Fredi Gonzalez should top Braves’ list to replace Cox
Bobby Cox to Fredi Gonzalez: "So what day should I clean out my office?" Just kidding. Kinda, sorta. (Curtis Compton/AJC)
(Updated: 4:30 p.m.)
It’s quite possible that Florida manager Fredi Gonzalez was the leading candidate to replace the Braves’ retiring manager, Bobby Cox, even before this week. If he’s not at the top of the list now, something is seriously wrong.
Gonzalez was liked and respected in the Braves’ clubhouse when he was here as a coach. He reaffirmed what kind of leader he was this week.
On Monday night, he pulled his best, but probably most immature, player, Hanley Ramirez, out of a game for loafing after the ball.
On Tuesday, he benched Ramirez from the Marlins’ lineup in the aftermath of Ramirez throwing a fit and ripping his manager for not having the proper perspective since, “He never played in the big leagues,” and adding: “It’s his team. He can do whatever he [expletive] wants.”
Smart people are blessed with having a stop sign between their brain and their mouth. Ramirez is not among them.
When a manager or coach lets something like this slide, he loses credibility in the locker room. Part of Jim Mora’s downfall with the Falcons could be traced to a lack of accountability with the players, particularly his constant defenses of DeAngelo Hall when Hall was going through the motions in practices and games. Mora lost the team. I know this because players told me.
Gonzalez made it clear he would not play favorites, even though Ramirez hit a league-leading .342 last season with 106 RBI, a .953 OPS (baseball’s fashionable stat: on-base percentage plus slugging percentage). He immediately scored points in the clubhouse. Former Brave Wes Helms defended Gonzalez. He also said of Ramirez, “Everybody has a bad day. But I don’t think a bad day comes from not hustling. That can’t be stood for.”
Then he said Ramirez needs to apologize to the team, even invoking the memory of one John Rocker in Atlanta. “I was in Atlanta when the Rocker thing went on,” Helms said. “He was made to do the apology , but when he apologized to the whole team and held a 30-minute meeting, it gives you a little sense of easement. Kind of puts it to rest a little bit. Because right now when you don’t hear that, there’s still anger built up inside of you. One of the best things to cure anybody is to talk about it.”
Back to Gonzalez. It shouldn’t take much convincing for him to, 1) leave Florida and, 2) come back to Atlanta. In his four seasons as Marlins manager, the team’s payroll has ranked 29th, 30th, 30th and 26th (this season). You complain because the Braves’ payroll this year is at $85 million. Try managing a team at $30 million less.
Yet, Florida is over .500 for the third straight year. The Marlins are coming off a sec0nd-place finish in the National League East. In 2008, voters were so impressed with Gonzalez managing the Marlins to an 84-77 record and a third-place finish in the National League East — despite a sickly $21 million payroll (less than half of the next closest team) — that he was named the league’s Manager of the Year by The Sporting News.
The Marlins have little fan support. They have a kooky owner, Jeffrey Loria, who actually balked at bringing Gonzalez back this season. (Loria denied an ESPN report last October that he was exploring hiring Bobby Valentine to manage. But given the report came from the best national baseball writer, Buster Olney, I know who I’m siding with.)
There was a time with coach Terry Pendleton seemed like Cox’s heir apparent. I don’t believe that’s the case any more. The team’s general hitting woes don’t help his cause, and there’s a sense that general manager Frank Wren is not as closely tied to Pendleton as his predecessor, John Schuerholz.
For what it’s worth, Gonzalez’ contract runs through 2011. There are ways around these things. The Braves need to find that way. When Cox steps down, they will never have an easier decision.
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Earlier posts
Hawks should look at Larry Drew for coaching job
Is it ‘hot seat’ time already for Mark Richt at Georgia?
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253 comments Add your comment
DeafGary
May 19th, 2010
1:59 pm
First of all, I’d like Cox to stay with the Braves – in the dugout, mind you – until he’s 90.
Having said that, I can think of nobody else, who should replace him, than one of the men, he groomed to become a Major League manager.
USCTrojanfan
May 19th, 2010
2:00 pm
Is Eddie Haas still breathing…..he would be a good one!
Pachoo
May 19th, 2010
2:02 pm
I would be very much in favor of hiring Fredi Gonzalez….anyone besides Terry Pendleton, please! I want TP to be no part of the Brave’s future..he is a horrible hitting coach.
AL HRABOSKY
May 19th, 2010
2:02 pm
48th!
AL HRABOSKY
May 19th, 2010
2:04 pm
Heck, hire him right now!
Larry
May 19th, 2010
2:05 pm
Anyone or anything is an improvement over the nose picker whose greatest feat everyday is filling out the line-up card around the ridiculous perpetual 3rd place reservation on one ineffective Chipper Jones.
Gonzalez has courage–hire him!
Chip Caray
May 19th, 2010
2:06 pm
I think they should hire me to manage. Afterall, I do have a lot of superior bazeball knowlidge.
AL HRABOSKY
May 19th, 2010
2:10 pm
I hope the Marlins don’t hire Valentine. I can’t even stand to look at that weasel.
