Tim Hudson: Braves were too ‘passive’ in past seasons
Tim Hudson sees something in the 2010 Braves that had been absent. (Curtis Compton/AJC)
There’s something about sports teams that don’t impress you on paper but wow you on the field. It’s what made the story of the 1991 Braves so special. Well, that and just playing a meaningful game after Memorial Day seemed cool.
But for too many Octobers in the 1990s, the Braves seemed just the opposite: They impressed you on paper but not on the field. Some considered the team good but robotic, lacking passion. This year’s team is different. They are playing above their depth, certainly when you consider the “stars” who aren’t performing. We’ve all noticed it. Tim Hudson has noticed it.
In fact, the Braves’ pitcher had some remarkably candid comments late Thursday night following his win over Tampa Bay. While praising this year’s team for it’s passion and aggressiveness, he pretty much indicted Braves teams in the past few years for being “passive.”
Here’s a Q-and-A with the pitcher.
♦ Question: You’ve been able to beat a lot of great teams in this stretch. What is it that stands out?
Answer: “On paper and out there on the field, I don’t think people look at us with a lot of fear. You know, ‘Gosh, here come the bombers to town.’ But I think after we play anybody and after somebody sees us for a while, they know that we’re no pushovers. The way we pitch. We love to play defense. We don’t throw away many at-bats. We’re a tough, gritty team. To be honest with you, that really wasn’t the personality of the Braves in a few years past. Now we have a little bit of a different personality on the field. I think it shows in the games that we play and the games that we win.”
♦ Question: How did that change?
Answer: “It’s amazing. You get a few pieces in here, and all of a sudden your team can take on a different personality. Whether it be from a couple of guys coming off the bench, keeping everybody ready. Or sometimes it’s just winning. That can change your attitude a lot, realizing you can play and win these kind of dirtball games.”
♦ Question: In past years, did you realize at the time that the team wasn’t tough and gritty?
Answer: “It seemed a bit passive. It seemed a little bit passive and not a real aggressive type of baseball. You come in now and you’ve got guys who are really ticked off when they get out, really ticked off when they give up a run, really ticked off when they don’t do the little things to win. I’m not saying you have to tear down the dugout and tear down the bat rack and go nuts. But it’s nice to see somebody with a little fire up under him and not take it well.”
Some pretty revealing stuff. We’ve all speculated about this being a Braves’ problem in past seasons but it means more when a guy like Hudson says it. Do you agree with him?
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123 comments Add your comment
Hankie Aron
June 18th, 2010
8:38 am
FIRST
J-MAN
June 18th, 2010
8:43 am
First???
Big Hitter
June 18th, 2010
8:44 am
FIrst
STONECOLD STEVE AUSTIN
June 18th, 2010
8:45 am
8TH!!!
1eyedJack
June 18th, 2010
8:45 am
There you are.
J-MAN
June 18th, 2010
8:45 am
I did it yesssssss!!!!! First I wanna thank god, my mom and Al Gore for inventing the internet using twigs and stones in the Jurassic age. Thank you!!!!!!!!
STONECOLD STEVE AUSTIN
June 18th, 2010
8:45 am
GOSH!!! I WAS WAY OFF!!!
STONECOLD STEVE AUSTIN
June 18th, 2010
8:46 am
OMG CONGRATS J-MAN. COULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR EMOTIONS RIGHT NOW???
sawweeet
June 18th, 2010
8:46 am
last?
Great to see some grit
F-105 Thunderchief
June 18th, 2010
8:47 am
I wish Hudson had surgery three years ago, it really brought him back to what he had been. Tough, gritty and fiery. I like it.
leland
June 18th, 2010
8:49 am
And the gritty, emotional leader of the whole shebang? Yunel Escobar.
F-105 Thunderchief
June 18th, 2010
8:52 am
Off topic, but re: Derrick Morgan’s arrest – what is it with college football players that they can’t keep a current drivers license? Geez.
DJ
June 18th, 2010
8:56 am
In years past alot of players would say that we just stay at an even keil (probably not spelled right) but anyway i also think that cost the team. You have to play with emotion. If you strike out with runners on or in a key situation Im glad to see guys getting fired up maybe break a bat!! that shows that they care.
0-9 Kawakami
June 18th, 2010
8:56 am
why am i still starting for the Braves i am sure they could call someone up from triple A and get a better performance than they get from me,
Navigator
June 18th, 2010
8:56 am
The Braves of the past had the attitude that they had been there before, and frowned on emotion (BCox way), instead of being jubilant about wins and good plays. Cox and Mr. Cool are leaving so lets hope the next manager and team leader have some passion about what they’re doing out there.
DP
June 18th, 2010
8:57 am
I find Hudson’s comments to be complete nonsense. You can talk about grit and intangibles all day long, but the Braves started winning this year when Prado was moved to leadoff and Glaus started driving in runs.
And Hudson is also a big difference. He now looks like the pitcher he was in Oakland for the first time since he’s been with the Braves. I heard yesterday that prior to last night he had a 1-12 record with the Braves against American League teams. Was that a lack of fire or effort or whatever it is he’s talking about?
Jeff Schultz
June 18th, 2010
8:57 am
OK, we’re going to have to go to the video tape on first.
Jason Foster
June 18th, 2010
8:58 am
I would agree with Hudson’s comments. For too many years, the Braves seemed to lock into that notion that the playoffs are a “crapshoot,” the notion that says it’s up to the baseball gods whether you win or lose, that you can’t do anything to make your own luck. The business-like approach doesn’t really seem to work in the post-season. I remember Gary Sheffield saying one time that he was shocked to find the Braves didn’t get any more fired up for the playoffs than for a regular season game. I get the idea that “it’s just another game,” but it’s really not. I like the attitude of the current bunch, though.
