Braves’ Escobar: ‘I feel like I’m home’
Braves shortstop Yunel Escobar said he was stung by criticism last year but he feels more comfortable now. (Phil Skinner/AJC)
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – Regardless of the sport, coaches would rather subtract from athletes than add. The old line of, “You can’t teach speed,” also applies to passion and attitude. Better to have to tell a player, “Calm down,” than feel the need to swing your right foot into his backside.
“I want the kid where I have to take something out of him,” coach Terry Pendleton said. “I don’t want the ones who drag around. I don’t want to have to spend time trying to figure out how to make them go.”
Which brings us to Yunel Escobar. Go has never been the problem.
He is arguably the Braves’ best all-around player. Offense. Defense. Talent. Desire. Passion. Yes, there is a “but” coming here. But it’s one the Braves can work with, given the payoff. To grow up in Cuba, speaking a different language and playing baseball in an atmosphere where structure and decorum are not high on the agenda, can make for a difficult transition to the major leagues. With Escobar, we witnessed that last season.
So this should comfort the masses. When asked Thursday how he felt coming to spring training, Escobar smiled and said, “I feel like I’m home.”
And a few years ago?
“It was really hard,” he said, using minor league teammate J.C. Boscan as a translator. “I felt like I was mute. I felt like I couldn’t speak. I couldn’t understand English or anything. So I didn’t say much. It was really hard for me. And to be around so many people all the time – I never had that experience before. But now I’m more comfortable. I like it.”
On the field, there has been a lot to like about the shortstop. He is hitting .295 and has driven in 101 runs in 223 games over 2 1/2 seasons. Last year he hit .373 with runners in scoring position, which was third highest in the majors.
But we’ve also witnessed things the Braves want to subtract. Just last year, there was the game in Baltimore where he was pulled by Bobby Cox for making two mental mistakes on defense, after which the manager said: “We pride ourselves on doing things right and being in the game.” And the game where he didn’t run out a ground ball. And the game where he gestured to the press box after a play was scored an error.
He wears his emotions on his sleeve. Always has. When there was a backlash of criticism last year from fans and media, he was stung.
“It was tough for me,” he said. “I never experienced that before. I think people interpreted some things wrong. People who really know me don’t think bad things like that. I felt uncomfortable because I know the things that everybody reads. But that’s not who I am.”
When asked if he believed Escobar got a bad rap last season, Pendleton said: “He’s trying to learn the system here. There were some situations last year — maybe it wasn’t his fault, maybe he brought some things on himself, maybe some of it was blown out of proportion. But the kid is learning how to come to the ballpark and do what’s asked of him every day to help the team to win.”
Said teammate Matt Diaz: “I don’t think he was ever malicious in his actions that got him in hot water with Bobby or the fans. I think it just took some time getting used to baseball in the States.”
We know the story of his defection, how he come over in a crowded fishing boat in 2004 and wasn’t reunited with his parents until years later. By comparison, he can handle criticism. “What happened in Cuba, to go through that, you can’t explain it until you live it,” he said.
He is asked if he had any baseball heroes growing up.
“I am my own hero,” he said. And this is where critics might slap their forehead. But sometimes things get lost in translation. The context seemed to be more: I’m my own man.
“I don’t [follow] anybody else,” he said. “I think I am a good teammate, a good friend, a good player. That’s why I call myself my own hero.”
♦
Earlier posts from Thursday at Braves’ camp:
♦ Eric Hinske and his $5,000 tattoo.
♦ Derek Lowe looking forward after rough year and trade talk.
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99 comments Add your comment
todd grantham
February 25th, 2010
9:46 pm
that’s no weather to enjoy spring training I’m afraid.
todd grantham
February 25th, 2010
9:47 pm
I know this is silly, but what is that kid’s name that bombed in center field last year? is he even in the mix now?
todd grantham
February 25th, 2010
9:50 pm
jordan shafer
ASHEVILLE DAWG
February 25th, 2010
9:56 pm
Great article Jeff. Escobar should keep getting better. Met Yunel first September he was up, couldn’t speak or understand a lick. Must be hard to have an interpeter everywhere you need to go. Atlanta is a whole different life from Cuba, I imagine.
