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
MrATL
February 25th, 2010
5:13 pm
Well written
Terrible Truth
February 25th, 2010
5:16 pm
How many tattoo’s you got,Yunel? Inquiring Jeffs want to know.
Steve
February 25th, 2010
5:17 pm
Nice blog Jeff. Got your e-mail, thanks! Stinks that it is so cold down there I see.
thin
February 25th, 2010
5:34 pm
Jeff-
Who were the 2 highest with RISP? Thanx, if you know.
SimpleDawg
February 25th, 2010
5:44 pm
Escobar is going to be a star player for many years…..as long as he can continue to mature and learn to channel his emotions. Not suppress, but channel in a positive way. Use his passion to excel, not let his emotions control his reactions.
The Braves could have a good every day 8…..I’m still not comfortable with the starting rotation. Too many questions. And now a major spoke in the wheel appears weakened…..maybe injured worse than we know.
Tron5000
February 25th, 2010
5:45 pm
thin, Jason Bartlett (Tampa) was 1st in MLB with a .386 BA/RISP. Escobar actually tied with Hanley Ramirez at .373. Perhaps if you extrapolate the decimals further than that Hanley is the actual #2, but for all intents and purposes, he an Yunel are tied.
Reid Adair
February 25th, 2010
5:46 pm
Great blog post, Jeff. I think Yunel Escobar has all of the tools to be a great player. Hopefully this year will show the same amount of improvement he made a year ago.
thin
February 25th, 2010
5:55 pm
Tron5000-
Thanx man. I had said Escobar hit better with RISP than Ramirez so I was at least almost tied for correct.
beauvighn
February 25th, 2010
5:57 pm
I love the guy..his passion is infectious. Cox pulling him for not running out a ground ball is BS.
Watch how many times others hit a ground ball and flip the bat and jog to first. I call BS on that. Cox needs to get off the kids back and quit making him something he is not. Let the kid be himself and play. I believe we would all like the results. Hey Yunnell, how do you tell them to kiss your *** in Spanish
thin
February 25th, 2010
6:00 pm
beauvighn-
I too thought that was a bit heavy handed. Didn’t see the “presser gesture” but I damn sure read a lot about it.
Tron5000
February 25th, 2010
6:02 pm
thin,
This site is awesome. You can find dang near any stats you want:
http://www.hardballtimes.com/thtstats/main/index.php?view=batting&linesToDisplay=50&orderBy=baRisp&direction=DESC&qual_filter=1&season_filter%5B%5D=2009&league_filter%5B%5D=All&pos_filter%5B%5D=All&Submit=Submit
"Chef" Tim Dix
February 25th, 2010
6:02 pm
Did he give you any hair styling tips?
Speaking of tips is Yuni still sporting them?
Buzz
February 25th, 2010
6:03 pm
Escobar is the best athlete on the team, hands down.
If McCann could run he would be close.
In other news, I say we trade the Melky and Kawakami for Toronto’s Travis Snider.
Jeff Schultz
February 25th, 2010
6:04 pm
MrATL — Thank you.
thin
February 25th, 2010
6:04 pm
beauvighn-
What I thought was absolutely absurd about pulling Escobar for what was sure to be an out, was that we were playing the Fillies and needed that game at the end of the season last year. Thought Cox was cutting off not only his own nose, but all the fans noses. For what – Love Cox, but last year was really strange.
Jeff Schultz
February 25th, 2010
6:04 pm
Terrible Truth — Sorry. Only one tattoo story a day. Or maybe a year. Or maybe a career.
Yowza
February 25th, 2010
6:05 pm
Anyone who’s lived here over five years and is earning an excellent living and still refuses to learn a little English is a pompous a#@.
Jeff Schultz
February 25th, 2010
6:05 pm
Steve — No problem. I actually forgot to give him the message but I’ll remember tomorrow.
Tron5000
February 25th, 2010
6:05 pm
According to the above site, Escobar and McCann are #2 & #3, respectively (behind Jason Bay) in the Clutch category. This is the site’s definition of the “Clutch” stat:
“Clutch” is the name we’ve given to the portion of Bill James’s Runs Created formula that includes the impact of a batter’s batting average with runners in scoring position and the number of home runs with runners on. The specific formula is Hits with RISP minus overall BA times at bats with RISP, plus HR with runners on minus (all HR/AB) times at bats with runners on. This stat is not a definitive description of “clutch hitting,” just one way of looking at it.
shane
February 25th, 2010
6:06 pm
First !!!!!
Oh Wait
The Grinch
February 25th, 2010
6:06 pm
Hey Jeff, were you wearing a brown sweater today? If that was you I stood next to you for a few minutes this morning. I couldn’t figure out if it was you or not and by the time I started to ask you walked off.
Steve
February 25th, 2010
6:08 pm
No problem Jeff. The message is for Pam though if you see her. Nice lady.
thin
February 25th, 2010
6:08 pm
Tron5000-
Again thanx. Seems much more versatile than Baseball Ref.
Jeff Schultz
February 25th, 2010
6:11 pm
Thin — Aramis Ramirez (Chisox) hit .425 with RISP. Jason Bartlett (Tampa) was at .386.
Jeff Schultz
February 25th, 2010
6:12 pm
Tron5000 — .373 was Escobar’s avg.
Jeff Schultz
February 25th, 2010
6:14 pm
Thanks, Reid, and I agree. Even though I criticized Yunel for some of his actions last year, I never thought team should trade him, as some suggested.
thin
February 25th, 2010
6:14 pm
Jeff Schultz-
If you’re going to stick with this blog deal you’ll need a handle. JS or JeSchu. I’m just more accustomed to your views on newsprint. Have enjoyed reading you and Bradley for years.