Jeff Schultz
June 18th, 2010
8:58 am
Stone Cold Steve Austin — I think you’re ready to replace Erin Andrews as sideline reporter.
J-MAN
June 18th, 2010
8:58 am
I also need to thank you stone cold…………. I mean when you came to the ring in a beer truck and sprayed The Rock and Vince down…….. Good times
Jeff Schultz
June 18th, 2010
8:59 am
Thunderchief — I’d like to know what the license was suspended for. Just multiple tickets?
Dawglasville
June 18th, 2010
9:00 am
I love Bobby. I’ve always thought that part of the reason the players love him so much is because he lets them play in their comfort (money) zone. I thought we didn’t steal or run a lot because of the risk of injury, the wear and tear on the body, and because it would force the big bats to do the things that don’t show up on the stat sheet. He let them save their bodies and produce in ways that made for bigger contracts. We needed a Jeter during that stretch. Maybe we needed Bobby to push someone into being a Jeter. That said, I still love Bobby.
JSS
June 18th, 2010
9:00 am
Hudson said the following: “To be honest with you, that really wasn’t the personality of the Braves in a few years past. Now we have a little bit of a different personality on the field. I think it shows in the games that we play and the games that we win.” Mr. Hudson, it ain’t been a few years. Ever since the Florida Marlins you know what slapped the Braves out of the playoffs; this team has been as soft charmin! I’ve said nasty things about this team and its personality; however if they are now self-aware and leaving the Deer Hunter behind then “Katie Bar The Door!” Only that Charlie Liebrandt trotting out HOF manager might keep them from glory now…
@ Jeff Schultz…
Please go back and check out the last 8 or 9 comments on your Poll Time blog… Happy Father’s Day!!!
J-MAN
June 18th, 2010
9:01 am
Well this team needs to get to the playoffs first or this “New” attitude won’t make any difference remember last year we almost got in but in the end we might have well have been the Nationals.
Jeff Schultz
June 18th, 2010
9:01 am
DP — I think Huddy’s comments are right on target. Never mind Prado moving to leadoff. It was Prado moving into the lineup, period. He’s the kind of gritty player Hudson’s talking about.
Jeff Schultz
June 18th, 2010
9:03 am
Dawglasville — I know Cox often has been criticized for not playing enough “small ball” and being aggressive– steal bases, hit and run, etc. But I think part of that goes to the hand he’s dealt. This team hasn’t been blessed with a lot of speed in past seasons.
1eyedJack
June 18th, 2010
9:04 am
F-105 Thunderchief
Yeah. And shouldn’t he be also arrested for not having insurance? I mean don’t the two go hand in hand?
lanier
June 18th, 2010
9:05 am
Question Jeff; what do you do besides write 1 or maybe 2 blogs a day and a newspaper column. Dont get me wrong I think your stuff is heads and shoulders above the rest but you must have alot of free time
Yours must be a great job if it pays much.
Jeff Schultz
June 18th, 2010
9:05 am
JSS — Hudson can only address obviously the teams he played on. I think we all know this was a problem throughout the 90s. And I’ll check out the “poll” comments. (Am I going to regret this?)
Jeff Schultz
June 18th, 2010
9:06 am
1-eyed Jack: Did he not have insurance? I didn’t read the whole story.
Jeff Schultz
June 18th, 2010
9:06 am
Lanier — Free time? You’re kidding, right?
JSS
June 18th, 2010
9:09 am
@ Jeff Schultz
Hey, they out did me for vile, that’s saying something!
TONE
June 18th, 2010
9:11 am
No real speed since the days of nixon and prime time furcal was quick but not scary , oh yeah big SID would steal you a base once in a while.
Sid had deceptive speed he was already in his slide to 2nd before the other team believed what they were seeing
lanier
June 18th, 2010
9:12 am
Smart boy thats the answer
DP
June 18th, 2010
9:19 am
Jeff, where would the Braves be if Glaus was still hitting .200 like he did in April, and does the fact that he started hitting the ball have anything to do with the attitude and personality of the team? Where was all the attitude and personality earlier this year when the Braves lost 9 in a row?
DJ
June 18th, 2010
9:29 am
Jeff, did you see the reversed call between Houston and Kansas City?? Just read about it. How can the umpires reverse a call like that but yet the call that cost a pitcher a perfect game could not have benn reversed????
TrueDawg
June 18th, 2010
9:30 am
I have to give a shout out to Brooks Conrad. His play this year defines gritty and passionate. Just watching him lay down that punt last night on the first pitch, when everyone knew he was punting. He’s not the most gifted player, but you can tell he plays hard and works hard. The Braves are a better team with guys like that on the bench.
rekingball
June 18th, 2010
9:32 am
Prado, Hinske, Conrad, are 3 of the reasons for the reasons this team has finally gotten some personality.
DJ
June 18th, 2010
9:32 am
TrueDawg what down did conrad punt on??? LOL
Jeff Schultz
June 18th, 2010
9:33 am
JSS — It was more than “8 or 9″ comments. It was about 50. Thanks. Primarily between 2 chuckleheads, both of whom now share a jail cell on the banned list. This is why I went to J school?
Jeff Schultz
June 18th, 2010
9:34 am
DP — They were battling early in the year. They just weren’t playing well or hitting.
F-105 Thunderchief
June 18th, 2010
9:34 am
Yeah, JSS is right, those poll blog comments got really, really bad.
Jeff Schultz
June 18th, 2010
9:35 am
Didn’t see it but I’m guessing it wasn’t the same umpire.
An Adult
June 18th, 2010
9:35 am
Hankie Aaron, Big Hitter and J-Man… glad you slipped away from your day care activities to surf the web, wait to sniff Jeff Schultz jock, and be FIRST… how embarrassing for you. Get a life and grow up! Comment but stop this childish behavior. But make sure you tell you Mommy and Daddy that you were first… maybe they would be impressed.. no one else is
rekingball
June 18th, 2010
9:35 am
Speed definitely helps, but you can still play hit and run, and squeeze plays with average speed aka small ball.