ASHEVILLE DAWG
February 25th, 2010
9:57 pm
A lick of English
Delbert D.
February 25th, 2010
9:57 pm
The sooner he’s removed from constant exposure to the dour “Chipper” Jones, then he can finally come into his own.
Toots
February 25th, 2010
9:59 pm
Nice.
Admiral Ackbar
February 25th, 2010
10:03 pm
Who names their child Melky? Sounds like an antacid.
junebaby
February 25th, 2010
10:08 pm
“Hershel Talker@7:48pm…, don’t worry! soon we’ll have another mike vick story to get the comment section stoked. give it about another 2-3 days.
thunderbull56
February 25th, 2010
10:15 pm
I’ll take him over a Fuurcalling any *amn day.Guy floated over in a *amn box.BC may not cotton to his ‘Tude, but,me, AB’s need more ‘Tude like His.Cool and Laid back be *amned! That goes for you too CHIPPA! Hoss or whatever you call yasself!
Real Admiral Ackbar
February 25th, 2010
10:20 pm
It’s a trap, fake Admiral Ackbar. Perhaps Melky’s mother was a junkie stripper and she could not spell Milky.
Jeff Schultz
February 25th, 2010
10:26 pm
Todd Grantham — You mean Jordan Schafer? He’s here. If he doesn’t make the team out of spring, he’ll start the year at Gwinnett..
Jeff Schultz
February 25th, 2010
10:28 pm
Asheville Dawg — Can’t imagine moving to another country and not knowing the language, let alone completely changing cultures over night (from Cuba to U.S.). It’s crazy.
Jeff Schultz
February 25th, 2010
10:29 pm
Toots –I’m nice? Thank you.
Roy Hobbs
February 25th, 2010
10:32 pm
Nice article Jeff. Escobar is and was what the Braves need. To many years of “professionals” with no passion. If they all play like Escobar for a year the sky is the limit.
Bill
February 25th, 2010
10:56 pm
Jeff, Milkeys a Brave right…then whats to think about? Everyone cuts him down, give the man a break. Whats he’s expectations with the Braves without NY pressure, etc? Maybe he has Tatoos? Pet snake ?
Bill
February 25th, 2010
10:58 pm
sorry..his not he’s
Wide Right
February 25th, 2010
11:05 pm
Jeff,
I realize Yunel was interviewed through a translator…but did you get the sense that his english has improved? I know one beef with him was that he was making no effort to learn the language.
Jeff Schultz
February 25th, 2010
11:16 pm
Thanks, Roy Hobbs.
Jeff Schultz
February 25th, 2010
11:18 pm
Bill — Yeah, I know he’s a Brave. But of all the good stories in camp right now, I’m not sure if he’s one of them. Right now my only question to him would be, “How do you feel about fact everybody is bashing the trade that brought you here”? Of course, that’s not Melky’s fault. But outside of that there’s no story to him right now. If he starts the season hot, then he’s a story.
Jeff Schultz
February 25th, 2010
11:19 pm
Wide Right — yes, his English has improved to the point that he will speak to local writers after games, short stuff like that. But for long more expansive interviews, he prefers a translator still.
JimmyO
February 25th, 2010
11:36 pm
He’s been here since 2004 and needs a translator? That sounds like a GREAT work ethic !
Freddie: G
February 26th, 2010
12:06 am
I always thought that Cox handling of some players including Yunel was ridiculous, he did the same to Andrew some years back, when no one on the team ran down more balls than Andrew. In any sport you play it is impossible to go all out every time, or better yet, your best effort may appear to many as if you are not making the effort, but that is called tired and the legs may fail you sometimes. Ask those Defensive line men and Linebackers etc. and luckily they can be spelled to get a breather.
A Baseball player plays everyday. Escobar will be a star and as i mentioned last year, he and McCann are the only Allstars on this team.
Gil Garrido
February 26th, 2010
12:36 am
You people are morons. You think you would learn fluent French if your company sent you to Paris to work for 6-8 months every year? And your job had nothing to do with speaking French? Get off the guy’s back.
And Jeff, how about a little tighter moderation. Are you really going to let someone insult Melky Cabrera’s mother on here? What is wrong with you people?