Jeff Schultz
February 25th, 2010
6:15 pm
Shane — There is honor in 27th.
Jalb3rt
February 25th, 2010
6:16 pm
beauvighn,
”Hey Yunel, how do you tell them to kiss your *** in Spanish?”
Besame el Culo.
Tron5000
February 25th, 2010
6:21 pm
Jeff – you’re correct about Aramis, but he only played in 82 games and just over 300 AB. Don’t know if that would qualify him to take home the BA/RISP award, were there such a thing. Certainly wouldn’t allow him to qualify for a batting title.
Cletus
February 25th, 2010
6:22 pm
Schultz, find us a quality young RF. We need someone a year or so away from the bigs that can absolutely crush balls and make pitchers wince.
Who is that person and how do we trade for him?
thin
February 25th, 2010
6:24 pm
Tron5000-
That’s great, I was even a little closer to being tied for correct.
Tron5000
February 25th, 2010
6:24 pm
SportsCenter just mentioned a piece coming up this hour on a certain “exciting young pitcher” for the Braves who could someday join the company of Maddux, Glavine and Smoltz. This should be interesting. I wish TiVo could fast forward live TV. That would be wicked awesome.
thin
February 25th, 2010
6:25 pm
Tron5000-
What do you think of the Braves 2010 edition?
bobbymahlon
February 25th, 2010
6:34 pm
If we had a Escobar at every position we would win hands down. Beauvighn is exactly right BC should get off his back and treat everybody equally.
Tron5000
February 25th, 2010
6:39 pm
thin –
Some of what I think will be based upon what I see from Glaus and our RF position this spring. Love the Starting 5 (would’ve l liked to have kept Javy, but I know how it goes in MLB). JJ is as close to being a #1 as you can be, Hanson is definitely the real deal, Lowe can’t be much worse than last year (and excluding those couple of monstrous meltdowns, the rest of his season wasn’t all bad), Hudson should be fine after having a year off following surgery, and Kenshin looked solid in the second half, once he had been through a few lineups a couple times. If Wagner and Saito perform at the level the Braves hope, I think the pen is excellent, with O’ Flaherty, Moylan, Medlen, and apparently this Chavez kid is supposed to be the real deal.
I expect a bounceback year from Chipper (hard to get worse for him), McCann and Escobar to perform to their usual levels, McLouth to swipe some bases and pop a few dingers (20 or so would be excellent), and Prado to give us what he can, which is enough in my opinion. I see some healthy production in LF with a Diaz/Cabrera platoon possible. Glaus needs to stay healthy and play passable defense at 1B while having enough power to provide Chipper and McCann with some insurance. I love what I’m hearing about Heyward. Even if he’s all he’s cracked up to be, he’s still a rookie, but I hope he can provide a boost to the team in the field and at the plate.
Overall, I’m what you may call Cautiously Optimistic. I like what I think we’re going to put on the field, but I’m hesitant to make any postseason declarations this early in the game.
Herschel Talker
February 25th, 2010
7:48 pm
Schultzie – only 35 comments after 2 and a half hours. What can we do to get the readership up?
RomeDawg
February 25th, 2010
8:21 pm
I love this kid! Keep the passion, just focus it!
Jeff Schultz
February 25th, 2010
8:27 pm
Grinch — Yes, I had on a brown v-neck today, my hair slightly off the shoulder. Next time say hi and I won’t blow your cover, I promise.
Jeff Schultz
February 25th, 2010
8:28 pm
Thin — Thanks. You can just call be DOB. Oh no, wait. That’s taken.
Jeff Schultz
February 25th, 2010
8:31 pm
Tron — I went by what’s listed in Braves’ official bio of Escobar in 2010 media guide, so I guess MLB considers Aramis’s numbers official.
Jeff Schultz
February 25th, 2010
8:32 pm
Cletus — I think he’s here and his name is Jason Heyward — except he’s ready now.
beauvighn
February 25th, 2010
8:33 pm
Thanks Jalb3rt….I may us that sometime, especailly at the park the summer… Your right Bobbymahlon, I would take a Yunnell at all 7 field positions, keep BMac and our pitchers.
Bill
February 25th, 2010
8:47 pm
Thanks Jeff for all the info…How about something on Melkey…etc.
NRBQ
February 25th, 2010
9:25 pm
“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.”
Sounds a little too much like Canseco, Manny, etc. for my comfort.
matt r
February 25th, 2010
9:29 pm
Jeff, do you get the feeling that TP is taking over for Bobby next year?
Jeff Schultz
February 25th, 2010
9:30 pm
Bill — Something on Melky? Hmmm. I’ll have to think about that one.
todd grantham
February 25th, 2010
9:37 pm
Jeffrey, is the weather any better now than when you arrived?
Jeff Schultz
February 25th, 2010
9:40 pm
Matt R — My pure speculation: If the Braves have a good season, it helps T.P.’s cause. But I really don’t think Frank is tied to anybody, and it’ll pretty much be his call.
Jeff Schultz
February 25th, 2010
9:42 pm
Todd — Actually it was nice today (60ish and sunny). But it’s fa-reezing now and will be in 40s tomorrow, supposedly.
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?
Braves' Escobar: 'I feel like I'm home' | Jeff Schultz Help
February 26th, 2010
4:17 am
[...] more here: Braves' Escobar: 'I feel like I'm home' | Jeff Schultz Sharoncobb.com: Feel Good Friday. You Almost Never Heard This Song.Schools superintendent to [...]
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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[...] ♦ The maturing of Yunel Escobar [...]
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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