Jeff Schultz
June 18th, 2010
9:35 am
TrueDawg — Conrad has to be one of the players Hudson is referring to. He defines “dirt” player.
Jeff Schultz
June 18th, 2010
9:38 am
JSS — You can be a flamethrower, like a lot of folks, and that’s great. But you know where the line is. Some people just don’t have that filter between their head and their finger tips. Maybe I need to start a 12-step program for recovering commenters.
Gumby
June 18th, 2010
9:38 am
I think Huddy is correct, or at least this team does have a fire like we haven’t seen since ‘91 when Ronnie Gant threw everything but the bat boy out of the dugout. I think part of it is team chemistry and timing though. This is a gritty team that believes in each other, believes in their manager and is starting to play up to their potential. I don’t recall ever seeing a player (Hinske) happily slapping his boss on the back for calling a squeeze? They are having fun and so am I just being able to take it in.
Sonny Clusters
June 18th, 2010
9:40 am
This team hasn’t been right since they cut off Ted Williams’ head. Imagine being a ballplayer and that becomes a trend.
confucius
June 18th, 2010
9:40 am
confucius say : the only people that complain about the FIRST ! competition are ones that have never won it
grasshopper !!!!
DoninAcworth
June 18th, 2010
9:41 am
Been saying itall along….I like this team because of what Huddie is talking about. And our present line up is just fine! “They” are coming together!
TrueDawg
June 18th, 2010
9:45 am
@DJ — thanks for catching that. Can you tell my mind is already drifting to the fall?
Fire Frank Wren
June 18th, 2010
9:47 am
Nobody is going to say it but Chipper is so laid back and even keeled that he set the tone in the past. A little smile and a pat on the back and lets play. Now, it is Hinske throwing bats and Prado asking the ump where the pitch was and Heyward flying around the bases, it is alot more emotion and it is obvious. In the end the talent will be what matters but it is fun to watch for now.
DJ
June 18th, 2010
9:47 am
TrueDawg I cant blame you!! Go Dawgs Sick em!!!!!!!
JSS
June 18th, 2010
9:52 am
@ Sonny Clusters…
It would be like that episode of “Futurama” where they preserved the heads of MacGwire, Bonds, and Canseco! Hadn’t been right since they took off “Teddy Ballgame’s head,” too funny!
Rich
June 18th, 2010
9:54 am
To be quite honest, I think the Braves had been passive between 1997 and the announcement of Bobby Cox’s retirement. I haven’t seen the club play with this much passion since they were up 2-0 against the Yankees in the ‘96 World Series.
Something happened when they lost Game 3, and they never truly got it back. 1991-1995 were special years, and 1996 was fun, but it ended the magic. They made the playoffs for several more years after that, but mostly because they played in a weak division.
The 1999 World Series only happened because they won the East by beating crappy divisional teams and managed to get hot in october, before the Yankees brought them back down to Earth in 4 games.
The players became nearly as complacent as the fans. After a few seasons missing the post-season, it took Cox saying he was hanging it up, and the excitement of the best rookie in many years to wear the uniform, to bring back a spark, to both the players and the fans.
With this club appearing to have reinvented themselves again to be strong contenders once again, and possibly positioned for another long run of success, they learn as an organization from said complacency and take what they had before and improve, maybe bringing another title or more to Atlanta over the next decade.
JSS
June 18th, 2010
9:57 am
And there I thought I was the Ho Chi Minh of AJC blogging! That comment makes me feel like Charlie Sheen’s character on “Two and a Half Men” when he finally found a boundary of a woman he wouldn’t do! Sniff Sniff!!!
PMC
June 18th, 2010
9:58 am
He’s right, it’s a lot more fun watching guys who seem to have a passion for what they do.
The bench and the players they have coming off the bench really exude that passion. Over the course of the 90’s the team eschewed passion and dumped players who were vocal like David Justice. It left them a little hollow and boring.
asheville dawg
June 18th, 2010
10:30 am
This year started with Jason Heyward bashing cars in spring training, and waiting to see if he made the team. Other years were the boys are back in Disney World, ho hum, get a little bit of practice, then golf and fishing.
Prado winning the second base job last year started the transformation from corporate drone team to a nitty,gritty team. Brooks Conrad is one of those players who actually seems exited to be in the big leagues and producing. Sprinkle in a Hinske, you know, a guy with a few World Series rings,a Melky, a Yankee who should expect the playoffs, and the attitude changes.Remember they them trying to cool down the fiery Cuban Escobar?
And then the April bust of Glaus. Now we won’t be able to afford to resign him?
Yes, these Braves are different from past seasons. While i liked Francouer, he seemed to be used to “entitlement”. Of course, he was shown on local tv as a star since his junior year of high school.
All the new Braves didn’t help on that dreadful losing streak in April, but something sure did click when the calender clicked over to May. Hopefully, an exciting pennant race will bring back Braves fans. We now know, it’s not a gimmee to be in playoffs every year. This one hopes they earn their right to again participate in October baseball games again.
Ramblin Wrecker
June 18th, 2010
10:36 am
Honestly I think this new wave started last season, when the Braves organization itself grew a pair and jettisoned Jeff Francoeur. If a player ignores his coaches for so long but is allowed to continue, the whole team is compromised. By sending Francoeur out of town, despite his golden boy status, the Braves organization became more gritty, tough and passionate. Then you bring in Heyward and the kid does everything full speed (even run the bases after a HR) and takes extra bases, tries to win with every little thing he’s got and has great at bats. Then you have guys like Troy Glaus who has good at bats and the passion of Eric Hinske and the grit of Brooks Conrad. Now all of a sudden you have a lineup of guys who work the count, move runners over and do little things to win.