Steve
May 19th, 2010
2:14 pm
How about bringing Joe Torres back to the Braves????
Mr. Turnip-Green Jeans
May 19th, 2010
2:14 pm
Eddie Haas gave it a shot once before. Think he bout had a breakdown or flipped-out or something. Surprised he didn’t commit suicide (with a bat to the head) during that breathtakingly hideous run of Braves baseball.
papadawg
May 19th, 2010
2:18 pm
If the Braves management is not tied to TP, then why is he still around. I can’t believe they are sold on his ability when they hit so bad.
#1Fan
May 19th, 2010
2:18 pm
I hope Terry does not get the job. Since he became the hitting instructor the average has gone down. Also, several of our players have gone to seek help from other coaches. Those that did came back hitting. Chipper goes to his dad for help. Just look at what Andrew was doing before Terry came into the team. What he did after Terry arrived and what he is doing now. Enough said.
Ryan
May 19th, 2010
2:22 pm
jeff, why so down on Yost?
Delbert McClinton
May 19th, 2010
2:23 pm
Jeff, I don’t always agree with you, but I’m with you 100% on this. I think he would do a tremendous job here, and like you said, the way he has handled Hanley Ramirez this week has only reaffirmed my belief that he should be our next manager.
J
May 19th, 2010
2:24 pm
What about Glenn Hubbard?
AL HRABOSKY
May 19th, 2010
2:26 pm
I do think that hiring Gonzalez, would be one of the smartest moves that Wren could make, since he took over the GM job.
He should start negotiations with the Marlins today, to buy Gonzalez’s contract out, and bring him here as soon as possible.
Maybe throw in Cabrera as part of the deal(so Cox can’t put him in the starting lineup anymore). Along with a years supply of Krispy Kremes, and a three year subscription to Sports Illustrated, as a kicker.
Mr. Turnip-Green Jeans
May 19th, 2010
2:28 pm
Don’t know bout Hubbard, but he could flat turn a double play with the best of them.
J.T. Pendleton
May 19th, 2010
2:28 pm
My brother Terry would be the best choice. He was a great ballplayer and has been an excellent hitting coach.He teaches the players. It is not his fault if they are stubborn and bullheaded and don’t want to adjust to the things he tries to teach them especially Nate McLouth, my brother said he is very bullheaded and the information goes in one ear and comes out the other.same for Melky.He stresses Terry out.Terry is there everyday trying to get these two players on track.Frenchie was the most diffulcult and Terry has said many times talking to Frenchie is impossible he does it his way.Terry is glad he is gone.Terry has some good plans as manager and has an excellent hitting coach lineup for his coaching staff. We are going to see a better stle of management when Terry becomes manager. Terry is frustrated at these hard headed players and has somethings in store for those who won’t listen. He said loyalty to players is not going to work when he is manager.He wants more base running, stolen bases,more small ball. Bobby would not let Terry use his ideas to make the team. Bopbby is set in his ways and Terry doesn’t want to balk at Bobby in his last year.Terry is looking forward to his interview to replace Bobby and will show Frank and Company some new things that he and I have developed but been limited by Bobby’s stubborness and loyalty.
So to the players no more loyalty with Terry and those who don’t like it can leave.Terry will surprise everyone when he announces his pitching coach and his hitting coach. He has one of the best pitchers who knew how to pitch and is a future HOF pitcher. The biggest surprise is going to be his hitting coach. a former player who is also a good friend of Terry’s and was an excellent hitter and he also is a HOF caliber hitter. So some good things are coming next year if Terry is manager.
Asheville Dawg
May 19th, 2010
2:30 pm
Best suggestion to manage the Braves after Cox that I’ve heard. Now just do it.
J.T. Pendleton
May 19th, 2010
2:31 pm
Sorry I mispelled Bobby’s name,my typing error
kt
May 19th, 2010
2:31 pm
I agree. Great Manager. Please stop all of this talk of making TP the next manager. I’m horrified by that thought. Send TP’s tail packin after this season.
BehindEnemyLines
May 19th, 2010
2:32 pm
I could live with Fredi Gonzalez as the next Braves manager I believe. Then again, Tight End Tony Gonzalez, 15-minutes-of-fame Elian Gonzalez, and former Hawk Jorge “El Gigante” Gonzalez would also be better choices to manage the Braves than TP.
rekingball
May 19th, 2010
2:33 pm
papadawg @2:18……TP is still with the Braves for the same reason Cabrera was put in the starting lineup over a player who had hit 6 doubles, 2 HRs, and had 12 RBI in the previous 6 games that he had started in(Hinske).
Bobby is still the manager.
Ken Shelton
May 19th, 2010
2:34 pm
Very-very little mention has been given to Joe Torre as a strong consideration to follow in Bobby Cox’s footsteps. Granted it would be very ironic, seeing Torre followed Bobby after Cox was dismissed following the 1981 season. Torre is not only in his last season under contract for the Dodgers, he is a former Braves player and manager, who by many accounts under the watch of Ted Turner was let go ill-advised, after posting winning records in the early 1980’s during his helm as skipper pf the Bravo’s.Of course, it needs-not-mentioning what Torre achieved as manager in his following years in pinstripes, and still earning his stripes as the pilot of his teams.
