm
Wow, people are ridiculous on here. Do you realize how low a .10 is?
BravesFan in DC
April 2nd, 2012
12:12 pm
Low enough to land you jail.
Taylo
April 2nd, 2012
12:13 pm
and to you fools blaming Fredi G. Martinez is a grown ass man, Fredi can’t control what he does. I don’t like a lot of Fredi’s on field decisions, but to blame him for this is just stupid
JoeFan
April 2nd, 2012
12:14 pm
No one gets any slack for drinking and driving. They are a danger to themselves and others. Anyone that is convicted of dui should be sentenced to at least 90 days in jail and probation of no less than five years.
Michael
April 2nd, 2012
12:16 pm
There but for the grace of God, go I.
Felix Millan
April 2nd, 2012
12:17 pm
“Must have went to UGA”—- English Major.
Rusty
April 2nd, 2012
12:19 pm
BravesFan in DC-11:37 AM
—
Last 12 Months:
1. Lowe gets a DUI
2. Roger McDowell does bad things with a bat in front of kids
3. Braves blow huge lead and have epic collapse (biggest in team history)
4. Martinez get a DUI
Clearly there’s a lack of discipline and respect for authority trending through the clubhouse. I don’t think JS puts up with this much longer… Changes are likely coming.
—
This post alone proved you are an idiot and your response to me solidified that you are, in fact, a dbag. 2 more ‘inappropriate direct shots’ for you, or is that just one more since I’m repeating myself by calling you an idiot? Boom.