Ted M
June 18th, 2010
10:45 am
Yup, the Braves have needed a little fire in their bellies for a long while. They used to call their lack of fire professionalism and they lauded it but it was usually a fault
STONECOLD STEVE AUSTIN
June 18th, 2010
10:52 am
THAT COULD DEF BE MY CALLING! THIS WHOLE WRESTLING THING IS GETTING OLD!
Jeff Schultz
June 18th, 2010
10:54 am
Sonny Clusters — Pretty sure Billy Martin and Whitey Herzog cut off some heads, they just never got convicted.
GT Alum
June 18th, 2010
10:58 am
I don’t think it’s fair to blame the Braves’ lack of fire on Chipper. He’s not the most rah-rah guy in the world, but I’ve seen him get upset about a PA many times (just not throw equipment around, punch the clubhouse wall upset). The guy who got me was Andruw. He could be wearing the golden sombrero and would still be walking around with that goofy smile.
Carl
June 18th, 2010
11:03 am
Could I change the subject and ask why there has not bee any articles about the 2 UGA golfers who are playing in the Open at Pebble Beach?
steve brown
June 18th, 2010
11:05 am
Atlanta’s sports woes
Owner puts Hawks, Thrashers & arena up for sale
By JOSH KOSMAN
Last Updated: 5:44 AM, June 18, 2010
Posted: 12:49 AM, June 18, 2010
Comments: 0
| More Print [Follow Us on Twitter]
Today the National Basketball Association has a 2009-10 champion, but for the Atlanta Hawks the real battle has just begun.
The Atlanta Spirit, the group that controls the team, has put it on the block and, in recent days has started to solicit buyers for the franchise in a package with the Philips Arena where the team plays, according to sources with direct knowledge of the process.
The Spirit is also selling its Atlanta Thrashers franchise of the National Hockey League.
The Hawks posted an operating loss of roughly $20 million last year before servicing debt. The Philips Arena made $10 million.
NBA’s Atlanta Hawks, the NHL’s Thrashers and the Philips Arena are for sale.
AP
NBA’s Atlanta Hawks, the NHL’s Thrashers and the Philips Arena are for sale.
That means the package together is losing money, and if one bought the Hawks and tried to move them out of Atlanta it would trip a clause in the financing deal that would accelerate the remaining debt payments owed on the 11-year-old arena.
So a buyer would likely need to keep them in town, sources said.
As for the Thrashers they are being sold separately and lost about $30 million in the last 12 month, according to figures compiled by the Spirit, the source said.
The owners have hired the Raine Group, a New York investment bank, to sell the teams, which both just completed winning seasons.
This dilemma is part of a deeper problem the NBA faces in that its teams posted an overall loss of $400 million, according to Commissioner David Stern.
At the same time, many of the team owners who were very rich have lost money in the recession and cannot afford to keep funding money-losing teams.
Owners too have a quickly depleting number of wealthy financiers to whom they can sell their teams.
For example, the money-losing New Jersey Nets searched 18 months for a buyer until they got lucky and found billionaire Russian Mikhail Prokhorov, the source said.
Another source in the sports business said, “There will be more foreclosures. In five years you’ll have a lot fewer teams and buildings will go dark.”
In other industries you would see mergers and cost cuts, but in sports salaries are fixed, the other source added.
The Atlanta Spirit could not be reached for comment.
In 2004, the group paid $250 million to buy the basketball and hockey teams, along with Phillips Arena, from Time Warner.
Read more: http://www.nypost.com/p/news/business/atlanta_sports_woes_nFWtCfbmsxk5uXjNim4q1O#ixzz0rDTXjHYz
TommyJack
June 18th, 2010
11:09 am
Hudson thinks he cooler than the other side of the pillow. He’s indirectly taking a shot at Bobby.
Sometimes it’s ok to just say nothing.
GT Alum
June 18th, 2010
11:09 am
PMC, it’s funny, though. Justice ticked off a lot of people with some of his “fiery” comments. And there’s a lot of people who have wanted Yunel run out of town for his antics. It’s funny how the same characteristics that annoy some people are the characteristics that some people think this team needs.
It is interesting now, a lot of the guys people are talking about are more OBP and mostly doubles with some HR power guys. I think part of it is this team was built around the HR for a lot of the past 15 years. Cox doesn’t have a roster of sluggers now. He has a roster of ballplayers.
thunderbull56
June 18th, 2010
11:10 am
It’s ironic, but true.Without coming right out and saying it,Tim has observed a glacial changing of the guard.It’s also sad that it’s taken the demise of our icons for this to occur.
GT Alum
June 18th, 2010
11:13 am
Wow, Jeff. How’d the AJC let the Post scoop them on that story?
S.C.Smith
June 18th, 2010
11:22 am
This season Wren got it right, added players like Hinske, Melky, Glaus…players with a little more fire and don’t accept losing. Prado, J-Hey, Infante, Ross already here. Thats the heart and soul of the team. Oh yea and Wags is pretty tough too.
Jimbo
June 18th, 2010
11:22 am
KAWAKAMI TRADED TO PHILS: http://TwitPWR.com/KOo/
Jake
June 18th, 2010
11:23 am
Here’s a thought: ASK Hudson who the gritty guys are. What a concept!
Personally, I agree with someone above: Conrad, Prado, Hinske and I would add Medlen who seems to be tenacious and maybe even Billy Wagner, whom everyone seems to respect and even be in awe of.
Coach (2011 or Bust)
June 18th, 2010
11:27 am
What Whitey Herzog’s teams accomplished on the field was the epitome of aggression. Those great Cardinal teams played small ball on “steroids” as it were. They ran , then ran some more but probably eschewed the long ball a bit much. You gotta hit the ball with authority first and then run the bases.