Granpa
May 19th, 2010
2:37 pm
Glavine manager/smoltz pitching coach/chipper hitting coach/eddie perez bench coach/javy(for the ladies)bull pen/hubbard first base/wellman third base
your old friend jack
May 19th, 2010
2:39 pm
eddie perez will be the next manager… book it
#1Fan
May 19th, 2010
2:40 pm
J.T. Blaming the players for the incompetence of a person to coach is wrong. Terry was a good player, but he is not a good coach. I don’t doubt that he tries hard, but his message is not working. Also, don’t talk about boddy like Terry is a better manager. Bobby has proven himself 14 times here and once in Toronto. Tp has not.
Bobby
May 19th, 2010
2:41 pm
TP named to manage the Braves would be terrible. He has proven that he can’t be a coach so how in heck can anyone expect him to manage the entire team? He has to go away and show his ability some place else, and soon.
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May 19th, 2010
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braves70
May 19th, 2010
2:43 pm
If Pendleton is the choice, I believe that he will run a much tighter ship than Bobby Cox. I think we will see more speed and stolen bases since TP was a member of those great Whitey Herzog Cardinals teams of the 80’s. I do not like the Bobby Cox strategy of sitting back and waiting for a 3 run homer.
As for Gonzalez, the Florida owner, Jeffrey Loria, wanted to fire him after last year but was talked into giving him on more year by Loria’s son-in-law. If Freddy is available after 2010, which I bet he will be, he too would be a good choice.
Nacho Daddy
May 19th, 2010
2:44 pm
What about Eddie Perez ?
USCTrojanfan
May 19th, 2010
2:44 pm
We could bring back Chuck Tanner…
eagle1
May 19th, 2010
2:45 pm
Eddie Perez gets the job before TP. He’s been managing in the off season in his home country, the players like him, as seemingly do the members of the staff and front office. Heck doesn’t every average catcher end up managing?
Bubba
May 19th, 2010
2:46 pm
Is it even possible the Braves will name Tommy as manager, John as pitching coach, and Chipper as batting coach? Only after Freddi and Lopez turn the job down.
AL HRABOSKY
May 19th, 2010
2:47 pm
I really don’t think you can blame TP for all the hitting woes of some of the Braves, if they won’t listen to his advise.
AS for some of the former Braves that have started hitting after they left, mentioned here, A. Jones didn’t last in L.A. or TX., Francouer aint looking so hot lately, and Kelly will most likely cool off in AZ. just like he did in ATL., he is streaky.
$.02 worth.
Bubba
May 19th, 2010
2:47 pm
OOPS….Perez, not Lopez.
Gene
May 19th, 2010
2:48 pm
I thought at one time I had heard Eddie Perez mentioned as a possible replacement.
braves70
May 19th, 2010
2:50 pm
As to the Joe Torre possibilities, I see talk has already started of him coming back to New York to manage the Mets in 2011.
Andrew G
May 19th, 2010
2:51 pm
I hope not, the way he is handling Ramirez is pretty awful. When Ramirez called Gonzalez out, Gonzalez should not have defended himself but instead diffuse the situation. Move on. I still can never see anyone as the Skipper besides Cox.
G'Vegas Dawg
May 19th, 2010
2:53 pm
Schultz – Grandpa mentioned Tommy Glavine, perhaps a little tongue in cheek, but I have heard his name a few times before. Is there any possibility of this?
DSGray
May 19th, 2010
2:57 pm
The Braves head job will be the most coveted job in baseball when Bobby hangs up his cleats. We will have the pick of the litter.
Dozer
May 19th, 2010
3:00 pm
Give us Barabbas!
Donny Corleone
May 19th, 2010
3:01 pm
Things are looking up. We’ve had a couple of Sonny Clusters sightings in the last two days. Keep ‘em coming.
Kudzu
May 19th, 2010
3:01 pm
Living in Tampa now so I get to see a lot of the Marlins broadcasts; good Lord that ballpark is like a freaking high school crowd…announced attendance- 2900. Hire Freddie G…soon…
Steve
May 19th, 2010
3:01 pm
I would bet this will happen. At least a little birdy told me that. I agree 100% Jeff. However, I wonder if Greg Norton has a shot?
Kudzu
May 19th, 2010
3:02 pm
…actually that ain’t even a high school crowd.
Donny Corleone
May 19th, 2010
3:04 pm
Andrew G, we’ll stuff Bobby and bring him to your house if you’ll give us the address. Will that make you feel better?
hal
May 19th, 2010
3:04 pm
yea tp was soo succesful as a hitting coach gulp see kj see frechy see mclouty see all those who have come here as hitters and left unable to hit water if thewy fell outa a boat lol yea i can see tp but it wont be because of anything hes accomplished it will be for one reason only and im betting trhat will be enough hes still here not doing his job 5 years later i rest my case lol
bravesfan4life
May 19th, 2010
3:04 pm
Julio Franco for Braves Manager!!!
Nacho Daddy
May 19th, 2010
3:07 pm
Dozer … that was funny (give us Barabbas!) LOL