BLH
February 26th, 2010
1:26 am
You do realize you said Aramis Ramirez played for the White Sox, right?
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Nativebird
February 26th, 2010
7:55 am
BEST player on the team, period. BEST long term, best now, offense, defense, durability, RISP, situational at-bats, best position fit, everything. Perenial ALL STAR if the all mighty Press and ESPN ever focused on anything other than the AL East, and Div Leaders, and Div bottoms.
Oh, but Bubba Braves fan idiots get sideways when a 20 something kid from Cuba dies his hair blonde!
What a bunch of jerks.
Leave the kid alone, and he WILL produce for you. Keep this up Atlanta, and once again, we’ll be watching this immense Talent win championships for…Boston.
JT Grace
February 26th, 2010
8:00 am
I think Yunel is an awesome young player and the Braves should be thrilled to have him. I just hope that they try to extend him past his rookie contract.
Clay
February 26th, 2010
8:13 am
Good stuff, Shultzie!! Keep it comming!!
Vulcan
February 26th, 2010
8:50 am
If you moved to a new country, how long would it take for you bashers to learn the language? Bigotry is easy, understanding takes effort. Try it sometime.
Yep
February 26th, 2010
9:11 am
Jeff, I’m enjoying the almost live blogging format. Thanks for all the replies, makes for a more interesting read. And, suprisingly enough, posters have been great too. Just avoid any UGA/GT topics or they will start coming out of the woodwork.
EW
February 26th, 2010
9:18 am
One thing I think that may be worth mentioning/elaborating on about Yunel, and I believe you touched on it, is that there was a culture clash for him here with the way he plays the game. The Hispanic players (in general) play a more free-flowing, carefree style of game. I think that Yunel had a tough time making the transition to pro ball where the game is more regimented because it’s a business. Some of it can be accounted to maturity, but I think he had to learn to adjust his style of play slightly and that was probably tough for him. He’s an exciting young player and I look forward to seeing how he’s grown this season.
ET.
February 26th, 2010
10:29 am
This love affair with being the first post on a new blog escapes me. If you really want a challange try being last on every blog. Now that’s a feat I can admire.
Last
February 26th, 2010
10:49 am
Last
All I'm Saying...
February 26th, 2010
10:56 am
Last!
All I'm Saying...
February 26th, 2010
10:57 am
In your face, ET.
Yunel is the real deal and one of our best young players. I want him at SS and in our starting line-up for a long time!
LET’S GO BRAVES!
All I'm Saying...
February 26th, 2010
10:57 am
Just kidding around, ET!
Ramblin Wrecker
February 26th, 2010
11:09 am
I don’t get the criticism of Escobar. He is passionate about playing. Better that than someone who looks disinterested. As long as he isn’t costing the Braves a win (which is why Bobby took exception to the defensive lapses), I am an Escobar fan.
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rick11p
February 27th, 2010
5:18 pm
Bobby’s treatment of Escobar last year may have been appropriate but sure wasnt consistent. Anybody remember Garrett Anderson WALIKNG to a ball that had gone precisely thru the hole between Chipper and Diory? The guy was going to take second anyway since Anderson hadnt bother to back it up in the first place, but I had never seen that before. Bobby was ballistic in the dugout but didnt do anything. Not to mention the next ground ball THAT guy runs out will be the first I think. Im glad it will be elsewhere
Teresa
March 1st, 2010
12:03 pm
Man, Escobar is so hot
is he single?
THE BEAR Illegitimi non carborundum
March 1st, 2010
6:29 pm
Vulcan
February 26th, 2010
8:50 am
If you moved to a new country, how long would it take for you bashers to learn the language? Bigotry is easy, understanding takes effort. Try it sometime.
——————
Vulcan, you are precisely correct in your evaluation of the situation. If you haven’t walked a mile in the other guy’s shoes be careful with your condemnation.
My wife and I were transferred to Taipei Taiwan where they speak Mandarin Chinese and the Taiwan dialect. We spoke neither. It was really tough. Although we had interpreters available they are not always near by. We lived there five years and when we came back to the states we could carry on a very limited conversation but we were not fluent by any means. For sure learning another language is not easy.
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