That said, I’ll agree to disagree with Tim Hudson. Yes, this team is gritty and smart. They play the game with the proverbial fire in the belly. But they are flawed in spite of being in first place. The Braves 302 walks leads the Major Leagues. But they rank 24th in stolen bases with 32 and 21st in HR’s with 54. I’ll say it out loud: It’s the pitching STUPID! Their 3.71 ERA is seventh overall. Great pitching will cover up many flaws like make up covers a woman’s bad skin, but she’s still ugly under the covers at night.
I said all that to say this, the Braves clearly need another big bat because they are never gonna be fleet of foot on the base paths.
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June 18th, 2010
11:34 am
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Left wing management
June 18th, 2010
11:34 am
I think there’s something to this. It’s almost been like there’s something too, how to say it, gentlemanly about the Braves. Like a bunch of really nice guys, but not necessarily having the will to do what it takes.
cantondawg
June 18th, 2010
11:40 am
i really love this team. It reminds me of the 1991 worst to first year. I agree that the old Braves team lacked passion.
Michael
June 18th, 2010
11:46 am
They’re all so rich.
Sonny Clusters
June 18th, 2010
11:47 am
We was thinking that when Bobby finally benched Jeff and let somebody else hit and they won the game it was a turnaround of sorts for this team. Again and again the team would fight back and have something going on the bases and Bobby would send up Andruw or Jeff or KJ and would say, “C’mon kid” and they would strike out and somebody that could put the ball in play would not get a chance to hit. We watched that for a long time. That could take its toll on team after awhile. Sorta like having your head cut off and pickled. Jeff, it sure looks like a trend. Could that be what is holding up a decision for Chipper? Are they wanting to pickle him and clone him for later?
tampadawg86
June 18th, 2010
11:50 am
I have a question for Huddy. Before I go further I’m a Tim Hudson fan! Okay so Huddy was a CY pitcher over there when he played for the Oakland A’s. What happened when he moved over here and got his butt kicked? My question is why did it take so long to figure out he arm was hurt? Seriously? He is pitching some nasty stuff right now. I think he might be better than he was in Oakland. His sinker is pretty much unhittable. Why did it take till last season to figure this out?
Squirrel Ninja watcher
June 18th, 2010
11:52 am
In the post season they always seemed to want to be somewhere else, like they had booked their tee times already.
Reid Adair
June 18th, 2010
12:01 pm
Tim Hudson makes some very interesting comments. While they are “candid,” they’re very positive about the Braves’ current roster.
On a somewhat related note, I’m glad to see Hudson having such a great comeback season. It’s a shame when the media worries about other issues and ignores stories like his.
Jimbo
June 18th, 2010
12:02 pm
Hudson’s new elbow is bio-mechanical…he had a horse ligament put in there
extremus
June 18th, 2010
12:09 pm
It’s good to see passion for the game returning to the Braves’ dugout. I too feel that for around a decade now they simply didn’t allow enough emotion and fire on the field and in the clubhouse. Sure, things were remarkably stable and professional, but it always seemed that come October we were the better team, but not the more mentally prepared team. I think the reason the Braves overcame a heavily favored Cleveland Indians team in 1995 for their only World Series title was the very fact that A) they were still trying to get to the top and B) few expected them to outside Atlanta. But that fire was extinguished right about the time Mark Wohlers threw that eighth straight slider to Jim Leyritz in ‘96; after that something was missing, as if the team felt they were indeed snake-bitten.
But who knows, this could be the year that all of those disappointments could be put behind this team for good, where Bobby Cox could go out a winner, and Chipper Jones could bookshelf a superb career with World Series championships (he won his first as a rookie). Here’s hoping.
Oh, and it was nice to see Jason Heyward drive the ball with power again last night, though I’m not convinced about his swing; the past month or so his power numbers have dropped off the table and his strikeouts have soared compared to the first two months. Something’s definitely off with him, and I hope he can turn it around in time to preserve his Rookie of the Year candidacy (a lot of stiff competition nipping at his heels already).
GT Alum
June 18th, 2010
12:18 pm
extremus, when it comes to Heyward, remember he is playing with a hand injury. It’s definitely impacted his swing a bit.
Ray Pugh
June 18th, 2010
12:20 pm
Jimbo,
If he had a horse ligament, it wouldn’t be mechanical ya dumb@$$…
All I'm Saying...
June 18th, 2010
12:22 pm
Let’s just say that the one time we won the World Series, we played with an edge. I remember three examples from 1995 WS:
1) Bobby Cox calling for a squeeze bunt that Belliard pulled off scoring a run after going out and arguing in an animated fashion a close play at second base
2) David Justice calling out our fans for nervously sitting on their hands instead of boldly helping the home team by trying to stir things up with either the chop or rhythmic chanting/cheering; and
3) Mark Lemke getting worked up about the Indians players saying Braves couldn’t win a World Series
Having players like Marquis Grissom who played boldly and better during the playoffs versus the regular season also helped us in 1995.
In 1996, I recall the team really responded led by Crime Dog after being down three games to one to the Cardinals in the NLCS. Then we got complacent after winning the first two in NYC in WS and never rebounded from Leyritz’ homer as I think we tightened up.
In 1997, Justice and Marquis were no longer with the team and Chipper was the de facto leader and he was into himself and appeared too cool in his outward play and persona. I think the team adopted that attitude and never cut loose.
With BC as the manager, you have to take the good with the bad. His demeanor is perfect for the long regular season but his calmness can sometimes cause his players not to realize that they have to raise their game in the playoffs and step up their performance to command the moment.
As for 2010, its all about Prado as he makes this team go. Throw in Heyward’s its-all-new-and-I’m-loving-every-moment state, Hinske’s grittiness, Infante’s drive, Huddy’s focus and don’t forget what not making the playoffs for several years will do to your perspective and you have a team that doesn’t take anything for granted.
LET’S GO BRAVES!
GTSteve
June 18th, 2010
12:37 pm
Got alot of “team players” on this team also…I think that helps
Whether Spirit is selling teams or not, scrutiny is justified | Jeff Schultz
June 18th, 2010
12:39 pm
[...] ♦ Tim Hudson: Braves were too ‘passive’ in past seasons [...]
Tweets that mention Tim Hudson: Braves were too 'passive' in past seasons | Jeff Schultz -- Topsy.com
June 18th, 2010
12:49 pm
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Chuck Prince, billyhayes. billyhayes said: Tim Hudson: Braves were too 'passive' in past seasons: Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) That comment makes me f… http://bit.ly/9wgrLG [...]
gcs
June 18th, 2010
12:50 pm
I don’t want to get too giddy just yet but this team has a chance at being something special.
Most often, the team that has the most success (think the 1991 Braves) has someone different stepping up every night. In recent years, much of the load has been put on the “stars”. However, I believe this year’s team realizes they don’t really have any “stars” to carry that load.
One night it is career minor leaguer Brooks Conrad’s walk-off grand slam. The next night it is rookie Jonny Venters throwing a one pitch save. It’s Prado; it’s Glaus; it’s Hanson; it’s Hudson; it’s JHey. Even Nate McLouth had a walkoff home run off the Phillies.
.
Jeff Schultz
June 18th, 2010
1:13 pm
Steve Brown — just posted a blog on that. For what it’s worth, ASG denies it.
http://blogs.ajc.com/jeff-schultz-blog/2010/06/18/whether-spirit-is-selling-teams-or-not-scrutiny-is-justified/
Kurt
June 18th, 2010
1:13 pm
I blame the new grit all on Eric Hinske. Did you see the other night in Minnesota when he popped up to the infield and got so freaking mad he threw hit bat all the way back to the dugout? Man, that’s fire and it’s contagious. And that’s only one instance. That dude has brought much more to this team that his stats will ever reveal. Maybe it’s a coincidence that he has played in the last 3 World Series, maybe it’s not. Maybe being a major league ball player for a few years can cause some complacency to set it without ever realizing it and teams need someone like him to knock the cobwebs out and lead by example. Whatever it its, I hope they give the dude a lifetime contract.
Such has been a fresh break from watching Andruw smiling so big after a strikeout.
Jeff Schultz
June 18th, 2010
1:14 pm
GT Alum — It’s only a “scoop” if it’s true.
Jeff Schultz
June 18th, 2010
1:14 pm
Jimbo — Nice photoshop.
Jack
June 18th, 2010
1:17 pm
My wife didn’t like it the other night when Hinske struck out and threw a hissy fit. “what a way for a grown man to act” she said. “It’s about time!” I said.
Nate McLouth
June 18th, 2010
1:24 pm
Cut me please!
Luv 2 Hate Me
June 18th, 2010
1:26 pm
Just when I started to doubt Frank, he’s come through with a good lineup and maybe a WS team. Good job Frank!
eazye
June 18th, 2010
1:29 pm
i am so tired of the chipper jones saga.. so f—ing what??? who cares if he does or doesnt retire. it seems the braves and certain personalities seem to always take up for him….
why not mention the kid he had out of wedlock with the hooters waitress.. because he is white thats why……….. duh….lol
. he seems like a racist, homophobe, good ole’ boy that can do no wrng for the braves or the city.. get over it………………..
he just looks like a hilibilly and nate mcclouth looks inbred………….lol
Mike
June 18th, 2010
1:39 pm
It depends on what you mean by “these past seasons”. If you mean during their 14 year playoff run, then yes, I think often the team lacked fire. They had the talent to go further than what they did.
Its hard to know these last few years for fire because of the money problems. Slimming payroll while still having to carry monster contracts like Andruw Jones and Mike Hampton isnt easy. Last year, they got off the books and the Braves were finally in full control of their payroll.
They had to enter each season with a glaring weakness due to money and try to fix it in mid-season moves. Starting pitching had no depth one year. Another year they had the cheapest bullpen in baseball that couldn’t hold a lead. Last year, the pitching was solid, but they had at least 4 near automatic outs in the lineup until mid season.
Keeping the team that ended 2009 relatively intact plus going out and getting guys like Glaus and Wagner were not luxuries they have had in the past few years.
GT Alum
June 18th, 2010
1:42 pm
so, eazye, who’s the racist?
dk
June 18th, 2010
1:50 pm
does chipper ever stay to the end of the game when his not playing? never see him come out and shake the hands of his fellow players!!!!!!!! greatest braves comeback in history where was larrry? On 400 headed home!!!!! Time to go !!!!
Tim Hudson: Braves were too ‘passive’ in past seasons | Free Daycare Resources
June 18th, 2010
1:51 pm
[...] Tim Hudson: Braves were too 'passive' in past seasons [...]
Jeff
June 18th, 2010
2:03 pm
I think what has happened to the Braves is that they seem to now be self-aware and know that they aren’t the most talented team every time they step on the field… maybe the embarrassment of riches we had in the 1990s took away some passion, fire, grit, determination, whatever you want to call it… I mean, if I were on a team and saw a lineup with Glavine, Maddux, Smoltz, Gant, Justice, McGriff, Lopez, Chipper, Gallaraga, Nixon, Sanders, Avery, Wohlers, etc. etc. etc., I might think “Hey, we won our division by 20 games, this series is in the bag”… but then you lose the first game of a five-game series and suddenly an All-Star or two goes cold and now you, as a bench player, are stuck in a clutch situation in a must-win game… well, we’ve seen how that plays out sometimes.
As much as I agree some with Hudson’s comments, I don’t think we as fans can pin the REASONING for it all on one thing… it’s unfair to think this change is all because of one thing (Cox’s managing, new players on the roster, the batting order, guys who play more scrappy, etc.) I just think that maybe the Braves have developed from a “We win because we have more talent than God” team into a “We gotta fight for everything we get” team, and sometimes that miniscule bit of extra effort or grit or determination or WHATEVER seems to make a difference.
Remember, we’re talking about a subtle change… there is a razor-thin line in Major League Baseball between a 92-win playoff team and an 84-win-pretty-good-but-not-good-enough-to-make-the-playoffs team. Maybe this year’s Braves can push past that 84-85 win level and get to the 92-93 win level that it will take to make the postseason again. GO BRAVES!
Roy Hobbs
June 18th, 2010
2:17 pm
Great comments from Hudson. I love watching this team play, and I think you can trace some of that fire Hinske and Prado.
Love watching Prado do more and more to lead this team, and love watching Hinske make so much of his limited chances.
It has not been mentioned much, but there is probably also quite a bit of value in Heyward getting to see these guys play vs the attitude of the past few years.
Baseball is a business, but for the amount of time I invest in watching it, and the blood and sweat they put into playing it, I want to know that they care.
Love this team.
GSU Eagle 91
June 18th, 2010
2:31 pm
The difference in this team is the duo of Prado and Infante…Both of these hitters are gritty, determined and able to set the table for the power hitters. A tough bench is to be given credit, too…I believe it was our reserves making key contributions back in 1995 when we won it all….
Our pitching is good, defense is good, and if Troy Glaus can continue driving in runs we will be in Great shape!
bfred
June 18th, 2010
2:42 pm
It’s fine to question whether Hudson is criticizing Cox, should have shown more fire himself in the past, etc. but I don’t see how you argue with the content of what he said. This team was moribund for ten years.
Mitchell
June 18th, 2010
2:43 pm
For every positive thing that can and has been said over the years about Bobby Cox by his players, by fans, by baseball writers and pundits, there is a wealth of information and evidence to show he is far from one of the all time great managers in baseball history.
I think a lot of writers these days have been a little too forgiving of him in the final days of his long and supposedly accomplished career. But any known critics he he has, he’s earned them.
The overall performance of his teams in the post-season can best be described as abysmal. His record truly speaks for itself.
Tim might very well have also chosen, if he was so bold, to make a familiar refrain, that of the decline in attendnace at Turner Field over the years. He might have been in the right to go there but boy am I glad he didn’t.
If the lack of enthusiasm and passion of a sizable portion of the Turner Field crowds played any part in the Braves uninspired play over the last four years or in the final years of their playoff run, they have only themselves to blame.
Whether it’s because Atlanta isn’t a baseball first type of town, it’s clear that sports fans in this region have no interest in carrying the label of “long suffering.”
For years, the city seemingly devoted its entire focus on the Braves but, you know, when you disappoint people to the degree Bobby Cox’s teams did year after year, it’s your own damn fault if they stop showing up.
I can’t lie, I’m deeply resentful of Bobby Cox for failing to deliver but one World Series championship in five attempts while being in the possession of three of the greatest pitchers in the history of the game for close to a decade.
There’s no reason the Braves, with the talent they have, cannot win the World Series this year. But there are multiple reasons to believe that won’t happen.
It may be jumping the gun but I can honestly say, for myself only, that even if his team does come through in October it just will not provide the kind of catharsis for the four World Series losses, or four losses in the National League Championship Series or for the four consecutive, humiliating defeats in the final years of the playoff run… the kind one might expect.
I think to this point he is deserving of the Manager of the Year award but I will still be so happy to see him go. Whatever happens.
Give Me A Break
June 18th, 2010
3:16 pm
I’m don’t really want to go on a Bobby Cox rant and don’t plan on it. On the other hand, Tim Hudson’s observations are music to the ears of fans like myself who think Bobby’s management style of always having something positive to say isn’t always the best way to handle a team.
The Braves used to be a team of self motivators……Smoltz, Glavine, Maddux…..but when the team got younger it seemed that looking for the silver lining by Bobby, instead of kicking some azz, only enabled the teams underachievers. Frenchy, KJ and even BMac weren’t the take charge, accept nothing less than excellence, guys that some of their predicessors were. Bobby looking for a pony under all the horse s**t onlyt enabled them to underachieve. And of course even though he will be a HOFamer, Chipper has never been the guy to step up and kick butts and take names.
Glad Hudson said it! Prado kicks stuff in the dugout. Hinske kicks stuff in the dugout. I LOVE SEEING THAT! Maybe there’s a reason why Hinske keeps going to the World Series?
chief pitchanono
June 18th, 2010
4:35 pm
I think that in the late 90’s and early 2000’s they did become more of complacent machine that was built for the longhaul and got surprised several times during the playoffs. It seemed they were able to just set it on cruise control during the regular season and just couldn’t light a fire when they needed it in the postseason. I don’t think thats been the problem the last few years, the teams sorta been in trasition I guess you could call it rebuilding over the last few years, and now they seem to have all the pieces in place. Most of these players have not been apart of 14 consecutive trips to the playoffs – so yeah they are hungry and the don’t expect to just be in first place at the end of the season, they know they all have to play their tails off and then they are still not sure it will be enough,- but thats a good thing. These guys play everynight like its a playoff game, no matter who they face- and that makes them a blast to watch.
bfred
June 18th, 2010
4:47 pm
It’s absolutely fair to say that most of the Braves teams over the last 12 or so years have been built to win over 162 games. That is a marathon, and the type of even-temperedness that it takes to win over that period of time does not necessarily lend itself to postseason success where emotion can make the difference. That’s why so many pennant and WS champs are teams that got hot in August and September even if they don’t have the best regular season records.
heartofdarkness
June 18th, 2010
5:13 pm
You have rookies and reserves that are critical elements of the lineup everyday this year. Roles are not as clearly defined as when the team could spend more, have set lineups and look to the core of the order for a majority of its offense. Earl Weaver said “the best offense was a 3 run homer”, and I think the Braves had been built along those lines for many years. In the post-juice era, without the ability to build that kind of team, the Braves are looking for the entire batting order to create something.
Nice article, Jeff. I sent Tim’s thoughts along to my son, who plays in a collegiate summer league.
SeATLite
June 18th, 2010
7:25 pm
“While praising this year’s team for it’s passion and aggressiveness…”
“It’s” is a contraction of “it is,” O professional writer of decades’ standing. “Its” is a possessive pronoun. Jesus.
rekingball
June 19th, 2010
1:54 am
Thank the Lord for the Grammer Police.
I hope stated that correctly, probably didn’t.
Runnin
June 19th, 2010
2:15 am
I don’t get to many games but I was at the last game of the year in ‘03 (?) when we lost to the Astros at home. That was the year when after the last game Furcal had to begin serving time for the DUI. Beltran was still an Astro. I was really disappointed how easily the team lost that game. They acted as if they expected to lose all along. I’m sure it did bother some, but to me it didn’t seem like they cared. Probably it was just more a case of not having the proper level of confidence. I can’t see this bunch laying down so agreeably.
carlchamblee
June 19th, 2010
7:35 am
Huddy saying what a lot of us noticed for years. Add that to Chipper saying earlier this year that too often in the past Cox played for the 3 run HR and not small ball. Something else a lot of us said and got branded as Bobby haters for.
Now Bobby is calling squeeze bunts, hit and runs, the hitters are patient, runs are being manufactured, etc. And voila the team is in first place despite this being far from the most talented team they’ve ever had out there.
Too bad it took so long for #6 to figure it out. Maybe he just doesn’t care now that he is on his way out so he is letting the players play. Dunno
Robert
June 19th, 2010
10:03 am
Well – I’d say you can lay blame squarely on Cox for the past. He’s the manager – he sets the tone, decides what is acceptable and what is not. He accepted uninspired baseball for all those years
Hudson just indicted Cox with his statements
jroc
June 19th, 2010
7:17 pm
Cox should have been kicked to curve back in the late 90’s. The Braves were on the top of the baseball world and didn’t captitalize on squat. The Yankees were smart enough to let Joe Torre go before he eroded their organization to nothing, and look at their instant results. Why did the Braves not have the guts to cut ties with cox? I bet you that if the Braves have a deep postseason run Old Man Cox is going to change his mind about calling it quits. After the season is over rush the announcement of Cox’s retirement and move on with NO tributes to him. He missed out big-time of having a two decade dynasty with the Braves as champs.
Dorothy Davis
June 20th, 2010
11:24 am
Isn’t it strange how everyone was willing to forgive the “high Dollar” Texiera for being a “slow starter”, but were so down on Glaus taking one month, early in the season, to get hot? Now, if not for him and Prado, the Braves would not be in contention, let alone leading the League. So now, how long will it be before they sell him off for the $$$ Everyone talks about no loyalty from the players for their team, but how about no loyalty from head office for a player that does it all for them.? Most times, the selling of a great player results in disaster.
LIVE: Braves go for sweep; Kawakami will take anything | Jeff Schultz
June 20th, 2010
12:08 pm
[...] ♦ Tim Hudson: Braves were too ‘passive’ in past seasons [...]
Braves flying high, and where are Bobby Cox’s critics now? | Jeff Schultz
June 20th, 2010
6:12 pm
[...] As Tim Hudson noted the other day, the Braves have taken on “a different personality.” They’re now playing “dirtball games. … It seemed a little bit passive and not a real aggressive type of baseball [in recent years].” [...]
Freddie ;G
June 22nd, 2010
2:14 pm
A lot of the problems since 1996 have not rightly been directed at John S. the GM. Had it not been for his ego, Marquis Grissom and Dave Justice would have played here another year or two. Yes, we had Maddux,Glavine and Smoltz, but they were not everyday players and as John Rocker correctly stated, they created a club within the clubhouse, where they were very focused on the days they pitched but they were also very focused on the next day off when thay could get on the Golf Course. In trading away Justice and Grissom everyday players, the leadership fell to a very young Chipper Jones, and Crime Dog who was on the club for one more season was never a leader. The best Braves team in my opinion and in the opinion of the late Skip Caray was the 1996 team that lost to the NY yankees after going up 2-0., but be reminded that we played that entire series without Justice. To trade away Justice, Grissom and a young Jermaine Dye in one swoop for Michael Tucker, Keith Lockhart, Kenny Lofton ( who did not want to be here) and Alan Embree was like a death blow to the Franchise which has never attained those heights again. We did win 14 Division Championships and made it to the series once, where we were swept by the Yankees.
Having regurgitate on all that I feel Frank Wren is doing a great Job and will continue to make this Franchise better. JS did a great job lifting the Braves from mediocrity, but after the early success his ego took over, and it was what moves he was going to make, some of which we look back on with sorrow. i.e Carpenter for J.D. Drew knowing full well we were not going to resign Drew.
I have been saying from last year that Frank Wren have the balls to make good decisions, not always popular decisions to improve the Franchise. Good work Frank.
Jason Heyward may not be ready to be the face of the Franchise, BMac should be that person now, but we could be like the Yankees and Red Sox with their different leaders and stars, as BMac, Prado and Heyward are in place to assume the leadership roles.
Does Josh Childress fit into Hawks’ plans? – Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) » Childress, Greece, Hawks, Johnson, Josh, Braves » Season Style
July 12th, 2010
5:55 am
[...] ♦ Tim Hudson: Braves were as well ‘passive’ in past seasons ♦ Chipper Jones’ early retirement shouldn’t be the punchline [...]